TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://thepublicrecord.ca/topics/hamilton-farmers-market/)
With pending construction in the downtown and building of the LRT on King Street, City Council is open to relocating the Market, will debate further during summer.
Report says Council should spend $200K to plan redesign or move of Market. Lists dozens of other issues, which were already known.
Vendor reps want Council to declare Market a tourism destination to allow them to be open on Saturday Canada Days.
The Market remains on “temporary reduced COVID hours” implemented in March 2020. No plans to change hours despite vendors leaving due to lack of after-work hours.
Resignations follow a Council vote to hire a fourth consultant with a stated intention of privatizing the Market prior to this October’s municipal election.
The Chair and the Treasurer of the Hamilton Farmers Market Board of Directors have both resigned from the Market Board on Monday in protest of City Council’s plans to privatize the downtown Hamilton facility.
This is only the latest resignation for the Board which two consultant reports have described as ineffective. A third consultant’s report is ongoing, no date has been announced for its completion.
Ombudsman’s findings follow a secret September 2020 meeting, and includes recommendations the Board ensure its meetings are open to the public with public notices provided in advance.
City Hall doubles down on claims the Market is not directly tied to the City of Hamilton despite being a City corporation, in a City facility, with City staff, and all decisions subject to Council approval.
Eric Miller’s resignation letter states the Council have created a crisis in the Market by voting 13-1 to deny COVID rent support to vendors.