City Hall’s Marketgate

City employees created a taxpayer-funded business two years ago, calling it a Farmers Market. They ran their marketplace in front of city hall, initially on Friday morning every week.

City employees did it openly, primarily because no one stopped them. As an example of council oversight, Councilman Frank Ury votes “yes” on everything. He doesn’t need to show up at council meetings – just place a big YES sign on his chair. When Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht put the market on a council agenda for discussion, the city announced the market will close on Dec. 14.

When city employees set up their business on public property, they fleeced the public and enriched the businessman who acted as proprietor. The city staff said the purpose of the marketplace was to promote HEAL – Healthy Eating Active Living. As another hoax, City Manager Dennis Wilberg said he would limit taxpayer funding to $10,000.

As city employees expanded their operation, taxpayers paid for pony rides, a petting zoo, musical performances, crafts, health fairs and so on. Stores that were negatively impacted by the competition included Trader Joe’s and Ralphs, which are across the street from the city-operated market.

In progress is an analysis by residents to publicize true costs of city hall’s marketplace. The research shows that taxpayers – not the proprietor of the market – paid for operations for the Farmers Market. As an example, here are the categories from the analysis that identify expenses incurred by taxpayers.

Involvement of top-level city staff members (primarily Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay):

• Negotiating and meeting with the proprietor, including prior to Jan. 2012 startup
• Directing the marketplace / swap meet / “cultural” activities / health fair
• Directing and supervising city employees who organize the weekly event
• Organizing and attending meetings with the city’s top administrators
• Interviewing and approving contractors, including approval of their expenses
• Financial management; procuring funds from city departments and accounts
• Interviews with media; influencing coverage; overseeing promotion
• Directing communications; conferences with council majority members
• Arranging MVTV videotaping and production
• Overseeing vendor, “cultural,” entertainment, health fair and other participants
• Representing city staff at council meetings; preparing presentations for meetings
• Meeting with library personnel regarding their parking lot complaints

Involvement of city employees who act as marketplace managers and workers

• Manage tasks and assign city employees and contractors
• Direct and oversee contractors who set up and tear down the site
• Direct and oversee contractors and employees during events
• Recruit and manage contractors for ancillary activities (petting zoo, entertainment)
• Arrange for “cultural” activities (order sculptures of bears, mosaics, etc.)
• Recruit “volunteer” teachers, directors and participants
• Orchestrate a P.R. campaign about “volunteers” and “community”
• Create a health fair and find participants; “free” advertising, booths and materials
• Create promos, press releases, work with media to get placement
• Create newspaper ads and work with ad salespeople for placement
• Arrange for “giveaways” for customers; design and procure swag
• Create and maintain a Farmers Market website at taxpayer expense
• Create articles and produce photography for articles, website, publications
• Work with contractors who produce Outlook Magazine, Leisure Time, etc.
• Create articles and other copy for the city manager’s newsletter and communications
• Arrange and order meals for city staffers, contractors, participants and “volunteers”
• Create and order banners and other signage

Outside contractors who are paid with city tax dollars

• Bring in “up to 60” (as per the contract) city-owned canopies each week
• Set up marketplace vendor booths, tables and chairs, as per specifications
• Set up electrical power; string and secure cords for booths and activities
• Place banners and signs prior to event; remove afterward
• Block off parking lot
• Provide security and safety
• Dismantle site, remove canopies, chairs, power supply, banners, trash, etc.)
• Videographers, crew and technicians
• Media production, use of equipment and studio
• Inclusion of Farmers Market in contracted city publications
• Transport and store equipment, booths, canopies, etc.
• Rental of equipment and storage space (e.g., storing bears at Kaleidoscope)

Uncovered costs

• Rental value of space for the market
• Use of canopies and other city equipment
• Unreimbursed rentals
• Meals, refreshments, caterers for city staff meetings
• Meals, refreshments, caterers for vendors, entertainers, contractors, “volunteers”
• Transportation, including use of city vehicles
• Brochures, flyers and other printed materials not accounted for
• “Free” advertising space for selected businesses in city literature
• Banners and signage
• Market expenses charged to “maintenance” accounts
• Use of city hall equipment and supplies
• Wear and tear on city equipment, such as current need to replace canopies

Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay announced during a council meeting that the grand total in expenses for approximately two years of operation is $21,668.50 – obviously false. To spend public money and lie about the amount and how it was spent is outright corruption.