2. OTTAWA FARMERS' MARKET PILOT PROJECT - LANSDOWNE PARK

PROJET PILOTE DE MARCHÉ DE PRODUCTEURS FERMIERS D’OTTAWA -
PARC LANSDOWNE

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

That Council:

1. Approve that the Ottawa Farmers' Market Pilot Project be extended at Lansdowne Park for 2008 and 2009, with operating on Sundays, under the original terms and conditions as was approved by City Council on 12 April 2006.

2. Approve that the Ottawa Farmers' Market Pilot Project also be expanded to include Thursdays, under the same terms and conditions as approved by City Council on 12 April 2006.

3. Approve that the Ottawa Farmers' Market Association continue to work with staff to select a permanent location, on a business case basis, including the possibility of remaining at Lansdowne Park.

RECOMMENDATIONS DU COMITÉ

Que le Conseil :

1. approuve que le projet pilote de marché de producteurs fermiers d’Ottawa au parc Lansdowne soit prolongé de 2008 à 2009, conformément aux modalités originales approuvées par le Conseil municipal le 12 avril 2006;

2. approuve que le projet pilote de marché de producteurs fermiers d’Ottawa soit également élargi afin d’inclure les jeudis selon les mêmes modalités approuvées par le Conseil municipal le 12 avril;

3. approuve que l’Association des marchés de producteurs d’Ottawa continue de travailler avec le personnel municipal afin de trouver un emplacement permanent, dans le cadre d’un plan de mise en œuvre, et ce, sans exclure la possibilité de rester au parc Lansdowne.

DocumentatioN

1. Executive Director's report, Business Transformation Services, dated 21 February 2008 (ACS2008-BTS-RPM-0012).

2. Extract of draft Minutes, 28 February 2008.

Report to/Rapport au :

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Comité de l'agriculture et des questions rurales

and Council / et au Conseil

21 February 2008 / le 21 février 2008

Submitted by/Soumis par : Stephen Finnamore

Executive Director/Directeur exécutif

Business Transformation Services/Services de transformation des activités

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Douglas C. Moore, Manager, Venture Properties,

Real Property Asset Management

(613) 580-2424 x 41301, douglas.moore@ottawa.ca

Capital/Capitale (17)

Ref N°: ACS2008-BTS-RPM-0012

SUBJECT:

OTTAWA FARMERS' MARKET PILOT PROJECT -

LANSDOWNE PARK

OBJET :

PROJET PILOTE DE MARCHÉ DE PRODUCTEURS

FERMIERS D’OTTAWA – PARC LANSDOWNE

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend that Council:

2. Approve that the Ottawa Farmers' Market Pilot Project also be expanded to include Thursdays, under the same terms and conditions as approved by City Council on 12 April 2006.

3. Approve that the Ottawa Farmers' Market Association continue to work with staff to select a permanent location, on a business case basis, including the possibility of remaining at Lansdowne Park.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de l’agriculture et des questions rurales recommande au Conseil :

1. d’approuver que le projet pilote de marché de producteurs fermiers d’Ottawa au parc Lansdowne soit prolongé de 2008 à 2009, conformément aux modalités originales approuvées par le Conseil municipal le 12 avril 2006;

2. d’approuver que le projet pilote de marché de producteurs fermiers d’Ottawa soit également élargi afin d’inclure les jeudis selon les mêmes modalités approuvées par le Conseil municipal le 12 avril;

3. d’approuver que l’Association des marchés de producteurs d’Ottawa continue de travailler avec le personnel municipal afin de trouver un emplacement permanent, dans le cadre d’un plan de mise en œuvre, et ce, sans exclure la possibilité de rester au parc Lansdowne.

BACKGROUND

At its meeting of 12 April 2006, City Council approved the recommendations of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) to launch a pilot project for the Ottawa Farmers' Market, an initiative arising from the 2005 Rural Summit which recognized the significant economic and cultural contributions made by Ottawa's rural communities and cited in the City's Strategic Plan. This specific initiative was intended "for the purpose of marketing premium quality Ottawa region farm produce produced only by the vendor and to improve production of, and stimulate public interest in and increase consumption of these products."

The Ottawa Farmers' Market premiered at Lansdowne Park in July 2006 with nineteen (19) vendors and showed impressive growth by the end of season in late October with sixty (60) vendors having served aproximately 33,000 customers. In May 2007, the market reopened with 87 vendors, with customer visits for the season estimated at 70,000. Steady growth is projected for 2008, with an estimated one-hundred and twenty (120) vendors and attendance of approximately 88,000.

