Board members and recreation staff expressed concern about allowing outside food trucks or coffee vendors to operate in the Recreation Center parking lot during swim meets, giving the swim club an informal consensus that the board will not open the city lot to outside vendors.

Kevin (recreation staff) explained the request: the Dakota Riptide swim club asked whether a private coffee vendor could set up a food truck in the parking lot during upcoming meets to serve parents and spectators. "They're asking to specifically for a coffee vendor to set up basically a food truck in the parking lot," Kevin said.

Board members cited three objections: the rec center's existing vending rules prohibit vending in the rec center and adjacent parking lot except by use agreement; parking at swim meets is already limited and a food truck would worsen congestion; and approving one vendor could open the door for many others. "If we allow it for a meet, then it's basketball games and it's, well, why not every other Saturday," a board member said.

The board discussed options that would still allow refreshments without using city parking: Dakota Riptide may operate concessions inside the rec center under its use agreement, or the swim club could seek permission from the school district to locate a vendor on school property across the street. Staff noted that permitting is available but parking constraints and fairness to other vendors weigh against an exception.

No formal motion was taken; the chair asked for feedback and the board expressed a majority inclination to deny the request. Staff will notify the swim club and encourage it to explore alternatives such as using school property or arranging concessions inside the rec center under Dakota Riptide's existing agreement.