Rice City Council considers farmers’ market

by Dave DeMars

news@thenewsleader.com

Jennifer Popp made a request to the Rice City Council on behalf of the Rice Women of Today to start a Rice Farmers’ Market in the park on Division and Main Street in Rice.

The market would be operated mainly as a fundraising event each Tuesday starting in June and continuing through September.

The Rice resident made her request at the April 4 council meeting.

Mayor Dale Rogholt asked why the market was named the Rice Farmers’ Market and not the Women of Today Farmers’ Market since that organization was the sponsor. Popp agreed the name could be changed but said she felt the identification of the area was important since produce sold at the market was grown within a 30-mile radius of Rice.

There was some question as to the type of permit that would be required since there was doubt there would be 250 people (required for large gatherings) at the market at one time. The “large-gathering application” fee is for a one-time event, and the market would be an ongoing event held each Tuesday with perhaps 250 attending.

After a short discussion, the consensus opinion was to charge the large gathering fee of $25, but make it applicable for a quarter and directed RWOT to note the dates would run from June 1 through Sept. 30, which was agreeable to all.

RWOT was instructed to ensure adequate insurance be purchased so the city could not be held liable. Council member Paula Kampa was concerned because produce would be sold and the risk of spoilage and contamination high.  She said she wanted to be certain liability lies first with the producers of the product, then RWOT and lastly, the city of Rice.

The council indicated the application would probably be approved but wanted legal review of specific language before acting on the application.

Chamber remarks

The council also heard from the new president of the Rice Chamber of Commerce, Cassie Larkin, who informed the council that in a recent survey, a member of the chamber indicated they would like a stronger connection with the various departments as to what each department is doing.

“I’m here kind of in a two-fold (capacity) in the fact that I’m asking how we can make this connection stronger on your end,” Larkin asked. “What would you like to see from the chamber? And the second part is how can I connect with you guys more?”

Larkin continued her remarks, saying the chamber wanted to become more active in the city and political life of Rice and wanted more of a partnership in promoting Rice as a city in which to live and do business. She invited councilmembers to be part of a Wednesday, April 20 field trip to visit the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Other actions

In other actions, the council approved the hiring of two compost attendants, a recreation coach and a clean-up day attendant.

The council also set a time for interviewing of building inspector applicants and reached a consensus agreement on exploring a “Shared Savings Program” with Sundance Solar provided there was no cost to the city; it also approved large gathering and gambling/liquor permits for Immaculate Conception Church.

Council member Brian Skroch indicated the compost site may open early because of the warm weather if it continues to hold. A date of Saturday, April 16, was chosen as an opening date, and the site would be open at its normal times on April 19 and 21, too.

In a final discussion of the evening, council members discussed what to do about a sound system. Prior approval was given before the building of the new city offices, but nothing had been done. Building a more permanent council meeting dais with a good sound system was discussed.

In the end, the consensus was a simple system with some wireless microphones might serve the purpose of making discussions at the council table more audible.