Should the people behind pop-up food tents selling al pastor tacos and little white carts stacked with sliced fruit be fined and arrested for not having proper health permits?
The Pierce County Council narrowly declined to adopt legislation this week that would have granted the Sheriff’s Office a major new role in an issue that health officials say has ballooned into a food-safety problem they have been unable to solve.
After about 90 minutes of discussion involving several amendments, public comments, and council debate ranging from concerns over equity to available resources for already strapped agencies, the ordinance failed to muster enough votes to pass at the Oct. 27 meeting. Concerns arose predominantly from council members representing the county’s biggest cities, including Democrats Rosie Ayala (District 4), Bryan Yambe (District 5) and chair Jani Hitchen (District 6). Robyn Denson, a Democrat representing District 7, also voted no. Vice chair Paul Herrera (District 2) was joined by fellow Republicans Amy Cruver (District 3) and bill sponsor Dave Morell (District 1) in voting in favor of the ordinance as amended on Tuesday…