The meeting hasn't even officially started and a bunch of food truck owners are schooling Reggie Brown about the assumptions and misinformation that went into the proposed legislation.
Poor turnout, considering how strongly a lot of people seem to feel about the issue. Stop reading this and come on down!
The food truck owners are taking Reggie to task for not consulting with them before drafting the legislation. He's backpedaling and equivocating like mad.
Quote from: stephendare on February 26, 2014, 02:54:01 PM
which food trucks? did you catch any names? How is he back peddling?
Thanks for liveblogging this for us DGDD!
The head of a food truck organization is here, I'm sure I'll catch her name again later.
He was repeating complaints from whoever inspired this... legislation, and when contradicted was all like, Oh, well I don't mean YOU people, I'm talking about other BAD people.
Frankly, he doesn't make much sense. I hope he doesn't have much to say or I will have an atrocious cognitive dissonance headache before this is over.
Starting to fill up now. It seems that a lot of Mr. Brown's concerns are about food trucks who are not following the existing rules. Maybe the city needs to just enforce the regulations that are already in place instead of endangering the livelihood of the people who ARE following the rules.
He
I retract the poor turnout statement, the room is filling up.
Aaaand I just went up front and looked at the table and the Request to Speak forms are a-piling up.
Opening remarks begin.
My name is Reginald Brown, District 10. THe reason we brought everyone together is we don't have city legislation here with food trucks, sand without having city current legislation, is most people do the right thing, but we have some people not doing the right thing... before it gets too big... I want to get that out on the table that I am not anti-food truck.
Good for him. He says he wants to form a committee to draft legislation that everyone can live with. I wonder if he got this idea in the last half hour.
At the table, Jax Parks, Procurement, Office of General Council, cant read the rest of the placards.
Downtown Development Authority is here. Reggie Brown wants a legal definition of a food truck. He went to a workshop about food trucks in Seattle, apparently. He says he likes the idea of somebody without a lot of capital to start a business.
General Counsel Terry Shaw is going to give us an overview. A Powerpoint presentation of the Food Truck Drat Ordinance.
They've just handed out copies of the draft ordinance. It appears to mostly prohibit where food trucks can operate, with plenty of nitpicking little details to make sure the operators can get ticketed to death. 20 feet from this, 75 feet from that, 300 feet from this, 500 feet from that, oh GOD
Maximum of two coolers? Why?
Two hundred thousand dollar liability insurance requirement?
Now the Downtown Investment Authority.
They have concerns about the legislation affecting the vibrancy of downtown.
Special Events has some requirements that probably fall outside of the legislation, because Special Events as opposed to everyday.
Planning and Development says as written the legislation probably won't impact zoning regulations.
Nobody from Code Enforcement is here.... hmmm.
Quote from: DeadGirlsDontDance on February 26, 2014, 03:15:33 PM
He went to a workshop about food trucks in Seattle, apparently.
Too bad he didn't mention his bullshit proposal for legislation while he was at the Seattle workshop. Maybe someone there could have nipped this in the bud.
Office of Economic Development guy says the state division of hotels and restaurants does regulate food trucks and do inspections.
Oh Lord. Don Redman says "There's been issues with the food trucks and the B&M restaurants downtown. As a business owner myself, the fire department inspects my business and sends me a bill every year. blah blah blah stuff about fire safety that didn't make sense."
Really upset I can't be there. That's how government works: regulate into extinction. As for the liability policy, most food truck operators should have this. It's not expensive. I have a million dollar liability policy for my business and its $50/month. That's reasonable. Per the proposed ordinances; all food truck owners and operators should also be proficient land surveyors. Otherwise, how would one actually know they're properly positioned per the ordinance. This whole thing is ridiculous. We should all make contact with his office in regard to this. I emailed yesterday and have not received a response.
Bill Adams:
I'm a manager at ??? and my 50 employees enjoy the food trucks. Why do we need additional regulations? We already have health and safety ordinances. What it sounds like to me is anti-competitive legislation. It's not in the city's business to be leveling the playing field.
