The Madison Personnel Board passed a motion Wednesday implementing a permanent, full-time street vendor monitor.

Replacing the current half-time street vendor monitor, the full-time patroller will handle all activities associated with sidewalk and late-night vending on and around State Street.

According to the board, the current street vendor monitor position was created to assist the street vending coordinator. The monitor, paid on an hourly basis, was originally hired to relieve the street vending coordinator of some of the position’s responsibilities, including licensing, evaluating and managing various street vendors on Library Mall, outside Camp Randall, on State Street and at the Farmers’ Market.

The coordinator’s present duties include “making sure vendors are appropriately licensed and operating within city ordinances,” according to Brad Wirtz, human resources director and member of the board. The coordinator is also given the task of writing citations if any vendors fail to adhere to the city’s street vending policies.

Wirtz said the street vendor monitor was “essentially working 10 hours per day,” which is grounds for a full-time position.

However, the job requirements expected of the permanent monitor do not vary from the part-time employee.

The new full-time position will be responsible for clerical tasks and general office work associated with street vending when activity is low. This includes interacting and communicating with the public and the vendors, fielding assorted complaints and maintaining records.

According to Wirtz, qualifications for the new full-time position include effective communication strategies, ability to work varied — often outdoor — schedules and experience “normally gained after graduation from high school or equivalent.”

The board voted the street vendor monitor should gain all the benefits of a full-time employee, including a pay increase.

Madison’s Contingent Reserve states a pay increase for the vending patroller would require an additional $12,318 from the city budget.

“We just went through an especially tough budget, and we are cautious about adding anything new to the 2010 budget,” said Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

Although Cieslewicz is listed as a sponsor of the full-time street vendor monitor, Strauch-Nelson said his name will likely be removed.

“I think it was an administrative issue that his name appeared as a sponsor,” Strauch-Nelson said. “We would like to know more about it before we spend any more money.”

A permanent monitor would help ensure continuity and permanent enforcement of city vending rules, Wirtz said.

The Personnel Board discussed the recent rise in the city’s street vending activities due to the expansion of late-night vending between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Street vending is expected to increase further with the arrival of warmer weather.

At their Feb. 25 meeting, the Vending Oversight Committee unanimously voted to move late-night vendors to the 700 block of State Street because of complaints filed by community members.