MEETING DATE: 5/19/2020
DEPARTMENT: CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR:
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Barbara Thompson
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER:
SUBJECT:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - P. HERNANDEZ
Approve in concept, the use of Vets Park for a weekly farmer's market, subject to the Veterans Park Commission's review and approval. Authorize the CAO to execute any necessary contracts after Vet's Park Commission's approval. Authorize financial support, as determined necessary to offset actual costs to the Chamber, not to exceed $35,000 from the Board's previous emergency appropriation to support any costs related to the use of Vets Park.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 119
AGENDA SECTION:
REGULAR AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Public Health Officials have declared farmers markets as an essential public service, equivalent to grocery stores.
It has been reported that the farmers market will not be held at its previous location in downtown Hollister, due to Covid-19 concerns, and the needs for additional space for the market due to social distancing needs. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider the use of Vets Park for this purpose which would allow for greater space between vendors. If this idea is approved in concept, this matter will be referred to the Vets Park Commission for its review and approval. If the Vets Park Commission approves this use, the CAO would be delegated authority to execute any necessary contracts related to this use for this year only.
Further the County is requested to provide financial support to the Chamber who will assume responsibility for promoting the farmers market.
The financial support would be only to support actual costs to the Chamber, and thus could be less than the allocated amount. Such costs could include clean up costs, or other costs such as perhaps security, advertising, or fees.
There is extensive guidance that has been promoted throughout the country related to COVID-19, and how farmers markets can continue to operate. Attached is guidance from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The Chamber can work in certain requirements into the contracts with the vendors. Such mitigation measures could include pre-packaging of food, greater distancing between food stands, elimination of public eating areas, and other safety precautions.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/coronavirus/pdfs/CertifiedFarmersMarkets-COVID-19-Guidance.pdf.
Similar guidance has been promoted by other states as well.
BUDGETED:
SBC BUDGET LINE ITEM NUMBER:
CURRENT FY COST:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve in concept the use of Vets Park for the Farmers Market for the summer of 2020, and
2) Authorize the referral of this matter to the Vets Park Commission for its review and approval.
3) If the Vets Park Commission approves this use, delegate to the CAO authority to execute any necessary contracts for the 2020 Farmers Market.
4) Authorize financial support, as determined necessary by the CAO's office, to offset actual, reasonable costs to the Chamber, not to exceed $35,000 from the Board's previous emergency appropriation to support costs related to the use of Vets Park.
OR
4) Authorize financial support, as determined necessary by the CAO's office, to offset actual, reasonable costs to the Chamber, not to exceed $35,000 from general fund contingency to support costs related to the use of Vets Park.
(4/5 vote)
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL: