Food trucks and trailers are becoming increasingly popular in Bellefontaine and city leaders are seeking clear direction in how to deal with mobile vendors.
“My whole issue here is about fairness to anyone doing business in the city,” Service-Safety Director James Holycross said during a Thursday meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council Rules Committee. “They’re not registering with our income tax department. They’re in and out.
“I want them to play by the same rules as any other business.”
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Customers visit the Dine & Dash food truck, one of several mobile food operations that sets up occasionally in Bellefontaine. City officials discussed rules for food trucks during a special Thursday meeting. (PHOTO | FACEBOOK) |
Current ordinances require mobile vendors to have a city permit. However, the same ordinance prohibits vending stands in business districts, the most popular areas to locate.
Mr. Holycross does not believe he can issue a permit under the current language to vendors seeking spots in the downtown area or other business districts.
Committee Chairwoman Diane Hager headed up the meeting with Councilman Allen Hadley, Mayor Ben Stahler and Tim Smith from the Logan County Health District.
Mr. Smith handles food inspections for the county. He said the local district is responsible for periodic inspections of resident food vendors and he has authority to conduct spot inspections of any transient vendors who come to the county.
The short meeting covered a variety of topics such as ice cream trucks driving through residential areas; vendors at festivals and events; licensing fees; and collecting income tax from the vendors.
“We’re getting nothing out of them now,” Ms. Hager noted.
“Except for our citizens,” Mayor Stahler said, “who now have more noontime dining choices.
“I think we want to be welcoming while being sensitive to our established businesses.”
City Law Director Josh Stolly was unable to attend the meeting, so Ms. Hager said she will contact him with questions and set another meeting which will work for him and the third committee member, Councilman Mick Lile.
The city administration also intends to contact more cities to see how those municipalities handle transient vendors.