Madison street vendors will be subject to increased licensing fees after a decision by City Council Tuesday.

Adoption of the ordinance, sponsored by Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, was opposed by fellow Vending Oversight Committee member Ald. Thuy Pham-Remmele, District 20, who argued the measure puts unfair pressure on local small business owners.

“For mall and concourse vendors, there’s been a 25 percent increase in the last six years,” Pham-Remmele said. “I feel very uncomfortable approving this.”

Pham-Remmele said many vendors and cart operators belong to minority groups and may not be familiar with the nuances of the necessary and changing licensing procedures.

“I have had several calls from vendors concerned about the fees,” Pham-Remmele said. “My concern is that when we are looking for money, why are we going to the small businesses and vendors?”

According to the ordinance, the measure hopes to generate approximately $7,050 in revenue annually. On average, the increase amounts to about $50 in additional licensing fees for merchant, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Verveer said the focus was put on fees that had not been increased in a considerable amount of time.

The legislation comes as a response to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz removing authorization for the hiring of a part-time assistant vending monitor. The added increase in fees would generate funds for the possible hiring of said assistant, Verveer said.

Currently, vending is overseen by a single coordinator — Warren Hansen.

“This is the second time in a year that we have voted to increase vending fees,” Verveer said. “But the fees that we increased earlier in the year are not the same fees that we increased tonight.”

Set to appear in the 2010 budget, the increased fees, according to Verveer, will most likely not be challenged by the majority of vendors. Scores of vendors are registered in the city and the chances the increase in fees would discourage vendors from operating are unlikely, Verveer added.