Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Stiver Mill Farmers’
Market post-season review
PREPARED BY:
RECOMMENDATION:
1)
That the staff report titled Stiver
Mill Farmers’ Market post-season review, dated
2)
And that permission be granted
to the Unionville Village Conservancy (UVC) by way of an agreement/permit to
use Town of Markham property at the Stiver Mill on Station Lane in Unionville
on Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm from June to Thanksgiving 2010, in a form
satisfactory to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Town Solicitor;
3)
And that the Mayor and Clerk be
authorized to sign the agreement/permit with the UVC;
4)
And that the Asset Management
Department consider fencing the Stiver Mill property;
5)
And that staff work with the UVC,
the Markham Village BIA and other stakeholders to promote
6)
And that staff be authorized
and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
N/A
PURPOSE:
The purpose of
this report is to provide a post-season review to Council on the Stiver Mill Farmers’
Market in Unionville and the promotion of
BACKGROUND:
The Unionville
Village Conservancy (UVC), formed from members of the Unionville Villagers
Association, a local property owner’s association, approached then-Ward 3 Councillor
Virgilio in May 2009 with a request for permission to have a trial farmers’
market at the Unionville Train Station Community Centre east car park, next to
Main Street Unionville, on Sundays 10 am to 3 pm from July to Thanksgiving
2009. They anticipated that the farmers’
market would include approximately twenty vendors.
The UVC is a
citizen group that recently incorporated and intends to register as a
charitable organization. The Directors
of the UVC include Bob Stiver, president, Jeanne Ker-Hornell, secretary, David
Johnston, architect, Richard Talbot, and Amar Banerjee.
Location
The UVC initially
sought permission for the farmers’ market to be located at the Unionville Train
Station Community Centre in order to provide access to the washrooms and garbage
bins at this location. The Train Station is, however, rented every weekend each
summer and is also used in July and August by the Unionville BIA for special
events. As a result, the Unionville Train Station was not a viable option.
For 2009, the
farmers’ market was located in the parking area southwest of the Stiver Mill building
(See Map, Figure 1). The property is
located within the Unionville Heritage Conservation District. The UVC are
satisfied with this location and wish to continue the farmer’s market in the
same location.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
The
2009 Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market post-season review:
The Stiver Mill farmers’ market was
well-received by the community and provided an opportunity for the community to
gather, connect and enjoy the market.
The market included twelve booths, comprising:
·
Four local farmers from Markham
and Stouffville providing produce, fruit, pies and preserves
·
Two BBQs
·
Community associations
It is estimated
that 8,000 -10,000 people attended the farmers’ market over the season. Booths
cost $30 for the first booth and $20 for subsequent booths. The Stiver Mill
Farmers’ Market Financial Review is attached as Appendix 2 and provides an
overview of the expenses and outcomes of the market in its first season.
The farmers’ market offered cotton bags,
which lessened plastic bag use and included a hand washing facility-washroom on
site at all times of market operations for vendors and public alike. All vendors
were responsible for their garbage removal. Most attendees of the market walked
from home or the
Legal Agreement with UVC
A formal agreement (Agreement) with UVC and
the Town of
-
The Town was named as an
additional insured party on the policies of all parties involved in the market
(farmers/vendors, UVC, etc.)
- The farmers/vendors had a minimum of $2 million
of Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance which must include product
liability
- The Agreement with UVC detailed who is
responsible for property damage to the Town facilities, and it was not the
responsibility of the Town
- The Agreement included a hold harmless clause,
holding the Town harmless for the activities of the market
- The
Agreement included reference to the need for the UVC to comply with the Town’s
Special Events Policy
Agreements in future
seasons will be required to address all of these issues.
By-Laws Applying to Farmer’s Markets on Town Property
In addition, in
order to facilitate the farmers’ market at this location, the 2009 agreement
required the UVC read and comply with all applicable Town By-Laws. All By-Laws
were complied with in 2009 and there were no complaints from the neighbours. If the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market operates in
2010 and beyond, the requirement to read and comply with all applicable Town
By-Laws should be included in the 2010 agreement.
