Special Committee on Reducing Red Tape – March 18, 2026: Board Bill 152 Food Truck Vending Districts

The Special Committee on Reducing Red Tape met on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 12:03 PM. The committee had a quorum and the main agenda item was Board Bill 152 (committee substitute), introduced by Alderman Aldridge, to amend the food truck and vending district code. The bill aims to cut red tape by creating designated commercial vending markets, clarifying operating hours, establishing a decal identification system, and setting a complaint process.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from November 19, 2025, were approved unanimously after a correction changing the time from 12:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Dwyer (in opposition / undecided): Raised a procedural concern that proposed legislation was not circulated 24 hours in advance as per Board Rule 642, though the committee suspended the rule. He noted that a working group had been reconvened only four weeks prior and that several critical issues remained unresolved, including sidewalk vending provisions not reviewed by the group. He urged the committee not to pass the bill.
• Brian Scott (in support): A food truck and restaurant owner, born and raised in St. Louis, stated that food truck owners are closing “by the dozens every year” due to lack of places to vend. He argued there is a compelling reason to pass the bill now to help small businesses.
• Billy Gomel (in support): Representing the St. Louis Restaurant Association (714 licensed establishments in the city). He expressed support for the bill, noting that the association originally proposed a 300-foot distance from brick-and-mortar restaurants but compromised to 200 feet to move the bill forward.

Discussion Items

• Board Bill 152 Committee Substitute: Alderman Aldridge presented the substitute, which creates specific commercial vending districts (e.g., Cherokee, Downtown, Downtown West, Grand Center, Soulard) rather than a citywide approach. The bill also adds a decal identification requirement, extends food truck operating hours to 1 AM (sidewalk vendors remain at 11 PM), and establishes a complaint process with escalating penalties (e.g., two-week suspension after three violations, one-year revocation after five). The original 150-foot distance from brick-and-mortar was increased to 200 feet via amendment.
• Amendments: Three amendments were adopted:
  1. Amendment #1 (Cox Antwi): Added Soulard as a vending district, on Lafayette Avenue away from residential areas and the Soulard Market.
  2. Amendment #2 (Aldridge): Struck the Central West End vending district (due to existing food truck activity and private property agreements) and reordered districts alphabetically.
  3. Amendment #3 (Aldridge): Changed the minimum distance from brick-and-mortar restaurants from 150 feet to 200 feet.
• Committee Questions: Vice Chair Browning asked about enforcement by the Streets Department (rather than Health), noise concerns, and the complaint system. Chair Sweitzer questioned the clarity of the permitting process and the provision allowing a food truck to operate with written permission from a brick-and-mortar, which could lead to conflicts. Alderman Velasquez asked about how the districts were selected. Alderman Cox Antwi sought clarification on separating food truck and sidewalk vendor regulations.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to adopt the committee substitute for Board Bill 152 (with amendments) and give a “do pass” recommendation.
• Roll call vote: 5 ayes (Alderman Narayan, Velasquez, Aldridge, Cox Antwi, Sweitzer) and 1 no (Vice Chair Browning). The motion carried.
• The bill will now proceed to the full Board of Aldermen. A one-year review is committed to by the sponsor and stakeholders.