Navigating the streets of Watsonville as a mobile vendor has been a livelihood I've cherished! However, a recent encounter with the law left me concerned for the future of my business, and others like mine. Watsonville Municipal Code Section 14-14.01, which was unbeknownst to many of us, restricts vendors to a maximum of ten minutes in any single location. This regulation is not only restrictive but threatens the vibrant, diverse culture of street vendors who contribute so much to our community's economy.

Imagine setting up your station - planning your day, selecting your location based on foot traffic, and engaging with customers who love the authenticity of street vending. Within ten minutes, you're forced to uproot and move elsewhere, disrupting service, customer relations, and frankly, the business model that thrives on creating consistent, accessible experiences for buyers. This limitation stifles the flexibility and spontaneity that are integral to running a successful mobile business.

Cities around the nation have embraced street vendors as key players in their local economies, providing diversity in food and goods, creating job opportunities, and playing a role in reducing urban unemployment. Why should Watsonville be any different? We already pay a business license for Watsonville. Instead of restricting us, the city should foster growth by allowing vendors the freedom to operate without unnecessary constraints, and simply requiring a reasonable permit fee to ensure compliance and security for all involved.

We urge the city council of Watsonville to reevaluate and amend this section of the municipal code. Let's find a middle ground where protections for both vendors and residents exist harmoniously. Instead of a ten-minute limit, vendors should be given the ability to park on public streets for a period conducive to successful business operations, while adhering to safety and public order.

Please support this petition to make Watsonville a welcoming and progressive space for all its entrepreneurs—local residents and visitors deserve the best of what our city has to offer. Sign this petition to call for change, ensuring mobile vendors can continue to contribute to our community's life and spirit.