BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER FOOD TRUCK ENCROACHMENTS
The Brenham City Council will discuss food trucks within city right-of-way at its meeting Thursday.
The council will hold a public hearing on right-of-way encroachment agreements for Country Sunshine and HSF Market, which have been operating in right-of-way on a trial basis while the city worked to create an ordinance providing standards for mobile kitchens.
Based on recommendations from past discussions with councilmembers and the food truck task force, city staff will present three options for the council to consider on Thursday, in order of staff preference:
Option 1: Do not permit mobile kitchens to operate in right-of-way. Country Sunshine would place its mobile kitchen on private property between the Integrated Therapies Massage building and Glissman’s Gift Gallery. HSF Market would put its mobile kitchen in the Commerce Street parking lot Wednesday through Sunday for a period of three years.
Option 2: Grandfather the existing two downtown businesses to operate mobile kitchens in right-of-way only while in service. A license agreement would be required, and no overnight parking would be permitted.
Option 3: Issue license agreements grandfathering storage in the adjacent right-of-way. Country Sunshine would operate and store its mobile kitchen Wednesday through Sunday in the adjacent street right-of-way, while HSF Market would operate and store its mobile kitchen in the South Park Street right-of-way Wednesday through Sunday.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council will consider a resolution adopting new fees for the city’s development services department applying to vendors, solicitors and food establishments. With the proposed resolution, mobile kitchens would be able to receive a 45-day, 6-month and 1-year permit for $50, where previously they were required to renew every 45 days, amounting to $400 annually. Vendor permits would also transition from 30-day increments to 45-day, 6-month and 1-year periods to provide consistency with the mobile kitchen permit requirements.
The council will also:
- Consult with the city attorney in executive session regarding City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Inc.; Cause No. 37573, 335th Judicial District Court, Washington County.
- Receive a presentation from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas regarding the global opioid litigation settlement and associated issues. The matter will also be discussed with the city attorney in executive session, before being brought into regular session for possible action.
- Consider a project proposal from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for a five-year electric system study.
- Consider an agreement with TxDOT to temporarily close state right-of-way in connection with the 2021 Lighted Christmas Parade on December 4th.
- Consider an ordinance authorizing and allowing updated service credits under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System. The system is updated annually for service performed by qualifying members.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.