http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/tags/city-council ColumbusUnderground.com Messageboard en-US Wed, 22 May 2013 19:32:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/search.php http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-meeting-may-20-2013#post-503147 Mon, 20 May 2013 14:16:35 +0000 News 503147@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>Press Release:<br /> <strong>COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS</strong><br /> May 20, 2013</p> <p>CARE FOR SENIORS: For more than 30 years, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) has helped Columbus seniors lead safe and independent lives. Ordinance 1068-2013, sponsored by Recreation and Parks Committee chair Zach M. Klein, allows the City to enter into fourteen contracts for the continued operation of adult day care, homemaker, personal care, transportation, education services and other programs in Central Ohio for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Approximately 5,000 individuals are expected to be served.</p> <p>CREATING A HEALTHY COLUMBUS: A community’s health is influenced by a number of factors that stretch far beyond a doctor’s office. Education, income, workplace and neighborhood safety all contribute to a person’s wellbeing. Health and Human Services Committee chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1103-2013 to allow the Columbus Health Department to accept a $4,900 award from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to fund the County Health Rankings Grant Program. The study will help determine what we, as a community, can do to make Central Ohio a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.</p> <p>ROADWORK SEASON: The City of Columbus is well on its way to the summer construction season and that means numerous resurfacing projects are about to begin. Ordinance 1098-2013, sponsored by Public Service and Transportation Committee chair Eileen Y. Paley, allows the Director of Public Service to enter into a $8,518,465.22 contract with Strawser Paving Company for the construction of the Resurfacing 2013 Project 2 and to provide payment for construction administration and inspection services. This contract consists of repairing and resurfacing forty-five (45) city streets and constructing 981 ADA curb ramps along those streets. The work consists of milling the existing pavement, overlaying with new asphalt concrete, minor curb replacement, and replacing curb and sidewalk associated with installing ADA wheelchair ramps.</p> <p>EMS WEEK IN COLUMBUS: Safety Committee chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring resolution 0067x-2013 to declare May 19-25 Emergency Medical Services Week in Columbus. The week will honor and recognize members of the Columbus Division of Fire, law enforcement, dispatchers, emergency physicians and nurses in trauma centers who provide lifesaving care to those in need. </p> <p>CRAIG ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE HEARING: Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, will hold a committee hearing Wednesday, May 29 at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers to discuss the community services and resources that are available to veterans in Central Ohio. The meeting will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ cable access channel 3, on local cable systems. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503140 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:53:28 +0000 The Polish Nose Pierogies 503140@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>A possible solution is restricted hours for the spots where there may be a lot of b&amp;m restaurants but no restrictions for more food desert type of locations. An instance like Gallery Hop, a truck can only do business from 10pm to 2am. Most restaurants aren't open and it will not effect bars. Seems like the bars that have food stop serving by 10 pm to focus on drink service that produces better profit margins than food anyway. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503131 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:34:20 +0000 leftovers 503131@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>nm </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503130 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:33:40 +0000 Walker 503130@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>susank <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503113">said</a>:</cite><br /> I personally think the key to a vibrant downtown is getting more people wandering around outside and the ones that do might really start to like it and start sticking around a little longer.</p></blockquote> <p>True. And as I said earlier, I think there's a happy medium in there somewhere. Food trucks used strategically can be a good thing. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503129 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:22:49 +0000 JeepGirl 503129@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>leftovers <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503122">said</a>:</cite><br /> Sometimes I think the restaurants want to be at Easton or some other mall where competition is regulated. </p></blockquote> <p>Seems more that mobile food trucks want the benefits of city-provided fixed locations in prime areas, without having to make the investments or commitments that a restaurant has to in the same area. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503122 Mon, 20 May 2013 12:34:41 +0000 leftovers 503122@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>Sometimes I think the restaurants want to be at Easton or some other mall where competition is regulated. