The Madison Vending Oversight Committee discussed several issues was the food vendors on State Street Mall during a Wednesday meeting.

The first issue addressed concerned the prohibition of electric generators to run vending equipment on Library Mall. One of the major issues raised concerned the noise and air pollution caused by the generators.

“Mopeds pollute that whole area far more than an occasional food vendor using their generator when there is a power outage,” said committee member Rosemary Lee, who opposed to the generator ban.

Ald. Thuy Pham-Remmele, District 20, said generators give vendors the ability to keep food fresh and healthy for the public incase of an emergency. It would just make more obstacles for all if vendors if they are not allowed to use generators.

“Vendors should have a generator because it allows versatility and if you are going to participate in a special event you don’t have to be next to an electrical outlet,” said Warren Hansen, street vending coordinator.

“If your electrical source is out that day you have to shut down,” he said. The committee also discussed an amendment to an ordinance that would allow more than two hotdog vendors to be licensed as Mall/Concourse food vendors at one time.

“The idea of limiting one kind of thing because you personally don’t think it is a big deal to make something like a hot dog or sausage is just not fair,” said committee member Hawk Schenkel.

The committee voted to allow “emergency use or back-up generators” as well as permitting more than two hot dog vendors to be licensed.

They also decided to adopt a rule assessing demerit points for food vendors who have been shut down by the Health Department during the previous season. First-time food vendors are now eligible for vacant food vending sites during the winter vending season.