During the dog days of summer, the unmistakable jingle from the loudspeakers of an ice cream truck elicits excitement in youngsters and nostalgia in adults.

In the City of Columbia, however, there is no language in the city code which allows for truly mobile vending.

While not on the agenda, Ward IV Alderman Steve Holtkamp brought up the issue during Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting.

“Something near and dear to my heart came up the other day – the ice cream truck,” Holtkamp began. “It reminds me of being a kid with my malt and Bomb Pop, but I had a call – someone had an issue with the ice cream truck being around.”

After discussion with Columbia City Administrator Doug Brimm, it was determined there is nothing which could permit an ice cream truck to roam the streets of Columbia.

Brimm explained the mobile vending ordinance passed in December was designed with stationary food trucks in mind, and the ordinance states that mobile vendors may not operate on or block any street or sidewalk except in the case of a special event.

Brimm did offer hope, though, saying there would be “easy modifications which could be made” to allow ice cream trucks.

He suggested the ordinance could be amended to establish a time limit for mobile vendors to stand on city streets along with seasons and hours of operation.

An ice cream truck would also need to obtain a permit from the city and provide documentation of compliance with other existing regulations.

Several aldermen expressed interest in amending the code, with Ward II Alderman Lauren Nobbe sharing her recent experience with an ice cream truck in Columbia.

“I’m 100 percent on board. I’ve seen the reaction of the public, and it was, in my opinion, adorable,” Nobbe said.

Nobbe also noted she believed there are two different ice cream trucks currently operating in Columbia.

Brimm confirmed it is likely there are two trucks and reported that Columbia Police Department Chief Jason Donjon had contacted one of the truck owners.

Donjon told the council the person he spoke to was very “positive” and eager to work with the city on operating under whatever guidelines are established.

Brimm said he would work with Columbia City Attorney Terry Bruckert to have an amendment ready for consideration during the Aug. 5 council meeting.

Until then, Columbia Mayor Bob Hill reiterated that “they will not be able to operate here if there are calls or complaints that come in.”

In other business, aldermen approved an agreement to allow the annual Songs4Soldiers concerts to be held in Bolm-Schuhkraft Park Sept. 13-14.

Event organizer Dustin Row was on hand for comment.

He said the newly-created Columbia High School parking lot adjacent to the park was a great addition and will make parking not only easier, but more ADA accessible.

Part of the area will be used by emergency agencies as well.

Row said he will be in communication with CHS Principal Brian Reeves to ensure there are no misunderstandings regarding the use of the parking area on Sept. 13.

Row continued by thanking the city for its support and repeated his pledge to keep the annual benefit event in Columbia.

Ward II Alderman Mike Lawlor requested Row make sure that event security personnel are extra vigilant this year in light of the political season. 

“It’s nuts out there,” he said.

At the beginning of the meeting, Hill announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation was working on a stretch of Old Route 3 near Top Shooters.

IDOT had performed an oil-and-chip overlay in May which the city claimed caused excessive dust. IDOT applied a second oil layer on that stretch of road in June.

“Round three for IDOT on Old Route 3 to fix the huge headache they caused,” Hill said during the meeting. “They were out there (Monday) addressing that issue, and let’s see if they get it better this time. Let’s hope.”

In other action, Emily Voellinger was appointed to the office of city treasurer effective July 26.

Voellinger will replace longtime treasurer and Columbia Director of Finance Linda Sharp, whose retirement is “impending” according to the agenda report.

Read more about Sharp’s career in an upcoming issue of the Republic-Times.

The next meeting of the Columbia City Council will be Monday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.