Communications & Legislations Committee

Approved MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COMMUNICATIONS & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS June 11, 2013 Call to Order Chair Ciesla called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of the Village Hall at 6:37 p.m. Present: Trustees Ciesla, Heller, Israel. Also present: Trustee Buehler, Village President S. Frum, Village Director T. Poupard, Assistant Village Manager P. Kiraly, Village Management Analyst M. Strong, Village Clerk D. Ford, Village Administrative Assistant J. Butch, & Recorder G. Cerabona. Audience members present: Northbrook Chamber of Commerce President T. Garris. Food truck representatives present: Roadside, Little Louie’s, Toasty Cheese. Chair Ciesla asked if anyone wanted to speak about non-agenda items; no one came forward. Hear from the Audience There was no hear from the audience. Discussion: Food Truck Regulations Assistant Village Manager P. Kiraly opened the meeting and advised that the topic of the potential regulation of food trucks in Northbrook was the subject of this evening’s meeting. He indicated that this subject had come to our attention due to some complaints received this spring. Development and Planning Services Management Analyst M. Strong referred to the packet and presented a brief overview to the Committee, including the following: Village has licensed twelve (12) mobile food service vendors There have been two (2) complaints received by the Village to date concerning mobile food truck activity. Current standards in the Village – vendors must have an active license and be inspected by the Village Sanitarian A summary of mobile food vendor regulations seen in other communities o License restrictions (i.e. liability insurance, background investigations) o Operational restrictions (i.e. times, refuse, noise, signage) o Locational restrictions (i.e. where they can engage in business, distance to restaurants, parks and schools) o Discussion Items (music, how long parked)) Some questions were: Chair Ciesla o How are permits administered? Assistant Village Manager P. Kiraly responded – stickers o What were the complaints? Competition with bricks-and-mortar restaurants was noted as well as music on an ice cream truck. Village Clerk D. Ford clarified it was not only the music but a pre-recorded statement prior to the music. Trustee Heller June 11, 2013 Communications & Legislation Committee 2 o How do they differ from mortar and brick restaurant requirements? Management Analyst M. Strong responded – mortar and brick restaurants are required to submit a business license application, and do not need to submit liability insurance as part of the application. Management Analyst M. Strong added that those holding a liquor license have additional restrictions. o What are operational restrictions? Management Analyst M. Strong noted – a drive-thru being 24 hours (unless there’s a liquor license) o What about outdoor dining? Village Clerk D. Ford responded – it is based on location, music, and entertainment Food truck representatives commented: Roadside Deliberately staying away from restaurant locations. All vendors do not have invitations to office buildings. Outside generator is very quiet. Little Louie’s Food trucks are good and a new trend. Not the same scale as Chicago. Sunset Foods’ gives hot dogs on Earth Day (which is great). The ice cream truck continually deters business from Dunkin’ Donuts. Trustee Heller asked if the Village should keep food trucks away from restaurants. Response – yes. Toasty Cheese While establishing regulations, protection of safety is key i.e. public safety parking and food borne illness. There are 3 types of food-trucks that should be regulated differently: push carts, dispensary trucks (already-prepared food), and cooking on board. Vehicles have issues: health inspections (every other week with numerous villages), fire & safety inspections, generators (indoor or outside; don’t believe in outside generators). Food trucks have large investments (we have $500,000 invested). Do not want to pull up on street corners; are invited by office building management and park in parking lots (private or public). Northbrook Days may be a good opportunity for food trucks. Chair Ciesla indicated that she would like to consider downtown differently than other areas. Chair Ciesla stated that some of these businesses are year-round based on weather (like the one at Skokie & Dundee) and agrees that a formal structure be provided (similar to Toasty Cheese reps’ recommendations). Trustee Heller likes the idea but stated he is unsure of its impact on future restaurant activity.. Trustee Israel referred to handing out vs. pre-packaged as well as issues like waste collection, noise, etc. Trustee Buehler inquired about electric refrigeration (which ice cream trucks don’t have) and temperature levels. Village Director T. Poupard reminded the Committee that this is similar to Northbrook Days (noise, traffic/construction, music, hours, standards of inspection, current vendor inspections). Village Director T. Poupard stated that the Village Sanitarian L. Hoette’s health inspections could be every 30-60-90 days, or annually. Chair Ciesla suggested those logs could be submitted to this committee. Village President S. Frum arrived at 7:10 p.m. Chair Ciesla asked if liability insurance should be considered. Trustee Heller responded – no, as we don’t do it for restaurants. It was restated that vehicle insurance is a state requirement. Consensus was that background checks and seating should also not be considered. In summary, Chair Ciesla asked that Staff review the nuts and bolts of food carts, investigate, and return to the committee with options for: Noise Refuse Containers Signage June 11, 2013 Communications & Legislation Committee 3 Time & Duration Treating Downtown Differently (Trustee Israel suggested delineating a radius; the park was suggested) Distance from Schools & Parks Public Property (Trustee Heller is not in favor; we may not want food trucks taking up 2 spaces. Trustee Israel referred to standard parking regulations. Assistant Village Manager P. Kiraly advised that the Park District states ice cream trucks cannot be parked without invitation). Chair Ciesla reminded that we keep hearing people wanting to be attracted to downtown; this could be the opportunity. Trustee Heller suggested that the lack of parking could be a deterrent to adding food trucks to the downtown. Chair Ciesla asked that Staff arrange a meeting once research was done. Trustee Heller suggested food stores (Sunset) be considered as adjunct options. Adjourn Trustee Heller motioned, seconded by Trustee Israel, to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. On a voice vote, the motion was unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, Gale Cerabona Recorder