La Cygne café owner complains about food truck parked across from his business

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

LA CYGNE – A complaint by a La Cygne business owner prompted the city’s mayor to promise a review of the city’s food truck ordinance.

Oscar Martinez, owner of Quik Taco, a Mexican food café on Market Street, told the La Cygne City Council on Wednesday, June 11, that it was unfair that a food truck parked across the street from his business, drawing away his potential customers.

He said the food truck remained in that location from about 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. He added that his business pays taxes and city utilities. He said the food truck was parked there for one day only.

According to City Clerk Jodi Wade food trucks with permits can park on any commercial, industrial or public lot as long as the lot owner gives permission. She said the food truck was the Waffle Wagon.

Although the council took no action on Martinez’s complaint, Mayor Debra Wilson said she would include a review of the issue of mobile food trucks on the agenda for the June 18 meeting and invited him to return then to discuss the issue further.

Martinez said he planned to attend the next meeting.

The council also heard a report from City Attorney Jeff Deane about a legal issue over use of a road going to the city’s north water tower. The owner of an adjacent property has complained the road belonged to her and the city had no right to use it.

However, Deane said he provided the owner with documents showing the city had paid for the easement in 1976 and that legal description for her property at 22786 Querry Road had been modified to read “Lot 36 except road.” He said he told the woman that the city had been allowing the residents at that address to use the driveway even though it belonged to the city.

Deane also told the council that the owner of the property at 402 S. Broadway had signed an agreement to convey the deed of the property to the city in lieu of collections of back taxes and for demolition of the partially collapsed residence on it. He asked Wade to begin the process of halting collections on that property.

In other business, the council:

Approved a motion to add a cancellation policy and a maximum-stay limit for campsites at the La Cygne Community Park. The updated policy would provide a full refund for cancellation of reservations up to 14 days prior to the reservation date. It would also limit a maximum of 14 daily permits to be used consecutively in a 30-day period.

Approved the purchase of two repeaters for the city’s fire and police radio communications. The cost for the two repeaters plus nearly $1,100 for licensing is just over $4,500. One of the repeaters will be installed on the city’s tower, the other on the city of Linn Valley tower. 

Police Chief Zachary Mathies, after giving his report on calls for service, building checks and other department activities noted that cases of canine distemper had shown up in four raccoons recently. He urged residents to get canine distemper vaccinations for their dogs.

Public Works Superintendent Dan Nasalroad said that work on the second phase of upgrading the city’s water plant was scheduled to begin the week of June 16. He also noted that the city crew had been working to keep culverts clear and water draining during recent rains.

Heard a pitch by Jakob Erdmann, an engineer with Earles Engineering and Inspection (EEI). Erdmann, who said he plans to move soon to the Louisburg area, said EEI is the engineering firm for five cities and that the company would be interested in working with the city of La Cygne on projects.