STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 7
5/7/2024
JC
Date: May 7, 2024
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Andrea Alexander, City Clerk
Allison E. Burns, City Attorney
Larissa De La Cruz, Director-Community Development
Subject: Amendment to Title 12 of the Lancaster Municipal Code relating to the Distribution of Food
Recommendation:
Adopt Ordinance No. 1115, amending Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) of the Lancaster Municipal Code by adding Chapter 12.28 (Food Distribution), relating to the distribution of food.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact will be negligible. City facilities identified as “Facilitated Locations” will be used during non-operational hours and will not impact any scheduling of any other City or paid special event.
Background:
During the December 10, 2019, City Council meeting, the Council heard a proposed ordinance that prohibited food distribution from being conducted on a public street, sidewalk, parking lot or any other public property. The purpose of the ordinance was to mitigate concerns related to unsafe handling of food, vehicular and pedestrian obstructions in the public right of way, lack of compliance with safe and sanitary food handling, and trash left behind from food distribution events.
This proposed and revised ordinance aims to address these same concerns while taking a collaborative approach that ensures compassion is included in the decision-making process. As part of this approach, a committee comprised of community stakeholders representing various segments of the community were consulted to ensure that the proposed ordinance was practical and achievable.
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The proposed ordinance identifies a streamlined approach to address and adequately manage food distribution events, including grocery and meal distribution. A list of City-owned facilities will be identified as “Facilitated Public Locations” that can accommodate the water and sanitation requirements established in state food safety laws and regulations and will also be free of charge unless a user fails to comply with the guidelines or code. Additional services and/or resources related to assisting those in need, including transitional families, will also be made available whenever possible. The use of any public facility other than a Facilitated Public Location would require a Special Event and Facility Rental permit.
Food distribution events on private property will require review and approval by the City to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety requirements and to ensure traffic impacts are avoided. Private locations that have obtained a permit can volunteer to allow other organizations to provide food distribution events at their location.
Staff also prepared Food Distribution Guidelines that will provide a roadmap for organizations who wish to conduct a food distribution event. The guidelines are meant to provide an overview of the process and submittal requirements; the guidelines will be a living document and may be updated at the staff level whenever necessary.
City staff believes that the regulations set forth will allow food distribution operators to engage in meaningful distribution activity in the City while protecting public health, safety and welfare.
At the Lancaster City Council meeting held on March 26, 2024, the City Council approved the introduction of Ordinance No. 1115, amending Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) of the Lancaster Municipal Code by adding Chapter 12.28 (Food Distrubution), relating to the distribution of food, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None.
Attachment:
Ordinance No. 1115
Food Distribution Guidelines