Council narrows food-truck ordinance to borough public spaces, approves several event permits

Council debated a proposed mobile food-vendor ordinance and directed staff to advertise it with a revision limiting its scope to Columbia Borough public spaces.

Council discussion covered the appropriate geographic scope (full borough vs. public spaces only), permit duration, fee amounts and who bears inspection responsibilities. A draft provision proposing a 30-day permit period drew questions: some members suggested longer permit durations or annual permits to reduce administrative burden; others said short permits protect safety oversight. The suggested fee range during discussion included $25–$50, with a $50 figure tied to a possible background-check/administration option.

Legal staff advised that health and food-safety inspections are handled through state licensing; council added a defined phrase for public spaces and agreed that private property events would not be covered by the borough permit requirement. Council instructed staff to advertise the ordinance with the change and voted to do so.

On events, council approved facility-use and special-event requests: a Riverfest watch party at Columbia River Park on June 28 (no fee), and a Parks & Rec / police bicycle-safety rodeo on May 2 (no fee). Council and staff discussed fee-waiver rules for borough committees and fundraising, and legal staff agreed to provide written guidance about whether Parks & Rec committees may collect vendor fees or accept donations for borough events.

Next steps: staff will advertise the revised food-truck ordinance, prepare fee schedule recommendations and provide legal guidance on event-fee handling before the workshop.