A contract for the was extended today for four months.
The approved the extension during a meeting at the today.
The city needs more time to deal with the paperwork necessary because the arm of the city government that delt with the market, called the Redevelopment Agency, under a . The city needs time to deal with red tape so a new branch of the government, called the "Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency," can make a deal with the Farmers Market organization, a staff members said.
Old Town during several meetings this year, saying it often breaks its current contract with the city by selling manufactured goods.
"I totally support a farmers market. I love fresh fruit and vegetables," said Stephen Eldred, who runs a photography business in Old Town.
He does not approve of the market selling mass-produced goods, because that creates city-sponsored competition for the shops in Old Town, he said. "We don't get to advertise on the city website… and the Farmers Market does," he said.
The city amended its contract with the market's organizer twice; in 2004, they mandated the market give preference to local merchants when they asks for booth space, and in 2007, they put restrictions on the non-agricultural products on sale.
City Council members agreed to study the possibility of amending the contract again and, if necessary, putting the contract allowing the market to operate out for a bid.
Local resident Gale Cunningham started the market in Temecula 21 years ago, and some Council members hesitated to take the market out of her hands. "I don't want to say (to Cunningham) willy-nilly… now that you've been successful, we're going to take your business model and shop it around," Councilmember Mike Naggar said.
City staff membersdue to complaints about contract violations and found none.
