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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 19, 2021 15 <br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes indicated she received this email but she would like to know what the <br />complaints were. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden feared that the City was pitting neighbor against neighbor, which wasn’t <br />a healthy thing. She noted she agreed with Councilmember McClung that if an ordinance was in <br />place, it should be enforced. She indicated she would like to see food trucks regulated more like <br />garage sales. She commented this would then allow residents to have food trucks only so many <br />times a year. She discussed how food trucks could be harming local businesses and restaurants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott stated he agreed with Councilmember Holden. He noted the food trucks <br />do not represent Arden Hills businesses. He indicated the food services in Arden Hills have had a <br />very tough year. He explained he would rather see local businesses catering neighborhood events. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated for the most part he agreed with the ordinance, but supported the City <br />tightening up some of the wording in the ordinance. He suggested allowing residents to have food <br />trucks two times per year. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the food truck that was visiting the Karth Lake neighborhood. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated again that the language was not clear and she would like it <br />addressed. She questioned how the ordinance would be enforced this summer. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault explained it would be difficult for the food truck operators to <br />differentiate between who was a guest at a private party and who was not. He recommended that <br />the City Council also differentiate between residential and commercial properties within the <br />ordinance. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant reported the Council was not going to be able to wordsmith the ordinance this <br />evening. He explained the Council has suggested limiting the number of food truck visits to a <br />single property to two times per year. In addition, the Council would like staff to tighten up some <br />of the definitions. He recommended staff work on this and report back to the Council at a future <br />worksession meeting. The Council recommended staff speak with the City Attorney about how <br />enforcement should be managed by City staff. <br /> <br />H. Agendas and Council Comments <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated the intent is not to turn every item on the agenda into a public hearing. <br />Rather, comments should be made by the public at a public hearing. He indicated items that are <br />pulled, under New Business or Old Business are not to be debated by the public with Council and <br />staff. He stated he wanted to make this clear to the Council. He stated the Public and <br />Informational section of the agenda should be made more clear in the future. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott explained he still has an issue differentiating a consent agenda item versus <br />a regular item. He reported even an item on consent was on the agenda, and should be able to be <br />discussed. <br />