TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kristen Crane, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Discussion of Concept for Weekly Food Truck Event at Town Square Park
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Review and discuss the preliminary concept for a weekly food truck event at Town Square Park and provide direction to staff.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 3, 2025, the City Council voted to reinstate the Town Square Park Amphitheater and Signature Events Ad-Hoc Subcommittee. Mayor Warren and Council Member Holliday were appointed by the City Council to serve on the Subcommittee (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community.
DISCUSSION
The City of Murrieta (City) was recently approached by Wanderlust Events about the possibility of hosting a weekly food truck event in the Town Square Park. The event organizer hosts similar events in Hemet and Banning.
Elements of the vision include:
• Weekly event to be held on Wednesday evenings year-round, encompassing the hours of 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., including time for set-up (2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and tear-down (10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.).
• Food trucks would be set-up on the loop road of Town Square Park. The amphitheater stage would not be used for this event.
• The event organizer would make all arrangements for the food trucks and be responsible for all other components, such as set-up, tear-down, tables, chairs, marketing, trash collection and disposal, security, Health Department requirements for food safety, and ensuring vendors have business licenses and insurance.
• The park restrooms and large overhead lights would be used for the event.
• The event organizer would like all fees and deposits for use of the Town Square Park to be waived.
Per the City’s adopted fee schedule, the estimated value of fees and deposits for this event are as follows:
o One-Time Fees - $2,224.89
§ Application Fee - $724.89 (For review by staff Special Events Committee)
§ Deposit - $1,500
o Recurring per Event - $1,409.82
§ Reimbursement of cost for staff presence during events - $802.80
Staff recommends that one (1) City staff person be present during the events at least initially.
The following costs would likely apply to this event under the City’s current fee schedule:
• One Community Services Department (CSD) staff person for four (4) hours at the rate based upon the City’s fee schedule is $450.76.
• One Fire Inspector for food trucks for four (4) hours at the rate based upon the City's fee schedule is potentially approximately $352.04, depending on the scope, type, and volume of food truck vendors.
• Restocking and Supply Fee for Extended Restroom Time - $51.45
• Use Fees for Park Rental - $364.91
§ Park Rental (non-CSD sponsored classes) - $42.93/hour for 8.5 hours (2:30 p.m. set-up; 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. for event; 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. clean-up)
§ Use Fees for High-Powered Park Lighting (hourly) - $231.54
§ Three (3) hours at $77.18 per hour
Other details that would need to be addressed include:
• Level of service for fire inspection services for food trucks;
• Any additional concerns by Police Department;
• Allowances for event signage;
• Additional requirements if alcohol is served; and
• Staffing coverage to accommodate a weekly event based on staffing needs for other existing events.
In the past, City Council has expressed interest in seeing expanded use of Town Square Park and in seeing more special events that promote a connected community. At the same time, the City Council has been sensitive about subsidizing events, especially during times of budget constraints. The City Council recently reestablished an Ad-Hoc Committee to consider fees and other policies with the goal of balancing these competing interests. The vendor wishes to secure a use agreement in advance of any recommendations the Ad Hoc Committee may present to the City Council concerning fee changes.
If the City Council would like to proceed with this event series, staff will work with the event organizer to prepare an agreement for future approval by the City Council. Based on the City Council meeting schedule, the soonest this agreement would be brought forward for consideration would be the August 19, 2025, City Council meeting.
Potential Options to Proceed
Several options for the City Council to consider include:
1) Apply all Standard Fees
a. Pros:
i. Consistent with previous events and event inquiries.
ii. Most likely to minimize any actual costs borne by the City.
iii. Easy to administer.
b. Cons:
i. May be cost prohibitive and preclude the events from taking place.
2) Allow a Pilot Program: waive fees for a limited series of events (e.g., four (4)) with the intent of revisiting the fee structure after determining financial viability.
a. Pros:
i. The City would absorb fees (likely $7,000-$8,000) for one-time and recurring costs, allowing the vendor to test the popularity of the event and the potential to incorporate fees into the business model.
ii. Would create some context on feasibility as the City Council Ad-Hoc Committee attempts to rebalance the interest in hosting numerous community events with the interest of minimizing costs to the City.
b. Cons:
i. Inconsistent with past practices.
ii. The City would need to absorb some direct costs.
iii. Establishes a potential precedent for future fee waivers.
3) Negotiate Reduced Fees
a. Pros:
i. The City could work with the vendor to waive one-time fees and deposits, minimize recurring fees by shifting as much work as possible to the vendor, and potentially cover a portion of recurring fees to make the events financially viable.
ii. This may create a workable solution that is viable for the vendor without requiring the City to absorb all costs.
iii. Consistent with similar efforts to partner with Market Nights and Newman Hospitality to improve the financial sustainability of those events.
b. Cons:
i. Waiving and/or reducing fees could boost profits beyond what is necessary to make the events financially viable.
ii. Could establish a precedent for other events.
4) Share Risk: Partner with the vendor to share risk and reward by waiving fees but sharing some revenue.
a. Pros:
i. If done well, this option minimizes risk while maximizing reward for both parties.
b. Cons:
i. This arrangement has been tried in the past with other events but proved difficult to administer.
ii. Requires a high level of transparency to ensure risk and reward are shared appropriately.
5) Other: City Council could consider any other arrangement that balances the viability of the event with associated costs to the City.
Staff requests City Council direction on how to proceed.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the City Council directs staff to proceed with preparing an agreement, depending on the terms of the agreement, the city may potentially incur a financial cost either as a result of loss of revenue (i.e., fee waiver) or additional operating costs to provide staff support before, during, or after the event, the amount of which is yet to be determined.
A food truck event may generate limited revenue for the City. Food truck vendors would be responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax based on sales at the events. In total, between general Sales Tax and Measure T, the City would receive two (2) cents per dollar of sales. For example, for a $15, plate of food, the City would receive $0.30 in Sales Tax and Measure T revenue.
ATTACHMENTS
None.