News & Views on Mobile Food Carts and Trailers in Austin
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January 26th, 2010 by MikeK
GD Star Ratinga WordPress rating systemUpdate as of 07.29.2010
On Thursday, 7/22 The Public Health Sub-Committee approved a number of new recommendations by the City staff that they intend to take to the full City Council for approval.
You can see the recommendations here .
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05.04.2010 UPDATE – WE NEED ALL VENDORS AT CITY HALL ON 05.05@3PM
Austin City Hall
Wednesday, 5/5
3:00 pm
City Council Chambers, Rm 1001
Health sub-committee meeting
Vendors this is getting extremely problematic.
I am in process of putting all the information together and will update throughout the day.
The details are that tomorrow the various city departments will be making their recommendations to the City Council Subcommittee that will in turn present to the City Council.
The current proposal includes recommendations that are extremely damaging and will either cost you $$ to implement or could even shut you down.
The actual proposal is in a pdf you can download .
A few choice items we have seen so far include:
We need your presence at City Hall tomorrow.
This is our last chance to affect the recommendations that are made to the City Council.
I will post the exact meeting details as soon as I get them (exact room and meeting name).
If you can attend and or would like to be kept informed on this issue, please .
Check out the Austin American Statesman update .
Update from 3/10/2010 (Thanx to the folks at ):
Below is a table that shows the 10 recommendations put forward by Snappy Snacks, the vote from Mobile Vendor Input and the recommendations the Health department will make to Public Health and Human Services subcommittee of the City Council on April 20th 2010 at 3PM City Hall Boards and Commissions room:
Proposal Presented to the City Council
Mobile Vendor Input
Staff Recommendation
Proof of Liability Insurance
Yes (Product)
Yes, proof of product liability
Notarized Documentation of Daily Commissary Use
Undecided (split)
No, State rules do not address frequency of central prep use
Proof of Texas Sales and Tax Use permit
Yes
Yes, would be a part of the application packet process
Itinerary for Truck Routes
Undecided (split)
Yes, increases enforcement capabilities for foodborne illness investigations. Includes MV’s at one location
Written agreement with Property Owner to Vend on Private Property
Undecided (split)
No, no city/state regulations pertaining to the agreement
Written permission to use Restrooms at Work Site
No
Yes, health implications. Specific requirements to be determined by health department
Certification of Commissaries
Yes
Yes, notarized for both restricted and unrestricted MVs
Commercially Manufactured Unit or Unit Plans Required
Undecided (split)
Yes, plan may be required for application process
Retention Tank / Grease Trap
No
Regulated by COA Industrial Waste
Low Propane gas units
Already in code included with AFD Inspection
Yes, Inspection will be required by AFD during permit application process
Because Snappy Snacks felt there were too many dangerous taco trucks with illegal propane setups, we will now how Austin Fire Department involved in the inspection and approval of our trucks and trailers. The following is the Draft Proposal of the new AFD requirements
Austin Fire Department
Mobile Food Vending Checklist
Location of Mobile Units
Electricity Issues
Design Construction/Plan Review
Propane Cylinder Issue
Fire Extinguishers
AFD Mobile Vending Permit (Annual Permit)
Proposed Checklist for NEW Application Process
WHAT TO BRING WHEN YOUR NEW MOBILE FOOD UNIT IS INSPECTED
Restricted and Unrestricted Mobile Food Units
Current proof of product liability insurance
Current proof of identification
An original, notarized letter from an approved central preparation facility dated withing the last 30 days authorizing use.
Submit plans for approval
A current route list or itinerary to be provided quarterly (If mobile vendor is at a single location, then a wastewater hauler contract must be provided)
$125 application fee (proposed new fee)
Valid Sales Tax Permit (available at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit)
Signed and approved inspection report from Austin Fire Department
Proposed Checklist for Application Process
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU, OR INCLUDE WHEN RENEWING YOUR HEALTH PERMIT
Restricted Mobile Food Units
Current proof of product liability insurance
Current proof of identification
An original, notarized letter from an approved central preparation facility dated withing the last 30 days authorizing use.
Submit plans for approval (if plans have never been submitted)
A current route list or itinerary to be provided quarterly (If contracted with an approved wastewater hauler, trip tickets must be provided)
$125 application fee (proposed new fee)
Valid Sales Tax Permit (available at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit)
Trip log from an approved central preparation facility may be requried verifying that the unit has been properly serviced for the previous year.
Signed and approved inspection report from Austin Fire Department
Effective Date of Changes
October 1, 2010
Older information
During a public hearing before City Council on May 21, 2009, relating to amending the map indicating areas with additional regulations applying to mobile food establishments in accordance with Sec. 25-2-812 of the City Code, Paul Saldana and Tom Ramsey spoke requesting that the council “consider a long overdue assessment of the city’s regulatory standards and permitting process” (Closed Caption Transcript, May 21, 2009, Item #59).
Council Member Martinez requested that the item be posted on the next meeting of the Public Health and Human Services Subcommittee.
At the June 16, 2009, Public Health and Human Services Subcommittee meeting, representatives of Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services (HHSD), Environmental and Consumer Health Unit (ECHU), and the Code Enforcement Department (CED), gave a brief overview of current regulations and enforcement effort of the two types of rules regulating mobile food vendor (MFV) units—those relating to food safety (ECHU) and those relating to set-back requirements, limitation of hours, and zoning issues. (CED). Paul Saldana presented on behalf of Tom Ramsey, owner of Snappy Snacks Mobile Catering, eight proposed regulations that the City of Austin should implement.
The task force is now in place and has been in preliminary meetings with the Mobile Vending Community to discuss these proposed changes.
The purpose of these meetings is to “discuss and outline” what changes would have to be made in the mobile vending ordinance in order to meet the request for the rule changes presented by Mr. Tom Ramsey to the Austin City Council.
These meetings will inform and gather information from Mobile Vendor Owners about the 10 items.
We are now at a point where we are beginning to field questions from the vendors concerning issues that require input from other Departments.
They include law issues, R.O.W, plan review, liquid haulers and discharges.
The Austin/Travis County Health Department will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at City Hall (301 W. 2nd St.) to discuss the possible changes.
We will be meeting in Room 1029 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The items put forth by Snappy Snacks included;
This information was gathered with the cooperation of David Lopez, his information is below.
David B. Lopez, Manager
Environmental and Consumer Health Unit
Austin Travis County Health Department
512-972-5687 wk
512-972-5630 fax
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