HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2010, 1 - FARMERS MARKET RECEIVED
From: Christine Mulholland[SMTP:CDEV@THEGRID.NET)
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 3 :08:12 PM MAY 18 2010
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: farmers market SLO CITY CLERK
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Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members,
I am astounded that this issue has gone on as long as it has, and is
now back to you for further involvement.
The D. A. has been a good partner with the City for many years. No
other entity has the experience or track record to run the TNP and
other events that have been so positive for our town.
Much of the current animosity appears to be coming from a lack of good
communication. Certainly, the D. A. has always seen the farmers
(different form the Farmers Market Assoc. ) as an integral part of the
Thursday night event, so I am saddened that it is under question re:
keeping the farmers. And the farmers seem quite happy with the newly
opened avenue for communication with the D. A. , according to the survey
questions in the staff report.
If the City Council must make a decision today, I urge you to vote for
the first option staff has given you. The City has too much on its
plate to try to take over the work the D.A. provides, in accordance
with your contract. Let the two boards work this out. Continue to
contract with the D.A. And certainly, the FMA must come back to the
TNP committee so that there is a clear avenue for communication in the
future, if it is the organization which ultimately ends up representing
the farmers.
One more thought: Please realize that many of the farmers come from
the San Joaquin Valley and are NOT LOCAL! More local farmers would
like the opportunity to sell on Thursday nights. I hope that
eventually, we will actually have more LOCAL food available for
purchase from the market.
Sincerely, RED FILE AW4P dy'y 6WA a-
Christine Mulholland MEETING AGENDA I d'COUNCIL 2-CDD DIR
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From: Brent Vanderhoof[SMTP:BRENT@DOWNTOWNSLO.COM] I� Z UTIL DIFF
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 12:45:03 PMS- 2'HR DIR
To: Council, SloCity N6W-(/yy&5 CDU AX-4L
Subject: SLO Downtown Association e4TY mcqz
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Mayor Romero & Members of City Council,
I've always had a strong connection to Downtown SLO ever since my first visit
in 1996. I grew up in a very small town in Wisconsin with a quaint, vibrant
Downtown; I felt like it was an extension of my backyard where I went to the
city center park to play and hang-out with friends. However, with the opening
of a K-mart on the edge of town in 1988, the Downtown that I cherished was
decimated; within six months more than half of the stores went out of business,
some still vacant today. Now that I live in the best place ever—with a quaint,
slightly larger Downtown—I feel like I did while growing up.
As some of you know, I live in the Downtown core on Garden Street; Downtown is
my backyard—where I live, work and play. I often find myself working on my time
off, visiting with merchants and making notes of things that need attention
while walking to the movies or to one of my favorite restaurants. This is only
the second time in my life that I can truly say "I Love My Job!" I love what
the Downtown Association does, I love why we do what we do and I love
interacting with the membership (even though it can be challenging at times) . I
also sense this commitment from the Board of Directors and fellow staff
members; we volunteer much of our time and do everything we do to make Downtown
a great place for businesses to thrive, while giving visitors and the community
somewhere to cherish, do business and have fun. I thank you for your time and
ask for your continued trust and support to the Downtown Association so that we
may.continue working to keep Downtown vibrant, active and simply the best.
With best regards,
Brent
Brent 0. Vanderhoof
Administrative Assistant
SLO Downtown Association
brent@downtownslo.com
w .downtownslo.com
Phone # 805-541-0286
FAX# 805-781-2647
From: Bathe, Douglas MAJ RES USAR USARC[SMTP:DOUGLAS.BATHE@US.ARMY.MIL]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 12:24:51 PM
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: Farmers Market
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City Council,
As a grower and seller I 'm wondering when and why the Farmers Market
Management has not been put back in place as before. Why is the
Downtown Assoc. dragging their feet on this, will we be given the facts
this time and not fluff. Thank you for your time and I will see you at
4pm.
Doug
Major, Douglas. Bathe
Agricultural Officer, USAR
You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
From: Brett Cross[SMTP:BRETTCROSS@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 2:22:49 PM
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: Downtown Farmers Market/Downtown Association.
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I'm pretty sure the City pays for all setup and breakdown of the Farmers
Market. Does the Downtown Association reimburse the City for any of the
additonal expenses that are associated with the event- additional policing,
portable restrooms, barricades, trash, etc.?.
I believe it would be in the community's best interest, especially financially,
to have the City run the Farmers Market. According to the staff report 5%
of the total sales which is around $20-$30 k annually (?) is devoted to a
market manager. One would think that the City already has personnel that
can take over the role of the market manager.
At a minimum the City should be reimbursed for the cost of providing
services for this event. Currently it appears that this event is all gain for the
Downtown Association and all cost to the City.
Sincerely,
Brett Cross