Julie Zarling

The council meeting addressed several key agenda items including a feasibility study for a municipally owned cannabis retail store, a proclamation for National Public Works Week, and the review of various event permits for local organizations. Other considerations involved personnel policy updates for drug and alcohol testing, the employment of relatives, and leave of absence policies. Additionally, the council reviewed proposed charter amendments, a federal entitlement fund transfer agreement, and strategies for street improvement funding.

The council discussed various items including the proclamation of Arbor Day, the renewal of the School Resource Officer agreement with Fairmont Area Schools, and the approval of temporary liquor licenses and event permits for local organizations. Additionally, the council reviewed the Departmental Fee Schedule, discussed street improvement objections, and considered project proposals such as the Minnesota flag display, engineering services for the airport, and task orders for park improvements. Financing and funding discussions centered on the local option sales tax and the demolition program application.

The board meeting agenda focused on property assessment overview and appeals. The discussion items included a presentation on property assessment by Martin County representatives, as well as an overview of the agricultural land values, residential properties, and commercial, industrial, and utility assessment changes for the tax year.

This document outlines the City of Fairmont, MN's Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2030. It details proposed projects and associated expenditures across various municipal departments, including General Government, Public Safety (Police and Fire), Public Works (Streets, Engineering, Parks, Water, Wastewater, Stormwater), Utilities (Electric), Airport, Lake Restoration, Municipal Liquor Store, and Data Processing. The plan focuses on maintaining, upgrading, and expanding critical infrastructure, equipment, and services to enhance operational efficiency, ensure public safety, and support community development over the five-year period.

The agenda for the meeting included introductions for two new Fairmont Police personnel: Captain Chad Sanow and Detective Dayton Asmus. Key items for consideration, primarily under the Consent Agenda, involved approvals for event permits for a Car Show in June and a Disc Golf Tournament in May, a service contract with Premier Lake Harvesting LLC for Curly Leaf Pondweed removal ($174,000.00), consideration to call for a public hearing on the 2026 Departmental Fee Schedule, and several updates to Personnel Policies (Job Descriptions, Classification of Employees, Compensation, Smoking/Tobacco Use, Jury Duty, and Elections and Voting). Under New Business, discussions included employment agreement negotiations for Interim City Administrator Candidate Jason Baker, consideration of 2025 Interfund Transfers and Year End Fund Balance Designations. Council Discussion addressed the scope of legal correspondence access, City Attorney evaluation, and communication between Council and Staff. The meeting also referenced minutes for consideration from previous Special and Regular Meetings in February 2026.