By Kevin Werner, News Staff

The time is ripe, say Hamilton councillors, to see if the money-losing Hamilton Farmers’ Market operations should be privatized.

Politicians agreed at their Feb.2 budget negotiations to ask staff to examine a number of governance models for the market, including the possibility of privatizing its operations. The city would still retain ownership of the market.

“There are privatizing operators out there that can do it at lower costs,” said Ward 5 councillor Chad Collins, who introduced his motion. “Not to discredit the staff, (but) I have become concerned over the last few years (about the market).”

Mountain councillor Tom Jackson backed the motion, arguing politicians and staff had high expectations for the market after the city invested over $6.5 million into renovating the facility.

While the Hamilton Public Library has flourished after its $6 million upgrade, said Jackson, there has been nothing but a constant drumbeat of problems at the market.

“The market has been an enigma,” said Jackson. “Something is amiss. Something is not clicking on all cylinders.”

Since the market re-opened Feb. 1, 2011, there has been continuing friction between the shareholders and city staff involving various governance, financial and administrative issues. There has been high-profile confrontations with stallholders over contracts. Recently, the president of the stallholders’ association, Shane Coleman, was evicted from his area because of a contract dispute.

The market’s improvements included a new entrance, structural improvements within the market venue, the creation of an open kitchen, and a remodeled York Boulevard façade.

The possibility of privatizing the market has been bandied about among politicians, staff and stallholders for a number of years. The market continues to lose money, about $300,000 a year, with the city forced to subsidize the operation. City staff say about 26,000 people visit the market every week, but it is unclear if that number is an increase from before the renovations occurred.

In 2005 the city investigated possible governance models prior to renovating the market, but nothing was done, said Director of Culture Anna Bradford.

Other councillors, such as Brad Clark, and Terry Whitehead, have also floated the idea of looking at the 175-year market’s structure.

“We need to look at the picture again,” said Bradford.

Collin’s motion was prompted by city staff recently hiring a new market manager, which raised a number of concerns among politicians, including the need for one.

“There are questions to pose,” said Ward 1 councillor Brian McHattie. “Let’s answer those questions.”