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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 9, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. (p - b <br />SUBJECT: Hillsborough Farmer's Market Draft Guidelines <br />DEPARTMENT: N.C. Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Draft Tenant Requirements for Leasing <br />the Public Market House for Use as a <br />Farmers' Market <br />Sample of Materials from Other Entities <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Dr. Fletcher Barber, Jr., 245-2051 <br />Mark Danieley, 245-2062 <br />PURPOSE: To provide the Board of Commissioners with best management practices to be <br />used in the operation of a farmer's market to be held at the Public Market House. <br />BACKGROUND: At the September 6, 2007 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the <br />Board asked the Manager and Cooperative Extension staff to draft and present to the Board at <br />the October 9, 2007 meeting an initial set of draft guidelines to direct the operation of the Public <br />Market House facility as the Hillsborough Farmer's Market. This initial set of draft guidelines is <br />provided at Attachment 1 and is intended to provide a basis for discussion that leads to the <br />framework needed to establish and insure an open and equable Farmer's Market. <br />In developing this initial set of draft guidelines, staff gathered and reviewed existing farmers <br />market provisions from other entities, including the US Department of Agriculture, the Town of <br />Carrboro, and the City of Durham. A sampling of the materials staff reviewed is included at <br />Attachment 2. <br />As the Board is aware, there are two groups within the community interested in maintaining the <br />traditional Hillsborough farmer's market in the new Public Market House. In concert with the <br />continued review and discussion of these draft guidelines by the Board, staff, and the <br />community at large, these draft guidelines will also be shared with the groups to gain their <br />insight and perspective. Also, as the Board has discussed, it is proposed that the County offer <br />to assist in prompting mediation of the differences between the various interests. It has been <br />suggested that the County pay 50% of the costs for mediation for up to 10 hours of mediation <br />preparation and actual meeting time. This mediation, potentially through the Dispute <br />Settlement Center, could help address the differences among the interests and could also <br />enhance the discussions of the draft guidelines and ultimate final document. The goal is to <br />unify all vendors into one entity with a strong Board of Directors capable of entering into an <br />