Casper City Council on Tuesday passed on third reading the long-discussed and sometimes heatedly discussed ordinance about regulations about the operations of food trucks and other mobile vendors downtown and in the Old Yellowstone District.

There were no amendments to the ordinance the council approved at the second reading on May 15, according to the agenda and packet for Tuesday's meeting.

Councilmember Bob Hopkins again voiced his objection to the ordinance, saying that it allows food trucks to operate in a way that could disrupt traffic on the two busiest blocks downtown and hurt established restaurants downtown. "This is grossly unfair."

Dallas Laird said he didn't like the ordinance at all, saying it's unneeded.

But Jesse Morgan said gridlock won't happen.

Charlie Powell again said the amendment he successfully proposed earlier -- set aside a vacant city block for unrestricted use of food trucks -- would resolve a lot of problems and further foster the popularity of food trucks.

The ordinance passed 5-4, with Morgan, Charlie Powell, Ray Pacheco, Chris Walsh and Mike Huber voting yes.

Hopkins, Kenyne Humphrey and Shawn Johnson voted no. Laird abstained.

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The ordinance for Mobile Vendor Parking Permits includes these provisions and requirements:

  • Obtain a health license from the Casper-Natrona County Health Department.
  • Not use alleyways.
  • Be responsible for trash pickup.
  • Permits are not required for operating in areas that have been closed or partially closed by the city for events.
  • Vendors may not park on parkways, in handicapped parking areas, at bus stops or other areas that would obstruct driveways, and pedestrian ramps.
  • Vehicles and trailers must allow for access by individuals from sidewalks so they are protected from moving traffic.
  • An MVPP does not grant exceptions from parking restrictions related to snow emergencies or legal street closures.
  • Signs announcing a mobile vendor parking place may not be placed until two hours before the vendor arrives.
  • Vehicles that haul mobile vendors may park only in the area of the vendors and not elsewhere on the same block.
  • Permits for specific vendor vehicles may be bought at the city clerk's office during regular business hours, and permits cannot be transferred.
  • The fee for a yearly health license-mobile food vendor permit is $75.
  • No MVPP is valid for more than two consecutive days on the same block face.
  • Hours of operation from Monday through Friday begin at 3 p.m. and end at 3 a.m.
  • Hours of operation on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3 a.m.
  • A maximum of 10 MVPPs are allowed for all applicants in a month for one block face.
  • An MVPP costs $25 a day.
  • Violation of the ordnance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.
  • Two or more violations within nine months will result in the revocation of the business owner's ability to apply for an MVPP for six weeks.

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