Mattawa officials discussing food-based fundraising rules

MATTAWA —Mattawa residents will be asked for their opinions on possible changes to existing ordinances to regulate the sale of food-based fundraisers by groups and individuals at a community meeting sometime this fall. Mattawa City Council members continued an ongoing discussion Thursday about what should and should not be allowed. 

City Clerk Anabel Martinez said Mattawa has regulations governing food businesses.  

“We do have a municipal code for stationary vendors and solicitors. Each one has their own rules and regulations. But we don’t have one for fundraising,” Martinez said.  

The discussion was prompted by complaints from businesses about specific vendors, Martinez said.  

Council Member Tony Acosta said he thought the rules should be the same for all vendors. 

“If you’re selling food, it should be the same requirements,” Acosta said. 

Council member Wendy Lopez said the city should have assurances that the food being sold is safe for consumption. 

“Is (food for sale) staying hot enough? Is it cold enough? Are people washing their hands?” she said. 

Council member Alex Heredia suggested requiring a permit, so city officials have some information about proposed activities. Lopez suggested a small permit fee. 

Council Member Fabiola Hernandez said in her opinion, the proposal didn’t take individual emergencies into account. She cited families that suffer a sudden death and use a bake sale, or something similar, to raise money for a funeral. 

“We are making it harder for people when they have an emergency, but not for the people who have a nonprofit organization,” she said.  

Council Member Brian Berghout expressed concern about too many regulations governing the use of private property. 

“I can see the issue. I have no problem with establishing guidelines. But it’s a slippery slope to start regulating what a nonprofit can do on private property,” Berghout said.  

Heredia suggested limiting the number of fundraising events per year for each nonprofit. That would eliminate the temptation to label a food sale as a fundraiser when the owner actually is using it as a business, he said.

Council members tentatively decided on a limit of six events per year, with at least 30 days between events. Heredia suggested limiting sales to official nonprofit organizations, saying that individuals in emergency situations could partner with an existing nonprofit. 

Fundraisers would be required to stay at least five feet from the city right-of-way and post a notice showing they had complied with city rules. Council members discussed other possible details, but didn’t come to any conclusions. Rodriguez suggested asking for community input as the discussion continues.