An Athens pizzeria owner wants the city to consider allowing food trucks to sell in certain areas of the city, such as the Sportsplex off U.S. 31.

Joe Carlucci, owner of Joe’s World Famous Pizza at 1260 U.S. 72 East, asked City Council members Monday during the public comment portion of the meeting he believes food trucks could be licensed to sell food in areas where they would not compete with existing businesses and provide food where it is needed. He said the city would benefit from the sales tax generated from food sales.

A food truck is a large vehicle equipped with facilities for cooking and selling food. In some large cities food trucks sell gourmet food.

Council President Joseph Cannon said the council is receptive to the possibility of the city allowing food trucks.

“I’ve been hearing a little bit more and more about that and I am excited about it…,” Cannon said. “I get kind of envious when I see some of the other cities (with regards to food trucks). They’ve got it really going on, and I hope we do figure something out.”

Carlucci said both the cities of Huntsville and Madison allow food trucks.

“It’s been very prosperous for the area as well as the city in bringing revenue, and I think a lot of people in Athens would enjoy it,” Carlucci said.

Cannon said, “I know there has been talk about looking back into it. We have talked about it amongst ourselves.”

He emphasized that if the city did allow food trucks it would have to be done in such a way that it did not cut into existing businesses, such as those downtown.

Carlucci said food trucks could also bring lunch to businesses and there could be a food truck rally once a month at a place like the Sportsplex.

Other business

In other business Monday, the council approved the following:

• Travel expenses for the Electric Department;

• Resolution to hire architect Goodwin, Mills & Cawood Inc. of Montgomery to draw a proposed new recreation center proposed for north of the Sportsplex on U.S. 31. The company would earn 5 to 6 percent of the project cost for doing the work, though the council has not agreed on how to fund the project or how much it will cost. The drawings will help determine what the city can afford. Councilman Harold Wales said he believes the percentage of pay is set by the state.

• Resolution to declare a 2000 model Sterling Ford SC8000 Schwarze Sweeper as surplus so the Public Works Department can sell it at public auction. Director James Rich said the sweeper no longer runs and cannot be repaired. He said if the city buys the new sweeper it may be able to do away with the $28,000 per month contract it has with a company to sweep, blow and pick up debris around The Square and in the downtown area.

• Resolution to approve $443 in travel expenses for the Electric Department personnel to attend the Tennessee Public Power Association lab in Scottsboro;

• Resolution to approve travel and education expenses of $182 for Water Services personnel to attend the Triple S Maintenance Training Seminar in Trussville May 24-25;

• Resolution to approve a request to rezone property located southwest of the intersection of U.S. 72 and McCulley Mill Road within the corporate limits of Athens, from B-3 Highway Business District to R-13 Single Family High Density Residential District;

• Proclaimed the week of June 17 as Barbershop Harmony Week in Athens. Four members of the Rocket City Chorus, the performing chorus of the Huntsville Metropolitan Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, sang a song to the council and the gallery during the meeting, receiving a standing ovation. They meet at the Athens Bible School cafeteria and are looking for more members.