DATE: September 24, 2020
TO: Members of the Economic Development Authority
FROM: Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
Riverwalk Market Fair Update
Body
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The EDA Board shall review the current contract with the Riverwalk Market Fair and hear from the new RWMF Board leadership.
BACKGROUND:
At the June 25 EDA Meeting, the Board requested that the Riverwalk Market Fair Board prepare a response to questions members had regarding the closure of the Market Fair due to the pandemic. Staff submitted these questions to the RWMF Chair, and a corresponding memo was received answering these questions. However, the Board as a whole did not have the opportunity to see or respond to those questions.
There has been some turn-over on the RWMF Board. The new Board Chair, Lisa Peterson, and Vice Chair, Teresa Jensen, will be attending the meeting to answer questions from the Board.
Staff summarized the questions presented by the Board in the following manner.
The Northfield EDA requests a memo be drafted by the Riverwalk Market Board to address the following questions prior to the EDA meeting on July 23, 2020.
1. What avenues has the RWMF Board pursued for further financial assistance besides the EDA contract? (i.e. Federal PPP, Federal EIDL Loans, State Emergency Grants, Local fundraising, etc.)
2. Why does the Board find that they cannot adhere to the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 guidance on gatherings and still operate the fair?
3. How does the Board plan to achieve the 5 requirements within the Service Contract - “Services and Reporting” through a virtual platform?
4. How have your vendors responded to the market closure? Will the closure significantly affect the vendors? If so, please detail.
5. Has the Board adopted a flexible COVID-19 response plan that could allow for the market to occur? If not, why?
6. If the market remains closed for the remainder of the season, what does the Board plan for the 2021 fair?
ANALYSIS:
The RWMF is seeking an extension of the current contract through 2021. However, the funding level in 2020 will be $0. The RWMF requests that the funding structure remain as is for 2021.
The 2021 EDA Budget has allocated $10,000 for Riverwalk Market Fair contracting.
OPTIONS:
The Board has the option to direct staff to revise the consultant contract accordingly. If no action is taken, the contract will expire and the consultant will be in default. The Board may offer a new contract to the Riverwalk Market Fair Board.
RECOMMENDATION:
No recommendation at this time.