The success of the Turlock Farmers' Market over the last few years has it looking for some room to grow.
The Farmers' Market Board will be addressing the Turlock City Council Tuesday with a request to move operations one block to the south. If approved, the farmers' market would set up on S. Broadway between A Street and W. Main Street. The market has been located on S. Broadway between market Street and W. Olive Avenue, which crosses the busy intersection of W. Main Street and Broadway.
The move would require a street closure and designating the area a tow-away zone on the days and nights the market is scheduled. It would also block off the convenient parking in front of City Hall from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. City staff believes there is enough parking on the surrounding streets and lots to mitigate the issue.
The new location also will alleviate traffic and safety concerns on W. Main Street as pedestrians cross from one side of the market to the other.
If the City Council approves the move, the city would have to spend an estimated $250 on new signage for the area.
The Turlock Farmers' Market is set to open May 3.
In another traffic-related issue, the City Council is considering an amendment to the Turlock Municipal Code that will make it illegal for people to be on any median islands except when crossing the street.
The amendment was drafted in part to address an increase in the number of people standing on city-owned medians, in particular panhandlers.
The new ordinance will allow people to cross a median island at marked crosswalks or walk upon sidewalks in the median constructed for that purpose, but will not allow people to "step, stand, sit or lie on these median islands for any other purpose," the amendment reads.
On Tuesday, the City Council will also:
• Reject all bids for police tactical vests and accessories and re-authorize soliciting new bids. During the first go-around of bids only two vendors responded. The low bid was rejected because the vest was uncomfortable and had a slight reduction in coverage.
• Hear an updated crime report covering the final quarter of 2012 from Police Chief Robert Jackson.
• Submit an application for the Caltrans Planning grant to prepare a Bicycle Master Plan for the city. The project is estimated to cost $200,000. The grant would fund $75,000 for planning and engineering staff and $125,000 to hire a consultant to prepare the plan. The city would have to match 10 percent of the funds, which would come from the Capital Facility Fee Program.
• Authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with outside labor negotiator Dave Young to assist in upcoming labor negotiations at a cost not to exceed $15,000.
• Adopt the 2013-15 Strategic Plan for the city.
• Accept the 2012 annual report from the Convention and Visitors' Bureau.
• In closed session the City Council will discuss ongoing negotiation regarding the price and terms of payments for the Turlock Police Department at 900 N. Palm Street with the Turlock Irrigation District.
• In a workshop scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the City Council will hear a report on the conditions of the city's roadway system and discuss possible funding options.
The Turlock City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Yosemite Room of Turlock City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.