by Jim Boyle
Editor
The opening act and the intermissions for future Riverfront Concert Series events in downtown Elk River could include things like burritos, mini donuts or Thai food.
That’s the hope of Elk River Mayor John Dietz and members of the Elk River City Council, but they made sure the newest tweaks to the ordinance on food trucks continue to prevent food truck operators from setting up on Main Street or Jackson Avenue in downtown. The number of spots available on a sloped section of King Avenue now goes from one to two.
City officials have been asked to line up at least two food trucks for the next concert, and the likely location will be out front of Elk River Lutheran Church where Pastor Nathan Mugass has reportedly expressed a willingness for that space to be used. This option already existed in the previous policy but has not been exercised much.
Dietz requested to add the food truck ordinance to the July 1 agenda in hopes of getting something resolved for the next concert on July 11. The band Wicked Garden will be front and center at the base of Rivers Edge Commons Park for ‘90s grunge night.
There was reportedly a food truck selling ice cream on the opening night of the concert series this year, but nothing for the World According to Garth, a Garth Brooks tribute band that performed on June 27.
City officials would like food trucks to be part of the downtown landscape on concert nights, but the streetscape is another story.
The City Council members reviewed a draft ordinance amendment at their June 3 meeting. The item was continued to allow Council Member Jennifer Wagner to speak to the Downtown Elk River Business Association. Wagner said on Monday members of DERBA recognize that food trucks are popular with members of the community, but they would prefer food trucks not be in direct competition with their businesses. Wagner said they do know, however, that it’s an all or nothing proposition when selecting food truck vendors. In other words, you can’t say yes to mini donuts and corn dog vendors and no to vendors selling hamburgers, wings or pizza.
She said downtown businesses in DERBA remain opposed to allowing food trucks to take up parking spaces along Main Street.
“That is not something I would support,” Wagner said.
Dietz and Wagner agreed that food trucks shouldn’t be taking up prime downtown parking spaces along Main Street or Jackson Avenue; the rest of the council went along with that.
In summary, they agreed that no food trucks be allowed on Main Street or Jackson Avenue in the downtown district (except in cases where the street is closed off for a city event).
Food trucks can only be parked on King Avenue. Food trucks can also be on private property.
Food trucks have been allowed on King Avenue since 2018, but food truck operators have not found the spot attractive enough to set up shop there on concert nights or at other events. The fact that the road is on a hill makes it less than ideal, one city official said. It’s also away from most of the action.
“Anybody could park a (food truck) at any of the private businesses at any time as the (current and latest draft) ordinance is written,” City Clerk Tina Allard said. “It doesn’t have to be a city-sanctioned event.”
Allard said there are about 40 food trucks licensed with the city of Elk River.
She crafted the draft ordinance after discussions among administrators, park and rec staff and the police that would give food truck operators the ability to take up three spots in a parking lot at public parks like Orono Park. The last ordinance allowed up to two spots, which made it tough for some food truck operators with larger trucks, Allard said.
City officials continue to have greater discretion when it comes to events like the annual downtown Halloween event and Elk RiverFest when the council agrees to close off streets.
The new ordinance will be on the consent agenda at the next council meeting.
Most Popular
Comments / 0