Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds and Facilities Authority's proposal to run the city's farmers market will be reviewed before city council considers a final decision on the request.

But at least one Butler Downtown volunteer was surprised by the proposal passed Monday by the authority's board to accept responsibility for running the market currently operated by Butler Downtown.

“I'm just really taken aback — not a phone call, not an email, not a text saying, 'Let's talk about this thing,'” said Bob Dandoy, a Butler Downtown volunteer. “We really built the market up to what has become a positive aspect for the city. I was totally blindsided.”

Dandoy, who runs the market as a volunteer for the organization, said he didn't know the authority was looking to operate the market until he read news reports about its proposal. Matt McCune, Butler Downtown president, declined to comment on the authority's proposal,

Dandoy, however, said the market is thriving. The market building has 18 stalls and some farmers take more than one to sell their products, he said. Tents for farmers were set up outside the building last summer for the first time in the 23 years he has managed the market.

An average of 12 to 15 farmers participate weekly, according to Dandoy, adding that the market is packed during the peak of the growing season.

On the other hand, Dean Selfridge, authority operations manager and Butler Downtown board member, said it makes sense for the authority to run the market because the authority is part of city government and the city owns the market property.

He told authority board members Monday night that the authority could host flea markets, concerts and other activities in addition to the farmers market to generate additional income for the authority. He also said he had already discussed the matter with Councilman Jeff Smith, who oversees the authority.

“This is something they would like to do. I will follow up with Butler Downtown and come to council with a recommendation on what I think we should do,” Smith said Wednesday. “At this point, nothing's decided.”

He added that a recommendation won't come before Thursday's council meeting and the matter won't even be on the agenda.

Smith said he told Selfridge that he thought Butler Downtown does a good job running the market and the authority would have to make a formal request to take over, which it did.

He said the authority's request shows innovation.

“It's typical of them being innovative and looking for ways to generate income and provide a service to the community,” Smith said.

Selfridge said the authority proposal does not increase the fees that farmers pay to sell their goods at the South Chestnut Street market.

“Nothing would affect the farmers. No fee increase,” he said.

The market schedule also would stay the same, but the proposal includes an option to open the market on Wednesdays and operate flea markets on Sundays, Selfridge said, adding that concerts and other activities could also be held there.

Dandoy said once a month the market is home to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's Produce to People program that distributes food and produce to families and individuals.

Butler Downtown also hosts rabies clinics at the market as well as other events, including a bicycle rodeo sponsored by Denny Offstein of Denny Offstein Auto sales, according to Dandoy.

“People don't know what a gem we have. It has Wi-Fi for patrons and the farmers,” he said.

The market opens from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend to the last weekend in October.

Farmers can sign up for the full season for $150, half the season for $100 or $15 per week.