It is important to make clear that the SPFMAC has no authority! The committee is advisory only. A Mission Statement for the Committee is currently being drafted in light of its experience and awareness gained over the last six months.

Briefly, as background, the Oakland City Council passed Resolution No. 80034 granting a Conditional and Revocable Encroachment Permit to the Marin County Farmers Market for the use of Splash Pad Park each Saturday. The permit was the culmination of efforts by many people in the community and the CityÕs administration, including the design and construction of a new park that would support a farmers market. The Market had operated for a few years within a portion of the parking lot under the 580 freeway prior to the redevelopment of the Splash Pad Park.

According to their Bylaws posted on the website of the Marin County Farmers Market, a non-profit organization, their mission "is to create a place to educate, connect and support communities and agriculture". Their stated goals are:

The second and third committee meetings spent considerable time discussing the concerns of local merchants, primarily merchants represented by the Grand Avenue Merchants Association (GABA) whose representatives at those meetings stated that many merchants on Grand Avenue have suffered due to competition from non-farmer vendors at the Market and the loss of parking due to Market visitors. Impact on the Splash Pad Park is also a significant concern that was discussed with representatives from the City's Department of Parks and Recreation.

The SPFMAC consequently established three sub committees:

The SPFMAC has identified and discussed many ideas that have the potential to solve problems and enhance benefits of the Market for local merchants and neighborhoods, as well as benefiting the Market.

The Promotions Committee prepared and distributed a survey to approximately 200 merchants on Lakeshore and Grand Avenues. Only twelve completed surveys were received after a two to three week period. Of the completed survey eight of twelve indicated that the Market had either a positive effect or no effect on their business.

The Promotions Committee is focused on ways in which the Market and the local merchants can cross-promote to the mutual benefit of both. On a Saturday prior to Halloween the Market gave away 200 free pumpkins to children who presented tokens they had obtained by visiting the stores of participating merchants on Lakeshore Avenue – a great cross promotion! Unfortunately, Grand Avenue merchants did not participate. According to Pamela Drake, a Promotion Committee member who spearheaded the effort, none of the many Grand Avenue merchants she approached expressed interest.

Many other good promotional ideas need volunteer support to develop and put into action.

The Market has offered to pay the Lakeview School for the use of the school's playground on Saturdays for the purpose of parking Market vendor vehicles. This would take approximately forty vehicles off the street and out of the parking lot under the freeway. The SPFMAC is waiting to hear back from the School District on whether it is willing to participate. The principal of Lakeview School, Clara Roberts, has stated her support for the concept, as the proceeds would go to Lakeview school programs directly benefiting Lakeview students.

Sod maintenance recommendations prepared by a professional landscaping and maintenance company for a similar venue have been sent to Public Works to stimulate dialogue about the maintenance of Splash Pad Park sod. Meetings with DPW/ Park & Rec are anticipated early next year to address several maintenance concerns and to establish mutual expectations for the City's maintenance of Splash Pad Park.

The SPFMAC finalized in October a list of Immediate Actions that it will be fomenting. The Actions were organized according to the responsible party: Marin County Farmers Market, Oakland Department of Public Works, and District 2 Council Office. The Immediate Actions document is posted on the Splash Pad Neighborhood Forum website.

The SPFMAC has the potential to provide a high value service to the community by providing guidance to both the Market management and City departments, and helping maintain a successful operation of the Market in a manner supportive of local merchants. If that occurs the residents of the local neighborhoods will be well served as will the larger Oakland community.

Active participants in the Committee are needed and everyone is encouraged to become involved in a positive, productive manner. The Committee's next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday January 16, 2008, at the Lakeview School Auditorium (accessed from the playground).

I hope to see you there.

Jerry Barclay
SPFMAC Committee Chair