Street Vending Subcommittee

Board of Public Works

Kathy Servoss 01/25/2016

Topics of Discussion

• Historic Overview of Mobile Vending in the City• Prior to Creation of Street Vending Subcommittee• Development of a Policy

• Current Conditions• Currently Operating Food Trucks with Locations• Known Issues and Complaints

• Next Steps, Options, or Recommendations

Historic Overview1918 Louie’s Lunch Wagon started on Cornell

Campus1960 The Hot Truck started vending in

Collegetown1974+ Vending permits approved for Cass Park

only1983 Written policy created for vending in Cass

Park2009 City Code Chapter 170 “Use of City

Property” Revised, transferring permit issuance responsibilities from Police to Superintendent of Public Works and Setting Fees for the Use of City Property.

Historic Overview2010 Request to Vend in Collegetown denied by BPW due

to lack of policy and narrow streets/sidewalks2012 Mayor Myrick created a Special Subcommittee of

BPW to develop a new food truck policy. Goal was to propose changes to City Code, either to allow or prohibit food trucks.

2012-13

BPW enlists assistance from Leadership Tompkins Community Action Project Group to propose recommendations for a new food truck policy. Recommendations provided in June 2013.

4/2013 Food Truck Association granted a Temporary Permit to have Food Truck Roundup at Thompson Park (pilot program)

7/2013 Subcommittee began meeting regularly (staff & BPW members)

Historic Overview8/2013 Vending locations proposed. Transportation

Engineer requested to review each potential location.

10/2013 Meeting held with 14+ local business, property, and food truck owners.

12/2013 Press release distributed asking for public comment on the proposed Street Vending Policy. 8 business & food truck owners commented at BPW meeting 12/23/2013.

1/27/2014

Street Vending Policy Approved by BPW

2/20/2014

Mobile Vending Program Official Began (1st Lottery held)

5/2014 “Heritage Permit” created for grandfathered food trucks

Historic Overview8/2014 1st Food Truck Permit Approved under new

policy for Collegetown Crepes2015 6 New Food Trucks began operating on City

Streets and in City Parks12/2015 Mayor Myrick Reconvened the Street

Vending Subcommittee to review the policy and approved vending locations.

Current Conditions• Permit Fees are based on the on-

street parking rates.• Over the Summer 2015, 10 individual

food trucks operated on City Property.

• Since 2014, $7,500 have been collected from Food Truck Vendors under the Street Vending Policy.

• This Winter, 5 food trucks are operating at 7 different locations within the City.

That’s How I Roll

Currently Operating Food Trucks• Collegetown Crepes: Wed. – Sat. Late Night on Eddy St. @

Dryden Rd.• Dos Amigos: Wed. – Sat. Late Night on Eddy St. @

Dryden Rd.Tues. – Sat. Lunch Hours on N.

Tioga St.• That’s How I Roll: Thurs. – Sat. Dinner & Late Night on College

Ave.Sun. – Wed. Dinner Hours

on Thurston Ave.• The Hot Truck: Thurs. – Sat. Late Night on Stewart Ave.

(Heritage Permit)• Louie’s Lunch Truck: Late Night on Thurston Ave. (Heritage

Permit)

Known Issues and Complaints• Enforcement• Unauthorized Tables• Blocked Sidewalks• Generators are too loud, put in the

wrong place• Food Trucks Do Not Pay Taxes or

are Inspected• Parking Space Encroachments• Trash not cleaned up

Next Steps, Options or Recommendations1.Retain the Status Quo – Continue with the program as it is

2.Approve additional vending locations within Collegetown

3.Reduce the number of vending locations