The issue of whether to allow vending on the beach this summer for a planned volleyball tournament caused the City Council on Monday to ask a number of questions about the proposal from Puget Sound Trade Shows and Events.

The company run by Dennis Irby also puts on the annual Grays Harbor Expo, Ocean Shores Beach Blast and Bikers at the Beach.

The council was asked to consider a request for tent vending under 10-X-10-foot canopies for sponsors, a beer garden, and sponsor booths during the July 7-9 event, which is part of the Beach Blast plans. The goal is to create 44 beach volleyball courts as well as a main stage and viewing area on the beach.

“We have a sports apparel store the is interested in becoming a sponsor, and will probably want to sell. Galway Bay wants to do a beer garden and … we will want to sell our Beach Blast merchandise, prepackaged snacks and sports drinks,” said a letter to the city from Darla Skrei of Puget Sound Trade Shows and Events.

The letter also raises the possibility of food booths, if permitted by the Grays Harbor County Health Department. Neither Skrei nor Irby were present at the council meeting Monday night, and several members of the public and business community urged the council to be cautious about changing an ordinance that bans vending except for the horse rental businesses that area allowed under city control.

Mayor Crystal Dingler noted this year Irby has been working to create a Professional Volleyball Association event.

“There are certain vendors that deal with these folks all the time,” she said. “They are interested in vending on the beach, and it is not something that Ocean Shores has allowed. We have tried it out before, but we have not felt that is what we have wanted to do.”

The council likely will take the issue up at its next meeting on Feb. 27 and consider action then.