Penticton City Council unanimously endorsed a series of changes to the city’s Vending Program for 2016, but not before questions were raised about how ongoing outdoor events would be affected.
The changes include reducing the number of beach vending locations and adding six new mobile food truck locations as well as a Mobile Food Vendor Hub next to Gyro Park in the parking lot adjacent to City Hall.
“This is based on feedback from the mobile vendors. They feel their business is stronger working together,” said business development officer Stephanie Chambers. She explained the hub would be active Sunday through Friday and after 4 p.m. Saturday to not interfere with the downtown and Farmer’s Market.
However, Chambers said they are working on plans for the hub to remain at least partially active during the many events that use Gyro Park in the summer.
“When there would be an event going on, maybe they want to pay the money and be part of those festivals but if they don’t, we want to provide them with the option for two to remain and two to move to a nearby alternate location,” said Chambers, adding the food truck vendors had complained about being moved away from the action.
“Every time there was a chance to make some money and everybody was in the north end of town, they were getting moved to the south end of town,” said Chambers.
Coun. Campbell Watt said it is the event organizers he has been hearing from, who are concerned about having a hub there when they also have vendors trying to sell food.
“I am clearly aware that the event organizers receive revenue from their vendors, and we don’t want to hurt their business either. We are just trying to find a balance,” said Chambers.
Another of the new food truck locations is on Lakeshore Drive East. near the southeast corner of Okanagan Lake Park, which is home to the Peach Festival, Elvis Festival and other events during the summer. Event organizers there have also expressed concern about whether a food truck there would affect their vendors and their operation.
“There might be times when this location won’t be able to be used. It is load-in and load-out for certain events and festivals,” said Chambers. “We just have to make sure we are communicating that early.”
She also said the conversation needs to continue and is planning a meeting for later this month to bring together outdoor event organizers and the vendors to discuss such issues.
Watt remained concerned that the city might be creating direct competition for vendors at the festivals.
“We are trying to find that balance where we are supporting the events, and then also supporting the mobile food truck vendors that are city-approved. There are others that don’t pay any money to the city and work on private lots and sometimes may not adhere some of the same safety standards,” said Chambers. “These are vendors that have made the commitment to play by the rules. We want to make sure we are supporting them too.”
Reducing the number of beach vendor spots will cost the city about $7,600 in revenue, said Chambers, but the positive side is it will improve beach views and access, as well as creating better locations for the vendors.
Along with the other changes, Chambers included a tiered pricing structure for the vending locations, with both prime and secondary pricing along the Skaha and Okanagan Lake beaches. There will also be two Okanagan Prime Plus locations, which would cost $1,628 for the season (for a 10×10 tent) about $263 more than the locations tagged as Skaha Secondary.
“I am really just looking at standard retail leasing practices to dictate some of the locations that are worth more. They simply have more foot traffic near The Peach and near the Skaha Main concession,” said Chambers.