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A Resolution Approving A Lease Agreement Between The Village Of Oak Park And Pilgrim Church Of Oak Park And Authorizing Its Execution
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Introduction
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The Village leases the parking lot at Pilgrim Congressional Church of Oak Park for the Farmers Market. This is a 5-year lease agreement and shall automatically renew for five (5) successive one-year periods
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Recommended Action
Approve the Resolution
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• Approved a previous lease agreement with Pilgrim Church to use the parking lot space for the Farmers Market as outlined in Attachment 2, RES 15-257_K_042015.
Background
The previous lease agreement was a five (5) year term that expired December 31, 2019. The agreement was automatically renewed for five (5) successive one-year periods.
The Health Department manages the operations of the Farmers Market along with a full-time Market Manager and Assistants under contract with the Village, as well as coordination with the Farmers Market Citizen Commission.
The Oak Park Farmers’ Market is a community event that attracts thousands of residents and visitors to the Pilgrim Church parking lot at 460 Lake Street, just one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. Market hours are 7:00 am to 1:00 pm every Saturday from the second to the last Saturday in May through the end of October. The Oak Park Farmers’ Market offers high-quality, locally grown produce, farm-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, and naturally baked breads.
The Oak Park Farmers’ Market opened for its first season in the summer of 1976 on North Boulevard between East and Euclid Avenues. In 1978, the Oak Park Farmers Market moved to the parking lot of Pilgrim Congregational Church and began a long partnership providing patrons with fresh fruits and vegetables, coffee and donuts, and bluegrass music. The Farmers’ Market will be celebrating its 50th season in 2025.
Timing Considerations
Rent payment for 2025 is due on or before July 1, 2025.
Budget Impact
This item has already been budgeted in the Farmers Market Fund 2027.43014.101.540669.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The Village's SNAP/Link incentive program at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market provides double-value coupons and produce vouchers to customers who use their SNAP/Link cards at the Market. This initiative, supported by CDBG grant funds and an Illinois Farmers’ Market Association grant, aims to increase the affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods for low-income patrons of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. Additionally, this program works to rebuild the linkages between local agricultural producers and consumers.
Households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can purchase products from the Oak Park Farmers’ Market, but often the prices can put these products out of reach for those with limited funds. The Village’s incentive program makes those dollars go further with the double-value coupons and produce vouchers, which encourage customers with SNAP/Link cards to shop weekly at the Market.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Alternatives
The Village Board could vote down the resolution.
Advantages:
• There are no advantages to this alternative.
Disadvantages:
• Rejecting this resolution will result in no set location for the Oak Park Farmers’ Market and require additional staff time and potential funding to find a replacement.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Greg Olsen, Public Health Director
Reviewed By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Farmers Market 2025 Lease
2. RES 15-257_K_042015
3. Resolution 25-172