The request is for the City Council to conduct a first reading of an ordinance relating to certain requisite licensing procedures  and other governmental regulations in regard to Mobile Food Vending and to consider approving the ordinance.

Mobile food trucks have become part of a cultural occurrence and there has been some interest expressed in allowing them in the city.  Food trucks when properly placed can unquestionably be a fun and lively addition to civic life.  However, a free market approach to this matter would allow food trucks unreserved freedom to establish themselves without due regard to the city's historic downtown character as well as the vestige of the local business community.  That being said, it is important to establish a balanced and thoughtful approach to this matter so that protections are provided to retain our assets while allowing new things that will compliment civic life.

In that regard and for some time now, the staff has been fine-tuning a draft of an ordinance which would permit Mobile Food Vending with licensing and other regulations in the city. In that respect a proposed ordinance is attached to this communication.  Some of the more salient parts of the ordinance are outlined below:

Vendors interested in sales on private property must:

1. Obtain permission from the property owner

2. Shall not operate on the same property more than two (2) times in any thirty (30) day period

3. Shall be appropriately situated on the property so as not to block any means of ingress or egress from a building or handicap access area or handicap parking space

4. Shall not operate in any single-family or multi-family zoning district

Vendors interested in sales on public property must:

1. Shall only be operated at times and locations authorized specifically by the vendor permit 

2. Shall not operate within 100 feet of the property line of any licensed restaurant

3. Shall not be located in an manner to impede normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic

Vendors either on public or private property must:

1. Vendors must obtain and display a license from the city to engage in the sale of food

2. Submit a hold harmless agreement and evidence of insurance in an amount as approved by the city attorney

3. Signage must be attached to the mobile food unit and may not extend more than 36 inches above the unit

4. Provide a plan for the removal of all litter, trash and waste

5. Cease operation between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

6. Restrict the sales and distribution area to 200 square feet

As you can see, the ordinance in addition to setting forth licensing rules and processes does establish a distancing requirement between a mobile vehicle and a licensed restaurant.  It also restricts the frequency with which a mobile vending vehicle may be situated on the same piece of property. These regulations are intended to protect the city's brick-and-mortar establishments and likely will be a big part of your discussion in regard to this ordinance and its efficacy in respect to being both balanced and thoughtful.