Opponents of food truck ordinance worry about fees

Unless the newly elected city council members oppose staff’s amended food truck ordinance, it is likely to pass at the Jan. 3 council meeting. Depending on the fee the city may eventually present to council, DMACC Business Resources Executive Director Kim Didier said food trucks will not come to Newton.

“It’s still suggested the food trucks themselves each would pay $100,” she said during the Dec. 20 council meeting. “I know we will lose food trucks at that fee rate. I know this is not about that (and it) will come in a follow-up resolution, but this is all a part of the conversation of what we want this policy to look like.”

Throughout the past few months, Didier has voiced her concerns about the proposed food truck ordinance, which was reconsidered earlier last month after failing to pass in November. With DMACC hosting numerous food trucks in Legacy Plaza, the ordinance will likely affect the vendors operating on campus.

Although amendments to the food truck ordinance did lift some of the burden from vendors in the form of a premise permit, Didier argued the annual $100 license fee — which staff suggested as a starting point and would be up for review after the ordinance passes — is too high a price tag.

Didier also said the annual $100 premise permit fee would be feasible for entities such as DMACC but perhaps less so for other premise permit holders. A fee of that magnitude, she added, could damper others’ wishes to host food trucks or become a problem for events in the city.

“In the list I provided of 42 trucks we have had over the past year and a half, I can see where the return on investment makes sense for Legacy Plaza, because that’s part of our business model,” she said. “But, to be very frank, I’m not so sure it will make sense for any other location in the community.”

Furthermore, Didier said staff’s suggested $100 annual license fee for food truck owners is too high. It is a significant amount for these small business owners, she said, particularly for those who are traveling long distance to operate in Legacy Plaza. Didier argued some may look elsewhere.

If the license and permit fees were already in place, Didier said the ordinance would have charged DMACC and the 42 food trucks a combined total of $4,300.

“That’s a lot of money. And we’re really wanting these food trucks to come because it adds to the vibrancy of the community,” Didier said.

Council member Evelyn George said residents appreciate the variety of food options the visiting trucks provide to the city. George’s goal from the beginning was to make sure Newton has safe food offerings to citizens. She said it feels like the council has put a lot of burden on food trucks.

She further empathized with vendors, who have mileage expenses and are “coming to Newton in advance with zero income.” George said she wants them inspected for safety but wants to do so in a way that doesn’t put a burden on food truck owners.

Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik said if any of the food trucks have not been inspected, his station would like to take a look at it themselves ahead of time. However, he said his office staff have contacted a number of the food trucks Didier provided, and a majority of them have inspection paperwork.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a big issue, but there are going to be some that if they don’t have anything we’re going to come and ask them for an inspection,” Wellik said, later adding the fire department would take inspections from other stations so long as vendors have some kind of record they can provide.

Council member Mark Hallam voted against the amended ordinance when it was initially introduced. When it was reviewed for a second reading last month, he explained his reasoning. He took into consideration the original goals of the ordinance, such as ensuring compliance with fire safety, ADA compliance, etc.

However, Hallam said the introduction of a premise permit alone accomplishes those goals. He also argued the permit could add proximity requirements if issues with brick-and-mortar restaurants occur. But Hallam strongly disagrees with putting extra burden on food truck owners.

“We’re trying to make it easier for businesses to come into Newton, and I think that should include food trucks,” Hallam said. “… If by some long shot any of my colleagues agree with me, I want everyone to know I would be happy to support a future ordinance with just the premise permit with little or no fee.”

Again, Hallam voted against the ordinance in a 5-1 vote with previous city council members Dean Stonner and Steve Mullan. However, the third consideration of the ordinance will be reviewed by newcomer council members Melissa Dalton and Vicki Wade. If they side with Hallam and vote no, the ordinance fails.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com