Yakima Faces Pressure Over Unlicensed Taco Vendors

The Chair of the Washington State Restaurant Fair Play Coalition has written a letter to Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker demanding the city take action against at least five unlicensed “pop-up” taco stands, he says operate illegally throughout the city every night.

AT LEAST FIVE ILLEGAL TACO STANDS

The letter is to "formally" alert the city to an "escalating public health and business-compliance crisis," hoping the city will take immediate action. Coalition Chair Josiah Gaytán says every night from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am, the five taco stands conduct business without business licenses or permits from Yakima County Public Health. He says they set up without authorization on private and public property and handle and cook food without refrigeration, sanitation, or running water. He says that's a prime recipe for a serious threat to public safety. The letter gives specific locations of the illegal stands for the city to investigate.

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THE CITY COUNCIL WILL TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM

Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker says the Yakima City Council will talk about the letter and the issue during the upcoming council meeting set for Monday, November 3, at Yakima City Hall. Baker says a strategy is being developed by the City and other agencies (such as the Yakima Health District, etc.).  Enforcement actions will be part of the coordinated strategy.

SELAH ACTED TO BAR THE VENDORS

Earlier this year, the city of Selah enacted an emergency ordinance that toughens fines against vendors operating illegally, even to the point of confiscating vehicles and equipment.

NOT JUST A HEALTH CONCERN

Beyond the risk to public health, the coalition is also concerned about worker exploitation, illegal operations, and unfair competition. The coalition wants the city to identify and shut down the illegal operators and establish a joint enforcement task force to make sure all vendors are following all the rules. The Washington State Restaurant Fair Play Coalition is also requesting a response from the city within the next five days, spelling out the plan the city has to end the problem.

MEXICAN RESTAURANT OWNERS BACK THE COALITION

The coalition is made up of 200 licensed Mexican restaurants in Washington that are pushing for action against illegal "pop-up" taco stands.
The coalition even threatens legal action against the city if no action is taken.
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