Community Corner
City Approves Farmers Market Agreement Changes
Wednesday night, Imperial Beach City Council approved modifications -concerning cleaning, public safety, open hours, and closures - to the farmers' market.
As part of conditions set for the Imperial Beach Farmers Market's permission to operate, City Council reviewed and made changes to their permit.
The Imperial Beach Farmers Market meets every Friday in Pier Plaza. Its chief organizer is IB Beautiful.
Grease allegedly spilled by vendors may have long-term costs, said city staff in their review, stating that, "intense use of the plaza will naturally cause accelerated impacts" and "it is apparent that the checkerboard texture and tinted concrete surface is becoming permanently damaged."
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"While the Farmers Market may contribute to shortening the lifespan of the area," said Councilman Ed Spriggs, solutions to mitigate concerns like additional power-washing should be explored.
"This Farmers Market is supported by local businesses, and these kinds of public spaces are designed for these public uses," he said.
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Previously discussed plans to move portions of the Market to Seacoast Drive to reduce potential damage will not go forward at this time. The next review of the Farmers Market's permit may come next March.
In September, IB Beautiful requested hours be changed from 1-6 p.m. to 2-7 p.m. in the winter.
"Market management stated that a majority of sales take place in the last few hours of operation and staying open until 7 p.m. would assist in the success of the market and its vendors," said a
The market is closed Christmas and New Years Eve but will return to a 1-6 p.m. schedule in 2011. Summer hours ( 2-7 p.m. from April to September) will remain the same.
Public safety and health inspections, originally conducted weekly, will now be carried out on a monthly basis.
A $110 clean-up fee will be charged if Tidelands maintenance crews find IB Beautiful volunteers or vendors do not clean up after themselves.
The open hours, originally from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the exception of a 7 p.m. extended closing time through December- will change come Summer, to 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from April to September.
Cancellations of the Farmers Market due to other events and holidays, originally allowed in the contract occasional unplanned closures, were found to be "unacceptable," so an annual schedule will be drafted.
