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Romero, Dave
From :SLO Downtown Association [sloda@downtownslo .com ]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1 :20 P M
To :Romero, Dav e
Subject :What's Happening at Farmers' Market
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Sat Luis Obisp oDowntownAssociation
The Downtown Association has received a lot of negative press lately, an d
some questions from you, about a decision made by your Board of Director s
regarding Farmers' Market . We hope this perspective will clarify for you an y
concerns or questions you may have .
Farmers Market Perspectiv e
The SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors recently voted to assum e
direct management of farmers at the farmers market . This decision ha s
raised questions like :
Why did this happen? How did this happen? What now ?
The answers to these questions make more sense if one understands th e
organizational framework of this important community activity . Th e
Downtown Association established Thursday Night Promotions (TNP) in 1983 .
It has continually operated the event which, although is generally referred t o
as "Farmers Market," is actually a street fair with a variety of participant s
including food and merchandise vendors, entertainment, barbecuers, not fo r
profit, educational and political booths, special events—and farmers . Th e
established arrangement was that Farmers Market Association oversaw th e
management of the farmers but was subsidiary to its host . Perhaps a
misunderstanding about this relationship by the participant has contribute d
to the debate about whether the Downtown Association was fair—o r
justified—in its action .RED FIL E
- MEETING AGENDA RECEIVE D
So why did this happen?DATE ITEM #FEB 2 . 2010
SLO CITY CLER K
2/2/2010
Page 2 of 3
The assertion that this change occurred suddenly and with no notice is no t
accurate. Issues over the years have caused problems where the Downtow n
Association needed to make a call on a matter and was met with resistance ,
not from the farmers themselves, but from their representative to the TN P
committee . This culminated in the representative resigning from th e
committee and severing all communication between the Downtown Associatio n
and the people on the street—for whom the Downtown Association is liable .
The Board, upon learning that issues were developing whereby it needed t o
communicate directly with the farmers about traffic and safety matters —
and had no means by which to do so—decided the solution was in the problem :
take over direct management of the farmers from the previous agent .
How did this happen ?
Over a period of about two months, staff researched other communities '
markets, looked into what permits were required, talked to people in th e
farming community and developed a business plan and a mission statement .
The Board received the information, considered the options and consequence s
of not taking immediate action and made the choice it did, emphasizing th e
number one concern was that the farmers be carefully considered and no t
negatively impacted in any way . Once the decision was made, the farmers
were informed individually that within two weeks they were to b e
grandfathered into the event at their same rate in their same space unde r
our management .They were invited to join the TNP committee and directl y
participate in decisions on their own behalf . This same notice was provided a t
the same time to the market manager and mailed to the FMA boar d
president .
Now what ?
We have assured the farmers and the community that fees and spac e
assignments will remain in place . We have obtained the necessary permit t o
hold a Certified Farmers Market and hired a market manager to deal one o n
one with the farmers .It will be up to the committee, and its farme r
members, to review any proposed changes as they come up . Decisions will b e
made by the farmers for the farmers .
Internally, we are excited about the possibilities this new era will bring :
promotional opportunities, increased awareness—making the event more abou t
the farmers now . A lot of good can come from the change! At last Thursday's
market,it was 'business as usual,' with farmers in their stalls and peopl e
happily shopping and filling their bags . There will be a presentation to City
Council on Tuesday, February 2 to illustrate why the Downtown Association ,
2/2/2010
Page 3 of 3
as the owner of the event, was within its rights to make the decision it di d
and that ultimately it will bring efficiency, reduced liability and increase d
opportunities for all participants .
Deborah Cash, CMSM, Executive Directo r
SLO Downtown Associatio n
dcash@downtownslo .com
San Luis Obisp o
Downtown Associatio n
1108 Garden Street, Suite 21 0
San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
805-541-028 6
sloda(&downtownslo .com I www .downtownslo .co m
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2/2/2010
From :Donald Pinkel[SMTP :DONPINKEL@GMAIL .COM ]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10 :46 :00 AM
To :Council, SloCit y
Subject :Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
Dear Council Members :
The weekly Farmers Market is a major attraction in San Luis Obispo ,
one of the major reasons why my numerous children and grandchildren lov e
to visit us . The participation of the local farmers is perhaps the most importan t
reason for the Market's success .
The recent action of the Downtown Association to completely usurp the Market
is not just a blow to the farmers but to the city, its citizens and its numerou s
visitors .
