Creston town council looks ready to revisit fees that regulate food vendors in parks after a presentation from two local businessmen at Tuesday's regular meeting.
Bill Dyck and Derek Doyle, who operate the mobile food business Purple People Feeder, told council they would like to set up in Centennial Park for the summer. A $100 per day fee is cost-prohibitive, though, they said. The park fee is in addition to a business license and health permit.
Dyck said that he researched bylaws in other communities and learned that Creston is out of step with the current trend.
“In Nelson, the fee is $100 per month,” he said.
Revelstoke charges $260 a year for vendors and buskers, and the fee in Cranbrook is $150 a year, he said. Most communities include location restrictions in an effort to balance the needs of existing bricks and mortar businesses and the consuming public.
“At Centennial Park we are a long way from any other ice cream vendor,” Dyck said.
Doyle, who works in the truck, said he is meticulous in picking up garbage in the area where the truck sets up, and pointed out that he routinely carries a garbage bag when he walks around town.
“If I see a piece of plastic, I pick it up,” he said.
Purple People Feeder sells hot dogs, ice cream cones and cold drinks. The hot dogs are wrapped in a paper napkin, leaving plastic cups as the only non-biodegradable material leaving the truck.
“Our goal is to use as many local products as possible,” Doyle said. “I have heard from several mothers who said they would like us to be in Centennial Park. We believe it would make a more enjoyable park experience for locals and visitors to our valley.”
Couns. Tanya Ducharme, Joanna Wilson and Scott Veitch all indicated that the town should work to find a solution to the men’s request.
A motion was passed to ask staff to prepare a report on options available. Town manager Lou Varela said staff would look for a short-term solution for the request and also at longer-term approaches.