Food truck supporters and owners address mayor and aldermen

Operating a food truck within the city was once again a topic of discussion for residents during the Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.

At the July 20 meeting, Four residents addressed the board about Mobile Food Units (MFUs)or food trucks. On July 6, only one person spoke on the topic.

Chris Sapp, who spoke on this topic at the previous board meeting, renewed his request that the board alter the codes to be fair to individuals who wish to start a business but do not have the capital necessary to open a “brick and mortar” business. Sapp said he would prefer to give his dollars to a local business owner, keeping the money in our community, rather than give it to some national chain that will take it out of state. Sapp believes that some current codes are protectionist and may expose the city to possible lawsuits.

Kristi Bridges, owner/operator of the “Top of the Hill” food truck, asked that the board reconsider the Sparta Municipal Code 9-910 section 6, stating an MFU may not operate within 250 feet of any restaurant, unless written approval is obtained from the restaurant, section 7, limiting the operating hours of an MFU to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and section 12, from being interpreted in such a way that an MFU cannot draw utilities from a private property owner with the owner’s consent. Bridges was cited by city code enforcement earlier this year, which sparked some community outrage and an online petition.

Bonnie Caldwell, the originator of the online petition, also addressed the board on the same topic. She stated the petition now has 1,138 signatures. Caldwell also apologized for some of her heated statements online when Bridges was first cited.  

J.R. Roach, whose wife, Marlene, operates the “Dawg House” food truck, asked the board to allow MFUs located at the city-owned property designated for MFUs (in the parking lot between South Church Street and the old Sparta Cemetery) to place temporary signs to inform passersby of the MFU’s presence at that location. Roach said he and his wife appreciate the city providing the space, but it doesn’t do operators any good if the public doesn’t know they are there.

The board did not address the topic at either meeting. However, Mayor Jerry Lowery has addressed the issue to some extent on social media. In a video on Facebook, Mayor Lowery said every applicant for a permit reads the related codes and signs confirming they will comply. He also stated that he has been the most pro-food truck mayor the city has ever had, and the board may look at addressing some of the public concerns, particularly the restraints on hours of operation. The mayor recently called for “Food Truck Mondays” when he announced the newly designated food truck parking on city property.

None of the concerned residents appeared to dispute that Bridges violated city ordinances, only that those particular ordinances are unjust. Bridges moved her MFU and now complies with all regulations. The municipal case against her was dismissed. Sapp had filed an Amicus Curiae with the municipal court to support Bridges’ cause as an aggrieved third party.  An amicus curiae (literally “friend of the court”) is someone who is not a party to a case, but offers information that bears on the case, and has not been solicited by any of the parties to assist a court.