Devotees of Jin's Chicken and Fish will soon be without their favorite vendor, after the Madison City Council voted to suspend operator Jeffrey Okafo's street vending license.
Following recommendations from the Vending Oversight Committee, the alders passed a motion to suspend Okafo's license for four weeks beginning Oct. 27. Okafo is also required to not use any electronically amplified audio sound or visual equipment in the vending cart following the one-month suspension. Other conditions include not operating in front of the Theta Kappa Epsilon House, 216 Langdon St., or the Acacia House, 222 Langdon St.
\I think we're being very fair and reasonable,"" said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. ""I support giving Jeff a second chance, a third chance. I have the utmost respect for the Okafo family.""
Okafo was brought before the Vending Oversight Committee because police had received noise and other complaints. Jin's Chicken and Fish operates late weekend nights on Langdon Street, a residential area.
Craig Chester, president and resident advisor of TKE, told alders the fraternity supported suspending Okafo's license.
""Initially we were in support of the six-month suspension or some other remedy."" Chester said. ""After briefly reviewing [the committee's recommendation], it looks like we would be in support of this as well.""
An amendment added by Ald. Austin King, District 8, modified the committee's original recommendation of a six-week suspension.
Jin's Chicken and Fish can continue to operate during Okafo's suspension as any licensed vendor can operate the cart, including the cart's owner, Maxine Okafo, Jeffrey Okafo's mother.
The Council also approved signing a rental agreement for two light units for Halloween to prevent a third year of rioting.
""[The lights] will be used on Friday and Saturday mornings at 3 a.m., not illuminated during the entire night,"" Verveer said. ""The lights will be used to signal the end of the party to help police clear the streets or in an emergency.""
The Madison Police Department will accept $16,000 from Madison Gas & Electric and UW-Madison to rent the light units.
Alders also approved rezoning the area around Grainger Hall to allow for a five-story, 150,000- square foot addition to the building.