HUGE APPLAUSE which Reggie Brown wished to swiftly quell
Watch the meeting online, live.
http://www.coj.net/city-council/city-council-meetings-online.aspx
The next lady is asking, If I want to have a food truck come to my house to cater a party, does that mean they're not allowed to come?
She also is questioning the maximum of two coolers.
And the suspicion of anti-competition.
Reggie Brown is backtracking. And, well, at least Redman is there to hold the fort down.
Ben Davis of Intuition is up to speak:
Why wasn't there feedback before the legislation was proposed.
Jennifer Odonnell, Chamblin's Uptown
We welcome you to the core, and look forward to new neighbors and new friends
we question the decision to bring competition into the core without consulting the B&M businesses
The guy who runs the Subway in Hemming Plaza says the food trucks are causing them to lose sales. We're not against the food trucks, but we're not for their customers using our bathrooms and sitting at our sidewalk tables.
He sounds like he's about to cry.
Andrew Farris, Sandwiches and Stuff?
He has a problem with not allowing food trucks in residential areas would kill his catering business and he wouldn't be able to support his family.
Pink Cupcake owner: also has a cupcake truck.
She's talking about competition. When the food trucks come in, it brings diversity, and gives people choices. Competition is okay, and doesn't want her cupcake truck regulated out of business.
Quote from: stephendare on February 26, 2014, 04:06:35 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 03:45:27 PM
Watch the meeting online, live.
http://www.coj.net/city-council/city-council-meetings-online.aspx
is this working for anyone else?
Nope!
There is bitterness about food trucks being downtown during lunch time. Because they can go away if they don't make their money by 2pm.
At least Redman is on present. He never misses a chance to ban something.
For streaming:
If you are on a macbook click on the option that says windows. The apple device option is for ipads/iphones.
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
At least Redman is on present. He never misses a chance to ban something.
For streaming:
If you are on a macbook click on the option that says windows. The apple device option is for ipads/iphones.
Ah, got it. Thanks!
More discussion of competition. Lady who works with DVPR just asked Don Redman if a Supercuts moved in next door, would he try to get the city to shut it down. Hee hee! And is offering to teach Reggie Brown about the existing regulations.
Quote from: BNewton on February 26, 2014, 04:14:18 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
At least Redman is on present. He never misses a chance to ban something.
For streaming:
If you are on a macbook click on the option that says windows. The apple device option is for ipads/iphones.
Ah, got it. Thanks!
Braxton, is that you?!
Quote from: ben says on February 26, 2014, 04:16:25 PM
Quote from: BNewton on February 26, 2014, 04:14:18 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
At least Redman is on present. He never misses a chance to ban something.
For streaming:
If you are on a macbook click on the option that says windows. The apple device option is for ipads/iphones.
Ah, got it. Thanks!
Braxton, is that you?!
Ha! Yep. Who is dis is?
Regarding streaming:
Mine works fine on the Microsoft version. Great entertainment, running heavily pro-food truck.
Owner of The Loving Cup just asked "Aren't that Subway and that Quizno's downtown both in Hemming Plaza?" (Laughter)
My biggest concern is if I get inspected by the state, and then you come in want to change the rules. Why can no private citizen have a truck for a private party? He volunteered for the committee also.
Maybe we should only allow one shop downtown to make sandwiches? There are not enough people to support the sandwich industry.
Quote from: BNewton on February 26, 2014, 04:18:08 PM
Quote from: ben says on February 26, 2014, 04:16:25 PM
Quote from: BNewton on February 26, 2014, 04:14:18 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
At least Redman is on present. He never misses a chance to ban something.
For streaming:
If you are on a macbook click on the option that says windows. The apple device option is for ipads/iphones.
Ah, got it. Thanks!
Braxton, is that you?!
Ha! Yep. Who is dis is?
Ben!
Brandon didn't catch the last name
He's pointing out that the ordinances in Seattle and Cleveland are much less restrictive than what is being proposed in this ordinance. He is also concerned about residential catering.
And where is the city going to find the money to enforce all the additional regulations.
Sonja Jones respectfully requests that the city leave the food trucks alone and let people make their money.
