The UTC Student Government passed a resolution last week asking the city of Chattanooga to change the ordinance on food trucks.
This is the first time a resolution has been passed to try to influence city policy.
Here is the resolution:
A Resolution in asking the City of Chattanooga to change ordinance (Section 20-149 (a)) stating "mobile food units are prohibited from operating on city streets, sidewalks or public property within the city limits".
WHEREAS, the Student Government Association of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the duly elected representative voice of the 11,586 students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is charged with the responsibility to promote its general welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Student Senate affirms the vital aspect food trucks play in a campus and community culture; and
WHEREAS, the Student Senate firmly believes that the City of Chattanooga has a responsibility to help facilitate this campus and community culture and to enrich the student experience in the City of Chattanooga; and
WHEREAS, the food trucks would bring healthy food not only to campus, but also to communities throughout Chattanooga where there is poor access to any food options; and
WHEREAS, of the students polled 89% state they are in favor of having food trucks serve the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and
WHEREAS, promoting this connection between campus and community will help us fulfill an important pillar of the University's Strategic Plan; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Student Government Association at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga:
1. Encourages the City of Chattanooga to work with the Food Truck community to enrich not only the Chattanooga experience, but the student experience at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and
2. Encourages the City of Chattanooga to lift ordinance (Section 20-149 (a)) in order to support the local economy and small businesses in Chattanooga.