COLD LAKE - The Aug. 13 regular council meeting for the City of Cold Lake council became a platform for local food truck owners to express their concerns about the municipality’s recent decision to restrict vendor operations along First Avenue.
The new regulations, which were initially discussed at a special council meeting on July 16, stemmed from parking management issues around Kinosoo Beach.
Two vendors, Ashley Law, owner of Lunapark, and Sheri and Terry Wilson, owners of Marvellous Minis, voiced their disapproval, highlighting the negative impact these changes could have on their businesses and the community.
The July 16 special council meeting addressed concerns about parking management at Kinosoo Beach, especially along First Avenue. Council discussed issues such as mobile vendors operating without necessary permits and the broader implications on public safety and access to the beach.
Coun. Chris Vining proposed a motion for a designated no-go zone along First Avenue from June to September, which was subsequently approved by council. The intention was to alleviate parking pressures and enhance traffic management, particularly by directing food trucks to a designated area known as "Vendor Alley."
However, during the Aug.13 meeting, vendors raised significant concerns about the feasibility and effectiveness of the new regulations.
Law spoke about the challenges she sees with the new regulations, particularly regarding Vendor Alley as a designated spot for food trucks. “I primarily park at the beach, which is where all of the changes are coming from. I was mostly coming to speak today to express that I don't necessarily think that parking on Vendor Alley for food trucks is a feasible option,” she explained.
Law detailed her difficulties with using Vendor Alley, stating, “I had parked there previously this year before I knew that we were supposed to park on the road, and it was extremely challenging to back the trailer all the way down Vendor Alley.” She added that the area is not suitable for multiple food trucks, citing concerns about space and traffic.
“There was room for me to drive and turn around but if there was more than just me there, there wouldn't have been space for me to do that.”
Law also questioned the necessity of the new regulations, noting, “Typically there will be a maximum of two trailers there. Most of the time it's just one. And so, I'm curious where these complaints that are driving this are coming from, and if there's a way that we can work with the community to get them to see the engagement of new businesses coming to that area, despite it causing a minor parking frustration for them.”
In response, Mayor Craig Copeland acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the need to address residents’ complaints about parking and the presence of food trucks on First Avenue. “The complaints are coming from the beachgoers for parking... The residents in the area don't like the food trucks, most of them,” he explained. Copeland noted that while the design of Vendor Alley is not perfect, council is exploring options to improve the situation.
Sheri Wilson of Marvelous Minis echoed Law's concerns, specifically about the challenges of operating in Vendor Alley.
“Vendor Alley is very much a challenge for us... if you drive in one way, you are then backing out the other way,” she said. Wilson highlighted safety concerns, including the difficulty of backing out trailers in an area with high pedestrian traffic.
Wilson also pointed out visibility issues, stating that the location of Vendor Alley makes it difficult for beachgoers to see the food trucks, which impacts their business.
“The visibility currently from the rest of the beach and sort of towards the water treatment plant - there really isn't any,” she explained.
Terry Wilson, co-owner of Marvelous Minis, expressed sympathy towards the residents' complaints but stressed that restricting food trucks to Vendor Alley could significantly affect their income.
Copeland again acknowledged the concerns raised by the vendors and indicated council is actively considering potential solutions.
“We need to really study what our best options are... So, we have to look at this, you know, 18th Street or 19th Street, like where is the best area to flatten out and change a few things,” Copeland said.
City council voted to postpone any decisions until after the summer season. The decision was made to avoid disrupting vendors' current operations, given the limited time left in the season. Copeland emphasized the need for a thorough discussion on all available options, with plans to revisit the issue in the fall and potentially allocate funds in the 2025 budget to improve the situation for mobile vendors.
