Mmmm … TDH sure could go for a taco right about now. Fittingly enough, since City Council members tackled the issue of mobile food cart regulation yesterday, and the conversation was enough to make anyone work up an appetite.
City Council’s Public Health and Human Services Committee took up the suddenly-contentious topic, and confusion reigned. Why was regulation originally aimed at mobile “hot carts” – on-the-go trucks that cater to different sites daily, like office buildings and construction sites – now threatening Austin’s beloved, funky, and stationary walk-up carts like Kebabalicious and Torchy’s Tacos? How had what originally began as proposals by one mobile truck operations – Snappy Snacks, targeting scofflaw competition – suddenly turned into a pile-on from every conceivable city department? Why couldn’t law even begin to differentiate between stationary and mobile carts?
With so many unanswered questions, it wasn’t surprising the committee – chair Randi Shade, Mike Martinez, and Laura Morrison – decided to postpone the affair until June 15. By then, with staff having drawn distinction between mobile and stationary vendors, the committee will likely take up proposed regulation for mobile trucks and such, while continuing to examine whether further regulation is necessary for those stationary, stand alone businesses. Martinez said it was needed so there wouldn’t be “this confusion about what’s mobile and what’s not.”
Snappy Snacks proprietor Tom Ramsey, and his consultant before council, Paul Saldana, both said it was never their intent to target fixed carts with their proposals. Indeed, some regs wouldn’t even make sense, like a requirement for an itinerized list of sites visited that day. Torchy’s co-owner Bob Gentry said he supported some of the of the other requirements as well, items like a propane gas permit, and measures already in place, like proof of sales tax collection. But it seemed like questions over allotted parking spaces, and the definition of commissary – a center for preparing food other than the truck/cart – were still topics needing more work. Moreover, Gentry felt as soon as the Snappy recos were under consideration , a grand pile-on from other city departments ensued, each pitching new regs and requirements. “Within the last two weeks, we have had eight departments join the train,” he told council. Some seemed completely arbitrary, like a suggestion to keep carts from opening until noon on Sundays – a real grease trap to the breakfast taco trade.
It was clear yesterday that council recognized the contribution, both cultural and financial, that food stands make. And as Shade said, “there is not a health emergency,” with reports of people ill off stationary stands practically non-existent. In giving direction to staff, Morrison urged “an approach with the least regulation.” Chew on that in the meantime.
What the hell else is happening?
City calendar highlight: The Citizens Water Conservation Implementation Task Force met (oops!) at Waller Creek Plaza, Room 104, 625 E. 10th, at 11:30am.
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This article appears in April 30 • 2010.