City council on Tuesday approved a new agreement with Butler Downtown to operate the farmers' market.

First, council terminated the existing agreement it had with the organization and then approved the new agreement, which gives council ultimate control over the market.

“The city is taking control back of the farmers' market,” Councilman Jeff Smith said.

The one-year contract with Butler Downtown allows the organization to operate markets on Saturdays from May 11 to Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Smith said he met with officials from Butler Downtown and the city's Parks, Recreation Grounds and Facilities Authority to iron out the agreement.

Last month, the authority submitted a proposal to council to take over the market and hold other activities such as flea markets and concerts there to raise additional revenue.

The authority could still use the market for movie nights and other events, but it will have to ask council's permission, Smith said. The authority hasn't submitted any request yet, he added.

The new contract doesn't go into effect until next month because language in the current contract says it will expire 30 days after council votes for termination, he said.

Butler Downtown agreed to pay for water used at the market under the new contact, leaving the city to pay for electricity and portable restrooms, Smith said.

The current contract was “evergreen” and had to be terminated so a new one could be created, he said.

He said Butler Downtown makes only a little money from the market and operates it for community outreach.

In unrelated business, council approved an agreement with the Grace Youth and Family Foundation to take youngsters from the summer recreation and lunch program it runs at three city parks to the swimming pool at Alameda Park. “It's a huge thing for the kids,” Smith said.

The city pays Grace Youth $8,000 to run the summer program at Father Marinaro, Rotary and Institute Hill parks and will pay the organization up to $2,000 more to take the kids to the pool, he said.

A schedule for trips to the pool hasn't been worked out yet, but kids who go through the program will receive free admission, he said. The normal admission fee is $6.

City officials said they couldn't remember how many years it has been since the city operated its pool in Memorial Park.

In other business, council hired 2Krew Security and Surveillance of Kittanning to install a new fire alarm and security system in the City Building.

The fire alarm will cost $485 up front and $39.95 a month. The security system will cost $1,175 up front and $34.95 a month. The alarm will be linked to officials' cell phones to provide 24-hour service, Smith said.