City Council Moving Forward On Panhandling, Food Truck Ordinances

  • Tuesday, March 27, 2018

The City Council is moving forward on ordinances to promote food trucks and to seek to control panhandling.

The council will get an update on the food truck legislation on April 10.

Councilman Chip Henderson said he still wants to get data on how the food trucks affect brick and mortar eating establishments.

Panhandling comes up for a vote next Tuesday night.

Council members said the ordinances focuses on dealing with aggressive panhandlers and directing all those who are stopped by police for panhandling to social agencies that might be able to give them a new direction.

Councilwoman Carol Berz said she and other council members agree that levying a fine on those arrested for begging is not a solution. She said the aim is to "lighten the load" and give other options that the state penalty of jail for aggressive panhandling.

Ken Smith, vice chair, said, "Paying a fine for panhandling is counter-productive. It is not going to help anybody."

It was recommended that at the point of police contact with panhandlers that officers direct them to needed services.

Assistant City Attorney Phil Noblett said the ordinance has some sections on "passive" panhandling, including mandating that panhandling not take place within 20 feet of the front door of a store, an ATM, a transportation stop or a parking garage.

For aggressive panhandlers, he said there would be a provision allowing the city to take out nuisance complaints against repeat offenders.

Also, panhandling would not be allowed at access and egress points from controlled-access highways within the city or on bridges.

Attorney Noblett said the current panhandling ordinance deals only with the Central Business District near the Aquarium. He said the new ordinance is citywide.

 

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