Food truck in works for Riverbank’s Jacob Myers Park

A food truck could soon begin selling meals and snacks in Jacob Myers Park, a popular riverfront spot for picnickers, rafters, nature lovers and people looking to cool off in hot summer months.

Riverbank leaders this week unanimously embraced the idea of contracting with a vendor who would sell wares on weekends and holidays and share profits with City Hall. The city’s cut would be $400 in June, July and August and 20 percent of sales in September and October.

“Creating an additional source of revenue will assist the city in providing security, staffing and maintenance needs during the busy season,” a staff report reads.

Two unidentified vendors have already shown interest. Parks and recreation staff will screen applications and select an operator.

Also this week, the City Council voted 3-0 to establish a fee that downtown developers could pay rather than providing the required amount of parking when they build various projects. The fee will be $1,295 for each slot that developers should produce but can’t.

Abstaining from the vote were Councilwomen Darlene Barber-Martinez and Leanne Jones Cruz, who stepped aside to avoid conflicts because they own downtown businesses.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 7:40 PM with the headline "Food truck in works for Riverbank’s Jacob Myers Park."