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PMAC previews spring season: new outreach hire, vendor application deadline, events and bylaws expansion
Summary
Market staff told the Public Market Advisory Commission that an assistant manager/outreach coordinator has been hired and is expected to start by March 1, vendor applications are due March 1, and four food‑truck rallies are planned for July–October.
The Public Market Advisory Commission received operational updates on Thursday including a near-term staff hire, vendor application deadlines, events planning and adopted bylaws that expand the commission.
Market staff said they are hiring an assistant manager/outreach coordinator named Leila, who is expected to start by March 1 if onboarding with the city completes on schedule. Staff also noted that Lunia, who is on a city‑mandated leave, is expected to return for the April 12 market.
On vendor applications, staff said market vendors and new applicants should meet the March 1 deadline and that the market is transitioning to a new online application while continuing to accept paper copies for people who need them. “We are looking to make something that is user friendly for all,” the market staff said, adding that IT is still making edits and that feedback from vendors has prompted possible refinements.
The commission was briefed on events planning: staff announced four food truck rallies on third Wednesdays, running July through October, and said the August rally will emphasize plant‑based and vegetarian options. Staff also reported they applied to a cooking‑demo fund administered by the Michigan Farmers Market Association; that decision was pending and staff described the funding as coming from a state source.
Facility and maintenance items included a report that bird netting for the market site is close to approval and that staff hopes installation will be in place by April. Commissioners were told that some post erosion had occurred during winter and that broader accessibility and priority repairs will be addressed as part of upcoming community engagement.
The commission also marked a governance milestone: staff said PMAC’s bylaw revisions were officially adopted by the city council earlier in the week. The changes increase the commission’s size by two seats, add term limits and revise financial disclosure/conflict‑of‑interest language to reflect PMAC’s scope. Commissioners discussed recruiting for three open seats, including a consumer (shopper) representative, one vendor seat and one at‑large seat. Staff reminded attendees that applications are handled through the city clerk’s appointment process and that the final appointments are mayoral decisions.
The meeting opened and the minutes from the January meeting were both approved by voice vote. The agenda was approved after a motion; the minutes were later approved by seconded motion with no recorded objections.
Market staff said they will share the final adopted bylaws and link to the city application page with vendors and prospective applicants.
