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Oak Harbor approves pilot concession for Mexican food truck at marina
Summary
The council unanimously approved a concession agreement to allow a Mexican food truck (owner identified as Francisco) to operate at the marina and Catalina Park; terms include a $300 monthly fee, utilities access, trash service, and a pilot to support Catalina Park revitalization.
The Oak Harbor City Council unanimously approved a concession agreement to allow a Mexican food truck to operate on city property at the marina and Catalina Park during peak season.
Harbor Master Elise Henry described the proposal as a pilot to provide an amenity currently missing at the marina. The vendor — identified in staff remarks as "Francisco" — would pay a $300 monthly fee (the fee reflects state leasehold tax and was chosen to be a round number), use an assigned parking pad protected by bollards, and be provided trash service and access to a marina restroom via a guest gate card. Henry said there would be a 30‑amp power outlet or the vendor could use a generator, and that staff have reviewed the truck and are satisfied it meets city requirements. "We have to include a state leasehold tax of 12.84% because this agreement is going to be greater than 30 days," Henry said. She said the vendor has already agreed by email to the fee.
Councilmembers supported the pilot; questions centered on duration (the vendor expects ongoing service year‑round but the immediate plan is busiest Memorial Day–Labor Day with Thursday–Monday hours), restroom access (guest gate card cost noted at $16.87), and whether space exists to expand food‑truck hookups. Henry said the Catalina Park revitalization funded in part by a Department of Commerce grant (about $260,000) will add utility hookups and create room for up to four food trucks in the longer term.
The council moved to approve the concession agreement and voted unanimously. Clarifying note: the transcript contains two variant spellings for the vendor name (the introduction referred to "El Cezanne de Oaxaca" and the motion later used a different variant, "Al Suzon d Oaxaca"); staff consistently referred to the operator as Francisco and provided email confirmation of the fee.
What the concession allows: limited, staffed food service at the marina with city oversight as a pilot; staff will monitor impacts (trash, wildlife mitigation) and integrate the pilot into the broader Catalina Park revitalization plan.
