06-24-2024 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council FROM:Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager DATE:June 24, 2024 RE:Temporary Wagon Vendor Licenses ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED Consider enacting temporary wagon vendor licenses until City Code Section 805 is updated. BACKGROUND City Code Section 805 is for wagon vendors and there is a corresponding $50 license that runs July 1 – June 30 each year. This code section was first adopted in 1961 and the language is still almost exactly the same. This ordinance was requested by Ramsey County in order to prevent mobile confectionary vendors from being at the county’s new Lake Gervais bathing beach on Edgerton Street. This license is not required for farmers that sell their own produce from vehicles. Over the last few years a wagon vendor license has only been issued for one year-round food truck, otherwise the only other food trucks in the city would be here for a day or two, usually for a private event, and there had not been any problems. Three years ago, a food truck began parking at the Quality Motor Sales business on County Road C and staff has issued them a wagon vendor license each year. As part of the license process, staff requires a copy of their business insurance and food license. Staff has wanted to update the wagon vendor license to make it more applicable to what it is currently being used for, but there had not been any urgent timeline until now. Recently two food truck owners called the city asking if they can park at specific businesses on a regular basis, and staff has seen two other trucks parked in the city and at least one of them is operating. Staff wants to consider adding additional requirements to the city code for food trucks, such as minimum distances from restaurants, and first discuss any changes with the Planning Commission. In order to do this, staff will need at least a few months to complete a city code amendment process. The current wagon vendor license period is ending on June 30 and any licenses approved now would be issued under the existing rules that would not expire until June 30, 2025. Staff recommends if new requirements are adopted, that all trucks would be required to adhere to the new city code soon after. Staff is proposing to adopt a wagon vendor license that would be issued in two month increments on a temporary basis until the city code has been amended. These temporary licenses would be approved administratively and have a $10 license fee. RECOMMENDATION Approve the temporary adoption of wagon vendor licenses with a two month long license period until City Code Section 805 is amended.