The Flossmoor Village Board had an extensive discussion on the permitting and regulations of mobile food vendors at the June 3 village board meeting. 

No decisions were made on the future of mobile food vendors. Trustees considered the current regulations, responsibilities of the village and the food vendors, and how allowing the vendors to operate on public property in the downtown area would impact other businesses and residents. 

The topic came about with the recent opening of a small business that used a local mobile food vendor for an event in downtown Flossmoor. 

Information provided for trustees outlined the current municipal codes set for mobile food vendors, codes used by villages in the South Suburbs, and questions the board should discuss regarding the topic. 

Current municipal code prohibits peddling, and outlines private use operation. 

During public comment, multiple residents spoke on the topic both for and against changes to current regulations. 

Dean Armstrong, whose wife, Carolyn, operates Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery, opposed an the expansion of the mobile food vendors in the central business district. 

His three fundamental reasons for opposing it are the threat to the charm and aesthetic of downtown Flossmoor, fundamental fairness and not adding on to something that already comes with difficulties. 

Donnie Staton, the son of Pam Jackson, who owns Dip N’ Double Ice Cream Truck, spoke on behalf of his mother in favor of expanding what mobile food vendors can do in Flossmoor. 

He read a letter from Jackson that outlined her problems with working in Flossmoor within the current regulations, her response to businesses opposed to the expansion, the changes, and transitions in businesses in the village. 

The board considered current regulations and permits. Discussion focused on making no changes, finding out how to work with the current regulations, where mobile food vendors would be most desirable in the village, and getting input from residents. 

Village Attorney Kathleen Orr answered the question about why mobile food vendors are allowed on private property and not on streets with the main reason being operational control. 

She said food trucks create discard that need to be cleaned. On private property it is the property owner’s responsibility, and at village events it is the village’s responsibility, Orr said. 

“Those are the really rational basis to say yes we like food trucks, but there’s so much involved in a food truck,” Orr said. 

Trustee Carolyn Rodgers said that things in the ordinances and regulations need to be updated, and there should be work with both mobile food vendors and the local brick and mortar stores. 

“I think that we have an opportunity to include everybody,” Rodgers said. “We can’t just think about our brick and mortar stores and leave other businesses out, especially when they’re residents.” 

Trustee Gary Daggett asked if all the trustees were on the same page of the downtown business district being off limits, which they all agreed upon. 

“If I understand what a good number of the trustees are saying tonight is that further discussion would be looking for opportunity areas where we might be able to expand,” Daggett said. 

Trustees also agreed to look for more business and resident input on the topic in the future.