There is no question that the Ottawa Farmers' Market has been well received by both the local neighbourhood and the community at large. However, in order to maximize its growth and to reach its full potential, the Ottawa Farmers' Market Association (OFMA) requires a regular and continuous presence to help ensure customer satisfaction and retention. At present, this continues to be a challenge at Lansdowne Park due to potential interruptions and occasional displacement by Lansdowne's ongoing commercial activities and special events. Despite the challenges, every effort is made to support the market's scheduling requirements. In 2007 the market was able to operate for 26 consecutive Sundays (23 in Lansdowne Park and 3 in adjacent Sylvia Holden Park in August during the Exhibition). On those displaced dates, the market experienced an estimated 50% reduction in the number of vendors and customers, thereby demonstrating the need for consistency in its operation.

It should further be noted that the OFMA is actively pursuing the feasibility of expanding its operation to include Thursdays, as well. Lansdowne Park staff can advise that, at present, there would be only a few days of displacement due to existing event commitments, resulting in a projection of 20 Thursday dates being available to the OFMA in 2008.

The design competition for Lansdowne Park now underway may or may not yield a plan that accommodates the market at Lansdowne Park on a permament basis. The competition is expected to conclude early in 2009. The recommendation of a two-year extension for the pilot project will provide reasonably stable accommodations for the market through to the end of the 2009 season, which should coincide with preliminary steps to implement the approved strategy for Lansdowne Park. During that time, representatives of the OFMA will continue working with City staff to identify and prioritize site options for long-term operation of the market.

Lansdowne Park staff will execute a rental agreement with the OFMA, under terms and conditions similar to the original pilot project parameters, with the addition of a mutual exit provision as a safeguard in case the outcome of the design competition compromises the operation of the market prior to the end of the agreement.

In reference to the City's Strategic Plan, it is recognized that with "almost 90 per cent of Ottawa’s landmass being rural, the city has a strong rural economy that contributes $1 billion to Ottawa’s gross domestic product, generating more agricultural revenue than Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary combined. The many villages and hamlets within the city’s limits are vibrant communities with rich and distinct histories and characters, each of which adds to Ottawa’s remarkable diversity."

In light of the above, in 2006, the direct operating expenses incurred by Lansdowne Park in accommodating the market totalled $51,586 (for 15 dates), and in 2007 the direct operating expenses incurred was $85,150 (for 23 dates). These costs include rent, security, parking and labour services. Similar costs are projected for the Sunday operation in 2008. In the event that the market schedule expands to include Thursdays, the additional costs are estimated to be approximately $72,000 in 2008.

CONSULTATION

Real Property Asset Management (RPAM) staff met with representatives of the Ottawa Farmers' Market Association following the 2007 season and agreed on the recommended strategy outlined in this report. In addition Councillor Doucet has been briefed and is supportive of this initiative. Further, staff will monitor feedback associated with the upcoming Rural Summit II as related to this initiative.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

No funds have been provided in the 2008 budget to offset the direct operating costs as a result of the Farmers Market Pilot Project at Lansdowne Park. The cost for Sunday operations in 2008 is estimated to be $85,000. The added cost for Thursday operations in 2008 is estimated to be $72,000. At year end, the actual costs incurred as a result of the Market will be funded from the City Wide Reserve Fund for both 2008 and 2009.

DISPOSITION

Following Council’s approval, Real Property Asset Management will execute the rental agreement with the Ottawa Farmer's Market Association.

OTTAWA FARMERS' MARKET PILOT PROJECT - LANSDOWNE PARK

PROJET PILOTE DE MARCHÉ DE PRODUCTEURS FERMIERS D’OTTAWA – PARC LANSDOWNE

ACS2008-BTS-RPM-0012 capital / capitale (17)

Mr. D. Moore, Manager, Venture Properties Division, Real Property Asset Management Branch (RPAM), Business Transformation Services Department (BTS), briefly spoke to explain that staff were asking for an extension to the pilot project so that the Ottawa Farmers’ Market (OFM) could extend its occupancy, pending an upcoming design competition for Lansdowne Park. Responding to a question from Committee Chair Jellett as to why staff were proposing to extend the lease with no increase, as opposed to a phased-in approach to see the Ottawa Farmers’ Market Association (OFMA) charged an increased rent at the Park, Mr. Moore said staff had met with the OFMA Board to work out details to extend the lease agreement under existing terms and conditions, as had been originally requested by the Committee.

