Mount Vernon officials plan to hold a discussion with restaurants, food truck vendors, Fire Department and Knox Health Department representatives to discuss potential city regulations on food trucks on Nov 13th. This meeting is a part of an ongoing effort to regulate the operation of food trucks within city limits.
The dynamics of Mount Vernon's governing body play a significant role in these discussions.
Preliminary talks around the proposed legislation took place during a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. A Planning and Zoning Committee meeting chaired by City Councilmember Mike Hillier included discussions of how to proceed with potential legislation, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting.
There are already some insights into the perspectives of various stakeholders on this issue. Mount Vernon Fire Department Inspector Terry Davis inspects only those food trucks he knows about, Hillier said, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting. He said he believes they should be regulated, just like someone who comes knocking on your door to sell insurance has to get a permit.
The Mayor also offered his views regarding this sensitive matter. Mayor Matt Starr said that Ann Weisent-Page, who operates Knox Foodies, understands this topic is sensitive to the brick-and-mortar stores that pay income tax and property tax, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting.
Views on this issue vary greatly among members of the council, with some favouring less restrictive measures. City Councilmember Mel Severns said food trucks out by jobs or at Ariel Foundation Park do minimize a bit of traffic as people there don't have to get out on the road to pick up food, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting. "But they do provide resources for people to get food in Mount Vernon. So I'm not really in favor of a lot of restrictions, and definitely not without bringing people to the table to discuss."
Food truck operators have also voiced their concerns during previous committee meetings. Weisent-Page had told City Council in a previous committee meeting that it's important not to single out the 27 food trucks that are licensed in Knox County, according to minutes from the Planning and Zoning Committee's Oct. 23 meeting that were attached to the draft minutes of the Nov. 13 City Council meeting. Mobile vendors that sell products other than food are licensed in the county in which they are based. Knox Public Health and the Fire Department have inspection authority, she said.
The President of The Council shared his perspective about ensuring fairness while considering these regulations. Council President Bruce Hawkins asked about the craft vendors and about the game vendors at festivals in the city, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting. The city would need to make sure it's fair with everybody, he said.
The role of event organizers in ensuring compliance with potential regulations was also discussed. Hillier said he knew from his experience with First Fridays events, it holds the permit to use the Public Square downtown, so the responsibility falls with them to make sure vendors have required permits and inspections, according to a video recording of the Nov. 13 Mount Vernon City Council meeting. That could be written into any legislation that would be drafted.
