NAMPA, Idaho — During Monday's Nampa City Council meeting, councilmembers decided to hold off on making a decision about the city's mobile food vending code.
City Clerk Char Tim recommended moving mobile food vending out of Peddlers and Solicitors code. She said having mobile food vending in that code is hard to find and confusing for people hoping to become vendors.
She said the new code, which they started working on about two years ago, would create a specific license for vendors, get rid of fingerprint requirements and increase transparency around the process.
Overall, she said what they are proposing is very similar to regulations already in place.
"We also wanted to confirm the council's direction on regulations for food trucks by ensuring the health, welfare, and safety of the community and providing fair business practices," Tim said.
Many vendors worry most about the no-overnight parking rule. The proposed code states that vendors can only park overnight in a spot that is hidden from view or behind a tall fence.
Previously, there was no overnight parking allowed at all. However, small business owners told KTVB that the city had not previously enforced the code.
They said the city cracking down would threaten their livelihood and force them to shut down.
"We've been in an empty lot, an almost empty lot, for almost four years with no issues," said Rae-Ann Birney, The Perking Spot co-owner. "And so, to run into something where they're saying, 'Hey, you can't stay there anymore even though you pay to be there' is just disappointing."
"At any moment, a letter saying we need to leave," said one food truck owner.
City Council decided they needed more time to discuss and hear more from vendors about how they can change the code to try and make people happy.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.