Sedona Farmers Market
Dear Sedona,
Last week the city sent a letter to the market with a warning that it will take the market’s privilege to do business at the airport location away if directional signage is placed on 89A.
The market is located 1.5 miles from the main highway 89A. Of course, any drive-by traffic is lost without signage altogether.
The market will be forced to shut down without signage.
While the market is well advertised in the community, if the signs are not there – as shown from our experience from the last markets – the public is made to believe that the event has been canceled.
Without proper signage, quality vendors will discontinue attendance to the market. The market will be forced to shut down.
How important is the market to you?
Please contact Sedona City Manager, Tim Ernster, ASAP at (928) 204-7186 or e-mail ternster@sedonaaz.gov and Senior Planning and Zoning Planner, John O’Brien, at (928) 204-7123 or e-mail jobrien@sedonaaz.gov.
When you speak with or e-mail John O’Brien and Tim Ernster, ask for “a sign code amendment to allow off premise signs on private property for special events that provide a community service and also ask for a temporary exemption until the sign code has been amended to this effect. The market needs signage immediately!”
If you leave a voice mail, be sure to ask for a return phone call. Please copy sedonamarket@gmail.com on your e-mails to the city.
Thank you for your support,
Katrin Themlitz
MARKET MANAGEMENT
sedonamarket@gmail.com
(928) 821-1133
Greetings,
Thank you to all who took the time to support the market on the signage issue by making calls and writing e-mails to city management! Your prompt response and participation has made a significant impact and is greatly appreciated!
It was announced today that Mayor Rob Adams has placed the item on the agenda of next week’s City Council meeting!
Here is the next step – if you care about the market staying open, PLEASE come to the City Council meeting:
When: Tuesday, July 13th, at 4.30pm
Where: City Hall, 102 Roadrunner Rd, Sedona
City Council has the power to initiate a sign code exemption for the market.
A strong public showing for the market is crucial for the City Council to take the issue seriously and step forward to fast track it, i.e. grant a temporary exemption to the market immediately to allow directional signage placed on private property. This allows the market to stay open, keep its momentum while an appropriate ordinance can be created over the next 3-4 months that will address the issue long term.
Here is the line up for Tuesday, July 13th:
1. 4 pm market volunteers organize rally outside City Hall.
2. 4.30 pm council session begins.
3. Public Forum is announced – market management will speak and make formal proposal/request to Council.
What is needed to make the required impact:
a. 50 volunteers outside City Hall to show at 4pm
b. a large crowd of market supporters in City Council Chambers at 4.30pm.
Please e-mail sedonamarket@gmail.com and let us know which part you are available to assist with! Let us know if you will be there.
Together let’s initiate change on the market signage with City Council on Tuesday.
Thank you for your support!
Katrin Themlitz
MARKET MANAGEMENT
sedonamarket@gmail.com
(928) 821-1133
“Eaters must understand…that how we eat determines, to a considerable extent, how the world is used.” Wendell Berry
“There really are no genuine second chances.” Dalai Lama
Please note that there is no signage on 89A/Airport Road for the market due to City Code Enforcement. But the event is happening, come find us by the Overlook at the top of Airport Road!
Market Signage: Today City Town Manager, Tim Ernster, announced a Special City Council Work Session for Thursday, July 15th, 5.30pm due to the overwhelming response from our community!! Put it on your calendar! Have your voices heard and request signage to be placed immediately! (City Council moved market signage agenda from Tuesday, July 13th to Thursday July 15th and is making it a the special city council work session) Please send an e-mail to sedonamarket@gmail.com if you can make a showing! More info to follow.
The farmers market is in deep gratitude for the huge outpouring of support and action to assist in the signage issue for the market. At this time the city is working diligently and in good faith with the market to find a solution.
Special City Council Work Session
Thursday, July 15th, 5.30pm:
The market was informed that this meeting has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict in the city chambers and a new date will be announced shortly.
City Council Session
Tuesday, July 13th, 4.30pm:
Given that the city and market are working together at this time to find a solution and the item is not on the council’s agenda that evening to vote on, it was determined that it is not to the market’s advantage to make a big protest in front of council chambers on Tuesday, July 13th.
The lack of signage has seriously affected traffic. Some vendors are considering to discontinue their attendance because it does not make sense to them to participate in a farmers market venue 1.5 miles from the highway without proper signage. In the hope that a solution may be found quickly, management will keep the market open for now. If the city process turns out be lengthy and too much momentum at the market is lost, management may consider closing the market until a permanent solution to creating highway visibility is found.
Market will keep everyone posted as to how things are progressing.
The market will be open tomorrow on Sunday, July 11th from 9am-1pm.
Thank you for your support and for caring so much about our effort to build a local sustainable food network.
Please call or e-mail with your questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Katrin Themlitz
MARKET MANAGEMENT
(928) 821-1133