HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2010, 1 - SUPPORT FOR DBA MANAGING FARMERS MARKET RED FILE
From: Russ Lovell[SMTP:RLOVELL99@YAHOO.COM] MEETING AGENDA
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 6:19:50 PM KW � i �OITEM #_=
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: Support for DBA managing farmers market
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Just wanted to say that I support the decision to allow DBA to manage this important
weekly event. Two points: 1) you need one point of contact managing this (too many
chefs spoil the soup). 2) This event has grown way beyond "farmers market" so you need
to make sure the businesses that line the market on Higurera have been accommodated
and that can't happen with too many mgrs. with different priorities... There will always be
an outllet for the farmers should DBA get off track. After it is a market and the farmers
need to be taken care of too. DBA has shown that they will not throw the farmers under
the bus.
Russ Lovell
Business owner N-RO 00ey �
Long time SLO resident E-rCOUNCIL 3TDD DIR
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From: Pete Evans[SMTP:RIKI77@GMAIL.COM1 ErCLERKIORIG B'POLICECHF
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 7:05:29 PM 0 EPT EADS QIREC DIR
To: Council, S1oCity � CrUTILDIR
Subject: Farmer's market ErHR DIA
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SLO City Council, rev,—er
Jeez. How long are you going to sit on your hands? It looks like the
DT Association via Deb Cash has not been cooperative in resolving the
issues as you suggested/ordered months ago. This is ridiculous. I will
bet you any amount with any odds over 90% of your constituents support
the farmers and not that evil group you have given carte blanche to
run things.
It's way past time to stand up for the citizens in how our public
property and facilities are used. Its time to tell the DTA to stand
off, back down, knock off the power grabs.
And we don't want to hear about commitments, contracts and
obligations. Your only obligation is to us. If you feel tied up."by
prior agreements with the DTA you can certainly threaten them with
future sanctions if they don' t cooperate now. If they have the legal
power now you can easily withdraw that when it expires, you can do
what you want.
You should have assigned someone to monitor the deliberations, and
report back to you long before now as to how things are going. we
expect much more than it appears we are getting.
Pete Evans
From: Brandi Glenn[SMTP:BLUJELLO@EARTHLINK.NET]
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 8:11:46 PM
To: Council, SloCity
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am a customer of the farmers on Thursclay night. I have grown very fond of all of
them. I only go to the market to buy from them. Not all that other extra_stuff you have
adjed through the years. and I have been a farmer's market shopper here in 510 for
going on 20 years. They have been here for a longtime and deserve to keep control
of their part in the market.We need to support our local farmer's as much as possi6le
they are part of this county more then any other 6usiness I can think of. From Money
to wine,we are very 6lessecl to have such wonderful fresh grown procluce and if you
can not see the value in that, that is very sacl.Ancl considering the farmers know their
customers more then you folks it malces since tome it should 6e left in the hands of
those who are there and know what we want. Ijust don't believe their hearts would 6e
in if you come in and take over. I am a voter and would not vote for this and do not
want vote for people who are not going to support them. If this has something to clo
with changing to a more festival type Thursday night then may6e HO should host a
festival instead and Leep the market a mar(cet.
feel strongly a6out supporting local 6usiness and you should 6c too!
5rancli Glenn
Los Qsos ca
805-440-8703
From: Philip Langston[SMTP:ZEAMAIZE@YAHOO.COMI
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 9:55:35 PM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: Farmers Market Issue
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Dear Mayor Romero and Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to you because I have been informed of the special council
meeting that will be held tomorrow, May 17 at 4 o'clock.
I think it is important for you to know that the main issue at hand is
keeping the Farmers Market Association a viable organization within our
community.
The loss of the Thursday night market to our Association represents the
loss of one-third of our yearly operating income. This loss will also
impact not just the Thursday night market, but also, the smaller
markets that are run by our Association. The smaller markets such as,
the Wednesday market in Arroyo Grande, the Morro Bay Thursday afternoon
market, the Saturday village of Arroyo Grande market, operate in part
from the revenues that the SLO Thursday night market generates. The
loss of income will adversely affect our ability to maintain these
other markets.
