SYRACUSE – At Tuesday’s Syracuse Council meeting, discussing food trucks in town was on the agenda so a couple of people showed up to speak in favor of the food trucks.
During the public comment section Michelle Camacho and her husband, owners of Twisted Tiki food trucks said she wanted to “address concerns about food trucks setting up in town and offer solutions.”
Camacho said food trucks “have the ability to draw people into town from out of town and many of the best vendors have thousands of followers on social media who travel long distances to come eat at their trucks.”
She said she’s worked with several local businesses and named a few, including Polywood, Metz’s Auto & Outdoor, Syracuse Café and the local parks department to do special events or help raise funds for charity. She said she thinks there’s a way to protect local food services while maintaining fair market. She proposed guidelines such as limiting set-up to commercial lots with permission or private properties for private parties or closed business functions. She suggested limiting peddler’s permits, either daily or annually.
“Those willing to pay $600 a year are likely committed to the community,” she said.
She also suggested the local police department help with code enforcement, especially on weekends and she said she was willing to assist the town by educating other vendors about the town’s ordinances.
“I look forward to being a positive force in the community and working with all my neighbors to be part of the solution,” she said.
Jason Metz, owner of Metz Auto & Outdoor also spoke, saying it was his idea to bring food trucks to Syracuse. He said he’s always looking for something new and exciting and a way to bring people to town.
“It’s important to me to be important to the community. I’m not here to hurt any other local businesses in town,” he said adding, “You also have to think of the property owner’s rights — if I want to bring food truck vendors in — I’ve been doing food trucks for events for various businesses for years and never thought it wouldn’t be positive for those who live, work and worship in town. I didn’t think I was doing any harm by calling food trucks and offering for them to set up in my location.”
Later when the topic came up on the agenda, Council Member Larry Siegel said they’ve had people come to the meeting who were against food trucks, and he suggested since Camacho didn’t know the current ordinance that she might not be in compliance.
Camacho denied that saying she always got the permits from the clerk’s office and required any vendor that worked with them to do the same.
Council President Nathan Scherer told Michelle it was obvious she “wanted to do things right — I think some actions taken were exceptions to the rules, but you publicized tonight’s meeting and no one from the restaurant side showed up tonight.”
Council member Bill Musser said other restaurant owners have told them, “When you guys come into town their business was off by 40%. They’re here paying property taxes, so this is one big thing we have to consider.”
Camacho said she’d like to see the 40% decrease in sales because brick & mortar vs food truck is usually the other way around. Food trucks are very weather dependent & most don’t have outdoor seating. She said they need to make a minimum of $1,000 in sales to have a good day.
Musser said they feel they have to hear from others, as well as consider whether they’re charging the food truck vendors enough. He pointed out that there’s no limit right now to the number of food trucks and they also have to consider the non-profit food truck sales also taking business away from local restaurants.
“We enjoy having you here,” he told Camacho, “We have to consider the big picture.”
Metz suggested that the council also speak to other retailers who may have seen an increase in business when the trucks are in town.
Camacho agreed, saying a lot of the small retail businesses she works with have told her they’ve had sales increases.
The council agreed they need to get more information before coming to a decision.
Public Hearing On Tax Abatement
A public hearing was held on property tax abatement for Storie Real Estate at 110 Innovation Blvd., also known as Lot 7 in the Technical Industrial Park. No one from the public commented and the hearing was closed. The council then considered the confirmatory resolution. Town Manager David Wilkinson said they passed the declaratory resolution at the special meeting held a few weeks ago. The council approved the resolution without any further comment.
Weed Ordinance
The second amendment to the week ordinance was also approved by the council after lengthy discussion. This was initially brought up because of a business in the Tech park planted a pollinator garden and some council members had concerns and felt they needed to add to the ordinance. Town attorney Jay Rigdon admitted he “stole” the amendment from Fort Wayne’s ordinance.
The biggest question that came up was setbacks for mowing. After a lengthy discussion they decided on 75’ for both commercial and residential properties.
In other business:
• Tabled the proposed 2025 Salary Ordinance. Clerk-Treasurer Virginia Cazier said there was a 5% increase and council members didn’t recall agreeing to that.
• Gale Gerber gave the Commonwealth Engineer’s Report and said they did not receive the Community Crossing Grant this time but would resubmit.
• Wilkinson suggested they donate restricted funds received from Opioid funds to K-Code or others, the council wanted to consider more options.
• Wilkinson also gave the council a list of suggestions from department heads to use remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds amounting to approximately $98,000 and asked them to bring their recommendation to the next council meeting.
• Approved the purchase of a special service vehicle for the fire department — a 2024 Tahoe from Kelly Chevrolet at a cost of $51,453.
• Approved paying $19,475 to Ritter to run electricity from the front of the training facility to the well pump.
• Heard park restrooms are closed for the season.
• Heard Breakfast from Santa will be Dec. 6 —kids eat free, adults $6.
• Residents are asked to get leaves to the street ASAP for pickup.