By Jesus Lopez-Gomez | Columbus Telegram

COLUMBUS — The food trucks that dot 23rd Street are recognized by city code and regularly reviewed by state health officials.

The food truck business is made possible by a 1999 city ordinance that created a class of vendors called solicitors, any group or individual selling products without a permanent location. Solicitor permits are issued by the police department.

Michaela Luckey, account and records clerk, said the permits were issued through the city clerk’s office before that responsibility was shifted to the police department to make them available during the evenings and weekends in addition to standard business hours.

Along with an application, dispatcher Jodi Cole said food vendors are also asked for written permission from the owners of the parking lots they’ll occupy. Cole said the police department also runs background checks on everyone on the staff. A criminal record on any employee gets the whole operation dismissed.

Additionally, vehicle information and all the locations where the vehicle plans to sell products are recorded.

Permits are sold for a daily rate of $11, which Cole said doesn’t happen often and go mainly to door-to-door vendors. The four taco trucks operating in Columbus choose the $99 four-month permit.

The police department also requires certification from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

George Hanssen, the department’s food division administrator, said an initial visit determines an establishment’s compliance with food safety standards.

“It’s just like a restaurant visit,” Hanssen said. “We’re looking for cleanliness and proper employee practices. There are certain requirements that these trucks need to meet like proper temperature control, hand-washing facilities, proper equipment.”

Hanssen said individual establishments typically contact the department for the initial visit to verify their eligibility for a food service permit. After that, random visits happen once or twice a year.