New Kensington considering updated regulations, new fees for restaurants, food trucks

New Kensington is revamping fees paid by restaurants and food trucks in an effort to emphasize food safety.

City council is considering an ordinance that would bring the city into compliance with the state’s food laws, health officer Patrick McGuire said.

“It makes the licensing and enforcement in compliance with the rest of the state,” he said. “There’s many of what’s called local health authorities upgrading their ordinances because of changes in the state laws.”

There are about 90 entities in New Kensington that McGuire inspects, City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti said. That does not include eight schools he also inspects.

Currently, annual license fees are based on the number of seats, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $400, McGuire said.

The proposal establishes set annual license fees of $300 for a new retail food establishment, which includes plan review and two inspections, and $150 for a renewal.

The proposal introduces other license fees, which McGuire said in some cases are lower. A temporary license for a festival or parade is now $100. As proposed, a temporary retail food license would be $50, or $35 for a currently licensed establishment.

A new license for a food or ice cream truck would be $200, while a renewal would be $150. McGuire said that applies to trucks based in or operating in the city.

The proposal establishes that nonprofits cannot be charged. McGuire said he already had not been charging them. The ordinance also lists no fees for farmer markets selling nonretail foods.

“It makes a fair and balanced approach to everyone,” McGuire said.

The ordinance also has language and sections for nuisance and follow-up inspections and fees; revocation of licenses for not paying fees or fines; revocation of licenses for food code violations; requiring closure and inspections for those found operating without licenses; requirements for mobile food vendors; and penalties.

Sean Watson, a co-owner of SoCal Mexicali Grill and botL, said he has no problem with the revised and updated regulations.

“Anything that keeps health and food safety above board for everybody in New Ken is a good thing,” he said.

City council has approved one vote on the ordinance but will need to vote on it a second time before it takes effect.

Council has canceled its next regular meeting, which would have been July 3, because of the Fourth of July holiday. A special council meeting has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, but Scarpiniti said the ordinance will not be considered then because it could not be advertised as required before final passage.

It could come up for consideration at council’s Aug. 7 meeting, he said.

Inspection results are available online from the state Department of Agriculture at pafoodsafety.pa.gov.