Pflugerville City Council on Tuesday continued a long-running discussion about attracting food trucks to its downtown but failed to approve any measures to make it happen.
The council agenda included considering approving a licensing agreement with Three Legged Goat Wine Bar to accommodate two food trucks.
The debate over the food trucks at 103 N. Railroad St. has been going on for at least 10 months. When the city leased the property in September, the City Council considered whether to allow food trucks at city-sponsored events. Seven area residents lobbied the council, urging the city to instead allow the food trucks to operate as vendors at the venue without having to be at city events.
The city currently owns the property and is negotiating leases for the food truck to use the southeast corner behind Three Legged Goat.
Vice Mayor Emily Barron presented the food truck licensing agreement, which allows up to two food trucks to rent space for $250 per month for a six-month contract period. The agreement also stipulates that the Three Legged Goat will provide restrooms, trash disposals and seating for the food trucks. The bar will also be responsible for making sure the food trucks comply with regulations.
The bar is partly owned by City Councilman Jim McDonald and residents Marilyn Classen, Dale Woodkey and Chelsea Robertson.
Another resident, Terry Newsom, expressed concern that McDonald may be engaging in a conflict of interest.
“Instead of pleading guilty in the debate over the purchase of that property, despite the potential conflict of interest, he brazenly became the city council member who proposed approval, choosing to significantly drain taxpayer dollars for that property that will ultimately provide a financial benefit to his bar,” Newsom said.
McDonald walked out of the city council meeting both in September and Tuesday night while the topic of food trucks was being considered.
Councilman David Rogers made a motion to postpone the discussion, but no one seconded it. Mayor Serenia Breland explained that the only difference between Tuesday’s discussion and the September meeting is that the city now owns the land. Council then went into executive committee for 10 minutes to obtain legal advice on the matter.
When the council again failed to act and returned again without McDonald’s, Pro Tem Mayor Doug Weiss resumed discussion of the food truck issue.
Woodkey and Classen reported to the council on behalf of the wine bar. Woodkey said the $250 fee was just to cover Three Legged Goat’s expenses, primarily electricity. Woodkey said the decision to charge the food truck $250 a month was based on the bar’s past experience dealing with food trucks.
“We’re not here to make money off of food trucks,” Woodkey said, “We’re here to help promote downtown and get people downtown to come and enjoy a meal, a drink and enjoy downtown Pflugerville.”
Councilman Rogers made a second motion to postpone the debate, which was also denied. He then made a motion to approve the item and put it to a vote, seconded by Councilman Cesar Ruiz. The item failed 5-0. The council did not say if or when it would debate the topic again.
Council also discussed a $201,902,913 construction contract with PLW Waterworks for construction services related to the Wilbager Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Council approved the contract by a 6-0 vote.
Work on a wastewater treatment plant at 10100 Gregg Lane, aimed at accommodating a growing population, is scheduled for completion in 2027.
