Price check: Sonoma Council raises Farmers Market rent

The Sonoma City Council decided Monday not to give a short-lived rent break to the Tuesday Night Farmers Market, which in March was told total fees for the year would be $1,964. Instead, approving Councilmember Gary Edwards’ appeal of that Community Services and Environment Commission decision, the Council voted 4-1 to fix the fees at last year’s total of $5,240.

“I don’t think fees are enough” Edwards said. “I’m concerned about the abuse to the Plaza. It’s overused for what we’re getting in return.”

The decision comes two weeks before the May 2 opening night. “I don’t think we’re talking about an amount that would bankrupt the market,” City Attorney Jeff Walter said.

The CSEC figure included: $958 application fee, $256 alcohol permit fee, and $750 for rent. No maintenance fees or security deposit were required. The conditions included that Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market would provide $2,500 towards the Electronic Benefit Transfer program, and would waive rental fees for farmers selling produce. The cut endangers those plans, said Market Manager Chris Welch.

In his appeal, Edwards called the annual rent of $750, “ridiculous.” He said it was unfair that other nonprofits pay higher fees, such as La Luz’s bill for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo of $2,182. Maria Toimil, speaking for the Vintage Festival, said her group paid over $12,000 for two days use of the Plaza. “We’re asking for equality,” she said.

Councilmember and public comment expanded to complaints about the size of the event, lack of actual farm vendors, and its negative effect on traffic and neighboring businesses. The market, said Councilmember Rachel Hundley, “is a victim of it’s own success.”

The specific agenda item, though, was the rate structure. One option would have been to rescind the CSEC figure, and decide the new fee at a future meeting. Hundley made a motion to use the 2015 total, which was approved with David Cook in the minority.

The nonprofit VOMCFM, responding to a Request for Proposals from the City, was awarded the permit to operate the market in 2010. The permit has been extended by the Council twice for additional two-year periods, most recently a year ago. The current contract ends after the 2016 season.