Since our February 2, 2010 meeting with the City Council, where you
mandated us to work things out with the Downtown Association (DA) , we
have openly, sincerely, and continually tried to resolve our issues
with the DA to no avail. We have met with them time and again,
casually, privately, and formally. We have gone through the mediation
process. We have tried to let the lawyers broker a deal.
Unfortunately, we have met with resistance from the DA the entire time.
We honestly need your help to resolve this issue. We have run out of
,ideas of what to try to do to resolve this problem with the DA. The
Farmers Market Association has the support of the San Luis Obispo
community, and we ask that you give us back control of the Thursday
night farmers market.
Sincerely,
Philip Langston
President
San Luis Obispo County Farmers Market Association
From: ShalMayan[SMTP:SHALMAYAN@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:26:36 PM
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: Farmers Market to the Farmers!
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Dear Mayor Romero and Honorable Council Members,
I feel I need to write to you to convey my feelings about the return of
the control of the Thursday night farmers market to the farmers who
bring people into your city every week.
These farmers work hard and diligently every day to provide for their
families and each Thursday night a fee is collected to support the
running of the market system. This fee collection helped support the
SLO County Farmers Market Association as a whole, and has done so for
the past (almost) 27 years. This is a non-profit organization. They
provide food for your constituents and for you at several farmers
markets during the week..
Unfortunately, in my opinion, due to a power struggle between certain
parties (who run both sides of these associations) , and the DA's
realization that they COULD take over operations of the farmers market,
a takeover was made. With the takeover of the market downtown, the fees
now collected go into the Downtown Associations pockets, no longer
supporting the farmers efforts. All of this problem might have been
avoided, but unfortunately this is how it is.
I feel it is up to you, Mr. Mayor and dear Council, to take a moral.
stand and listen to your constituents who have already spoken to you at
your meeting of Feb. 2, 2010. What I heard at this meeting, and the
City residents of San Luis Obispo heard was, that almost to a person
(there was ONE exception in the emails you received) , that the people
want the farmers to be in charge of their side of the market.
Listen to the people and show the people that you have a heart and it's
not all about the money. Show them with your wisdom and votes that you
care about what is right.
Give the farmers the control of their market and allow them to collect
the fees to keep their markets running in all areas of this county.
Sincerely,
Nancy Langston
Farmer
From: Linda Seeley[SMTP:LINDASEELEY@GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:58:19 PM
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: Thursday Farmers Market
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Dear Coucil,
Please remember why people come to Farmers Market: To spy Good,Fresh,Wholesome,Home-
Grown FOOD! Please support the farmers, not the Downtown Association.
Sincerely,
Linda Seeley
San Luis Obispo
From: Sandra[SMTP:SANDRA@CREATEABANG.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 7:35:34 AM
To: Council, S1oCity
Cc: Peter Jankay
Subject:Farmers' Market and Downtown Association
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Dear Council Members,
Thank you for your time in working with the SLO County Farmers'Market Association.
The negotiations have broken down and it is time to fix it. We will not be going away and let this
travesty from Debra Cash go unnoticed.
We appreciate the time you spent 3 months ago listening to us. It's time to end the charade and
get back to business. The farmers have spent thousands of dollars defending what is rightfully
theirs.
It is a sad day that we must come back to the council to correct a wrong. Please end this
nightmare and let the farmers get back to farming.
Sincerely,
Sandra Dimond
Sandra Dimond,Managing Director
North County Farmers'Market Association,Inc.
805.948.iiog
www.northcountxfarmersmarkets.com
Sandra Ocreateabang.com
From: Paul Deis[SMTP:PDEIS@ATT.NET]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 7:57:11 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Cc: Paul Deis
Subject: Farmers Market
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I come to SLO from Paso to attend the farmers market for the produce. Keep the farmers
incharge of the farmers market
Paul Deis
From: craig smith[SMTP:CRAIG.SS.SMITH@GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 8:43:10 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Cc: 'Philip Langston'; 'ShalMayan'
Subject: Farmers Market
Importance: High
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To: SLO City Council
The Double SS Ranch, (Carpenter Canyon) is a 40+year participant in SLO County Farming. The
Double SS Ranch future and our next generation's future is sustainable farming. Farmers Market
is a historic and important economic outlet for sustainable farming.