Mr. Moore explained that in 2007, the grand total in terms of expenses had been in the neighbourhood of $85,000, which included the rental rate, parking, security and first aid services. Allowing the OFM to operate on Thursdays would see expenses rise by an additional $72,000 to approximately $157,000. At the rental rate established under the existing terms and conditions of $1,250 per Sunday for the rental of the space by the OFM at Lansdowne Park, Mr. Moore said the City had seen a return of $28,750 over the course of 23 days occupancy. He noted the City had also made an arrangement with the OFMA to reimburse customers for parking costs incurred by their customers.

Councillor Wilkinson felt that adding Thursdays at the same rate would amount to giving the OFM a $100,000 subsidy, and asked what rate the OFMA charged its stall operators. Mr. Moore explained that the nature of the agreement between the City and the OFM was strictly that of a facility rental, noting the OFMA Board established its own rate for its individual clients. The Councillor asked how the rental rate had been determined, pointing out that it was not meeting the City’s costs, and noting that whenever possible, the City tried to recoup such costs. She acknowledged the City often subsidized children’s activities, but not usually those involving adults or business ventures. She said she had had no problems with this matter during its pilot phase, but noted that this would no longer be a pilot project if it were to continue. Mr. Moore explained the $1,250 was a rental rate established for Lansdowne Park based on market comparators, and was based on what the City charged other clients and businesses.

He further clarified that the rental structure established for 2007 amounted to the $85,000 rental rate plus the recovery of City costs; the pilot project had included an internal transfer back to Lansdowne’s budget from City reserves, noting there had been an agreement at the time of the original report that the City would subsidize the OFMA’s rent and expenses at Lansdowne, but because staff were under direction from Council to operate the Park as a business and show profits and losses, the Park had received a transfer from City reserves. Councillor Wilkinson said a grant from another City department still amounted to the City spending money, which was not being paid by the OFM, and asked if staff had engaged in discussions with the OFMA regarding its financial accountability.

Mr. D. Moodie, Rural Affairs Officer, City Manager’s Office, explained he had been working with the OFM to provide start-up support. He said he had viewed some of the organization’s financial statements, and reported that the OFMA had been able to build some reserves to date. He noted the staff position to proceed had been based on the fact that it would be a short-term extension, given the underlying questions outstanding about the future of the Park. Mr. Moodie did not believe that Committee support would amount to a carte blanche for a longer term; especially as Park redevelopment could lead to increased demands for space, which might not be available for other uses.

Councillor Wilkinson said she realized this, but pointed out that City policy required any group receiving a grant greater than $25,000 to provide audited financial statements on how it was being used. She said that although it may have been given to Lansdowne Park and not to the OFMA, this still amounted to an indirect grant. She asked that more information be provided on this matter prior to its consideration at Council.

Councillor Hunter said he wanted to know that the City was recovering an appropriate share of its expenses, but he noted that likely only one-third of its daily operating expenses were being captured. He asked for clarification as to why potential revenues from parking were being reimbursed for parking fees charged to OFM customers.

Mr. Moore detailed that staff had worked with the Board to establish a credit system for OFM clients who were being charged a $5 flat parking fee. He explained that charging the fee to short-term customers had been felt to be too onerous, emphasizing that the goal of the pilot project had been to help encourage the OFM to build its business.

Mr. R. Haycock, Program Manager, Venture Properties Division, RPAM, BTS added that one of the parameters provided for in the trial was to allow customers to have free parking for attending the market. Under this system, the customer would pay the $5 fee, which would be refunded by representatives of the OFMA, who would in turn be reimbursed by the City. The net result would be that the parking would be free, and all direct City expenses would be recovered through an internal transfer of funds, leaving a net income equivalent to the rent value of $1,250 per day.

Councillor Hunter expressed concern with the refunding of parking fees to the OFM, noting that with upwards of 70,000 parking visits to Lansdowne Park in 2007, to do so for all visitors could have seen the City forego approximately $300,000 of potential revenue. Mr. Haycock explained that in 2007, approximately $23,000 worth of parking had been refunded, representing less than 5,000 vehicle visits.

