Members are unsure when to expect the vote, and as of press time Wednesday night, were still hearing public comment.
“We have a very complicated ordinance which will affect sensitive areas of downtown Bloomington, an area we’re bound to protect in every way,” council member Martin Spechler said. “We need to hear from other stakeholders.”
The first ordinance discussed Wednesday evening edited the city’s definitions of mobile vendors, revised the process in which these businesses gain permits and expanded regulations.
No more than four food trucks and 12 pushcarts will be allowed on the Courthouse square. No more than five food trucks and 10 pushcarts are to be located between the Courthouse square and the Sample Gates.
Mobile food vendors would also be restricted to operating in commercial zones and would have to be located at least 50 feet away from the facade of a building where food and beverages are sold.
Amendments made to the first ordinance, since it was discussed at the Nov. 19 meeting, include choosing an enforcement officer for regulations, removing the cap on the total number of licenses that can be issued and adjusting hours of operation.
Vendors will not be allowed to operate from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on public property but will be allowed to operate 24 hours on private property.
A full audience was present at Wednesday night’s meeting. Prior to the meeting, local food truck vendors handed out free items from their trucks in order to rally support against the ?ordinances.
Food truck operators Jackie White of Gypsy Moon and Jackie Howard of Bea’s Soda Bar said regulations are necessary but there should be more compromise in the ordinances.
“We want laws,” White said. “We want to know exactly what we can and cannot do.”
Both women said the biggest issue was in regards to parking. Food truck vendors are required to park in certain city lots and pay parking meter fees for the length of time they are parked.
This, Howard said, is difficult when the specified lots are taken by other automobiles.
“Do you think I would come down at 7 a.m. to park in an illegal spot on purpose?” White said.
One proposal made by various food truck vendors is a food truck lot for the businesses to operate.
Parking limitations change operating hours for mobile businesses, the women said.
Howard said regulation has been an issue since the summer. The vendors were given notice and a draft of the ordinances in July, and received the final draft two days prior to it being sent to the city council.
