Council Approves Regulations for Mobile Food Vendors, Construction for Emergency Center

The Half Moon Bay City Council Tuesday approved city regulations concerning the growing business of mobile food vendors and gave the final nod to begin construction on a $1.2 million emergency operations center.

With the expanding commerce of mobile food trucks, the city deemed it necessary to set regulations for obtaining a mobile vendor permit in Half Moon Bay.

“We’re trying to just be prepared if need be,” said Councilmember John Muller.

The new permit regulations apply to anything that provides foods or services; from push carts to ice cream trucks to mobile food trucks that provide full meals.

The council was split on if any increase of food trucks would bring innovation to the city or unwanted competition to the existing brick-and-mortar businesses.

“I don’t want to see that here,” said Councilmember Marina Fraser. “Because I want people to go to our places to eat.”

Councilmember Rick Kowalcyzk disagreed and commented that vendors in New York and the food truck craze in Portland has brought out foodies rather than frustration.

“Judge not,” Kowalcyzk said. “It can be a great part of the community.”

City Manager Laura Snideman said regardless, the item’s only intention is to provide regulations.

“We don’t want to go out there and promote this,” Snideman said.

In order to acquire a vending permit, the vendor must obtain a city-issued business license, a county environmental health permit and a county background check. The permit would be issued for one calendar year at a cost of approximately $65 and the vendor must notify the city of the days of the week, hours and locations they intend to conduct business. Unless authorized to stay in one location, the vendor must move one block if idle for more than 15 minutes.

Vice Mayor Allan Alifano said that the staff should consider businesses, such as catering trucks, which may not be aware where they will be serving for the next year and also recommended a packet be created to breakdown information for food vendors.

“I don’t want it to be an administrative nightmare for city or vendor,” Kowalcyzk said.

With Mayor Naomi Patridge absent, the council unanimously approved the regulations recommended by the City Manager.

With a grant permitted by Homeland Secuity, the Council approved the construction of the San Mateo/Half Moon Bay Coastside Emergency Operations Center.

In June 2009, the grant was awarded to the City for a maximum amount of $750,000 if the project is completed by May 31, 2012.

“This will bring with it much more secure and reliable facilities,” said Mo Sharma, City Engineer.

The 2,880-square-foot project will cost $1.2 million, with costs to the city currently estimated at $450,000.

The project funds will be drawn from a specific reserve, Snideman said.

“It does not affect our general fund or our general fund reserve,” she said.

Romkon, Inc. of San Francisco issued the lowest bid for the project at $842,400.

Muller said that he was happy to see the center be referred to as a Coastside center rather than an emergency center specifically for Half Moon Bay.

“I think it’s important that people understand we’re handling thousands of people and not just city residents,” Muller said.

Fraser reminded that during the tsunami emergency, safety officials were so crammed in the conference room that they were forced to conduct their meetings in the parking lot.

“This will eliminate sheriffs conducting business in the parking lot,” Fraser said.

The seven trailers that currently serve as the city’s Sheriffs Station was meant to serve as temporary facilities when they were installed in 1995, Sharma said.

Alifano expressed serious doubts about the project, which, he said, has not accurately defined an investment value due to deadline pressure.

“I still have major concerns to see if this is worth our investment of a half-million dollars,” he said.

Alfiano continued to say that the decision to build the center would be money not wisely spent.

“Time will be the real decision maker to decide if this is a good investment or not,” Alfiano said.

In a 3-1 vote with Alifano dissenting and Patridge absent, the council approved the contract to Romkon, Inc. to construct the San Mateo/Half Moon Bay Coastside Emergency Operations Center.

The next Half Moon Bay City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Ted Adcock Community Center.

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