FMSA June 12 Meeting minutes Meeting at Green Door
6:00 start time aprox. 50 people in attendance.
Mike Sanchez opened the meeting
Mark Ruibal acting secretary
Reminder to all to update memberships and buy tee shirts
- Homeless Situation Update
- Fire at the bridge caused evacs to stewpot – now fixed and business as usual
- Good cooperation between Bridge and Stewpot
- Stewpot is working on Intake requirements and trash cleanup
- MS relates that we will not be signing good neighbor endorsement until the Bridge proves through action that we should. Meetings for meetings sake don’t cut it.
- Officer Walton Report
- Homeless are entitled to the street but cannot be on private property without consent.
- Businesses should file Trespassing affidavits with the city so officers can enforce no-trespassing without owners present.
- If there is no police presence at feedings call 911 to report. Officers will not break it up, but will help keep order. -Watch also for drop and feed situations.
- Reminder to call 911 for documentation on all issues. If they know they will respond.
- Marilla Pearl Crosswalk
- Meeting overview of the proposal including graphics.
- Brian Bergeson, Mark Ruibal and Mike Sanchez voice approval.
- FARMERS MARKET DEVELOPMEN UPDATE
- Mr Bergeson -Urban Farmbouse will open within the week.
- Retail space 100%full -Taylor Lofts will open end of the year – 61 Apts with underground parking
- Parking
- Mr Bergeson asked for FMSA and individual support for paid parking in the city owned garage Citing a need for better turnover on customer parking. Director of Econ Development must agree to changes to stop long term parking.
- Questions asked about Bergeson group profiting, but Mr Bergeson assures that revenue will go to more security.
- Parking Ideas discussed including FM shuttle and off site parking options that B.Begeson offers to announce within a week .
- Lawrence Sweeney, M. Ruibal and B. Bergeson resolve to discuss options on the Scottish Rite parking lot.
- FM Vendors Address
- Questions about declining sales and customer feedback that the Frisco Fresh Market will further erode return customers.
- FMGroup say they are spending on marketing and there is a waiting list for spots, and that they encourage farmers markets, and that the Dallas Farmers Market is an institution that can thrive in the face of even more competition.
- Parking was addressed again as a negative factor as was vendor confusion
- Vendor group expressed apprehension in DFM’s willingness to “hope” customers return.
- Sanchez offered on behalf of the FMSA to host/mediate a vendor/owner meeting/. B Bergeson declined the offer but offered renewal of Vendor meetings.
- Conversation was tabled as this is a Private DFM business matter
- Crime Report
- short version -Farmers Market area crime down 5% -Reminder to call 911 re-issued
Meeting adjourned.