Archives



Sonoma’s Council stalls Farmers Market contract renewal

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Sonoma Valley Sun

In one of its first actions as a newly constituted body, Sonoma’s City Council refused to renew the Farmers Market management agreement for another year with the current market managers. Though it’s possible the same management group may eventually be selected, last night’s vote requires the formation of an advisory group which will return to the full council with its market recommendations by February of 2017.

The current market manager, Bill Dardon, was clearly upset with the council decision, a 2-3 vote with Hundley, Edwards and the newly seated Harrington forming the majority decision. Dardon explained that vendor applications begin processing in December, and that waiting until February makes it impossible to properly administer the planning for the market’s 2017 season.

Hundley and her food truck “Drums and Crumbs” has been a past participant in the Farmer’s Market, but was not approved as a vendor during the last market season. Edwards, who has business relationships with Plaza restaurants, has long complained that the market undermines the plaza “brick and mortar” restaurant’s business on Tuesday nights. After the meeting, some members of the public expressed surprise that neither Hundley nor Edwards had recused themselves from participating in the agenda item due to a potential conflict-of-interest.  The big surprise was that of new council member Amy Harrington, who appeared to focus her primary attention on the profit she feels is being made by the market’s prepared food vendors in comparison to the level of fee participation they pay, calling it a “subsidy.”

All members of the council agreed that the market has become more of a “party” than a simple showcase for local farm produce, but disagreed on any solution at this point. The council could have renewed the current management agreement for another year while a sub-group of the council, CSEC and market representatives explored options, but opted not to go that route. Things got testy at the meeting as market representatives, clearly caught off-guard by the council’s direction, attempted to speak after the public comment period had closed. Council member Agrimonti, perhaps due to the lateness of the hour, interrupted the Mayor and literally screamed at the market’s Vice-President that he needed to “sit down, now!”

At this point it is unclear who will manage the market, how or if the market will continue at all in its present form.



3 thoughts on “Sonoma’s Council stalls Farmers Market contract renewal

  1. Let’s just continue with the same group. The market was delightful this year.
    Yes it is a party as well. I like a weekly communal party.
    Let the vendors make some money. Win win.

  2. I am glad the council made this decision. The farmers were sidelined by the party, which took over the weekly market and brought lots of out-of-towners to our local market. Many locals stopped going because of the crowds and parking problems. The amplified music on the lawn made it impossible to talk to the non-profit representatives at their tables. Essentially, the farmers’ market under Dardon’s management, ceased to be a local event. Let’s get back to the purpose of a farmers’ market — i.e., a place for farmers to sell their goods.

  3. Georgia Kelley’s comment that the farmer’s market is no longer a local event under Bill Dardon’s management could not be further from the truth. The music brings people to the market and the music is 90% local bands. I have never once had trouble parking on Tuesday night even on Jazz nights. The market is doing great under Bill Dardon. I think a few tweeks with the transparency issue and all is good. Rachael Hundley and Gary Edwards perhaps should recuse themselves from dealing with this issue due to conflict of interests. Rachael Hundley more than Edwards showed that she has strong feelings towards Bill Dardon and his management team. She should not be on any sub comittee – that is for sure….

Comments are closed.


Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA