Complaints about mobile food trucks parking near local businesses that pay for city services and property taxes have prompted the City of Fallon to draft a new ordinance that will regulate those mobile activities. Bill Number 792, which will establish licensing and operation regulations for “Mobile Food Vendors” within city limits, was introduced on Tuesday, March 7. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 21 at 9 a.m. in the council chambers.
Mayor Ken Tedford told the council the city did not have any current regulations governing food trucks, and they are needed, saying the bill was drafted following similar ordinances in other cities. The council discussed some of the bill’s details, specifically Page 1, Section 5.6.010 (B) which states “Any person convicted of a crime involving theft, fraud, dishonesty, receiving or possessing stolen property, any controlled substance violation or sex offense” would be unable to get a license. Councilwoman Kelly Frost asked if this was too restrictive, recommending instead that it be modeled after the current liquor license requirements. She pointed out that some people do make mistakes when they are young, and maybe that shouldn’t disqualify them from receiving a food truck license. She used the example of someone who was convicted of marijuana possession when it was illegal but now is legal, and that person would be granted a liquor license. However, the mayor wasn’t swayed, saying there should be a provision to deny a request based on someone’s criminal past. “We can never make it stronger if it’s not in place to begin with.” The council also suggested that operations should not be allowed after 8 p.m. without city permission. Provisions should also be included to allow food trucks at school events with the school’s approval, and for special events such as the concerts in the park.
The most recent complaints stemmed from the food truck that has been parked in the Nugget parking lot at the intersection of Williams Avenue and Maine Street. It was stated by the council that the truck was open until 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and played loud music. It was not discussed whether the operators have a business license. The bill’s text as drafted is part of the March 7 meeting’s agenda packet which can be reviewed on the City of Fallon’s website, https://www.fallonnevada.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/03-07-23-Agenda-Packet.pdf
The new Oats Park Splash Pad and Pavilions project is steps closer to being a reality with bids received from Lumos and Associates for construction administration support services, and from A & K Earthmovers for construction and installation. City Public Works Director Brian Byrd told the council that those were the only two bids received and that they had increased since originally submitted last month. The bids as presented to the council were $49,700 from Lumos, and $1,560,000 from A&K. Councilman Paul Harmon asked about the amount that A&K originally estimated at $1.1 million, and the increase in just a month. Byrd replied that much of the increase had to do with the increased costs of construction materials, and the mayor concurred acknowledging that increased construction costs are a real problem. Byrd explained the splash pad is being provided by Splash Pads USA, a company with 40 years of experience in this industry, and that A&K would do the installation and civil improvements. It will be a 15,000-square-foot facility located on the north side of the city pool with a 3,000-square-foot splash pad and three pavilions surrounded by wrought iron fencing with full access to the pool area. The target date for completion is Memorial Day to align with the opening of the city pool. The mayor asked if the pool would still open if the splash pad was not completed, to which Byrd replied, “Yes, we expect to get started within 10 days of approval of the bids, and would be pushing to open by Memorial Day.”
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