Please do all that is possible to override this action by the Downtown Association .
Thank you !
Sincerely ,
Donald Pinkel, M D
Cathryn Howarth,M D
275 Marlene Drive, SLO 9340 5
From :Darlene A . Bik[SMTP :DBIK@BIK .COM]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10 :48 :07 AM
To :Council, SloCit y
Subject :GIVE THE FARMER'S BACK THEIR FARMER'S MARKE T
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
Give the rarmer's back their market . They have been running i t
successfully for 27 years .
GIVE..IT. BACK.
Darlene A. bit(
From :Bill Bush[SMTP :WWBUSH@CHARTER .NET ]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10 :58 :35 A M
To :Council, SloCit y
Subject : Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rule
As a 15 year Morro Bay Resident I have truly enjoyed my Thursday evenings attending the SL O
Farmer's Market . Truly, I have enjoyed every aspect of the Market from the food, to the products
sold, to the entertainment . It was also nice to see the Market featured in the Sunset magazin e
several years ago and the exposure to the City of SLO .
As are many in our communities, we are puzzled by the recent notice that the SLO Farmer's
Market (SLOFM) was going to be "taken over" by the SLO Downtown Assoc (SLODA). Certainl y
the SLOFM has made the community aware of the SLODA notice to "take over" and they appea r
to be clueless as to why anyone woul d
Also puzzling is why the SLODA has not come forth to the community (unless I have missed it )
with details or information regards went into its decision requiring SLODA to foist their decisio n
upon the SLOFM . This leads me to believe the SLODA is doing something underhanded an d
would NOT LIKE the community to know why its action is being taken .
I know many of us in the community would like t o
see the SLODA come public with som e
communication so this cloud does not remai n
over either party to the action .
I do not expect a response to this E-Mail because I'm sure you have received too many t o
respond to .
My personal preference is to allow the control and direction of the Thursday Night Farmer s
Market with the SLOFM and allow a very nice and helpful Market to continue in its present forma t
and location .
Whomever you are, have a nice day !
From : Agatha Reardon [mailto :agathar@charter .net ]
Sent : Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10 :14 AM
To : Cano, Elain a
Subject : Farmers Market Issu e
Good Morning, Elaina ,
I will not be able to attend this evenings City Council Meeting, bu t
want to make some comments . There is such a lack of information ,
both in the newspaper and in the January 14 Letter from Deborah Cash t o
Shelly Stanwyck, that for me, it is difficult to understand what i s
going on .
There are so many unanswered questions . One example : The lette r
makes a reference to lack of liaison because two people left th e
organization . Was there any effort made to re-establish a liaison i n
order to keep communications open, and to resolve any situations tha t
involve any issue such as liability, rather than to immediately tak e
over management of the event?
The Farmers Market organization has seemed to be doing a great job fo r
so many years, why was such a sudden decision necessary? Or was i t
sudden? Who knows ?
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my questions .
Sincerely ,
Agatha Reardo n
1275 Manzanita Way
San Luis Obispo, CA
From : jnielsen[SMTP :JNIELSEN@CALPOLY .EDU ]
Sent : Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11 :33 :19 AM
To : Council, SloCit y
Cc : Justine Nielse n
Subject : Thursday Night Farmer's Market & SLO Farmer's Associatio n
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
Dear SLO City Council members --
As a 25 year SLO County resident, I've come to value the region's
valuabl e
farming community . They work together with the rest of the count y
populatio n
to ensure safe, fresh produce is available regularly and seasonally .
We'r e
able to buy direct from the families who grow our food, getting to kno w
them
personally and valuing their expertise . It's a major benefit of livin g
in a
small town . Over the years, the Thursday Night SLO Farmer's Market ha s
grow n
to include other cultural and recreational events, but the true spiri t
o f
the night has always stemmed from the different parts of the communit y
coming together to celebrate our farming roots .
It's been recently revealed that the SLO Farmer's Association has bee n
removed from the management team of the Thursday Night Farmer's Market .
I
believe the SLO Farmer's Association has been treated unfairly .
Long-standing community relationships have been threatened by the poo r
handling of this situation . Management of the event must incorporat e
th e
farmers' concerns .
It's not SLO Downtown Thursday Night Party Zone ; it's the SLO Downtow n
Thursday Night Farmer's Market . Keep the farmers involved in th e
managemen t
of this famous and well-loved event .
