04/07/2026 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 7, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
April 7, 2026. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on April 1,
2026. Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The following City
Council members were present: Jack Sheard, Jason Conley, Mitch Nickerson, Doug Brown,
Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick and Doug Lanfear. Mark Stelk was
present at 6:21 PM. The following City Officials were present: City Clerk Jill Granere, City
Administrator Patrick Brown, City Attorney Kari Fisk and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
5.a) Permitting Mobile Food Units
Cover Page
GIFD Mobile Food Truck Checklist
Regulations
Presentation
Fire Prevention Division Chief Phillip Thomas reported the City's adopted fire code included
provisions requiring the permitting of mobile food units.
Mentioned were that open flame, propane systems, electrical loads and public proximity being
some of the issues and there were no local fire/life safety permits and no consistent fire
inspections which created increased risk of fire, explosion and public injury.
The objectives were to reduce fire and life safety risks, ensure compliance with Internation Fire
Code, establish a consistent, local permitting and inspection process, not to restrict business.
Mentioned was permitting was not about creating obstacles or shutting businesses down.
Council adopted the International Fire Code, and it required a permit for Mobile Food Units and
the city currently does not issue one.
Current Requirements were as follows:
• Nebraska Sales Tax
• GI Food and Beverage Tax
• Department of Agriculture Annual Food Establishment Fee
• Central District Health Food Vendor Permit
Proposed Requirements were as follows:
• Annual propane systems leak test
• Annual hood test
• Annual fire extinguisher inspection
Page 2 of 3,City Council Study Session,April 7,2026
The mobile food permit would be an online application where they can upload required
documentation, then there would be an multi-department review (Finance, Building, Fire), pass a
fire safety inspection and then fire would issue an annual permit.
Mr. Thomas reported on where mobile food units could legally operate as zoning applied to this
operations. They are allowed to operate in any zoning district that allows restaurants (B 1, B2,
B2-AC, B3, CD, TD, M2 and M3). Planning was working on an interactive map that could be
used for owners, property owners and code enforcement.
Mr. Thomas mentioned special events and temporary use in areas that zoning or other
regulations do not allow, such as parks and residential districts. They would be required to be
permitted as a mobile food unit and they would apply online and fire would make the final
approval.
Mentioned was the mobile food units at the State Fair would be inspected as the State Fair
inspection process and the fee would be included in the State Fair inspection fee.
Proposed Fees were as follows:
• State Fair Inspection: $2,000 (currently $1,600)
• Annual Mobile Food Unit Permit: $100
• Special Event/Temporary: $25 per day
Mentioned were effective dates of these changes were as follows:
• Notify Department of Agriculture by December 31, 2026
• Begin Process March of 2027
• Issue annual permits by April 1, 2027
The importance of the change were to reduce liability exposure, align with adopted fire code,
creates consistent enforcement, improves public safety at events and gatherings and supports
responsible local businesses.
Councilmember Sheard brought up how long of a process it would be for the mobile food trucks.
Mr. Thomas mentioned new trucks taking around 2 months and existing trucks about 2 weeks.
Mentioned was code enforcement enforcing the rules.
Councilmember Nickerson questioned the public meetings. Mr. Thomas mentioned them being
very well attended with a lot of interaction.
Discussed was Type 1 Hoods being regularly inspected and cleaned. Councilmember Brown
mentioned the cost of hood cleaning being approximately $300-$400 and inspection fees
approximately $150 and leak testing being approximately $75.
Mentioned was the difference in extinguishers with Type K (Kitchen) doesn't ruin the food and
was better for grease fires.
Page 3 of 3,City Council Study Session,April 7,2026
Councilmember Haase mentioned coordinating with the Health Department with inspections,
mentioning once a year didn't seem to be enough. Also, mentioned was staying compliant and
tracking of them. City Administrator Patrick Brown mentioned CitiServe will send out reminders
of due dates.
Mr. Thomas mentioned the UNL Extension Office offering classes to mobile food trucks
teaching them on the rules and regulations.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Jill ranere
City Clerk