Sugar Grove discusses ice cream vendor ordinance

The Sugar Grove board discussed the draft of an ordinance on Tuesday that would require individuals driving ice cream trucks and other mobile vendors to apply for a license and undergo a criminal background check. The village presently has no laws regulating mobile vendors.

The proposal was drafted by police chief Brad Sauer after the board decided last month to regulate ice cream vendors rather than ban them, as was discussed in August. The discussion to ban ice cream vendors came after a 46-year-old man who was driving an ice cream truck was arrested after reportedly exposing himself to a 3-year-old in Sugar Grove June 25. The man who was arrested did not have a history as an offender.

"I'm glad that wiser judgments prevailed," said trustee Kevin Geary, referring to the decision against the ban. "It was good to have ice cream at the 50th anniversary celebration."

The proposed ordinance would not apply to vendors coming to the village strictly for special events such as the Sugar Grove Corn Boil.

The proposed ordinance would:

• Require all individuals to undergo a background investigation, including a criminal history check. Anyone with a history of a sexual crime or felony would be denied a license.

• Require vendors to have a license.

• Place time limits on the selling of the product. (After discussion, the board decided to specify the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. after Labor Day until Memorial Day of the following year.)

• Prohibit sound amplification except for a single bell.

• Vendors would also pay $250 for a license for one year.

In other business, the board approved the 2008 meeting schedule. Village board meetings will be held the first and third Tuesdays of the month with the exception of January. Meetings will be on the second and fourth Tuesday in January because the first Tuesday of the month is New Year's Day.