Menlo Park: Tricky truck issue in limbo Menlo Park: Tricky truck issue in limbo (March 09, 2005)

Dealing with a persistent ice cream truck at Hillview Middle School may be more complicated than simply creating a vendor-free zone.

Hillview principal Mike Moore is worried about the hazards of children cutting across the parking lot and street to get to the truck -- especially in heavy after-school traffic. He asked the Menlo Park City Council to prohibit ice cream trucks within a "reasonable distance" of the school, but the council on March 1 decided that more work would be needed first.

For example, council members said it would be necessary to talk to other Menlo Park schools and parents, and to look at other options besides a vendor-free zone. They also said the ice cream vendor should be allowed to address the council.

The council agreed to have a more detailed talk on the matter at a priority-setting meeting on March 5, but then did not bring it up that day. With the matter in limbo, City Manager David Boesch says nothing more will be done without further council direction.

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