By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

The mobile vending issue was still unresolved in St. Cloud at press time Wednesday, months after the initial requests flooded the City Council’s mailboxes and agenda.

An ordinance on the April 14 agenda defined mobile vending for the city’s land development code; previously, mobile vending was not defined. The ordinance would only allow mobile vending of any kind to operate with a special event permit and would lift a moratorium on mobile vending within city limits, requiring the handful of vendors now selling food to cease operating.

The ordinance passed on first reading 3-2 but not without serious discussion by those on the dais and the owners of hot dog and barbecue food trucks scattered throughout the city.

Vinny Barber, whose family operates BarberQ in front of Rife’s Market on 13th Street, collected 1,500 signatures in 10 days from people he said want mobile vending in St. Cloud. He said half of the signatures are from city residents.

“What we are looking for is to be there on a permanent basis,” Barber said, adding council members’ concerns could be “regulated and taken care of.”

Council Member Jarom Fertic, who missed the March 24 meeting, appeared perplexed that the remainder of the council moved toward eliminating mobile vending in St. Cloud.

“I thought we were heading in the direction of discussion and not dropping off,” he said. “I’m all for trying to help the small person. (Mobile vending) is as small as you can get.”

Fertic pointed out Orlando is “embracing the food carts” by allowing monthly meet ups in the parking lot of Tinker Field.

“I know tons of people who are on to this craze,” he said.

Councilman Tom Griffin was upset the council temporarily allowed the mobile vending to sell food and now plans to eliminate the concept except at special events.

“I have a real problem with this,” he said. This is wrong from every approach.”

Calling St. Cloud’s small business owners the “strength and backbone” of the community, Griffin said the city should be trying to promote small business.

“I think we’re moving in the opposite direction,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Mickey Hopper said she was concerned the city would have to allow every type of vendor, not just those selling food.

“We can’t discriminate against one kind of vendor or another,” she said. “I really don’t think you want the guy selling rugs on the corner.”

Fertic suggested allowing business owners willing to amend their site plans, at the cost of $1,500, to allow mobile vendors on their property as a way to regulate the issue.

“Technically, right now they could drive up and down the street and (sell),” he said.

Lakefront vending

The City Council also addressed mobile vending at Lakefront Park, where the ordinance presented would prohibit vendors such as ice cream trucks from being allowed to park in spaces directly in front of the splash pad, playground and beach. The city instead wants to renovate the west parking lot to make space specifically for several vendors to sell there.

“This is not a ban,” Daniel Mantzaris, city attorney, said. “They will not be permitted except in areas the council allows.”

Previous council discussions about lakefront vending focused on safety concerns for children who may possibly run into traffic to get to the ice cream truck that is usually parked there.

Bruce Brock, who owns the Brock’s Sno Cones truck, has been a vendor in front of the playground for more than two years. He said he has never had a safety issue because his vending window faces the beach.

“Kids aren’t going to run past the truck if they’re looking for ice cream; they’re going to run to the truck,” Brock said.

The ordinance passed on first reading 4-1, with Fertic voting against it. City staff is planning to bring back to the council plans for the west parking lot and ways to regulate the current lakefront vending situation.

“We’re intending to redesign the parking lot to make it more accommodating for vending,” Dennis Ragsdale, administrator of growth management services, said.

Rather than revamping the parking lot, Fertic suggested lowering the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph along the beach front for safety, an action Mantzaris said would lower the city’s liability if an accident did occur.

“Moving them isn’t the only action you have,” Mantzaris said. “There are many measures you can take to protect the city.”

Both mobile vending and lakefront vending will be held until the May 12 agenda due to both issues coming in front of the planning board.