PELHAM, AL – Pelham leaders are fine-tuning proposed changes to law that would allow food trucks to operate in the city and provide a procedure to issue annual business licenses.

City Council members at their meeting Monday night held first readings on a pair of proposed changes to laws to accommodate the mobile food vendors. An amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance to allow mobile food vendors did not raise any issues, but another proposed change for exemptions to business licenses raised concerns.

Specifically, Councilman Ron Scott disagreed with the proposed law giving the mayor the sole authority to grant certain approvals and exceptions to business license requirements. “I would rather have the full council in conjunction with the mayor” for granting exceptions, Scott said.

Scott said he didn’t have any issue with Mayor Gary Waters. “I want to take the politics out” of the process, he said.

When Councilman Maurice Mercer asked if Scott had any specific instance in mind that could raise issues, Scott replied, “No, I’m just a cynic at heart.”

Instead of the full council approval, Councilwoman Karyl Rice suggested the board could act as an appellate body if the mayor denies an exemption request. The council seemed to agree with the idea.

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