Farmers must control Thursday night Farmers Market;
• for a long term sustainable Farm Market
• for farming's future in SLO County
Please support The Farmers Market Association and help them regain control of the Thursday
Night Farmers Market in Downtown SLO. Please call me any questions.
i .
Many Thanks for your support.
Craig Smith
Manager, Double SS Ranch
1166 Carpenter Canyon Road, HWY 227
Arroyo Grande, CA
805-598-3105 Cell Phone
craig.ss.smith@gmail.com
From: stella lopez [mailto:stella.lopez72@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 8:34 AM
To: Lichtig, Katie
Subject: Help Farmers Market
Please giveback to Farmers Market the decision making and income that rightly belongs
to the Market.
Thank you,
Stella Lopez, Realtor
RECEIVE®
From: Susan Hoffman[SMTP:SUSANH2@SBCGLOSAL.NET] MAY 18 2010
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 9:27:01 AM
To: Council, SloCity SLO CITY CLERK
Subject: Farmer's Market special meeting today
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I just heard the Mayor speaking on the King Harris radio show about the special meeting at 4pm
today regarding the Farmer's Market.
I attended the previous night meeting when there was a huge turnout of community members to
support the farmers staying in control of the farm produce and products part of the market. The
supporters for the farmers overflowed into the hallway and an adjoining room and out the front
door. Supporters stood and lined the walls of the council room when there were not enough
seats.
I am a San Luis Obispo resident and have attended the Thursday night Farmer's Market on a
regular basis ever since I moved here five years ago. The market is well known to my friends in
other parts of the state, some of whom have come to visit me at times when they could attend
the SLO Farmer's Market.
It is not the other things I or they come for–the food is fun but I could just as easily go to the
restaurants and cafes themselves for a supper or snack, and I and they could make do if we had
to without the entertainment, the booths, and things for sale.
The essential Dart of the Farmer's Market is the farmers and what they grow and sell. And I can't
do without them being in charge of what they manage so well.
Please–all City Council members–take a leadership role to settle this problem between the
Downtown Association and the farmers. KEEP the farmers doing what they have
done successfully all these years –let them be in charge of running their part of the market,
physically and financially.
The Downtown Association's plan to take over management of the farm stands and farmers will
only result in loss of revenue and bad.press for our wonderful city. It is a bad plan for San
Luis Obispo. The residents are not behind it. If informed, I am certain the students would not be
behind it. There are other farmer's markets in other local cities on other days. What will the
Downtown Association and you, the City Council, gain by alienating community members such as
myself?You will send us to other locations and we will be doing less shopping downtown.
The Mayor brought up the Wineman Hotel as an issue again, but it is a non-issue if the tables are
set up as they have been in the past on the other side of the street. I believe Councilman
Carter had stated this as a solution.
It is time for the City Council to do the right thing and tell the Downtown Association –enough.
Thank you,
Susan Hoffman —H—Ann OnAyL
SLO City registered voter !i E--COUNCIL CPDD DIR
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From: lobogrown@aol.com[SMTP:LOBOGROWN@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 9:30:32 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: Issue of the Farmers Market
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The management of the Down Town Association is a failure at best. This person should be
removed from her throne.
As per your Feb. orders to give the thursday nite market back to the SLOFMA, nothing has been
done. The
SLOFMA could have had better comunication`s with a fence post.
The City Council should contract directly with the SLOFMA .
Lyle Overley ,, farmer
From: lobogrown@aol.com[SMTP:LOBOGROWN@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 9:38:03 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: THURSDAY NIGHT FARMERS MARKET
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ALL THE FARMERS I KNOW THOUGHT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS BEHIND US IN ARE
ENDEAVOR TO END THIS CONFLICT WITH THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO BE ON THE MARCH AGAIN TO TRY AND MAKE YOU
UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY FARMERS APPRECIATE OTHER FARMERS WORK.
STOP THIS CHILD'S PLAY.
