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Newport adopts farmers market policy, creates seasonal manager posts and advisory board; authorizes $1,500 grant application
Summary
Council voted to have the city run a downtown farmers market, adopt a market policy, create two seasonal part-time positions, appoint an advisory board, allocate about $5,000 this year from the general fund and authorize applying for a $1,500 state grant.
The Newport City Council approved a proposal for the city to operate a downtown farmers market, adopting a policy, job descriptions for a market manager and assistant, and an advisory board. The market will operate at City Hall on Saturdays this year from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; managers’ hours were set at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City staff member Regina presented the plan and said the package in the council packet was modeled on the Dandridge market. Regina said the annual budget for a full fiscal year is $14,900, and that the city will need a budget amendment this year for approximately $5,000 from the general fund to cover start-up costs. “This is designed heavily upon what Dandridge does,” Regina said.
The council approved the policy and job descriptions and appointed an advisory board that Regina proposed: Corey Ackerman of Snowbird Coffee, Jennifer Parrish of Grama Pork Farms, and Monica Hommel (listed at the meeting as the Torrance Manager). The council also voted to allow the city to apply for a $1,500 state farmers-market grant (no match required) to help with startup expenses.
Mayor and council members praised Regina’s work and confirmed the market’s downtown location was intentional to drive foot traffic. Staff said if the market grows, the city might later consider using the old police department site as a permanent market location.