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503113 Mon, 20 May 2013 11:58:34 +0000 susank 503113@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>Since food trucks have been growing in most large cities over the last decade I am wondering if there is actual data on what 'damage' they have caused to b&amp;m restaurants? Obviously there is a fear of unfair competition but how real is this fear? Are there other benefits to having food trucks, like driving more traffic to the sidewalks (which might help retail) instead of bag lunches in the office? Do people headed to a food truck take note of a cafe or store on the way? I personally think the key to a vibrant downtown is getting more people wandering around outside and the ones that do might really start to like it and start sticking around a little longer. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503105 Mon, 20 May 2013 11:44:13 +0000 Walker 503105@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>susank <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503092">said</a>:</cite><br /> The lottery program in Boston has been pretty effective. Personally with Columbus weather I don't see that great of a threat to downtown restaurants. Sure I would occasionaly grab a quick bite at a food truck, but the alternate to that is often eating at my desk.</p></blockquote> <p>Sure, as a customer, it's great to have options.</p> <p>Talk to most any brick and mortar business and they'll tell you a different story. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503096 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:58:27 +0000 FoodFort 503096@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>This discussion has been great. </p> <p>The response of food trucks this past weekend to the sign up and inspection (10 total, many that were not food trucks) seems to indicate that the pilot program needs some more work to be a good pilot. </p> <p>The lottery system for Food Carts works decently enough and could be a model. That lottery covers three areas: Arena District, Brewery District and the Courthouse. </p> <p>In Austin, food trucks helped drive traffic to underserved areas of the city and at hours and places where B&amp;M's were not presemt or not open (later hours, Sundays, etc.). </p> <p>There is a happy medium. I am sure this can be found. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503092 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:47:44 +0000 susank 503092@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>The lottery program in Boston has been pretty effective. Personally with Columbus weather I don't see that great of a threat to downtown restaurants. Sure I would occasionaly grab a quick bite at a food truck, but the alternate to that is often eating at my desk.</p> <p><a href="http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/downtown/2013/01/hold_food_truck_vendors_ready.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/downtown/2013/01/hold_food_truck_vendors_ready.html</a> </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503076 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:18:57 +0000 Walker 503076@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>I love food trucks, and I love the people who run food trucks. But ultimately, if you want a nice vibrant Downtown, we need to incentivize more full-time brick and mortar businesses to operate at longer hours, all week long.</p> <p>Being too accommodating of food trucks just gives those businesses incentive to set up during peak hours and then leave the neighborhood once that's over. It impacts brick and mortar businesses negatively, making it harder for them to justify their more permanent investments.</p> <p>I think there's some sort of happy medium to be found in between. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503066 Mon, 20 May 2013 09:20:14 +0000 turnedNOTburned 503066@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>goldenidea <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503002">said</a>:</cite><br /> <blockquote>But part of me also wants to say that if a food truck wants a guaranteed spot they should just open a restaurant instead. ;) </blockquote></p> <p>+2 2 Great posts, &lt;count laugh&gt; Ha, ha, haaaa</p> <p>Recognizing that hard working food truck operators are beneficial and deserving, one argument is guaranteeing them spaces give food trucks (perhaps an unfair?) leg up on brick &amp; mortar restaurants which have to make much larger investments and long term commitments to position themselves in favorable locations like downtown and Short North. Perhaps city council realizes this is thus reluctant to grant guaranteed spaces. Anything more than random access gives a food truck a physical position at much lower cost than competing brick and mortar restaurants. Perhaps council's intent is to offset the benefit of mobility and lower set-up cost by only providing random access. </p> <p>The above factors are just part of a complicated situation. It's difficult to create a balanced and equitable set of rules fair to all interested parties. There are other sides and elements to this issue. For example, from the consumer standpoint it's certainly nice to have food trucks. Truck operators need to know they can efficiently access customers. </p></blockquote> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503016 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:42:02 +0000 JeepGirl 503016@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>myliftkk <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503013">said</a>:</cite><br /> It's called a bar. </p></blockquote> <p>That too. No matter what part of a fixed restaurant you appreciate the most, the amenities of a brick &amp; mortar require an investment of money, time, and effort well beyond a simple kitchen and stainless counter top on wheels. