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<br />Facilitator's Report <br />Farmers' Market Mediation <br />The meeting convened at the Exchange Club in Hillsborough on December 12, 2007 at <br />approximately 9:30 AM and adjourned at approximately 2:15 PM. Nine people attended: <br />Fletcher Barber, Jr., Ben Bergmann; Beverly Blythe, Mark Danieley, Jeffiy Goodrum, <br />Paul Reil, Jim Shanley, Kim Steffan (attorney for the unincorporated group), and Andy <br />Sachs (mediator, Dispute Settlement Center). <br />The group adopted the meeting plan that had been distributed to all invitees in advance <br />(see attached), including five desired outcomes, an agenda, and a set of ground rules. <br />County's Guidelines for using the Public Market House <br />Dr. Barber distributed the most recent version of the County's "Tenant Requirements for <br />Leasing the Public Market House for Use as a Farmers' Market." He and the meeting <br />attendees noted three differences from the October 9, 2007 draft: (1) The first item under <br />Selection of Vendors directs the lessee's Board of Directors to give preference to Orange <br />County farmers (the draft said "local" farmers), including artisans and bakers (the draft <br />said "including artisans and bakers if allowed by the board"); (2) No alcoholic beverages <br />are permitted; and (3) No pets are allowed. <br />The incorporated group distributed a letter to Dr. Barber dated December 11, 2007 with <br />their comments on the October 9 draft. The unincorporated group committed to <br />providing written comments to Dr. Barber, and noted that the only concern they have at <br />this point is the proposed prohibition against pets. After a brief discussion of the <br />prohibition against pets, Dr. Barber said that he will check with the North Carolina <br />Department of Agriculture regarding the issue. Ms. Blythe said that she will send to Dr. <br />Barber by the end of next week information that she has regarding pets and farmers' <br />markets. <br />Dr. Barber said that he is scheduled for January 15, 2008 to make a recommendation on <br />the guidelines to the Board of County Commissioners, and that he will do so based on the <br />information he receives from the public, including the unincorporated and incorporated <br />farmers' market groups. He said that the Board and County Manager will define the <br />decision making steps for this issue on or after January 15. Dr. Barber said that once the <br />process is defined he will inform the two groups. <br />Can We Create a Unified Farmers Market? <br />The meeting attendees brainstormed reasons for why a unified farmers' market might be <br />desirable, as follows: <br />• Community relations <br />• Strength in numbers <br />• Less work for everyone <br />• Small town needs only one farmers' market <br />• Synergy of vendors <br />• Less cost for vendors <br />