The following
By-Laws apply to the use of Town property at the Stiver Mill:
By-Law 202-303
(By-Law to License and Regulate
Ø
By-Law 202-303 applies to the
proposed farmers’ market and should be referenced in any Agreement between UVC and the Town.
Ø
Pursuant to Section 2 of the
By-Law, no mobile vendor shall sell or offer to sell any product in the
municipality unless such person is in possession of a license issued pursuant
to this By-Law. However, no license would be required under this By-Law
for the purposes of the proposed farmers’ market, as the proposed farmers’
market would fall under the exemption for “products sold….in conjunction with
and part of a community festival” under Section 7.
By-Law 279-96 (By-Law to Regulate the Conduct of Persons Using the Grounds at Town
Owned Property)
Ø
By-Law 279-96 applies to the
proposed farmers’ market and should be referenced in any Agreement between UVC and the Town.
Ø
UVC should not be exempt
from this By-Law. However, since this By-Law provides that no person may
“solicit or engage in any trade, occupation, business or calling” while on Town
property without a written permit issued by the Town, the “written permit” to
be issued by the Town could be included in the Agreement between UVC and the
Town
By-Law 167-92 (By-Law for the General Management and Regulation of Parks within
the Town of
Ø
By-Law 167-92 applies to the
proposed farmers’ market and should be referenced in the Agreement between UVC
and the Town.
Assistance to the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market
The Town assistance
provided to the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market included site preparation and
maintenance, and promotion such as the Town Page in the Economist & Sun and
the Town website (i.e. calendar), posters in community centres and banners. The Operations Department cost breakdown is
attached as Appendix 1. In an effort to
promote the farmer’s markets, as part of the Healthy Communities action plan
under the Environment pillar of Building Markham’s Future Together,
Neighbour Concerns
Generally, the
neighbours around the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market were supportive of the market
location. However, two neighbours fronting
on the farmers’ market site were significantly impacted in terms of loss of
privacy during the operation of the farmers’ market. These neighbours have
asked the Town for assistance with providing privacy fencing at the rear and
side of their yards. Staff recommend
that the Asset Management Department, in the Community and Fire Services
Commission, consider fencing the Stiver Mill property as part of the process of
securing the Mill until such time as a decision is made on the Mill’s future.
2010 Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market
The UVC has
expressed a desire to continue operating the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market and,
if this use is approved, will enter into an agreement with the Town to use the
same location in 2010. Staff has no concerns with the UVC continuing to use
this location for the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market, however, it is expected that
the UVC will comply with the Town’s Special Events Policy which includes
providing a zero waste venue, insurance and portable toilets.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion,
the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market was successful in 2009 and staff recommend that
permission be granted to the UVC by way of an agreement/permit to use Town of
Markham property, and that the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market continue to comply
with the Town’s Special Events Policy. Staff do not recommend providing direct financial
assistance to the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market.
The farmers’
market has served as an opportunity for the neighbourhood to gather, provided
the community with access to fresh produce and products and vendors with an
economic opportunity, and raised considerable awareness regarding the historic Stiver
Mill.
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:
Operations’ staff
provided a breakdown of costs associated with supporting the Sitver Mill
Farmers’ Market for 2009 (Appendix 1).
The UVC provided
an analysis of their expenses for the 2009 season operating the Stiver Mill
Farmer’s Market (Appendix 2).
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
With the
environment as a strategic priority, as part of the action plan promoting
Healthy Communities, farmers’ markets have been identified as an important
element of local food promotion and security.
BUSINESS
UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Sustainability
Office
Recreation
Operations
Asset
Management
Legal
By-Laws
Planning
(Heritage)
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Victoria McGrath, Director John
Livey,
Sustainability
Office
ATTACHMENTS:
Figure 1 – Area
Context (7 & 9 Station Lane)
Appendix 1 –
Operations’ Department cost breakdown
Appendix 2 –
Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market Financial Review