In 2018 the city conducted a public survey to determine new directions to pursue mobile food vending in Hermiston.  One of the most popular ideas with over 90% support, was the creation of a central location where many mobile food vendors can congregate and provide a variety of options to customers.  This is known as a food pod.  In November of 2018 the city published a request for proposals for management of a potential food pod site on the city-owned parking lot at the northwest corner of SW 3rd Street and W Orchard Ave (north of the post office).  One response was received from Monica Todd.  Ms. Todd owns a food truck and has a background in restaurant management.  

Staff has been in negotiations with Ms. Todd to develop a specific plan for operation and management of the food pod.  The parks and recreation department has a long history coordinating vendors and managing facilities and will be the city's point of contact with the site manager.  The city will provide the installation of electrical service to the site in order to eliminate the need for portable generators creating noise and air pollution.  The parks department will also provide picnic tables.  The food pod manager will be responsible for coordinating and recruiting trucks to the site.  Management will charge rent to each vendor and use rent funds to provide the essential services on-site.  Trash collection and removal, shade, portable toilet services, and hand washing services will all be provided by the manager.  

Under the provisions of the city's mobile vending ordinance, provisions of the code are generally not applicable to publicly owned property.  The city owns two properties at this location.  The parking lot on the west side of SW 3rd Street is proposed to be used for the food vending area and the lot on the east side of SW 3rd Street is proposed to be used for customer parking.  The draft plan will require all food vendors to vacate the property once per week to allow the lot to be swept by the city's street sweeper.  The manager will coordinate litter pickup on the site daily.  The vendors will not be required to vacate the site each day.  It is unlikely the pod will be successful requiring all vendors to leave each night.  However, the hours of operation will be limited to minimize neighborhood disturbance.  It is planned that the pod will operate from 10 am to 8 pm.

Staff has prepared a site plan which illustrates a rough concept of the site layout.  Two overall concerns have driven the site selection and design process.  First, minimize overall disruption to neighbors by requiring restroom and trash facilities to be as far as practical from adjacent residences.  Second, minimize impact to neighboring commercial users by leaving the east parking lot which is closest to the ARC and other buildings open for parking.  It is staff's recommendation that this layout best accomplishes these goals.  The site was chosen due to it's relatively low use by the public and existing improvements which require minimal investment to accommodate a temporary food pod.

It is important to note that this food pod is intended to be a one-year pilot program operating between April and October of 2019.  At the conclusion of the season, the city will re-evaluate the program and determine if this is the appropriate location or if another location is better suited.  The city and manager will also consider if the business generated is adequate to continue the program.

One issue the council should consider is the location of the existing mobile food vendor, Tacos Garcia, immediately north of this site. The council should consider if Tacos Garcia should be granted an exemption from the requirement to move their mobile unit each night.  If there are eight food units in the pod which move once per week, should one truck located thirty feet away on contiguous property be required to move each night?

The city council may choose to:

• Approve the management agreement and allow the city and private management to operate a food pod for 2019 only
• Recommend amendments to the management agreement to satisfy concerns of the council
• Reject the agreement and choose not to operate a food pod for 2019