RESOLUTION __________________

A RESOLUTION providing an honorary designation of University Way NE, from NE 50th Street to NE 52nd Street, as “Chris Curtis Way.”

WHEREAS, for 25 years Chris Curtis has worked tirelessly on behalf of local farms, startup artisan food businesses, neighborhood revitalization, and community building; and

WHEREAS, under Chris Curtis’s leadership, the University District Farmers Market was founded in 1993 and is now the oldest, longest-running neighborhood market in Seattle; and

WHEREAS, the University District Farmers Market, which consisted of 17 farmers selling their produce to 800 shoppers on its first day, has now grown into the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA), which runs seven outdoor markets, supports over 125 local family farms, and attracts over 500,000 shoppers each year; and

WHEREAS, Chris Curtis organized the first neighborhood farmers markets in Seattle devoted exclusively to local, small-scale family farms, which focus on good land stewardship and biodiversity and are essential components of a healthy environment, thriving local economy, and safe food system; and

WHEREAS, through her work, Chris Curtis helps to preserve farmers’ livelihoods, revitalize neighborhoods, and support and strengthen Washington’s small family farm industry by creating and operating vibrant and successful neighborhood farmers markets; and

WHEREAS, through her farmers market model, Chris Curtis fosters deep connections in Seattle communities by providing weekly, safe, family-friendly events that allow shoppers to meet the farmers who grow our food and neighbors to interact as a community; and

WHEREAS, since 2008, NFMA’s Good Farmer Fund has granted over $216,000 in emergency relief funds to farmers to mitigate situations such as crop loss due to extreme weather and loss of equipment or greenhouses in fire or heavy snow, and for protection of livestock from predators; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, the NFMA was responsible for developing and piloting the successful Fresh Bucks program, which increases market food access to low-income residents and which is now replicated statewide; and

WHEREAS, the NFMA has grown to be the largest farmers market organization in Washington and is a leader in setting high standards for farmers market policies and practices locally and across the United States; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. University Way NE between NE 50th Street and NE 52nd Street shall have an honorary designation as “Chris Curtis Way.”

Section 2. The City Council requests that the Seattle Department of Transportation manufacture, install, and maintain one or more honorary signs at prominent and appropriate locations, which shall reflect the “Chris Curtis Way” honorary designation.

Section 3. By this resolution, the City Council does not intend to affect any existing or future signage that reflects the honorary designation of “Chris Curtis Way,” with the exception of the signs described in Section 2 of this resolution.

Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.

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President ____________ of the City Council

The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2019.

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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor

Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.

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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)