06.f Staff report - Scandia Farmers Market
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: March 15, 2022
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Re: Proposal to use the Community Center parking lot for the 2022 Scandia Farmers Market
Background: For the past two market seasons (2020 and 2021), 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.
Depending on health advisories in place this summer for outdoor events, the wearing of masks
may not be a strict requirement.
Proposal Details: The Scandia Farmers Market would like approval to conduct the 2022 market
following the similar operations as it did last year, operating on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm,
with the season running from June 8-September 21, 2022.
Issue: Should the City Council allow the Scandia Farmers Market to operate in the Community
Center parking lot on Wednesdays from June 8th to September 21st? 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 past Market
seasons, 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.
Options:
1) Approve use of the Community Center parking lot for the 2022 Scandia Farmers Market,
conditioned on submission of the required liability certificate.
2) Approve use of the Community Center parking lot for the 2022 Scandia Farmers Market,
with different conditions.
3) Deny use of the Community Center parking lot for the 2022 Scandia Farmers Market.
Recommendation: Option 1.