BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES POTENTIAL UPDATES TO FOOD TRUCK POLICIES

  

Brenham City Councilmembers heard from city staff and the public today (Thursday) on the possibility of allowing mobile food vendors to remain in city right-of-way while not in use.

The council discussed current vendor requirements for topics such as the placement of food trucks in city right-of-way and permit renewals, as well as potential options for updating city policies pertaining to vendors.

While no action was taken, City Manager James Fisher said the goal of this discussion was to find ways to give food trucks the opportunity to support themselves while also ensuring the interests of the city and its permanent establishments are represented.

 

Currently, there are six active permits for food trucks within the city.  The city’s existing mobile food establishment procedure allows vendors to locate on private property with the owner’s permission as long as traffic flow is not obstructed, parking is available, and the vendor is readily movable.  However, the city’s traffic ordinance only allows food trailers to park in city right-of-way during business hours, requiring them to be moved overnight.

Several councilmembers indicated they were in favor of allowing the food trucks to remain in city right-of-way when not in operation, including Councilmember Clint Kolby, who said it would be less of a burden on the businesses.  Councilmember Adonna Saunders agreed, but said she would prefer to have them moved a few days a week so they do not become a permanent fixture.

Shannan Canales, co-owner of Las Americas Latin Cuisine, said she has no resentment toward food trucks locating in downtown Brenham, adding that they can be convenient meal options for restaurant workers on busy nights.  Saunders, along with Councilmember Keith Herring, said food trucks offer another option for out-of-towners, with Canales saying the trucks’ customers one night can be hers the next.

Herring asked Brenham Fire Chief Ricky Boeker if the food trucks staying in the right-of-way would create problems for the fire department.  He said the department has not had an issue like that at this point, and that as long as the trucks were following the rules, there would not be any problems.

Food vendor permits are currently valid in increments of 45 days, with a $50 application fee per each renewal period; in contrast, brick-and-mortar locations renew their permits once a year, ranging from $50 to $150 based on the establishment.  Kolby said he would be in favor of extending the permit for food vendors to six months or a year, and several councilmembers agreed with that proposal.  A temporary 14-day permit is available for vendors seeking short-term options such as during events.

Fisher said the input from today’s meeting will be given to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Main Street Board for review.  Any comments from those two groups will be brought back before the council by April.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Approved a professional services agreement with Jones-Carter Engineering for Phase 1 development at the Brenham Family Park. The engineering firm will assist with environmental reports, design decisions, amenity locations, bidding services and construction services for the first phase of the approximately 100-acre park project.  The agreement is valued at $252,500, and will be paid for using funds set aside by the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC).
• Approved a resolution providing full support for Sandy Point Housing, Ltd.’s submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs requesting 2021 competitive 9 percent housing tax credits for a single-family development in Brenham. Sandy Point Housing, Ltd. has proposed a development of 27 single-family homes for affordable rental housing on approximately 9 acres of land on Pecan Street. The approval was made on the condition that the developer reach out to neighboring property owners and provide contact information.
• Approved a ground space lease agreement with Aviators Plus, LLC for construction of a hangar at the Brenham Municipal Airport.
• Approved an amendment to the professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for improvements to Old Chappell Hill Road. The amendment increases the amount of the contract by $67,000 after a change in the scope of work.
• Accepted a bid of $724,044 from Brazos Paving, Inc. for Old Chappell Hill Road improvements.
• Accepted Solid Bridge Construction’s bid of $358,930 for the Ralston Creek lift station elevation project.
• Approved a resolution amending the bylaws of the Brenham Community Development Corporation. The amendment allows up to three members of the BCDC Board of Directors to reside outside of city limits.
• Appointment of Jim Kolkhorst to the Brenham Community Development Corporation Board of Directors with a term ending December 31, 2022.