Thank you .
------------------------
Justine Nielsen
Resident of Los Osos an d
Cal Poly staff member and alumna (GRC '95 )
From :Malena[SMTP :SLOMALENA@GMAIL .COM ]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11 :38 :18 AM
To :Council, SloCit y
Subject :Farmers Market
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
Please help the Farmers' Association and the Downtown Association come to an amicabl e
resolution of their problems . As you all well know, the SLO Farmers Market is one of the jewel s
of the city and is world renowned we cannot let their dispute ruin a relationship that has lasted 2 7
years . Without knowing all the details I am leaning toward the farmers position ; however,I
think that with your help both sides can work this out for the good of our community. Although ,
I now live in Grover Beach I think all of the citizens of San Luis Obispo County believe th e
Farmers Market belongs to us . Thank you for your consideration in this matter . Sincerely, Mary
Ellen Maldonad o
From :CMMICN@aol .com[SMTP :CMMICN@AOL .COM]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12 :44 :07 P M
To :Council, SloCit y
Subject :Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rule
Dear San Luis Obispo City Council :
Please encourage your Down Town Association to resume their working relationship with th e
FARMERS' MARKET ASSOCIATION or give a reason for termination .
I shop the San Luis Obispo Thursday Night Farmers' Market every week and have for years . It's
convenient for me when I leave work . I will change my work schedule so I can attend the Morr o
Bay Farmers Market at Spencer's if necessary to support our local farmers .
Sincerely ,
Chri s
Morro Ba y
From :Jeanne Rutledge[SMTP :JEANNERUTLEDGE@YAHOO .COM]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12 :17 :34 P M
To :Council, SloCity
Subject :Farmers' Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rule
My husband and I signed the petition at Farmers' Market last Saturday . We disagree with
your unexplained, unreasonable and unnecessary termination of the Farmers' Marke t
Association lease . We feel the downtown Farmers' Market is best served an d
administered by the Farmers' Market Association . Your decision to terminate thei r
relationship with downtown San Luis Obispo should be reversed, as the Downtown
Association is less qualified than the Farmers' Market Association, as it lacks th e
experience and knowledge that the Farmers' Market Association has gained over the pas t
27 years .
Bill and Jeanne Rutledg e
289 Westmont Avenu e
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405-105 5
Phone : (805) 544-0709
Fax :
(805) 549-869 6
E-mail : jeannerutledge@yahoo .com
From : Bob and Joyce Del Pesco[SMTP :SLOJANDB@CHARTER .NET ]
Sent : Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1 :08 :25 PM
To : Council, SloCit y
Subject : SLO Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
We believe the SLO County Farmers Market Association is being treate d
unfairly . They have made the SLO Farmers Market what it is today an d
they should have a say in how the Farmers Market is run . Please le t
ou r
concerns be known at Tuesday night's council meeting .
Thank you ,
Bob and Joyce Del Pesc o
From :Sandra Rowley [mailto :macsar99@yahoo .com ]
Sent:Mon 2/1/2010 4 :15 PM
To :Romero, Dave ; Carter, Andrew ; Settle, Allen ; Jan Marx ; Ashbaugh, Joh n
Subject :Farmers Marke t
Re : Presentation - Thursday Night Promotions and Farmers Marke t
Dear Mr . Mayor and City Council Members ,
I am writing in support of the continued participation of farmers and the SLO Count y
Farmers Market Association in our city's weekly Farmers Market .
In recent years the Farmers Market has expanded . In addition to produce and flowers ,
food and apparel can be purchased on the street as well . Space for voter registration and
various non-profit organizations can be found there, too . It is an eclectic mix that mirror s
the city. But the core of it all is, and in my opinion should remain, the farmers .
Downtown stores and restaurants can be visited anytime, but the Farmers Market occur s
for only three hours once a week . It's a place for residents to go, a draw from near-b y
cities, and a quaint and positive way to introduce tourists to our city . And, based on th e
number of people I see there on Thursday evenings, a boon to retailers and restauranteurs .
We now allow sidewalk dining . It is a privilege, not a right . If the new sidewalk dining
cannot coexist with the established Farmers Market, perhaps the City should re-look it s
approval of the sidewalk dining . The situation is akin to people building a house near a
regional airport then demanding the airport be closed because the traffic or noise i s
bothersome.
