City Council's Set to Rewrite Ordinances Allowing for Food Trucks, Campaign Signs

From Jack's ChowHound's Facebook page

​Tomorrow the city council will discuss why Mary Suhm wants to keep all of Dallas' trash and allowing the public a shot at redrawing the council districts' boundaries. But not before it votes on two hot-button issues: food trucks and campaign signs on public property.

The food truck issue's already been through City Plan Commission and council, which has OK'd mobile eateries in the Arts District. But some details remain -- like, how long a food truck can be parked at any one location. Hence the ordinance rewrite that says, among other things, food-truck operators wishing to move from their pre-approved spots have to turn in an itinerary to the city at least two business days before they start to dish it out elsewhere. Here's the council's sum-up provided by City Attorney Tom Perkins:

The proposed ordinance would amend Section 17-18.2 of the Dallas City Code to: (1) allow itineraries for mobile food preparation vehicles to be filed with the director at the time of permit issuance or renewal instead of on a monthly basis, (2) amend restrictions on how long mobile food preparation vehicles may stay at one location when authorized by the property owner, (3) require authorizations for the use of private premises and toilet facilities (within 600 feet) by mobile food preparation vehicles, and (4) require overnight parking for at least 5 consecutive hours at commissaries by mobile food preparation vehicles.

As for campaign signs...

Perhaps you recall City Secretary Deborah Watkins telling us a few weeks ago that the city would, for the first time, enforce its rule disallowing campaign signs on public property. Sure you do. Anyway, some council members don't much like that rule, if only because, they say, signs serve to remind folks that, hey, today's Election Day!

Hence this ordinance rewrite on tomorrow's to-do list:

The proposed ordinance would amend Section 3-1 and add Article III to Chapter 15A, "Elections," of the Dallas City Code to allow political campaign signs to be temporarily placed on public property that is used as an early voting location or election day voting location, if certain requirements as to size, form, and placement are met. Signs placed at an early voting location may not be placed earlier than two calendar days before commencement of early voting and must be removed no later than two calendar days after the last day of early voting. Signs placed at an election day voting location may not be placed earlier than two calendar days before election day and must be removed no later than two calendar days after election day. Signs may not be placed in a public right-of-way. A person violating a provision of the proposed ordinance would be subject to a fine of up to $500.