Resident alleges permit abuse and staff pressure over long-running Food Truck Park; commission limits name-calling
Summary
A resident accused the city’s permitting of allowing a long-term food-truck park to operate beyond a temporary special-event approval and alleged improper influence; commissioners reminded speakers not to name staff or individual commissioners and staff said they would not permit personal attacks.
A Kissimmee resident told the City Commission on Oct. 20 she believes a food-truck park operating at 1985 South Junction Parkway is operating as a long-term business under the guise of a temporary or special-event permit and alleged staff and commissioners were pressured during the permit process.
Madeline Casiano referenced the Land Development Code and Florida Statute 509.102, arguing the site operates beyond temporary-event limits and that an active restaurant and approved site plan are required to qualify for a 120-day exception she said was being used (transcript 2679.79–2752.625). Casiano also repeated a claim from a prior meeting that a department director had said staff were terrified to lose their jobs and urged public disclosure of which commissioner influenced staff (transcript 2753.005–2807.665).
Commission response and rules: Mayor Jackie Espinosa interjected to remind the speaker not to call out specific named commissioners or staff by name, citing the commission’s practice to avoid personal accusations from the podium. The speaker was allowed to complete remarks but was asked to avoid naming officials (transcript 2832.625–2866.13).
What the speaker asked: Casiano asked the commission to publicly identify which commissioner she says influenced staff and pressured approval. The mayor declined to allow the naming of specific individuals from the podium and said staff concerns would be addressed through proper channels (transcript 2903.08–2939.155).
Provenance: The food-truck park complaint began during public comment (transcript 2679.79) and the exchange with the mayor and the speaker concluding with staff admonition occurred through transcript 2939.155.
Note: The transcript contains the speaker’s allegations. The commission did not take formal action during the meeting on this complaint; the mayor advised the speaker about procedural limits on naming individuals during public comment.
