BROWNSTOWN
It’s the duty of the Brownstown Town Council to prescribe rules and regulations for the health, safety and welfare of the town.
That’s the premise behind the council considering establishing regulations concerning the operation of mobile food vehicles.
Members have discussed the topic in recent months, and town attorney Travis Thompson presented a draft of an ordinance during Monday night’s meeting for the council to review.
The first reading of the ordinance will be during the next meeting, set for 6 p.m. April 19 at the town hall, 116 E. Cross St., Brownstown.
For the ordinance to go into effect, it will require three readings being approved. The council meets twice a month — on the first and third Mondays.
“Food for thought,” Thompson said after sharing the ordinance. “Let me know. I can modify it however you guys want me to.”
Council President Gregg Goshorn said the ordinance was drafted based on communities in the area that have guidelines in place. He asked fellow council members to review it, and certain things can be added, removed or edited.
If approved, the ordinance would only apply to mobile food vehicles used to store, prepare, display or serve food or beverages on public or private property. That includes vehicles that are generally self-contained, movable, wheeled, towed, motorized or nonmotorized.
This does not apply to anyone selling fruits, vegetables or farm products grown themselves or other homemade products; a business or merchant making delivery of food previously ordered by a customer; or anyone selling food as part of a town-approved special event or festival.
A license would be required for any vendor wishing to operate a mobile food vehicle in town. The $150 fee would be paid at the time an application is submitted. Vendors also would need to provide proof of general liability insurance and all health department, business and resale licenses to sell food and beverages.
If a person owns more than one mobile food vehicle, they would need a separate application for each.
If the application is in order, Clerk-Treasurer David Willey would issue a mobile food vehicle license, which would be valid through Dec. 31. It would need to be prominently displayed on the food truck.
In terms of setting up, a vendor would have to obtain written consent to operate on private property or receive approval from the town council on town-owned property. Also, mobile food vehicles would not be allowed to operate within 50 feet of a ground-level establishment that also sells food or beverages within an hour before opening time or an hour after closing time.
According to the ordinance, mobile food vehicles could be open to the public between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Violations of the ordinance would be $150 for the first offense, $300 for the second offense, $450 for the third offense and $450 and license revocation for one calendar year for the fourth offense.
Failure to comply with the regulations may result in the revocation or suspension of the license or the town not renewing the license.
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What: Brownstown Town Council meeting
When: 6 p.m. April 19
Where: Brownstown Town Hall, 116 E. Cross St., Brownstown
Who: Open to the public and press
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