The Eastern Promenade was Crowded with People Enjoying the Offerings of Food Trucks Taking Advantage of the Spingish Weather.
A View of the Middle Parking Lot on Cutter Street off the Eastern Promen Where Food Trucks May Well be Located Starting June 15, 2022.
City licensed food truck operators were not notified nor consulted by city hall of possible sweeping changes that will impact their livelihoods according to an informal survey conducted on the Eastern Promenade over the weekend. The survey was conducted by this blogger on Saturday as well as today, Sunday, May 1, 2022.
The city council is scheduled to hear a presentation from Interim City Manager Danielle West on Monday, May 2nd on her proposed pilot program. It would require food truckers to relocate from the Eastern Promenade to a parking lot off of Cutter Street. The city’s announcement came on Friday evening, April 29, at 6:00 pm through a press release. A last minute announcement. No?
Oversight or not? Was it an intentional end run to prevent food truck operators and their customers from receiving adequate notice to inform councilors about their concerns on the dramatic changes that may be coming?
According to the West proposed pilot program, these specific changes requiring food trucks to relocate are just the tip of the ice berg. Ten parking spaces have been reserved to house ten food trucks in the parking lot. Should there be more food trucks interested in the off Prom location, a lottery would be instituted to decide the winner. “It’s really hard to stick to a business plan when its controlled by a lottery,” said one food truck employee yesterday who sought privacy for protection against a backlash by the city. The same employee asked this blogger: “How do we apply for one of the spots down there,” pointing to the parking lot within sight. “I’m ready to apply.” He added: “It’s a little late to start making these kinds of changes. We’ve already hired staff, made changes to our trucks and the menu with the Eastern Promenade location in mind.”
“It’s been really hard to get information on this proposal. We didn’t know where to turn to get the latest information,” said another speaking off the record for the same reason.
The city licenses Portland’s food trucks. That process gives it communication information to be used to inform food truck operators of the latest information. Operators over the weekend when told of the pending action by the city council on Monday, May 2nd said they were surprised and knew nothing about it. “I wish the city had kept us informed,” said one. “The city has our access information. I wish they had used it to keep us informed.”
Who among the food truckers did West consult with to get their issues before making such a sweeping proposal? The city maintains records of each licensed food truck vendor with contact information. Such a sweeping proposal would have benefited from their input via a meeting with them. Why didn’t the city reinstate the original Task Force on the subject to be sure that “best practices” were put into place?
Interim City Manager Danielle West is a city attorney who is serving in this post because of the exit of former City Manager Jon Jennings for a similar post in Florida last fall.
Please visit post herein dated April 29, 2022, for more background information on the city’s last minute announcement.