Progress is inevitable, but it should not come at the expense of tradition . And progres s
need not be accompanied by bullying, nor should it .
The recent actions by the Downtown Association may not be an attempted power grab –
but it certainly looks like it is . Whatever it is, as members of the Council, I ask that yo u
stop it .
Sandra Rowle y
SLO Resident
From :John Peterson [mailto :drhort@yahoo .com ]
Sent :Sun 1/31/2010 9 :26 PM
To :Romero, Dav e
Cc : Carter, Andrew; Settle, Allen ; Marx, Jan ; Ashbaugh, John ; Lichtig, Kati e
Subject :SLO Farmers Marke t
Mayor Romero :
As a matter of perspective ... I think the way that the Downtown Association has handled th e
Farmers Market issue been a textbook example of how not to handle an issue like this, and it ha s
been a disaster for them . There is a clear impression that the association handled this as a
sneak attack ... and no one has any respect for tactics like that . They have provided no reaso n
or justification for their action . They showed very poor judgment in not attempting to wor k
something out with their stakeholders .
This matter should be immediately resolved and the partnership relationship with the farmer s
which has been a foundation of the SLO Farmers Market should be preserved .
The City should revise the issuing of the permits for the Farmers Market so that they are issue d
jointly to the Downtown Association and the Farmers Association ... to force collaboration .
Collaboration is key to success in any situation like this when something like this is so importan t
to so many people and so significant to the community .
This matter has been handled so ineptly that perhaps the Executive Director of the Downtow n
Association should resign . What was she thinking ?
I offer my perspective as a citizen of San Luis Obispo and a person who has enjoyed the Farmer s
Market for may years .
Dr . John C . Peterso n
611B Paseo Bella Montan a
San Luis Obispo, C A
From :Harry L. Fierstine [mailto :hfiersti@calpoly .edu ]
Sent :Sat 1/30/2010 11 :05 A M
To :Settle, Alle n
Subject:Farmers Marke t
Dear Dr. Settle :
We support keeping San Luis Obispo's Farmers Market under the administration of th e
Farmers Market Association . For 27 years the Association has helped make our Farmer s
Market a magnet for tourists as well as locals . The San Luis Obispo Downtow n
Association has provided no sound reason for this change .
Harry and Arline Fierstin e
640 Park Avenu e
San Luis Obisp o
From :Linda Baggett[SMTP :LBAGGETT@CUESTA .EDU ]
Sent :Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1 :20 :45 P M
To :Council, SloCity
Subject :Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rule
Hello ,
Please let the farmers continue to have a say in their affairs during Thursday and Saturda y
Farmers Market .
Thanks yo u
Lind a
From : Constance DePiero[SMTP :CDEPIERO@SBCGLOBAL .NET ]
Sent : Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1 :25 :16 P M
To : Council, SloCity
Subject : Support for Slo County Farmers Market Associatio n
Auto forwarded by a Rule
To the City Council of San Luis Obispo ;
I feel that the SLo County Farmers Market Association is being treate d
unfairly concerning the decision to terminate their operating of th e
farmers part of the Thursday night Farmers Market .
This decision was done without the input of the SLo County Farmer s
Market Association or the public .
Please support the farmers of the SLo County Farmers Market Associatio n
and allow them to continue to have a direct input into the running o f
the Farmers Market portion on Thursday night .
Thank you ,
Constance and Fred DePier o
348 Corrida Driv e
San Luis Obispo, Ca . 9340 1
From :richard scangarello[SMTP :SCANGARELLO@HOTMAIL .COM]
Sent:Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1 :34 :25 P M
To :Council, SloCity
Subject :Farmers Marke t
Auto forwarded by a Rul e
Dear City Council ,
What were you thinking when you cancelled the contract with the Farmers an d
Farmers Market???? SLO Farmer's Market has been the prototype for all Farmer's
Markets all over the country . It is a very big part of the SLO downtown as well a s
part of the SLO culture .
I guess the bigger question is WHY? Whose decision was this and what is motivatin g
it? Is this just another case of government telling the public what they think w e
need and NOT what we want or is there some other agenda involved? Don't think fo r
a moment that this is what the citizens of SLO want, it isn't and we will be in ful l
force to make sure that you know it .
I hope you reconsider your decision this evening and listen to the public for a
change .
Rhonda Scangarello
A note from ...
Mary Rivas
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Ms .Mary B.Rivas
324 Piatino Ln CA 93420 2933
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