Council weighs contract to hire a manager for new city commercial kitchen; members ask contractor to brief council

Council discussed a proposed service agreement to retain Erin Bishop, who manages farmers markets and runs a cannery business, to create and operate a commercial kitchen incubator program in Medical Lake. Staff said the contract would be a 1099 arrangement running through Dec. 31 and proposed a flat fee (disclosed in the workshop packet as approximately $2,900 per month) plus $30 per hour for requested on-site supervision or training during events.

Council members emphasized that the manager should present a clear timeline and schedule before the contract begins. Staff said the kitchen target completion date is August 1 and suggested the contractor could begin marketing and back-end setup in June so bookings and payment systems are in place when the kitchen opens. Several council members asked staff to invite Erin Bishop to a future workshop (in person or by Zoom) so she could explain her marketing plan, fee schedule and expected revenue projections.

Staff and council characterized the contractor arrangement as a lower-cost alternative to hiring a year-round W-2 employee while the program is piloted. The contract's goals include building rental and program revenue to offset the manager fee and supporting local nonprofits and small producers. Council asked staff to return with the fee schedule, the contractor's detailed plan and a timeline for the kitchen's completion and launch before final contract approval.