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CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
Staff Report 

February  3, 2025
CONSENT AGENDA (Estimated time - 5 min)

TO:

Honorable Mayor and City Council Members 
SUBMITTED BY:

Ashlee Wright, Director, Libraries & Community Activities
APPROVED BY: 

Chip Rerig, City Administrator
SUBJECT:

Resolution 2025-010 authorizing the consumption of alcohol at the Farmers' Market Third Thursday events in 2025

 

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution 2025-010 authorizing the consumption of alcohol at the Farmers' Market Third Thursday events in 2025.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:

 

The Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday (holidays and Car Week notwithstanding) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mission Street between Ocean and Sixth Avenues, and Sixth Avenue between Mission and Junipero Streets. 

 

Good Roots Events, Inc. has been managing the market since early 2020 and has done an admirable job making improvements to the Farmers’ Market operation, ensuring that the Village now has a vibrant market at which the community can gather each week. Good Roots, continues to make efforts to provide compostable bags to the vendors and improve sustainability practices at the market; and they also continue to work to enforce the Health Department's regarding dogs being restricted from the market. 

 

Third Thursdays

 

When the Farmers’ Market was first implemented over 10 years ago, once monthly evening events were proposed that showcased Village chefs, local produce, arts and music. This idea was finally implemented in 2022 with events in September and October. Third Thursday events were subsequently held April through October 2023 and March through October 2024.

 

Third Thursdays features, Farmers’ Market vendors, artist demonstrations, fun games and activities for children, and music sponsored by Sunset Center. These events are attended by all-ages of locals and visitors and often have a theme reflecting the time of the year. 

 

Early on attendees requested that alcohol be served at the event. Initially, the Carmel Youth Center and Carmel Residents' Association provided alcohol as an opportunity for fundraising. However, this proved to not be sustainable for either group on a regular basis, and in 2024, Good Roots partnered with Vesuvio to provide alcohol at Third Thursdays which has proven successful.

 

Staff is requesting that Council again approve the serving of alcohol at Third Thursday events for 2025. Per Carmel Municipal Code section 9.20.020, it is unlawful for any person to drink any alcoholic beverage in or upon any public place within the City. The City Council may, however authorize exceptions to the code for specific events of limited duration by adopting a resolution.

 

The Council adopted Resolutions approving the serving of alcohol for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons of Thirds Thursdays. 

FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City to adopt a resolution approving the serving of alcohol at Third Thursday events. 
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
At the January 2023 regular meeting Council adopted Resolution 2023-007 authorizing the serving of alcohol at all Third Thursday events in 2023.  
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Attachment 1) Resolution 2025-010