The Committee heard from the following public delegations:

Ms. K. Clarke addressed the Committee to outline her concerns about what she referred to as unfair and unacceptable treatment of OFM participants by the OFMA Executive. She referred to a prepared statement she had previously submitted to the Committee by electronic mail, a copy of which is held on file with the City Clerk. The following summarizes the main points raised:

· General members’ votes on particular issues were felt to be ignored by the Board;

· There was no discussion with the general membership about the creation of The Farmers Market Handbook;

· The OFM constitution had never been ratified by the membership, by-laws were never discussed, and members felt they had no input into OFM operations or how their fees were spent;

· The $1,100 stall fee was considered high for a season consisting of 24 Sundays;

· $9,100 worth of members’ fees were used to pay for the annual rental of a food court tent without discussion with members, and it was felt the outright purchase of a different tent would have saved money;

· E-mails outlining above-noted concerns to the OFMA President received no response; and

· An e-mail to Committee outlining the speaker’s noted concerns resulted in a request from the OFMA President to resign her membership for speaking out.

In closing, Ms. Clarke asked the Committee to consider the human element of how vendors were being treated when considering the report, and in approving the OFM as a business, noting that this was still a pilot project.

Councillor El-Chantiry acknowledged having previously received correspondence from the speaker and asked if others shared her concerns. Ms. Clarke said that most of the OFM’s vendors supported her appearance before the Committee, but felt that their presence in supporting her might jeopardize their own tenure at the OFM. The Councillor said he had not been made aware of such concerns shared by other vendors, and asked staff if they had any further insight into such matters.

Mr. Moore reiterated that the City’s relationship with the OFMA was strictly that of a facility rental and that administration had received no complaints, adding that any such complaints would have been received by the independent OFMA Board. He further explained that with organizations entering into rental agreements and which were in compliance with their terms and conditions, staff would only know about complaints if they had specifically been made aware of same which, to date, had not happened.

Responding to questions from Councillor Wilkinson regarding the OFMA’s recent incorporation and on Board procedures, Ms. Clarke outlined that generally, information provided to the membership had not been forthcoming in timely enough a fashion to allow for adequate input, i.e., voting for Executive Board positions. She added that when information was provided, it was felt to be inadequate, such as in the case of the organization’s financial statements. Further, the speaker stated that when she inquired about why members were not voting on matters concerning the OFM’s by-laws and handbook, she was singled out and told to remain silent.

At this juncture, Councillor Hunter raised a Point of Order respectfully noting that Committee was being asked to deal with recommendations related to the future of the OFM, and he asked the Chair to rule that what had transpired in the past was not germane to the current issues.

Councillor Wilkinson said she realized the City was not in a position to control the internal operations of other organizations and could not put conditions on the rental of the property. However, she felt it was germane to know about such matters, as she was considering moving at Council the placement of conditions on who the City could rent to, noting Council would have such authority if being asked to consider the possibility of extending Market operations.

In response to questions from Chair Jellett and Councillor Hunter about the report, Ms. Clarke said she agreed with all of its recommendations, provided that staff could be directed to work with the OFM to ensure that vendors were dealt with in a respectful manner. Speaking to Councillor Wilkinson’s reference to costs, Ms. Clarke noted a recent newspaper article had made mention of a 40% discount on membership fees for the upcoming season. She wondered whether, given that it could afford to offer its members such a discount, the Market could not also provide some form of payment to the City of Ottawa for its use of Lansdowne Park.

Mr. A. Terauds, President, OFMA, explained that the OFM was comprised of a group of volunteers who had worked for over two years to make the Market a successful venture. He said the OFM had started as the result of a City of Ottawa decision to allow the re-selling of non-locally grown produce at the By-Ward and Parkdale Markets. Mr. Terauds said this practice served to destroy the local agricultural economy, as vendors could sell their produce for prices that local growers could not compete with. The impetus for taking on this project was to ensure the viability of the local horticultural and agricultural industry, and one of the ways of doing so was to be able to sell directly to the public, as was the practice with the volunteer-driven Carp, North Gower and Metcalfe Farmers’ Markets. He noted the City had no such market in the downtown area, and that strong endorsement for such a concept at the first Rural Summit had led to enough interest to pursue the matter.

The following summarizes the main points of Mr. Terauds’ presentation to Committee:

· The OFM has been set up as a volunteer organization with a Board of Directors;

· Initial funding was provided by nine vendor members each providing a $1,000 unconditional loan;

· The OFM has grown from 20 vendors at the start of 2006 to 60 by the end of the season; with the following season seeing 86 vendors by the end of 2007;

· Vendors are juried, and follow strict rules which disallow buying and re-selling;

· The OFM has been run on a democratic basis;

· The AGM’s are open and funding for operations is provided by membership fees and stall fees from the rental of booths;

· Customer counts performed in July and October of 2007 indicated that between 4,500 and 5,440 customers had passed through the market’s gates.

