Saskatoon Farmers’ Market leaves council without answers and a looming moving date

The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market (SFM) is leaning toward moving to a private location after a City Council meeting strewn with allegations and questions.

What began as a building update from the Farmers’ Market ended up becoming a feisty question and answer period, with city councillors and representatives from the SFM going back and forth. Questions had to do with October’s request for proposals (RFP) and the SFM’s belief there is a bias against them.

President of the cooperative, Adithya Ramachandran said that after it was all over on Monday, they’re going to look at a possible new location, even though it’s going to be a pricier option than staying at their current spot.

“We’ll continue negotiations at the new site … and decide what is best for our cooperative, and whats best for our customers.”

Ramachandran addressed the building update by giving the City an ultimatum: Either renew the current lease for two years in the meantime to negotiate a longer term lease, or accept a relocation.

Another term of the second option was creating a non-compete clause so the SFM could rebuild their client base following the relocation.

After two failed proposals for animation, which means the City is looking for six days’ worth of activity including two to three days of Farmers’ Market activity, Ramachandran said they didn’t get any feedback.

“The animation (in the last RFP) was not elaborated, but it did specify that it needed to involve business activities. Our proposal focused on community based activities for the animation bit. That was, unfortunately not enough,” Ramachandran said when asked what their proposals included.

When asked if the SFM would submit another proposal following the two failed bids, Ramachandran wouldn’t confirm either way.

“We may. At this point, I cannot say for sure one way or another. As with everything up to this point, we have to keep our options open.”

At their current site, Ramachandran confirmed that the SFM pays a $10 per year rent to the city, along with additional costs of the building, including maintenance costs, property taxes and utilities

City answers allegations

After the SFM addressed a possible city “bias” against them, along with them allegedly being told their proposal “wouldn’t stand a chance,” council broke to discuss the allegations.

After a nearly 20 minute break, Saskatoon City Manager Jeff Jorgenson addressed Ramachandran and SMF Executive Director Erika Quiring, and the “high level of anxiety” around the issue.

“That is very untrue, the administration has no bias one way or another about this project. The only bias that we have is that we want to make sure that we faithfully carry out council’s expectations for animating the site,” Jorgenson said about the alleged city bias.

When it comes to the second allegation of SFM’s proposal, and how it “wouldn’t stand a chance,” Jorgenson said no one he had spoken with had any knowledge of that ever happening.

Jorgenson then asked for additional information around the incident including who said it, and what was said.

“If there were comments like that made, I can guarantee I will look after whoever said them … I would deal with that situation appropriately.”

Jorgenson defended the integrity of the administration for the way it handled the situation.

Additionally, Counc. Darren Hill asked the public to submit a freedom of information request to confirm their timeline.

SFM’s lease of the River Landing space will end on Dec. 22, with the building closing for two to three months for roof repairs in early 2020.

Mayor would like to work things out

The City of Saskatoon is still trying to keep the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market (SFM) at its current location.

SFM’s lease of their River Landing building ends in December.

The City won’t be renewing it unless they can find some way to use the building on weekdays.

Right now, SFM is only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Mayor Charlie Clark told Gormley, the City only charges $10 per year for rent. Because of this, he thinks the schedule needs to expand.

“It’s essentially being subsidized. You don’t want to have it kind of dead during the rest of the week,” he said.

“Our goal is to make sure that the building can be as much as it can be for the community during the week, as well as during those very successful Saturdays.”

Clark said those weekdays could be filled with restaurants or community events. However, he has one condition on any business that hopes to use the space.

“There’s no question, it needs to have a real local flavour.”

While negotiations seem rocky at the moment, the mayor still hopes they can work something out.

“I’m a problem solver. I believe we can find a way forward to do this… I’m just asking for some partnership and creativity.”