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Council asks staff to study Town Square food-truck proposal, directs ad hoc review
Summary
A private promoter asked to run weekly food-truck events at Town Square Park; council raised concerns about weekly frequency, downtown market and restaurant impacts and fees, and asked staff to return to the Town Square ad hoc committee with pilot options and fee recommendations.
A proposal from event promoter Wanderlust Events to host weekly food-truck gatherings at Town Square Park drew extended council discussion July 1, and the Murrieta City Council directed staff to refer the concept to the Town Square ad hoc committee for further analysis.
Assistant City Manager Kristin Crane and Community Services Director Brian Ambrose presented the concept: a Wednesday-evening series open to the public from 5 to 10 p.m., vendor setup on the loop road, use of park restrooms and lighting, and an organizer-provided package of logistics including trash, security and vendor coordination. Staff estimated recurring city costs of about $1,500 per event and one-time fees of about $2,300, and warned that weekly events would require significant staff time and could generate overtime costs.
Council members and multiple members of the public raised two recurring concerns: the potential economic impact on downtown restaurants and existing market nights, and the city's current fee and policy framework. Market-night organizers and downtown business owners urged caution, saying a weekly 30–40 truck event could divert dinner business and harm small restaurants. "A once-a-week total of 40 food trucks would devastate the local restaurants," a market-night organizer told the council.
Wanderlust representative Alexander Upremian said his events in Hemet and Banning expanded quickly and typically requested waiving temporary-use permit fees to keep margins viable. He said fire inspections at the first visit usually clear vendors for repeat appearances and estimated about $38,000 in sales over six months for a 30–40 truck series, while acknowledging the city could not guarantee vendor sales-tax compliance.
Council members suggested alternatives: pairing food vendors with existing concerts or movie nights, piloting a limited series rather than a weekly schedule, negotiating a cost-sharing or reduced-fee approach, and ensuring community outreach to downtown stakeholders. Mayor Warren and others said they were supportive of exploring the idea but not of immediate, weekly activation that might undercut established local events.
Council direction: staff was asked to schedule the Town Square ad hoc committee promptly to review fee structure, pilot-program options and safety/resource plans and return with recommendations before any regular weekly program proceeds.
