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Mobile vendor task force presents
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Mobile vendor task force presents
Feb. 18, 2012
By Shelly Crenshaw Donovan
Lee’s Summit Tribune
The Lees Summit Community Development Committee met Wednesday to listen to recommendations made by a task force regarding the use of Mobile Food Vendors.
The task force met twice and was comprised of Councilmember Bob Johnson; Brad Culbertson, owner of several businesses and properties in the downtown area; Tammy Tyner, owner of the Downtown Deli; Tricia Drape, Executive Director of Downtown LS Main Street; Tony Olson, owner of the Neighborhood Café and the Rolling Vendor Café; Michelle Franke, owner of the Little Italy Truck; and four City Hall employees.
“They did what we hoped they would do by coming together and making recommendations that were then presented to the council,” Councilman Dave Mosby said, adding that he was happy with the results. “We wanted to make sure that all businesses could work together for the benefit of the new mobile vendors and the other businesses involved.”
Mosby was asked if there was any discussion about the narrow streets of downtown Third Street and the size of these mobile trucks, but the point was never discussed.
The recommendations were passed with a majority, with the lone “no” vote coming from Councilmember Kathy Hofmann. Councilmember Allan Gray, who heads this committee, put the issue to vote, ignoring final comments made by Hofmann,
“My light was on the whole time. I don’t know if it was accidental, but I wasn’t allowed to make a statement before the measure was decided,” Hofmann said. “This seemed to be a predetermined thing. The three of them (Mosby, Johnson and Gray) would not even allow the city employees to answer my questions. They answered the questions for me instead.
“I still have many concerns. Millions of dollars were spent to remake the historical downtown area.”
Hofman added that mobile food vending trucks were not a part of the plans for the historical look and feel of strolling through downtown Lees Summit.
“I’m feeling like it’s a big mistake to take away from the fundraisers for the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce,” Hofmann said. “The Oktoberfest, Downtown Days, Music on the Green and the like make almost all of their monies during these events. To allow a mobile food vendor or cart vendor to compete with a fundraiser doesn’t make sense.”
Another concern Hofmann had about the decisions made at the meeting was the lack of property tax being paid by mobile vendors.
“These mobile vendors pay sales tax on their sales, but they pay no property tax,” she said. “Our brick and mortar businesses pay for taxes on those mortgages and property taxes.
“When they reduced the price from $200 to only $75 for a Vending Truck and $50 for a cart to receive a permit to operate for the year, they said it was because the $200 was too expensive.” She added, “In comparison, the permit for vendors at The Chamber of Commerce festivals and fairs are much higher.”
Tyner still questioned the 60-foot rule.
“This still makes it difficult to conduct business properly when loud generators are too loud for customers to have a pleasant experience,” she said.
The CDC recommended the 60 feet rule from mobile food truck to front door of an established business based on the businesses posted hours. They also recommended the permits prices be lowered from the Task Force recommendation of $200 to $75 for vending trucks and $50 for vending carts. The vehicles must be in the right of way, and if a fair or festival like Oktoberfest is operating downtown, then the mobile food vendors need to keep a distance of at least a quarter mile away, “as not to cause unnecessary competition,” Bob McKay, the Director of Planning and Development, said.
“I believe that there has been a fair discussion of the issues and fair compromises made,” said Culbertson after the meeting. “I think that there is still time to meet with all parties to make sure that everyone will be treated fairly. I don’t know that there will be much of an impact on Downtown Days or Oktoberfest. I just don’t see anyone leaving those venues to walk three blocks for something different to eat.”
There is to be another meeting March 13.
“I would like to remind Lee’s Summit citizens that if you do not come forward, the council assumes you are agreeing with their decisions,” Hofmann said. “It’s very important to contact your councilmember if you have questions.”
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