ALOCAL FARMER BARBARA OVERLEY
From: MA2KAG@aol.com[SMTP:MA2KAG@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 9:53:11 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: Thursday Night Farmers' Market
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Dear SLO City Council,
As a family farm member that sells produce at the Thursday Night Farmers' Market, I am
writing this e-mail to encourage you to please return the management of the Farmers' Market
section back to the Farmers' Market Association. I feel this delay has gone on far too long.
Thank You, Mary Ann Bathe
From: Fred Collins[SMTP:FCOLLINS@NORTHERNCHUMASH.ORG]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 10:01:07 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: Farmers Market
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Mayor and Council Members,
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) is a supporter of our local farming community,
NCTC owns and operates Chumash Farms and supports Native Herb and Honey Co., both are
local "all native all natural"farming organizations. For years we have watched the Farmer's
Market, and the different products sold at the market. It has always been our contention that
not enough local farmers were participating,and come to find out that most of the farmers
selling at our market come from other counties and are not local San Luis Obispo Farmers. This
Great San Luis Obispo Farmers Market should be for our local farmers first and foremost,our
local farmers should have priority over all other out of the county farmers, there should be a
section for seasonal farmers from out of county, but our Local Farmers should have top priority,
always. The protocols for entry and exit from the San Luis Obispo Farmers Market should
prioritized with Local Farmers First and then the process should be the same for everyone and
be an open process, no hidden agendas. We have plenty of room in the downtown area for as
many local farmers as we have,this creates completion for better quality/healthier products,
with a greater variety. Supporting our local farmers is away to support anew and important
movement to build our economy with a stable foundation, Farming. NCTC will be speaking
today for our Native American Chumash Community and the Native American Farming
Community Nationwide,who are supporters of farming and the preservation of Mother Earth
(Hutash).
NCTC would like to see this Council support our local farming community in any way that you
can, please urge the staff to look at ways to adopt an open door to local farmers, with an open
review application process.
Be well,
Fred Collins
Tribal Administrator
NCTC Northern Chumash Tribal Council
67 South Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)528-0806 www.NorthernChumash.org
Educational Services& Environmental Consulting
From: EMF2739@aol.com[SMTP:EMF2739@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 10:08:03 AM
To: Council, SloCity
Subject: Thursday Night Farmers' Market Management
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To the SLO City Council:
Our family farm has been participating in the SLO City Thursday Night Farmers' Market since
its inception. Please return the management of the market portion to the Farmers' Market
Association. Thank you.
Evelyn M. Fernamburg
From: James Bednar[SMTP:JJGENOLA@CHARTER.NET]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 10:33:40 AM
To: Council, S1oCity
Subject: farmers market
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To Whom it may concern
keep the farmers in charge PLEASE i would not go there with out them .
Thanks James
From: John D. Grady, CFP [mailto:jgradyslo@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 11:23 AM
To: Council ALL
Subject: Farmer's Market Dispute
Dear City Council Members,
I am a member of the Downtown Association (DA) and am quite upset that the issue of
the farmers controlling their Thursday night booths at the downtown Farmer's Market is
still not resolved! I spoke personally with Deborah Cash when this dispute first became
known to the public when it was discussed previously by the city council. At that time,
Deborah Cash assured me that an agreement was close at hand and would soon be
implemented. I, like most folks, assumed this had been accomplished long ago as I have
heard nothing from the Downtown Association since then regarding this ongoing
dispute.
I (like most citizens of our city) would like to seethe farmers restored to their rightful
place in managing and overseeing their Thursday night downtown Farmer's
Market. I hope at today's special City Council Meeting that you all make it very clear
to Ms. Cash and the DA that you expect control and management of the Thursday night
Farmer's Market returned to the farmers immediately. Short of the DA fully complying
promptly with your request, I encourageyou to revoke their contract with the city to
sponsor this weekly event.
This has gone on far too long and I see it as a power play by Deborah Cash and the DA to
wield their weight and authority over the farmers. I think the community expressed
loud and clear at your last meeting on this subject their support of the farmers. I urge
your strong and unequivocal support of the farmers at today's meeting.
Thank you.
Regards,
John Grady
525 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
544-2242