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way to changes not palatable to neighbors. Therefore he wants the IUP to be kept on an • annual basis. Cindy Hartley, Director of Facilities for Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union, was the next speaker. She said the Co-op is willing to come back annually but hoped to save time by making this change. She is the individual in charge of seeing that the permit conditions are met. The conditions are strictly enforced. Last year traffic flow went much more smoothly with the changes to the parking lot. In response to a question from Commissioner Tracy, Ms. Hartley said that the cost involved in annual renewal is chiefly staff time, both for TCCU and the City. Commissioner Lageson asked what happens if there is a complaint. Ms. Hartley answered that there is a Farmer's Market representative on-site. If they can't handle the problem, it goes to her, and she is also always present when the market is in operation. Commissioner Lukermann recommended that the process of communicating complaints or concerns be made known to the community. Commissioner Harris expressed thanks to TCCU for hosting the market. The next speaker was Amel Soliman of 1978 Garden. She also expressed thanks for the Market and appreciation of the way it has gone. She has two concerns, however. First, vendors' trucks have been coming to park on Prior as early as 6 a.m., keeping their engines running. She is worried they will show up even earlier if the market opens at an earlier hour. Second, she has seen litter blowing on windy days and suggests more trash cans on the market site. • Ms. Hartley said she was unaware of the trucks coming early and will talk to Jack Gerton, manager of the St. Paul Farmers Market about the situation. Todd Barduson of TCCU came to the podium to explain that some vendors have fairly elaborate setups with complicated loading and stacking of fragile goods. They are trying to beat the morning traffic and may not be able to control their arrival time precisely. As for the litter, he assured the Commission that he drives the perimeter to try to catch anything that blows away. There is a policy of fines charged to vendors if they don't thoroughly police their area. Commissioner Tracy asked why the trucks are idling in the street. Mr. Barduson said they are probably trying to keep warm at the early hour or keep refrigeration equipment running. He stressed that the Co- op wants to do what is necessary to make the Market work for the neighbors. Ms. Jones said that this is the first time Staff has heard these concerns. She pointed out that Prior is a no-parking zone. Enforcement of parking restrictions would be a first step if vendor are stopping on Prior before the market opens. Ms. Soliman added that this is why the permit needs to be annual, to make sure the market stays well run and that neighbors are listened to. There being no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. FARMERS MARKET I.U.P.: DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION Commissioner Lageson, addressing the resident's concern that the neighbor's complaints would not be heard, suggested that an annual comment period could be held without requiring • annual renewal of the permit. Commissioner Harris pointed out that all City services and activities can be commented on at any time without a public hearing. Giving input to the City City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of February 22, 2005 -Page 2 of 3