SAFETY CONCERNS Council to study change in law to allow ice cream trucks in city

Safety issues were discussed in the city hall parking lot.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The "Ice Cream Man" wants to know if he can come to Niles.
If that happens, it would be because city council amended the law prohibiting sales from all vehicles, including ice cream trucks.
Law Director J. Terrence Dull will draw up an amendment to determine if council will allow the ice cream truck into the city.
During a meeting Tuesday afternoon in the city hall parking lot, city lawmakers stood around an "Ice Cream Man" truck discussing safety issues.
Tracy Tanner, general manager of Summertime Sweat Treats' North Jackson lot in Mahoning County, lobbied council under the warm afternoon sun.
Summertime operates 50 trucks at its facilities in North Jackson, Cleveland and the city of Norton outside Akron.
Tanner explained that he wants to operate in the residential neighborhoods because that's where the children are and traffic is slow.
The truck stops, customers cross the street in back of the truck and step to the curb for service out the side of the truck.
After they cross, a flashing "stop" sign is swung out from the side of the truck to assure traffic is stopped.
Police Chief Bruce Simeone said he's unsure of the legality of using the stop sign.
Manner explained that if a vehicle doesn't stop, the driver gets the license number for police.
A matter of safety
Tanner explained that two people -- the driver and server -- can work so one of them can help with the safety concern.
A two-person truck is not uncommon, the manager said, noting that there are many husband-and-wife or mother-and-son teams.
Tanner told lawmakers the company has $1 million in insurance coverage per truck, per occurrence. Its seasonal premium is $250,000.
"We want to be friendly to your community," Tanner told the lawmakers.
Councilman Stephen Papalas, D-at large, asked Dull to draw up the amendment and wants the police chief, health department and mayor to review it.
Dull said that truck sales were stopped in Niles in 1994 after an accident in Warren.
"It's a wonderful business," Tanner said after the meeting. "It's summer. It's a joy."
Tanner once recalled driving a truck past a funeral home parking lot when he was waved over by the mourners.
He pulled into the lot to make 30 sales. Tanner said he believed the grieving was eased with the presence of the ice cream truck.
yovich@vindy.com