Health and safety top priority of Ottawa's food truck ordinance workshop

An outright ban on food trucks is not on the table.

That much was clarified during an Ottawa City Council workshop meeting Thursday.

While potential regulations on food trucks were discussed, Mayor Dan Aussem said the first step forward is to put in place a regulation that will require food trucks to have proper food-handling licenses. The city intends to take until the end of the year to research other options for regulations, like a restriction on where food trucks can go or a restriction on the number of food truck licenses allowed within the city.

"The first step is to make sure whoever serves food is preparing it in a healthy and safe way for our citizens and visitors," Aussem said. "I met with Jared and Sadie (Murley, owners of Bertha Food Truck out of Ottawa), and they told me they have those qualifications."

Aussem said his main concern is the city doesn't have any rules at all and the council previously had complaints about a vendor showing up with a tent and selling tacos out of a cooler. These base regulations would go toward preventing something along those lines.

Brad Hughes, the owner of Monte's Riverside Inn, said when a letter was written to the city regarding food trucks, there was no ill will intended against Bertha, which is one of two food trucks based in Ottawa.

"We just don't want people coming into town and taking the best two or three days of the week or month," Hughes said. "Unfortunately, people read into it the wrong way, and I take the blame for that."

Hughes said he just doesn't want a food truck parking in front of his restaurant.

Amanda Weygand owns Open Space Art Gallery and hosts Third Friday every month along with CatsEye and City Folk. They have, on occasion, had a food truck along with the festivities that usually shut down Madison Street once per month.

"I'm surrounded by three restaurants that I'm friends with, I talk to, and I'm very considerate of," Weygand said. "Bertha's doesn't offer anything those three restaurants offer. I would like to be able to have them.

"As a downtown business, I feel like I should have the same voice as a restaurant."

Jared Murley said they don't go anywhere downtown with the intention of taking business away from anyone else; in fact, they regularly recommend downtown restaurants to anyone who is looking for a meal more substantial than they offer.

He said their goal is to add to the experience of Ottawa and attract people to their business along with the others.

"We're a start-your-night-off kind of place," Murley said. "Most of the businesses around there will have a better night when we're there, because it brings more people downtown to the area.

"There's a novelty to a food truck that brings people out."

Ashley Davis, an Ottawa resident who attended the workshop, said she understands the need for regulations but hopes the regulations are lenient on the side of the food trucks.

"There are people out there that are just trying to get started," Davis said. "There are different kinds of food. You guys don't sell soul food, but a lot of people would like to see that."

The City Council will see an ordinance at Tuesday night's meeting that will aim to put regulations forcing food trucks to ensure they have health and safety certifications. There will be further discussions throughout the year.