LITTLE ROCK — Ten-year-old Jenna Steele’s mission to bring ice cream trucks to Sherwood is gaining some momentum.
The Sherwood City Council will hold a special meeting, possibly as early as this week, to consider an ordinance proposed Monday by Alderman Charles Hamon that could lift a 40-year ban on the trucks in the city.
Hamon’s ordinance includes a more in-depth list of safety provisions than an ice cream truck ordinance that was shot down in a 5-2 vote by the council in April. That ordinance was presented tothe council by Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman after Jenna asked her why there were no ice cream trucks in the city. Hillman explained that an ordinance created in the 1960s banned the trucks because of safety concerns, but that she’d suggest a new ordinance to the council.
Jenna, who attended Monday’s meeting, said she’s happy her voice is being heard.
“I think it’s a good experience and it’s fun,” she said.
Hamon was one of the alderman who voted against the original ordinance because of safety concerns. However, after hearing from parents supporting the change, Hamon said he decided to redraft it to meet the safety requirements the council desired. Hamon said council members will determine the date and time of the special meeting, which could be called before the July Fourth holiday.
During Monday’s meeting, Hamon said, “If we’re going to be protecting children from getting hit, we’re going to have to outlaw skateboards, bicycles ... put guards at the crosswalks.”
The main changes to the proposal include criminal background checks on ice cream truck drivers and set hours of operation between10 a.m. and 30 minutes before sunset. Under the redrafted ordinance, trucks will not be allowed to sell in an area for more than 15 minutes, music shall not be heard more than 100 yards from the truck and rear bumper covers must be installed to ensure that children don’t try to stand or jump on the rear of the truck. To prevent children from being hit, drivers must also check around the vehicle before driving away.
Hamon said he understands the difference in safety and having too much control.
“Personally, we were overly maternalistic. We wanted to protect the kids,” Hamon said. “We were trying to play the role of a parent, which isn’t right. Let the parents be the parents.”
One ice-cream truck company interested in lifting the ban is Frosty Treats, which serves about 27 cities throughout Arkansas including Little Rock, branch manager Jerry Watkins said. Frosty Treats consultant Michelle Crain has been at the City Council meetings answering questions.
Crain said she agrees with the stricter safety precautions in the new ordinance.
“I thought it was good. It was positive. I really like the more stringent aspects of it absolutely,” Crain said. “It willreally keep everyone as safe as it can.”
Kim Steele, Jenna’s mother, said a number of aldermen have spoken to her daughter at the meetings, but that it was Jenna’s initial idea to call the mayor and that “she’s done most of the work.”
Hamon said under the new safety features, this ordinance will carry more weight with the council.
“This ordinance has a chance of passing and the other one didn’t,” Hamon said.
Jenna is also confident it will pass.
“I think they will [pass it] because they went back and rewrote the ordinance. I think they will pass it because [Hamon] talked to a lot of parents who wanted it out here and he’s had lots of phone calls,” Jenna said. “So I think that helped with it a lot.”
When the special meeting is determined, Jenna said she plans to go and bring “a lot” of friends to help support her on the quest for frozen treats.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 06/29/2010