Closure of Farmers' Market June 5 2010

							                                 The Corporation of the
                                  TOWN OF MILTON

Report to:      Mayor G. A. Krantz and Members of Council
From:           M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng., Director, Engineering Services
Date:           December 11, 2009
Report No.      ENG-051-09


Subject:        Closure of Farmers’ Market June 5th, 2010


RECOMMENDATION:          THAT Staff Report ENG-051-09 regarding the request by the
                         Milton Street Festival’s organizing Committee and the DBIA
                         for the rescheduling of the Milton Farmers’ Market on June
                         5th, 2010 be received and approved;

                         AND THAT the Clerk be instructed to advise the Chamber
                         of Commerce that Main Street will not be available for the
                         Farmers’ Market on June 5th, 2010.

REPORT
Background

In 2007, Milton’s 150th Anniversary Committee collaborated with the DBIA to establish
the first Downtown Street Festival, which was considered a huge success. The event
was so popular, attracting up to 20,000 people to the downtown area, that the festival
has become an annual event consisting of 80 street vendors and four stages for
entertainment and presentations. Traditionally, the festival has commenced at 2:30 in
the afternoon, which makes for logistic problems related to set up. The Farmers’ Market
has generally vacated Main Street between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. which only leaves
a short period of time to complete the Festival setup and for the organizing committee to
complete their safety checks.
                                                                   Report No.ENG-051-09
             The Corporation of the                                           Page No. 2
             TOWN OF MILTON


Discussion

The organizing committee has requested that for June 5th, 2010 the Famers’ Market be
rescheduled which would allow the Festival more time for setup and also permit them to
advance the start time to noon. Under the terms and conditions of the agreement
between the Town and the Chamber of Commerce (organizers of the Farmers’ Market)
the Town has the authority to make such a request given an appropriate notice period.
Clause 2.3 of the agreement states,

      “if the Town decides to cancel use of the Road Allowance for the Farmers’
      Market on any date to facilitate community events or festivals, the Town shall
      provide 30 days notice to the Chamber of any such community event or festival.”

The Chamber is aware that this request may be forthcoming and they have no objection
to same. However, it is our understanding that some of the vendors from the market
have expressed concerns about rescheduling any dates due to the potential negative
impacts. Given that the proposed date is early in June, cancelling the Market is
expected to have a minimal impact on the local growers as at this time of year there is a
very limited amount of local produce available.

Relationship to the Strategic Plan

The recommendations contained in report ENG-051-09 support the goal of “A safe,
liveable and healthy community” - direction 3 “Protect and enhance our heritage, identity
and character” and the goal of “A diverse and sustainable economy” through direction 1
“Make the Central Business District the main focal point of the community.”

Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts associated with the recommendations contained in report
ENG-051-09.
                                                                        Report No.ENG-051-09
               The Corporation of the                                              Page No. 3
               TOWN OF MILTON

Respectfully submitted,




M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng.,
Director, Engineering Services



If you have any questions on the content of this report: Paul Cripps, 905-878-7252 ext. 2501.

Attachments:     None



CAO Approval: _________________________