Mr. Terauds outlined that the OFM had originally asked for a three-year extension of the pilot project, given the uncertain nature of the future of Lansdowne Park and the potential future unavailability of space, but that discussions had led to a compromised two-year extension. He added that all parties meeting to discuss this issue had been in favour of the OFM continuing. Mr. Terauds also said the OFM had done its best to ensure it was not losing money, did not believe it would have lasted had this been the case, and further affirmed that it did not want to ask the City for assistance.

The speaker said efforts had been made to provide the best quality of product in an environment more in tune to a rural setting, the intent of which was to create a close-knit, pleasing atmosphere between vendors and customers who were happy to buy from producers who did not need to compete with re-sellers in other market settings. Mr. Terauds also noted that this venue had allowed the industry to put money back into the local economy that might otherwise have been spent on products from elsewhere.

Mr. G. Rochon, OFMA explained that the OFMA was looking at giving its vendors a 40% discount in 2008 to give smaller vendors within the local agricultural, horticultural and arts and & crafts community a chance to sell at Lansdowne Park. He noted that if the rent were to increase, this discount would need to be discontinued.

Councillor Wilkinson said she supported the OFM, as she believed people should buy locally. However, she noted the City was providing the organization with a substantial subsidy, and pointed out that most organizations receiving funding were required to enter into agreements requiring the provision of information on how such monies were spent. She asked if the OFMA would have any concerns were the City to ask for its audited financial statements at the end of each fiscal year, and whether the OFMA could ensure its operations were in compliance with established human rights policies. Mr. Terauds assured the Councillor the OFMA supported any policy regarding how an organization could operate within City-defined limits. Councillor Wilkinson believed such policies could be instituted following discussions between staff and the OFMA.

The Councillor then asked if differential rental rates could be established to encourage smaller vendors. Mr. Terauds explained the OFMA had introduced a program that would give some vendors a sizeable discount for longer-term commitments, the purpose of which was to create a better selling atmosphere and to build customer relationships that would encourage repeat business. Mr. Terauds noted the Carp Farmers’ Market had offered a 40% discount for as long as it had been in place.

Mr. Terauds also disputed Councillor Wilkinson’s assertion that the OFMA was receiving a full subsidy or grant from the City, pointing out that the City was transferring funds from one department to another. The Councillor explained that the foregone revenue still amounted to real money according to the City’s policies on expenses, as the money would have to be made up in taxes otherwise.

Councillor Wilkinson felt that discounts encouraging small vendors also benefited larger vendors who already had long-term commitments to sell at the OFM. Mr. Rochon explained that the fee structure for booths served to help equalize this; corner booths were charged almost the whole price of a regular booth, and food court vendors with half the amount of space were charged the same price as a regular booth, in essence, paying double the rent. He confirmed for the Councillor that the discount was given on the cost of the daily fee multiplied by the number of days in the selling year.

The Councillor noted the OFMA was paying the City $1,250 per day while bringing in much more than this amount. She asked if the discount on the parking refund was part of this expense. Mr. Haycock explained that the reimbursement of parking fees was part of the total cost recovered within the $85,000, or approximately $23,000.

Councillor Wilkinson wondered about alternatives to reimbursing customer parking, noting on-street and metered parking was available in the area. Mr. Rochon felt that without on-site parking there would be no Farmers’ Market, as on street parking in the already congested Glebe neighbourhood was unavailable any time after 10:00 a.m.

Chair Jellett asked the representatives whether they would be amenable to a phased-in approach towards eventual full cost recovery, as the City was currently at a one-third-recovery rate. Mr. Terauds said the OFM would first have to identify what its actual costs were in addition to rent, i.e., advertising, market management, etc. To emphasize the disparity in costs between the OFM and the By-Ward Market, he noted that charges for a booth in the By-Ward Market, at $475 for one month, operating for 11 hours per day, 30 days per month, broke down to a rate of approximately $1.44 per hour. In contrast, the OFM, charging $75 a day for a booth for seven hours, broke down to a rate of $25 per hour. Even with a 40% discount, this still resulted in a rate of $15 per hour.