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503015 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:28:44 +0000 billbix 503015@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>If they use a rotating incremental lottery, no truck is getting a permanent fixed location. </p> <p>I eat at both food trucks and b&amp;m's. I eat far more meals at brick and mortar restaurants than food trucks and I also have a mental limit of what I would be willing to pay at a food truck and that is a lower figure than a b&amp;m. </p> <p>In my mind the huge investment made by the b&amp;m's pays off in the opportunity of 365 days of comfortable dining in a set location. Personally, if their food and service is up to snuff that tends to work out overwhelmingly in their favor. </p> <p>Where the issue rises to the front is at those places that serve mediocre products and service. Those are the businesses that will be most effected. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503013 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:22:21 +0000 myliftkk 503013@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>JeepGirl <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503012">said</a>:</cite><br /> I like the food trucks myself, but what advantages do the Brick &amp; Mortar restaurants have over the food trucks that didn't require long term commitment and huge investment in their fixed locations? </p></blockquote> <p>It's called a bar. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503012 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:20:38 +0000 JeepGirl 503012@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>billbix <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503009">said</a>:</cite><br /> As has been talked about there are plenty of advantages that Brick and Mortar restaurants have over food trucks. </p></blockquote> <p>I like the food trucks myself, but what advantages do the Brick &amp; Mortar restaurants have over the food trucks that didn't require long term commitment and huge investment in their fixed locations? </p> <p>If you mean stuff like comfortable seating, air conditioning and heat, bathrooms etc. isn't that part of the huge investment the restauranteurs commit to?</p> <p>Like I said, I enjoy an occasional lunch off one of the trucks, however I can see where the fixed store restauranteurs might feel a bit disadvantaged if a food truck was given a permanent spot nearby.</p> <p>My opinion is that if someone chooses to operate a mobile food service vs a fixed store restaurant then they should accept the fact that they don't have a fixed location. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503011 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:03:56 +0000 myliftkk 503011@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <blockquote><p><cite>billbix <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503009">said</a>:</cite><br /> I think they just need to have a lottery for rotating trucks in those spaces. Since no truck would repeat in the same spot until other candidates had also had a turn in that spot there would not be a huge advantage over a B&amp;M. </p></blockquote> <p>This.</p> <p>IIRC, they already have/had a working lottery system for cart vendors downtown. I don't see why it's so difficult to simply extend that program.</p> <p>From attendees at the meeting, it was apparent city staff that drew up the locations didn't even know where the locations were since they thought one was on West Warren, which doesn't exist. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503009 Sun, 19 May 2013 10:54:24 +0000 billbix 503009@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>I think they just need to have a lottery for rotating trucks in those spaces. Since no truck would repeat in the same spot until other candidates had also had a turn in that spot there would not be a huge advantage over a B&amp;M. </p> <p>As has been talked about there are plenty of advantages that Brick and Mortar restaurants have over food trucks. In the end the food trucks are pushing the food scene to a higher level. I imagine that some food truck operators would want to eventually open a B&amp;M.</p> <p>just my 2 cents </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-503002 Sun, 19 May 2013 09:42:12 +0000 goldenidea 503002@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p><blockquote>But part of me also wants to say that if a food truck wants a guaranteed spot they should just open a restaurant instead. ;) </blockquote></p> <p>+1</p> <p>Recognizing that hard working food truck operators are beneficial and deserving, one argument is guaranteeing them spaces give food trucks (perhaps an unfair?) leg up on brick &amp; mortar restaurants which have to make much larger investments and long term commitments to position themselves in favorable locations like downtown and Short North. Perhaps city council realizes this is thus reluctant to grant guaranteed spaces. Anything more than random access gives a food truck a physical position at much lower cost than competing brick and mortar restaurants. Perhaps council's intent is to offset the benefit of mobility and lower set-up cost by only providing random access. </p> <p>The above factors are just part of a complicated situation. It's difficult to create a balanced and equitable set of rules fair to all interested parties. There are other sides and elements to this issue. For example, from the consumer standpoint it's certainly nice to have food trucks. Truck operators need to know they can efficiently access customers. </p> http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-city-council-looks-at-regulating-food-trucks/page/2#post-502986 Sun, 19 May 2013 08:34:33 +0000 Walker 502986@http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/ <p>Part of me can understand the frustration of a first-come-first-served system. But part of me also wants to say that if a food truck wants a guaranteed spot they should just open a restaurant instead. ;) </p>