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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 19, 2021 14 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked how many seasonal workers would be hired for this summer. <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director Swearingen explained he would be hiring three to five seasonal <br />workers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden commented she was trying to understand how a nine-hour day was <br />better when the City received a lot of complaints that public works employees weren’t starting the <br />day right away, or were heading in early. <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director Swearingen discussed how the split shifts were handled at the <br />beginning of COVID-19 and noted this was where some of the issues stemmed from. He <br />explained how the new schedule created only a one hour overlap. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant recommended this issue go back to the Personal Committee for further discussion. <br />The Council supported this suggestion. At this time City Hall would remain closed with no <br />summer hours. <br /> <br />G. Food Truck Ordinance Discussion <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault stated the City Council recently requested to have a discussion on <br />the City’s Food Truck Ordinance. Staff explained tonight’s discussion is meant to be a <br />preliminary overview and receive direction on any items Council would like to consider or <br />change, those items will then be brought back for future discussion. Staff provided a verbal update <br />on applicable issues that have come to light over the past few weeks regarding food truck <br />operations in the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott commented he was at a recent private event that had a food truck parked <br />on the City street. He indicated he was not in favor of changing the City ordinance at this time. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated she believed the existing ordinance was ambiguous. She <br />commented on the current language noting the general public was not supposed to be able to <br />purchase from food trucks at private properties. She suggested this language be changed to <br />provide more clarity. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung indicated this was correct, but commented further on how food trucks <br />were used to cater private events. He was of the opinion that if the City has an ordinance, the <br />ordinance should be enforced. He explained the food truck that has been operating in Arden Hills <br />has plans to have more “private parties” in the community. He noted he has heard from residents <br />on both sides of this issue. He suggested the ordinance be amended to make this use more <br />permissive. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes commented she drove by the food truck activity last Friday and she did <br />not believe it was a problem at all. She noted the food truck was in the driveway and the <br />neighbors were in the residence. She reported the neighborhood was having fun and it was not a <br />nuisance. She stated she would like to know what the complaints have been. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she received an email from the City Administrator complaining <br />about food trucks in a certain area of the City.