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Sunset City approves 2026 farmers market agreement, waives seasonal fee
Summary
The Sunset City Council voted unanimously Feb. 3 to accept a revised farmers market contract for the 2026 season, agreed to waive the $100 seasonal park fee for organizers, and asked staff to correct contract notice language so termination requires written notice both to and from the city.
Sunset — The Sunset City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a rewritten agreement for the 2026 farmers market and to waive the $100 seasonal park fee for the market operators.
Organizers Matt and Diana Seamans told the council the market performs better when the city helps with promotion and sponsorship. "We do market with other cities and they do the ad — help advertise and sponsor — those markets do better when the city's more involved," Matt Seamans said during the council presentation. The Seamans said they plan a limited season this year, roughly May through the start of school, to test demand before committing to a full season.
Why it matters: Council members said city promotion and clearer contract language could help the market attract more vendors and visitors. Several council members pressed for precise contract terms, including a change to the termination clause so notice must flow both "to or from" the city rather than only to the contractor.
Council discussion focused on practical details: keeping a higher ratio of food to non-food booths, clarifying the market site (named in the packet as John G. White), addressing post-event cleanup and trash pickup by public works, and confirming there is no electricity requirement for vendor booths. Organizers said vendor fees have been low in the past — the agreement in the packet shows a $100 season fee — and requested the city waive that seasonal charge.
The council instructed staff to revise the contract language (including making termination notice two-way) and to prepare the final contract for signature. On a motion to accept the farmers market agreement as rewritten, seconded by Council member Carlson, the council voted yes unanimously.
Next steps: Staff will incorporate the contract edits discussed at the meeting, execute the revised agreement with Dream Events (the event contractor named in the packet), and follow up with the Seamans on marketing plans and a schedule for the market.
Quotes in context in this article come from the in‑meeting presentation and council discussion as recorded in the Feb. 3 meeting transcript.
