4. Staff report - Scandia Farmers Market
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: March 3, 2021
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Re: Proposal to use the Community Center parking lot for the 2021 Scandia Farmers Market
Background: Last year the City approved the use of the Community Center parking lot for the
Scandia Farmers Market to conduct their weekly sales during the summer season. This was a
change from using the grounds of the Gammelgarden Museum because there was more space
for vendors and customers to spread out and follow Covid-19 precautions. The organizers
closely followed the State’s guidelines for markets (www.mfma.org/Guidance-for-Markets), and
provided a handwashing station for all customers entering the market. Masks were required for
all vendors and customers in the market area.
Proposal Details: The Scandia Farmers Market would like approval to conduct the 2021 market
following the same operations as it did in 2020, operating from 3:30-6:30pm. Organizer Sarah
Porubcansky added: “We are hoping to bring back some of favorite parts of the market that we
weren't able to have last year --- music being the #1 - and possibly the ice cream truck and hot dog
truck.”
Issue: Should the City Council allow the Scandia Farmers Market to operate in the Community
Center parking lot on Wednesdays from June 9th to September 15th? As well, there may be a
plant sale tentatively planned for mid-May.
Staff sees no conflicts with planned events at the Community Center, particularly in mid-week
when the parking lot is not being used. There were no issues or concerns regarding last year’s
Market, and each week’s events all went smoothly.
If approval is granted to operate the market within the public parking lot , staff recommends
that the Market provide to the City a public liability insurance policy naming the City as an
additional insured entity with limits of not less than one million dollars per occurrence, prior to
the opening of the Market.