CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: November 3, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CONTRA COSTA CERTIFIED FARMERS’
MARKETS (CCCFM) TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE PLEASANT
HILL FARMERS’ MARKET FROM MAY 2, 2026, UNTIL APRIL 28, 2029
SYNOPSIS
The Contra Costa Certified Farmers’ Markets (CCCFM) has requested the use of Trelany Road adjacent to City Hall as the site for the Downtown Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market from May 2, 2026, until April 28, 2029, to operate year-round on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Pleasant Hill Municipal Code requires City Council approval of an agreement between the City and the farmers’ market operator, and Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with CCCFM.
DISCUSSION
Background
A farmers’ market has been held in downtown Pleasant Hill in the past, operating from 2000 through 2018. The market was previously located in various areas of Downtown including the City Hall parking lot, Crescent Drive in front of Century Theatres, and in the east plaza area near Jack’s Restaurant. In 2014 the market was relocated to City Hall on Trelany Road.
Since 2018 when a farmers’ market was last held in the City, the City has been looking to reestablish a farmers’ market in the downtown area of Pleasant Hill. The City has been working with CCCFM, which currently operates farmers’ markets in Orinda and Walnut Creek, to bring a farmers’ market back to Pleasant Hill. CCCFM, which was established in 1982, embraces its vision to support small family farms and educate communities about the benefits of eating healthy food and they are dedicated to supporting the development of local sustainable farming by cultivating vibrant farmers’ markets, which serve as community gathering places that celebrate local farmers, food producers, and artisans.
In 2024, the Economic Development Committee received a presentation from CCCFM on a potential farmers’ market in Downtown Pleasant Hill. The Committee had a discussion and expressed its supportive for a farmers’ market in the City. Since then, City staff has been working with CCCFM to finalize an agreement for a farmers’ market for City Council’s consideration.
Analysis
Pursuant to the terms of the proposed three-year agreement, CCCFM’s farmers’ market would operate year-round every Saturday morning on Trelany Road, starting in May 2026. CCCFM has provided the following timeline for the weekly event:
Friday – Porta-potty drop off
Saturday – 7:00 am – 9:00 am Set-Up/Vendor Arrival
Saturday – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Market Hours
Saturday – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Tear-Down/Vendor Departure Monday – Porta-potty pick up
Trelany Road will be closed to vehicle traffic between Gregory Lane to the north and the Ross parking lot entrance to the south, as shown on the attached Traffic Control Plan (Attachment C).
The City Hall parking lot will be used for vendor parking on the north side and cooking booths on the south side.
The proposed farmers’ market would include a variety of vendors including:
California Certified Agricultural Producers
Non-Certifiable Agricultural Producers (Dairy, Meat, Poultry, etc.) Producers of artisan food and non-food items
Community organization and business sponsors
Musicians/performers
The attached Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market Special Event Application that contains a Site Plan for booth layout (Attachment C)
Staff has been in contact with the Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center, which raised no objections to the proposal. In addition to the agreement between the City and operator, the Municipal Code also requires administrative review and approval of a Special Event Permit, a copy of which is provided in Attachment C. The Special Event application has been reviewed by the City and, if the Council provides direction to execute the contract, Staff will complete the process to issue the Special Event permit with conditions.
If Council provides direction to enter into a contract with CCCFM, the result will be a farmers’ market that provides the community with locally-grown, healthy food options. CCCFM is an established non-profit that successfully operates multiple city farmers’ markets, and Staff believes CCCFM has the requisite ability and established track-record to ensure a successful reestablishment of the farmers’ market in Downtown Pleasant Hill.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed three-year agreement includes a clause requiring the City to provide the operator a reimbursement of up to $8,500 for the first year to cover the cost of portable restrooms and wash stations, including delivery and pickup. No other payment or reimbursement is required after the first year. Funds for this one-time payment would originate in the Economic Development Division Budget, which has adequate funds to support this cost.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public Contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with CCCFM for operation of the Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market on Trelany Road in Downtown Pleasant Hill.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Amend the agreement and provide direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Proposed Resolution
Attachment B: Farmers Market Agreement
Attachment C: Farmers’ Market at Pleasant Hill Special Event Permit Proposal with Draft Staff Conditions of Approval
Attachment D: CCCFM Timeline
Prepared by: Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager