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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 18, 2022 2 Kate Olson, 3558 Ridgewood Court, said she is the PTO president at Valentine Hills Elementary and they wanted to have food trucks but one of the food truck owners that was contacted told them she wouldn’t come because of Arden Hills’ requirements. She was curious as to why our ordinance seems to be so much more difficult than other cities. She noted that the city of Blaine eased their food truck rules in 2021. Councilmember Holden said the ordinance reads like it always did, that there needs to be an event and food trucks could come. What happened is a neighborhood has a food truck every Friday night and there is about 150 people that come. Many people in the neighborhood have been upset with traffic, smells, garbage and strangers wandering through the neighborhood every Friday night. That’s why they’ve started to address the issue. It’s a good community thing but not everyone wants it in their neighborhood. But the issue comes from saying there’s an event in your front yard every Friday night. Ms. Olson asked how that would be different from a graduation party in the neighborhood every Friday night. Councilmember Holmes responded that grad parties would be by invitation where the food trucks have been open to the public with people coming in from other neighborhoods. Trucks are lined up on the street and people are walking in the street which makes it a different environment than graduation parties. Mayor Grant said he wasn’t interested in food trucks in church parking lots or city parks just because it might be profitable for the city. Possibly for special events, but not as a standing practice. Councilmember Holmes noted that a church could have a food truck on a regular basis because it would be considered commercial. She felt they should look at restrictions on the food trucks themselves because they are already regulated by the State. There are regulations on food trucks, and then the residents. The ordinance is difficult to administrate as written and she would like to see it akin to garage sales. Mayor Grant felt it was the residential neighborhoods they should be concerned with. He has heard similar points from residents as Councilmember Holden. He agreed with the idea of limiting the number similar to garage sales but didn’t want to limit invitation only parties, it’s the week after week party that becomes a problem. He wondered where does your neighbor’s right to have a party start to interfere with your right to peace and quiet. Councilmember Scott commented that his primary concern was restaurants currently in the city, many of which cater events. He suggested residents look locally first so as not to undercut businesses here that are paying city taxes and licensing. City Administrator Perrault suggested the Council have further discussion at another work session. Marcia Cheney, 1180 Karth Lake Drive, said there are no sidewalks in her neighborhood so no one is ever lined up on sidewalks. She felt when food trucks come everyone is respectful of the neighbors, garbage isn’t left in others’ yards, kids don’t run wild because they are neighbors. The