The Board of Aldermen will study what other cities do regarding ice cream trucks before deciding if Columbia will allow them.
Gary Blackwell, who had brought the idea to the Board last month, visited again Tuesday to ask about the ordinance and then gave the history of the current ordinance, which prohibits ice cream trucks.
“It’s ordinance No. 364 that was created June 10, 1974,” Blackwell said. “That’s back 44 years ago. Some of you know the history behind why the ordinance was created. In 1974 there was an ice cream parlor on Main Street called Gray’s. A fellow started selling ice cream out of a truck. Mr. Gray felt like that was in competition of him selling ice cream. Evidently he came downtown and created an ordinance against ice cream trucks. That’s why it’s on the books. There is only one of those aldermen alive, and he’s 80-something years old.”
City Attorney Lawrence Hahn then spoke about the city’s next action, if any.
“I spoke with Mr. Blackwell earlier and told him that because of the time and expense that goes into drafting an ordinance, we just don’t draft ordinances unless the Board or somebody on the Board tells me they are interested in having an ordinance that will do that,” he said. “If anybody wants the Board to consider and ordinance, then I’ll be happy to look into and draft something up for your review. If you want me to work on it, send me any thoughts you have on it. Send me what you would like to see or not see in it.”
Hahn said there are a number of factors in regards to an ice cream truck ordinance.
“You look at where it will operate, what streets,” he said. “You have common sense, Mr. Blackwell, but somebody else coming in may not.”
Blackwell then asked the Board to take action.
“I’d like to see a motion to either abolish it or revise it,” he said of the current ordinance.
Hahn told the Board that he didn’t need a motion to begin research of the issue.
“You can’t pass it tonight,” he said. “I could start drafting something if you want me to do it.”
Ward 4 Alderman Mike Smith suggested checking with other cities to see what they have on the books. Alderman-at-Large Edward Hough asked if any neighboring municipalities have ordinances governing ice cream trucks.
“I think there are,” Hahn said. “Laurel I think may have one. Not too long ago, Hattiesburg had an ice cream truck around Kamper Park Zoo. They may have an ordinance. The things you need to look at are the time of day, where you’re going to allow them. You may not want it in certain areas or you may want it in certain areas.”
Ward 4 Alderwoman Anna Evans then made a motion to table the discussion until more research can be done.
“After we look at that, we can talk with Mr. Hahn if we are interested in rescinding the current one or changing it,” she said. “Let’s get some more information and share it at the next Board meeting.”
Blackwell then addressed the Board for a final time Tuesday.
“Let’s not forget that an ice cream truck and food truck do not compare,” he said. “They are not the same.”
Hahn said that the city was specific about the definition in the recently passed food truck ordinance. The Board vote unanimously to table the issue until the research is conducted.
The next meeting of the Columbia Board of Aldermen is set for 4 p.m. June 19 at City Hall.
