Food trucks were back on the menu at city council’s first meeting of 2022 on Monday starting with Public Comments.
Former alderman LauraJo Smole, after urging council to set minimum wage for city employees to $15 an hour, suggested that council allow food trucks in areas zoned C-2 and dissolving the lottery for spaces. She said the number of excess parking spaces, which the building inspector would identify, could determine the number of food trucks in a lot.
Resident and business owner Dave Hartmann spoke in favor of increasing the number of food truck spots along the highway but suggested, as well, to forgo a lottery, as it did not encourage enterprise.
At council’s last meeting food trucks became a staple of discussion due to an established business losing its space since the food truck lottery only allows two spaces along US 62 to the intersection of Hwy. 23S. Aldermen decided to have an ordinance drafted to increase the number of slots by three, but with discussion pivoted to restructuring the entire food truck ordinance and doing away with the lottery altogether.
Alderman Terry McClung suggested holding a public hearing to gain input from the public and owners of brick-and-mortar establishments.
There was consensus from aldermen in support of allowing food trucks and getting more input from the public. Aldermen Bill Ott and Nick Roberts said they did not like the food truck lottery as it is, with Ott saying the lottery crushes entrepreneurial spirit.
McClung said it was time for council to “Revisit the whole thing and make something better,” and suggested that the City Advertising and Promotion Commission inform restaurants of the need for input. Ott moved to schedule a public hearing at the next city council meeting with alderman Melissa Greene seconding. The motion passed unanimously.
Other Items
- Rules of procedure and meeting schedule were approved to remain the same as last year. McClung was voted in as Mayor Pro Tem.
- Ordinance #2316 to vacate a portion of Paxos St. passed its third and final reading.
- Resolution #815 to extend the requirements of facemasks within city buildings and government facilities passed unanimously.
- Aldermen Autumn Slane and Nick Roberts were voted in to serve on the CAPC.
- The 2022 budget will be visited and approved at the next meeting.