Shouldn't council member "... McAlister, who owns an ice cream shop ..." have reclused himself from voting based on a conflict of interest???!!! Jeez ... is this present-day Mountain View or Chicago under Mayor Daly in 1968??? And THIS is just pure B.S. = "food trucks would encourage jaywalking and standing in the street". I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that THIS SPECIFIC WORDING came pretty much from the mouth of a downtown restaurant owner. Downtown restaurants HAVE SET UP TABLES THAT ARE ONLY 6 FEET FROM CARS WHIZZING BY AT 25 MPH! Where is the safety concern for pedestrians and diners in THAT situation? THEIR dining tables are SITTING ON THE STREET! Thank goodness that without this horrible scourge of foot trucks and the danger that they would present, there is absolutely NEVER any jaywalking or standing in the street in downtown Mountain View, although SITTING AT A TABLE IN THE STREET IS OKAY AS LONG AS A RESTAURANT IS MAKING MONEY ON IT) ... HAHAHA! THIS is about as TRANSPARENT of a greed-based argument BY restaurant owners and AGAINST food trucks as could be made! Food trucks provide competition to the downtown restaurants and PROVIDE GREAT FOOD OPTIONS TO DINERS which the restaurants just don't like but that BENEFITS LOCAL RESIDENTS AND HUNGRY VISITORS as a whole instead of just benefitting the relatively few restaurant owners and food workers. Food truck vs. brick-and-mortar arguments posed in this article are specious -- THE TRUTH IS that the restaurant owners wouldn't like it even if the trucks were new brick-and-mortar business opening because it would STILL provide competition.

It would be really useful if the town could publish a list of food trucks authorized to do business in the city and the hours they are allowed to operate (if there are restrictions), as well as the hours the food truck owners actually like to open their trucks. Then maybe the Voice could republish the list. This would be really helpful for people who organize events in the city and want to have a food truck at their event. Are extra permits required for events like Meetups that want a food truck outside their meeting premises?

I don't see any legitimate reason NOT to allow the trucks. They're popular because people like the variety and unique styles of food they offer. It's all about giving the people what they want.

Brick and mortars stick with the traditional "safe" offerings that will appeal to a broader audience. If they feel threatened by the trucks, get a little more imaginative with your menus, create some of the 'buzz' the trucks do by getting on social media, and the trucks won't be such a threat.

I respect food truck owners trying to live a decent life,etc...But the thing everyone needs to understand is they don't pay sales taxes, social security taxes, benefits to employees,etc.. and other expenses that that real restaurants have to pay and that is not fair competition. Food truck owners are simply walking away with cold cash. i personally don't think food trucks are hygienic and the food quality is not restaurant quality and I stay away from them. But people who frequent food trucks need to understand one fact. You are contributing to the demise of established restaurants who spend time and money to make your dining experience a pleasant one. So be ethical. Have you seen the taco stands on california ave, people spit stuff right where they eat,etc...

Could someone please tell my why food truck owners have to pay a $600 fee to the City? What is that fee for?

There are lots of fees: a business license, health department inspection fees, etc.

they do not have to pay that $600.00 fee anymore. now its just 119$ permit.

"It is interesting that nobody was here tonight from the food truck industry saying 'This is a bad thing,'" noted council member Mike Kasperzak. "Like so many people they want certainty. Having a framework helps them know what they can do and what they can't do."

Spoken like a true bureaucrat. No one shows up so I will do whatever I like.

I would not eat food from one of these trucks, maybe buy a bottled drink or something else in a sealed container. I don't trust the sanitary conditions on these trucks. When does city do health inspections on trucks, my guess is never so you are on your own.