A new ordinance adopted Monday by the Crawfordsville Common Council will keep mobile food vendors from setting up shop on certain downtown streets.
The council voted 5-0, with members Stan Hamilton and Ethan Hollander absent, to add the new section to the city’s traffic code. The ordinance prohibits mobile food vendors from parking or operating from any parking space, alleyway or other public right-of-way within the “downtown restricted area.” This area is located north of Wabash Avenue, west of Water Street, east of Walnut Street and south of North Street.
Food trucks and vendors will be allowed to operate in the 100 block of West Pike Street, from Washington Street to Walnut Street, with approval from the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety. Vendors may continue to operate on West Pike Street from Washington Street to Walnut Street during approved Farmers’ Market hours.
Food trucks and vendors will be allowed to park in the “downtown restricted area” during special events, but only on a street within the area that has been temporarily closed by the Board of Public Works & Safety.
A mobile food vendor that parks in the “downtown restricted area” will be fined $750 for the first offense; $1,500 for a second violation within 12 months; and $2,5000 for a third offense, or each thereafter, during a 12-month period.
“It is necessary to regulate mobile food vendors’ use of certain city streets so that the mobile food vendors’ transitory use can occur in a fair and safe manner, and so that the public safety and welfare can be protected,” the ordinance reads.
Furthermore, “While the city wishes to encourage the business of mobile food vendors, the city also recognizes the benefits of permanent food establishments. The owners of permanent food establishments make a substantial and long-lasting capital investments in buildings, infrastructure ... These investments benefit the city, improve real property, and provide consistent locales for the entertainment and enjoyment of city residents and visitors.”
The purpose of the new ordinance is “to encourage the co-existence of mobile food vendors and permanent food establishments, to provide appropriate places for each within the city’s fabric, and to accommodate the interests of each.”
In other business, the council:
• Adopted an ordinance fixing salaries for the mayor, clerk-treasurer and common council for 2024. Per the ordinance, salaries are $96,655 for the mayor; $69,518 for the clerk-treasurer; and $5,000 for each of the seven council members. A second ordinance setting the 2024 salaries for city appointed officers and employees also was adopted.
• Adopted an ordinance regarding the city’s 2024 budget. The budget total is $21,274,524 with a tax levy of $12,891,561 and a tax rate of 2.117.
• Approved a resolution granting BD Fortunes a noncompliance waiver regarding property tax abatement. The measure was necessary because the company missed a filing deadline with the state.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the city building code to reflect Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power’s assistance to the building commissioner for electrical inspections within the city’s corporate limits. The ordinance also outlines that the fire chief or a designated representative shall assist the building commissioner with inspections and the city electrician or designated representative shall assist the building commissioner in rough-in and final electrical inspections in all areas within the city’s zoning jurisdiction and is subject to scheduled fees. Two additional readings are required before the ordinance will go into effect.
• Adopted an ordinance enacting and adopting the 2023 S-28 supplement to the city’s code of ordinances. Each year American Legal Publishing of Cincinnati, Ohio completes a review and revises the city’s ordinances.
• Adopted an ordinance designating Wallace Drive as a one-way street to the north between Pike Street and East Main Street.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance amending parking restrictions to add one disabled parking space directly in front of 709 E. College St. Two additional readings are required.
• Approved the second reading of an ordinance annexing approximately 100 acres of agricultural property located north of the planned extension of Purple Heart Parkway and the associated right-of-way. The two parcels are owned by Garry D. McCutchan and Mary Barnett and G. Wayne McCutchan Revocable Living Trust. The annexation is voluntary and once adopted will be included in the city’s Ward 5. A third and final reading is needed before the annexation can take place.
• Heard comments of gratitude from Council President Andy Biddle for city officials and department heads for their work on the 2024 budget.