One thing's clear to me - these are the discussions that should have happened *long* before any bill was written up.
Amazing, the true colors of Jacksonville's "conservatives" become more and more apparent. Essentially and continually applying a "guild" mentality in the name of "business".
Didn't catch the guys name
I've had a B&M venue, and am about to get into a food truck venture, and I'm concerned about these blanket regulations, it seems like this is about Hemming Plaza, why don't you just put bathrooms and tables in Hemming Plaza, boom problem solved.
So Super Food truck is in negotiations to take over the old Starbucks space at Forsyth and Main. I guess that kills the argument that trucks stop brick & mortar restaurants from opening.
Just a reminder of Downtown Visions last position on Food Trucks.
http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/Libraries/PDF_Libraries/Downtown_Vision_food_trucks_position_and_clarifcation_4.sflb.ashx (http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/Libraries/PDF_Libraries/Downtown_Vision_food_trucks_position_and_clarifcation_4.sflb.ashx)
The online feed is AWFUL!!! Stop bickering about food trucks and fix your dang video feed.....
Eric Smith, representing Something Smoke, bbq truck.
I come in peace. I know how much you want Jacksonville to be a great city. What's at the next level? Food trucks. To attract people downtown, we need as many restaurants and food trucks as we can get. Jacksonville has made a lot of boneheaded decisions. Busch Gardens could have been here, Marineland could have been here.
He volunteered for the committee.
it is terrible I have to refresh every 5 minutes.
Prospective food truck owner says he might have to take his truck to another city.
Real Ting Cafe guy:
He's mixing his metaphors. He says B&M restaurants are like your wife, and food trucks are like a mistress.
I missed it. Who am I married to?
Married, single, cuckolding the guy who runs the sandwich shop down the street, who cares? Love is knows no bounds.
Next guy: (Baby's Bad Ass Burgers?)
I own one of the mistresses. He's talking about how food trucks bring vitality and diversity to a city, and if we want to bring other businesses to the city, we need to embrace food trucks.
A.recently unemployed man waiting for his food truck to be built just volunteered for the committee.
My truck is at Hemming Plaza. She's saying about half the people she sees coming out of the office buildings go to Quiznos or Subway and the rest go to a mobile vendor.
Guy from a special education school talking about the need for jobs for higher functioning individuals. The school wants to set up a food truck. He's pointing out the educational opportunities of food trucks.
Erin Thursby
Talking about how important food trucks are to the vibrancy of the city. She thinks it's stupid to not let them stay open after midnight, to serve the bar crowd at 2am before they get into a car and drive to get something to eat.
Reggie Brown is saying he values the (pause) openness.
Tori didn't catch the last name food truck owner:
We pay for tags, licenses, fees, insurance, and sales taxes, and if you limit us, you lose all that.
He's pointing out all the suppliers and other businesses that will lose money if the food trucks are regulated to death.
Michael Roberts, Combat Kitchen
Feels that the legislation is restrictive enough to pretty much just strangle food trucks.
I don't know Reggie's history on Council but I suspect, if he is reading the political winds, he will hari-kari his legislation. He'll either do this or will take the Redman approach and double down, which I doubt.
Reggie, has the complete opportunity to write progressive food truck legislation, which will capture a loyal fan base of one time opponents. It's political genius if he changes course.
He may be pulling a Coke II marketing stunt. Freak people out by taking away what they love, then give it back and become their hero.
David Bride, food truck customer
Talking about the many places he's lived. Talking about how the food trucks and restaurants do better when there's a bunch of them close together so a group of people can all get something different if they want. He had his wedding catered by a food truck.
And the food truck outside the bar at 2am thing again.
Sandy Carter
Regulating the distance from businesses is bad. If you only have half an hour for lunch, you want food trucks, you need food trucks. She says we need to enforce the current regulations before we get new legislation.
Old dude, didn't catch his name:
Institute of Justice in Washington DC has lots of good lawyers defending food trucks, you need to consult them before you embarrass the city any more than it is already.
