The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, has imposed a temporary moratorium on food trucks operating in the popular 18th and Central area. This decision has significantly affected local vendors, who are struggling to maintain their businesses. Francisco 'Paco' Valencia, owner of Paco's Tacos, expressed concern over the unexpected halt in operations. The ban covers an extensive area from 17th to 19th streets and between Grandview Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard. Environmental Services Director Jeff Miles explained that this action was necessary to address various code violations and environmental concerns. While the UG aims to resolve these issues and reopen the area, food truck owners like Valencia face uncertain futures.

In December, the Unified Government issued a 60-day moratorium prohibiting food trucks from operating in a central district of Kansas City, Kansas. This move came as a surprise to many business owners, including Francisco 'Paco' Valencia, who runs Paco's Tacos. Valencia described the area as ideal for his business, attracting hundreds of customers daily before the ban. The restrictions were implemented due to several infractions, such as improper disposal of cooking grease into stormwater drains, unauthorized portable restrooms, and road closures. According to Jeff Miles, the director of Environmental Services, the primary goal was to pause operations temporarily to clean up and educate vendors on proper practices.

Miles emphasized that no single food truck could be directly blamed for the environmental issues. However, the presence of grease in storm drains near the food trucks necessitated immediate action. He shared photos with KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson, illustrating the extent of the contamination. Miles noted that the city had been aware of these problems for months but decided to act after multiple violations. Valencia, while understanding the need for regulation, expressed frustration at not being consulted beforehand. He mentioned reopening his brick-and-mortar location to support his employees, which is only open on weekends. Despite the challenges, Valencia remains committed to finding a solution and working with the city to ensure compliance.

Valencia proposed forming an organization to represent food truck interests and facilitate communication between vendors and the city. He believes this approach could lead to more effective enforcement of regulations. Meanwhile, Miles assured that the UG plans to meet with all food truck owners to discuss education and compliance measures. Both parties agree on the importance of maintaining a thriving community while adhering to environmental standards. As the 60-day period comes to an end, the future of food truck operations in this area remains uncertain. Valencia hopes for a swift resolution that allows him and other vendors to return to business as usual, emphasizing their willingness to comply with any necessary guidelines.