A Main Street business owner told the Main Street Advisory Board she lost sales at the July 4 event after outside food trucks set up in park locations she said drew customers away from downtown brick‑and‑mortars. Derek Roberts of 325 West Main Street said his business lost “30% of my sales” at a past July 4 event and urged the board to prioritize downtown vendors on future vendor maps.

Roberts described the layout and receipts he said show Main Street businesses ended up behind or away from the high‑traffic vendor locations and asked the board to take accountability. “If we wanna say Main Street first, put Main Street first,” Roberts said during public comment.

Main Street staff said the Fourth of July event is a city‑run celebration (fireworks and stadium activities) that Main Street coordinates for vendor logistics and that past practice has been to accept vendor applications as they arrive. Staff described operational constraints — chiefly power/amperage at park outlets — that influence booth placement. Donna (Main Street staff) explained that a 50‑amp service near the stage and standard 110 outlets along the sidewalk determine where food trucks can be positioned.

Board members and staff discussed options to reduce future conflicts: (1) an earlier application window exclusively for downtown/Main Street businesses, (2) separate deadlines for downtown businesses vs. general vendors, (3) asking vendors to state menu overlap and capacity (how many servings or service rate), and (4) clarifying that staff and city/staff have final discretion over booth assignments based on infrastructure needs. Several board members urged adding a deadline to the vendor form and giving downtown businesses “priority access” before applications are opened to the general public.

After discussion the board approved proposed amendments to the July 4 vendor form intended to implement priority access and clearer deadlines. The motion to amend the form passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded “Aye” with no roll‑call tally provided on the transcript. Staff said they will draft language to show an early application period for downtown businesses and a later general opening (suggestions discussed included requiring early registration by downtown vendors and a June 15 vendor cutoff for general vendors).

Board members also acknowledged infrastructure limits and suggested the city consider park upgrades (power, outlets, circulation) to better support vendor placement at large events.