Council member didn't catch her name
We attended seminars on food trucks in Seattle, we want businesses to flourish. The other cities that have food trucks, their brick and mortar businesses aren't shutting down.
Quote from: stephendare on February 26, 2014, 05:10:34 PM
Well Redman is about to speak. this should be gaseous
Redman " I know you guys don't like me...but I'm not that bad."
Daniels, of course, is becoming the reasonable voice on council.
Reggie is talking about getting the committee organized and meeting soon. We did good work today and that we're moving in the right direction. This will be one of the few legislations actually written by the community.
And that's the end. My bum is asleep from sitting still this long, time to go!
Good work DeadGirlsDontDance!
Quote from: DeadGirlsDontDance on February 26, 2014, 05:12:47 PM
Council member didn't catch her name
We attended seminars on food trucks in Seattle, we want businesses to flourish. The other cities that have food trucks, their brick and mortar businesses aren't shutting down.
Here's the deal. If you, Mr. B&M restaurant, have amenities such as air conditioning, ample seating, accessible restrooms, and you are unable to compete with a couple of people slinging burgers out of a box truck, you do NOT deserve to be in business. It's called "Competition". I said, "GOOD DAY!"
Quote from: thelakelander on February 26, 2014, 04:32:34 PM
So Super Food truck is in negotiations to take over the old Starbucks space at Forsyth and Main. I guess that kills the argument that trucks stop brick & mortar restaurants from opening.
As should the fact that Corner Taco, Pele's, etc. started as food trucks.
Quote from: stephendare on February 26, 2014, 05:10:34 PM
Well Redman is about to speak. this should be gaseous
What he said was in fact, some sort of gas that caused my mind to go blank and I couldn't remember it long enough to type it down. I kept waiting for him to end a sentence or an idea or something and it just never happened, then somebody else started talking.
I would like to note that although there may have been other B&M restaurant people present, the only ones whinging about food trucks were from sub shops that are within spitting distance of each other.
Thanks for doing this DGDD, excellent work!
Quote from: TheCat on February 26, 2014, 04:27:03 PM
Amazing, the true colors of Jacksonville's "conservatives" become more and more apparent. Essentially and continually applying a "guild" mentality in the name of "business".
EXACTLY
This has always pisses me off about conservatives in Jacksonville. They preach a hard conservative line until they personally benefit from anti-competitive practices.
After being in the meeting, I conclude that Councilman Brown was completely uneducated and unprepared regarding the current situation with the food trucks. Many said they have licenses, they have insurance, and they pay rent for certain spaces. Why didn't the Councilman consult with any of them before drafting the ordinance? Very poor planning on his part. Seems that no one even looked to see what regulations are already put in place by the state concerning licensure, health codes, and safety codes. There was a lot of people there supporting the trucks, and the few brick & mortars' only legitimate problem is that people were using their bathrooms. Of course they are concerned about the competition, but that's capitalism! More than 1 business is allowed to operate. If people would rather eat from a truck than your restaurant, up your game!
It was reassuring when Councilman Brown said this is the first legislation that will truly be written by the community. Proud of Jacksonville for this, but we need far more legislative issues to be in the hands of the community! That should be our commitment and responsibility moving forward.
Quote from: Peggystarling on February 26, 2014, 10:03:58 PM
After being in the meeting, I conclude that Councilman Brown was completely uneducated and unprepared regarding the current situation with the food trucks. Many said they have licenses, they have insurance, and they pay rent for certain spaces. Why didn't the Councilman consult with any of them before drafting the ordinance? Very poor planning on his part. Seems that no one even looked to see what regulations are already put in place by the state concerning licensure, health codes, and safety codes. There was a lot of people there supporting the trucks, and the few brick & mortars' only legitimate problem is that people were using their bathrooms. Of course they are concerned about the competition, but that's capitalism! More than 1 business is allowed to operate. If people would rather eat from a truck than your restaurant, up your game!
It was reassuring when Councilman Brown said this is the first legislation that will truly be written by the community. Proud of Jacksonville for this, but we need far more legislative issues to be in the hands of the community! That should be our commitment and responsibility moving forward.
Good points!
also,
hi peggy :)