Food truck ordinance worries residents, debate continues

Discussion concerning the authorization of food trucks in the city of Vermilion continued Oct. 22 during a City Council meeting.

A mobile food services ordinance proposed by Council would keep food trucks from setting up shop in the city for festivals, events and daily business.

Concerns that food trucks would negatively harm local restaurants and businesses have been voiced this year by Council members at previous Council meetings.

Laura Gongos, of Vermilion, spoke at the meeting with concerns that eliminating food trucks from the local economy would be “a step back into the dark ages for this community.”

“Why would you limit this option in Vermilion, in a city where we already have limited food choices?” Gongos asked. “I would think you would want to provide those choices to your constituents.”

Gongos said food trucks now are providing quick, healthy alternatives in the midst of a culinary boom taking place across the country.

“Food trucks, quite frankly, are a fast way to get a meal,” she said. “When I don’t want to cook, I wanna be able to have that choice, because I don’t wanna go to a fast food restaurant.”

According to The Economist,

over 4,000 food trucks are up and running in the United States and are growing particularly quickly in Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, Seattle, Wash., and San Francisco.

Council president Steven Herron said the Council is overlooking all its options before acting on the ordinance.

“We are trying to get

more information,” Herron said.

“There’s all kinds of approaches; you’re absolutely right, and we’re looking at that.

“We’re not just pushing something through.”

The ordinance is scheduled to be tabled for further review by the Council.

The Council will meet Nov. 5.