Federal Way to take over Farmers Market operations; family to assist during 2025 transition

The City of Federal Way will assume operations of the Federal Way Farmers Market for the 2025 season while the Ehl family phases out of its longtime management role, city staff told the council during a study session on Jan. 7.

City staff presented a transition plan that would transfer the market’s assets — including its name and equipment — from the family-run 501(c) organization to the city, and place financial operations under the city’s finance department. The Ehl family has run the market for 21 years and received recognition from Mayor Farrell for their service; the family said they will help complete the handoff.

Bill, a city staff member leading the presentation, said the plan would make the market “revenue neutral” during the transition period while the city and volunteers maintain current programming and services. Under the proposal, Carla Colobaugh, the Ehl family’s daughter, would serve as market manager during the 2025 season as a city seasonal employee supervised by the mayor’s office; parks staff would supply setup and takedown labor.

City staff outlined specific operational and timing details. Vendor registration is scheduled to open Feb. 1; the market is set to reopen May 10 (Mother’s Day weekend) and run through the end of October. The city plans to acquire two mobile storage units, tents, chairs, sound equipment and other infrastructure from the family rather than purchase all-new supplies; parks staff estimated the acquisition and related equipment work could total “up to $32,000,” according to the presentation. Staff said they are using established value guides to assess individual items.

Existing community programs tied to the market would continue under city management. Staff said a $10,000 produce scholarship from the hospital that helps retirees and families access produce would remain in place, and fundraisers such as the Taste of Federal Way and events including Federal Way’s Got Talent would continue.

Council members weighed in on governance and long-term structure. Council Member Dobias suggested considering a more formal commission in the future to provide greater continuity than an ad hoc advisory committee; other council members cautioned that commissions have staffing and fiscal impacts and recommended pursuing volunteers and an ad hoc advisory group for at least the coming year. The presentation’s proponents said an ad hoc advisory group of long-time volunteers and alumni would meet two to three times a year to advise the city and help plan future years.

On staffing specifics, city staff said the seasonal market manager role would be a temporary position with weekly hours under the seasonal, temporary limit; during the discussion staff noted a planning target of about 17 hours per week for the manager role. Finance will handle all transactions for the 2025 season, and parks will continue to provide physical setup and storage.

Councilmembers also discussed broader food and community programs that could intersect with the market, including Community Network Gardens and local nonprofit efforts, and asked staff to bring more detailed budget and equipment information to the Parks Committee at its next meeting. Parks Committee review of equipment and a formal agenda bill were scheduled for the following week.

No formal vote or ordinance was taken during the study session; council members expressed general support for the transition plan and asked staff to return with committee-level detail for council consideration.

Looking ahead, staff said they plan to present spreadsheets and a list of transferred assets to the Parks Committee, formalize an ad hoc advisory group composed of volunteers and alumni, and provide further fiscal detail in coming weeks.