ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 18 of the CODE of the City of Peoria Pertaining to Licensing of MOBILE FOOD VEHICLES.
Body
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, the City Council approved ordinances that would allow food trucks to operate on public rights-of-way, both in Downtown and throughout the City. The ordinances established the following fees for obtaining an annual license that would run from January 1 through December 31 of each year:
|
Type |
Downtown Only |
Outside of Downtown Only |
Both |
|
Associated with Peoria Restaurant |
$2,400 |
$300 |
$2,400 |
|
Not Associated with Peoria Restaurant |
$3,400 |
$300 |
$3,400 |
The ordinance further provided for half-year licenses (July 1 - December 31) at half the cost of an annual license.
In late October, the City fielded interest from its first potential vendor - Almeida Foods/Corn Country Tamales - who wanted to begin operation in Downtown in November 2015. The applicant asked if the City could pro-rate the annual fee for the final two months of 2015 rather than paying the $1,700 half-year fee outlined in the ordinance. The Legal Department concurred that the City Manager had that authority but suggested that the ordinance be changed to more explicitly allow a pro-rated amount. The attached ordinance pro-rates the annual fee for a Downtown license during a vendor’s first year of operation only. The pro-ration is based on whole month increments. For example, if a Peoria-based vendor (normally $2,400 per year) wished to begin operating in March, the fee would be $2,200 for March through December ($200 per month x 12 months). For the following year, the vendor would be required to pay the full amount. A vendor who ceases operation before the end of a year would not be rebated any portion of the fee.
At the request of Councilman Spain, the ordinance was also amended to provide an additional location for downtown permit holders to operate. Currently, permit holders are restricted to spaces in the 300 block of Hamilton Boulevard. Exhibit A of the Ordinance was amended to add the pullout lane for the Peoria Civic Center (west side of the 200 block of SW Jefferson Street). It should be noted that Section 642(j) further outlines that government need for spaces supersedes their use by permit holders. Should the Civic Center require the pullout lane for a function, permit holders will be provided with at least 48 hours notice.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Minimal - food truck vendors will pay a pro-rated annual fee during their first year of operation. The change might generate interest by vendors who want to start a business mid-year but do not want to pay the entire annual fee.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not applicable.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The ordinance will be changed to reflect the pro-rated annual fee.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The ordinance will remain in its present form but the City Manager would have the ability to pro-rate the fee on a case-by-case basis.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Vibrant Downtown: Riverfront/ Central Business District/ Warehouse District
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office