Mayor Brede vetoes portion of food truck ordinance related to fees
Oh, and you probably thought this issue was resolved.
Nope. On Thursday, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede vetoed part of a new mobile food unit ordinance that was approved last week by the city council. Under the new rules, food trucks and trailers operating downtown would pay on a tiered system. It would start at $900 total for the first year, increase to $1,250 in year two, then hit a max of $1,500 in year three.
The tiered system was introduced by Council Member Nick Campion after two lengthy public forums and hours of debate from council members. The measure was included in the final set of rules passed by the council.
The original proposal called for a $1,500 annual fee from the start, but Campion suggested the smaller fees in the first couple years would lower startup costs and encourage entrepreneurship.
But now, 10 days later, the mayor wants to see the price structure removed.
“Basically, I don’t like the tiered approach," Brede said in an email to the city clerk's office."We don’t do that for a new restaurant or other business their first, 2nd and 3rd years. They pay full taxes year one. Why do we do it for food trucks? I suggested either $1000 or $1200 first year.”
On Twitter, Campion called the mayor's decision "very disappointing." Council Member Michael Wojcik echoed the concern.
The council could override the mayor's veto with five votes. The tiered system measured passed 5-2 the first time around.
The new regulations were expected to go into effect on June 12, possibly sooner depending on council action. It's unclear whether the mayor's veto will cause any delays. Council members are expected to discuss the issue on Monday.
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(Cover photo: File / The Med City Beat)
