City Council Sets RAGBRAI Vendor Fees

The Glenwood City Council approved an ordinance regarding permits and fees for activities associated with RAGBRAI.

The action came during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, April 26. Other RAGBRAI topics were addressed as well.

Permits, Fees

All of the fees and permit regulations are outlined in the ordinance, which is published as a legal notice in today’s edition of The Opinion-Tribune.

The revised ordinance requires a permit for food vendors to operate July 22-24, though existing food service licenses in effect as of June 1 will be honored and no special permit will be required.

The fee for a for-profit food vendor permit for a booth size no larger than 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep will be $700 plus a refundable $150 cleaning deposit. The fee rises to $800 after June 1. Additional footage will be available at higher costs.

The fee for a non-profit food vendor for maximum 15 feet wide by 10 feet deep was set at $300 with the $150 cleaning deposit.

Electrical service is available at an additional charge.

Vendors will need to meet Iowa Department of Health rules and regulations.
Vendors granted a permit will be placed in a temporary location determined by the Glenwood RAGBRAI Food Vendor Committee, the ordinance says.

Non-food vendor fees are $700 for for-profit vendors and $300 for non-profit vendors, plus the $150 refundable cleaning deposit, for those registered by June 1. Extra space is available at an additional charge. The location for the non-food vendors will be determined by the vendor committee.

People who try to set up as a vendor without a permit will be asked to cease their operation, but will be given the opportunity to immediately purchase a permit.

Set Up Plans

Jeni Kirsch of the RAGBRAI Executive Committee spoke to the council about preliminary plans for locating vendors, food and beverage supply vehicles and the timing for set-up. The plans are a work in progress.

Council member Jessie Lundvall suggested the committee continue its work, “then come back with a finalized plan.”
Council member Craig Florian added, “I don’t see any problems with what we’ve seen so far.”

Sherry Ford of the hospitality committee spoke to the council about decoration plans that will accompany the theme of a

“Star Spangled Send Off.” She said the committee wants to use chalk paint to put stars on the street.
Council members didn’t object to that plan, but again, asked that the committee complete its plan, then return for final approval.