Cuba aldermen agree to draft park-use guidelines after food-truck debate

The Cuba Board of Aldermen agreed to begin drafting park-use guidelines for food trucks after a lengthy discussion about public-safety risks, impacts on local restaurants and enforcement limits.

Council member Joyce told the board she had contacted area restaurants and reported a survey result she described as "526 yeses and 7 noes," concluding that most businesses did not want to ban food trucks outright but that guidance was needed for use in public parks. The board’s facilitator said the city needs parameters because parks are public property, and that private events remain under private organizers’ responsibility.

Members raised specific concerns the guidelines should address: whether food trucks on park grass are allowed, insurance certificates that name the event sponsor, and how the city would enforce any perimeter rules when vendors can operate just outside city limits. One alderman suggested a 300-foot buffer used in other cities, while others warned such restrictions may be circumvented if vendors relocate just outside municipal boundaries.

Council members also emphasized protecting established brick-and-mortar businesses. "We're not trying to eliminate food trucks," one member said. "We're trying to find reasonable parameters that don't destroy your established business." The group agreed to convene stakeholders — including park committee members, food-truck operators and special-event organizers — to draft recommended guidelines and bring them back to the council.

The council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting; members instructed staff to start drafting guidelines and to return with a proposal ahead of upcoming events.