Punta Gorda extends farmers market permit through year-end

Following months of speculation and public debate over the future of the Punta Gorda Farmers Market, City Council voted to extend the market's temporary use permit through Dec. 31 while city staff evaluates insurance, fees and other regulations affecting city markets. 

The permit for the market at 227 Taylor St. was set to expire Aug. 31. 

More than two dozen speakers, most supporting the market's current location, told council members the market is vital to the community and downtown business district. 

During the June 3 meeting, council members discussed whether the location is safe. Part of Taylor Street between Olympia and Marion avenues is closed on Saturdays for the market. 

Vice Mayor Jeannine Polk, who serves on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, raised concerns about liability issues and cited a trip-and-fall incident involving a pedestrian crossing the street. 

Police Chief Pam Davis said the department has not experienced issues with the market and that an officer is present to assist pedestrians crossing the street. 

Mayor Debi Lux said she has witnessed people nearly being struck by vehicles near the market. However, council members Melissa Lockhart and Greg Julian said the market should remain where it is, and that organizer Jerry Presseller should be allowed to continue operating the market he founded in 2008. His daughter, Julie Presseller, now helps run the operation. 

Jerry Presseller received applause after addressing Council. 

“I'm humbled and extremely honored by your support, and hopefully we can go forward,” he said. 

Council members said they support the market and do not want to force Presseller out of business, despite claims circulating on social media. 

Among those speaking in support were former Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce President John Wright and current chamber President Sean McLaughlin. 

“Jerry Presseller should be given the keys to the city,” Wright said. 

He added that discussion surrounding the market had become “a social media circus” that had hurt people on all sides. 

The controversy began after rumors circulated that the city planned to turn operation of the market over to another organizer. Polk and Tammy Kalin, who operates another farmers market, became targets of criticism on social media and through personal emails. 

Wright said Presseller advocates for the market's more than 60 vendors and helped bring Electronic Benefit Transfer and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program services to the market. 

Kalin said she supports Presseller and his market. She noted that after hurricanes damaged the downtown area, Kalin's Farmers Market temporarily helped fill a need. 

“We fully support and love” the Punta Gorda Farmers Market and “wish to see its success continue,” Kalin said. 

McLaughlin called the market a staple of the community, while Gene Murtha, president of the Punta Gorda History Center, described it as “a gem for this community.” 

City Attorney Steven Leskovich said there have been inconsistencies over the past decade in how markets have been regulated. He suggested Council require market operators to obtain both a temporary-use permit and a special event permit to provide additional protections for organizers, vendors and the city. 

Polk said she wished the discussion had occurred sooner, before rumors spread and vendors feared losing their livelihoods. 

The Development Review Committee will periodically monitor the markets and any issues that arise. 

City Manager Melissa Reichert said any changes to permitting fees would ultimately be decided by Council. 

All five council members agreed the market should remain at its current location. 

Presseller's Downtown Merchants Association, which operates the market, carries $1 million in liability coverage per occurrence and $2 million in aggregate coverage, naming the city as receiver. The association's most recent tax receipts totaled $4,032. 

Market organizers also install and remove barricades and temporary signage each week and employ a restroom attendant at the Herald Court public restrooms used by market visitors.