Responding to a question from the Committee Chair as to whether vendors in the By-Ward Market were paying the full cost recovery of running the Market, Mr. Moore explained that the issue was complex. He noted a review was currently underway, and that a new by-law would be brought forward for Council’s consideration in the fall of 2008. Mr. Moore confirmed that the rate Mr. Terauds had quoted was correct for monthly vendors that had been grandfathered, and said that staff were assessing to determine a suitable market rate.

Councillor Wilkinson felt there were cost considerations to vendors in addition to booth rentals, i.e., staffing, etc. She said the rental of space was normally a small part of the overall cost of doing business, and that different rates could be expected for short-term and long-term clients. She did not believe the two were quite comparable. However, she felt there was a need to look at the By-Ward Market and other areas as well, with a view towards keeping the City operating without having to institute major tax increases.

Mr. Terauds stressed the competitive nature of the marketplace; he noted that OFM vendors had to sell for prices higher than those offered in the By-Ward Market, and had to compete with products from all over the world, many produced in countries utilizing low-paid labour to produce their goods. Councillor Wilkinson suggested that policies were needed at both the Federal and Provincial levels to encourage the consumption of locally produced foods as more of an environmentally sustainable approach.

Councillor El-Chantiry believed staff could be directed to work with the OFM to work on greater cost recovery but without creating an unnecessary burden, acknowledging that support for the initiative was not so much a matter of the City making money but rather one of trying to help farmers and raising the profile of Ottawa-grown produce. Mr. Moore said staff would be happy to work with the OFMA to try to come up with a formula and negotiate a rate that would see the OFM enjoy long term success as well as fulfil staff’s mandate from Council to operate Lansdowne Park as a business to be run at market rates. Mr. Moore confirmed for Chair Jellett that discussions on this matter could be entered into prior to Council’s subsequent consideration of this item.

Responding to a query from Councillor Thompson, Mr. Moore confirmed that parking fees were charged only while events were being held at Lansdowne Park. The Councillor wondered if, in discussions with the OFMA, staff might consider leniency in perhaps not recovering the full cost of the parking vouchers received. Mr. Moore cautioned that Lansdowne Park offered a variety of different events to a variety of different groups; many of them charitable organizations. He pointed out that Council had directed that Lansdowne be operated as a business without exception to any of these organizations. Mr. Moore suggested that it could be problematic were staff to establish a set of parameters and rules for one group but not for another, as there were no arrangements in place to offer most groups a refund for parking charges.

Councillor Brooks drew the Committee’s attention to the fact that this was still a start-up, non-profit project, and would likely take three to five years to demonstrate its viability. He emphasized the need for an audit report to detail expenditures other than up-front costs, but he believed the Committee had a desire to support the OFM. He acknowledged there would be problems with some individuals involved in the organization, but cautioned the Committee against micro-management, as he believed the OFMA best knew how to run its own business.

Recognizing that a report would be coming in the Fall of 2008 to address the issue of the By-Ward Market, Councillor Thompson sought clarification as to whether the issue of the OFM would also be revisited at the same time, as the current report stated that the financial arrangements were to remain unchanged for 2008.

Committee Chair Jellett noted that Councillor Wilkinson had indicated she might require additional information prior to putting forth Motions at Council, and asked that any such information be provided in time for the Council meeting of 26 March.

Councillor Wilkinson said she did not believe in maintaining the status quo for two more years. She asked that in addition to a possible gradual increment, staff could discuss the nature of possible reporting conditions between the City and the OFM. She reaffirmed that money was not the overlying consideration, but asked for some sort of rationale, citing the fact that even annual skating charges for children were on the rise, while the rent for the OFM had been flat for two years. She felt there should be some slight increase, even if just to match the cost of living that the City charged others.

Chair Jellett believed there were two issues to be considered; first, the continuation of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Park, which he believed should be maintained; and second, what level of subsidy the City should provide for the various benefits returned to it as a result of the Market remaining on-site. The Committee Chair said he did not believe it was too much to continue providing a subsidy at the current level, as he believed the City enjoyed great benefits from having the Market there, not just for local businesses, farmers and agricultural producers, but also because it provided City residents with an option to get food that was not only known to be grown locally, but where they would also know exactly where it was from and what it contained. He lauded Messrs. Terauds and Rochon along with all OFMA members for their efforts in creating something special in the City of Ottawa that he hoped would continue over time.

Noting the Committee’s request for additional information to allow for a fulsome debate in the fullest of contexts at Council, in closing, Chair Jellett urged the Committee to approve the report as presented.