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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/2016  B A K E R S F I E L D Committee Members: Chris Gerry, Administrative Analyst Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Bob Smith Willie Rivera AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, April 7, 2016 12:00 p.m. City Hall North First Floor - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:04 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee Members Present: Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Councilmember Bob Smith Committee Members Absent: Councilmember Willie Rivera Staff Present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Steven Teglia and Chris Huot, Assistant City Managers Christopher Gerry, Administrative Analyst Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Richard Iger, Deputy City Attorney Viridiana Gallardo-King, Associate Attorney Nelson Smith, Finance Director Tessa Andrews, City Treasurer Drew Sharples, Financial Investigator Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director Darin Budak, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Doug McIsaac, Community Development Director Jacqui Kitchen, Planning Director s: Chris Gerry Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, April 7, 2016 Page 2 Hayward Cox, Associate Planner Phil Burns, Building Director Dennis West, Bakersfield Police Lieutenant Keitha Turner, Administrative Assistant, Mayor’s Office Others Present: Members of the Downtown Business Development Corporation Members of the Downtown Business Association Members of the Public Members of the Media 2. ADOPT APRIL 2, 2015 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The report was adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Mobile Food Vendors – Blaschke/Iger Management Assistant, Caleb Blaschke, stated that on March 30, 2016, the City Council received a letter from the Downtown Business Development Corporation requesting a review of the City’s mobile food vendor policies and consider revising it to reflect current trends. The item was referred to the Community Services Committee for further review. Mr. Blaschke stated that City staff conducted a survey of 13 California cities to identify the best practices for regulating mobile food vendors. He summarized the results of the survey via PowerPoint presentation. Deputy City Attorney, Richard Iger, stated various complaints have been received regarding hybrid food trucks and push cart vendors operating in neighborhoods located near schools and parks. The existing regulations do not directly apply to mobile food trucks. City Attorney, Virginia Gennaro, stated a legal difference exists in regulating businesses on private properties relative to public properties. The existing policy regulates sidewalk pushcart food vendors, ice cream vendors, and transient outdoor businesses, but nothing directly applicable to mobile food trucks. Committee Chair Sullivan asked how long ago was a review conducted on the existing policy. Ms. Gennaro stated she could not recall conducting an in-depth analysis of the existing policy. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, April 7, 2016 Page 3 Kevin Bartle with the Downtown Business Association stated that mobile food trucks play a role in creating a vibrant downtown by generating substantial pedestrian business. The policy should facilitate the co-existence of mobile food trucks and brick and mortar restaurants. Jerry Baronovski, a brick and mortar downtown business owner, stated that the policy should provide a clear definition of a mobile food vendor, and designate areas and hours of operation for such vendors. He stated that when vendors park in front of brick and mortar restaurants, it impacts the day-to-day operations and profits of restaurants. Committee Member Smith asked if any of the research suggests that food trucks impact brick and mortar restaurants; how many food trucks can be stationed in a private parking lot at a time; and are trash issues exist due to the presence of mobile food vendors. Mr. Blaschke stated that his research did not display any impacts to brick and mortar restaurants. Conversely, research indicated that many brick and mortar restaurants had an increase in revenue due to more pedestrian activity due to the presence of mobile food trucks. Also, research indicated nearly all jurisdictions required food trucks to have trash bins located outside their trucks and that they pick-up trash within a certain distance before leaving the site. Planning Director, Jacqui Kitchen, stated that the existing policy allows for one food truck to be parked on a private parcel, which must have an existing brick and mortar business and a paved parking lot. A food truck cannot be parked on a vacant lot. Ms. Kitchen stated that the intent of the existing policy is to promote the future improvements on parcels and reduce incidents of competition with other brick and mortar businesses. City Manager, Alan Tandy, added that the current policy predates current practices and was written for different circumstances. Committee Member Smith stated he is in favor of updating the policy and is not in favor of restricting the expansion of food trucks. Committee Chair Sullivan asked when the existing policy was written and stated any new policy should provide equal protection to brick and mortar businesses and mobile food vendors. Ms. Gennaro stated a variety of sections exist and a few have had only modest changes. Cathy Butler with the Downtown Business Association stated that many issues with mobile food truck vendors exist and is happy to see that the Community Services Committee will address the existing policy. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, April 7, 2016 Page 4 Committee Chair Sullivan requested City staff to draft an ordinance pertaining to mobile food vendors and subsequently present it to the Community Services Committee at a later meeting. Committee Member Smith requested City staff to review and reference the City of Los Angeles policy as well. Mr. Bartle inquired if there is any policy regulating mobile food vendors at parks. Recreation and Parks Director, Dianne Hoover, stated a policy exists and vendors are required to obtain special permits. B. Adoption of the 2016 Committee Meeting Schedule – Gerry The 2016 Committee Meeting Schedule was adopted as submitted. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:03 p.m. cc: Honorable Mayor and Council