FAIRMONT — Fairmont City Administrator Mike Humpal asks that residents have patience with city crews dealing with snow and ice removal.

At the City Council meeting Monday, Humpal said the street department, which had spent several weekends plowing snow, spent last weekend removing snow piles to improve visibility at intersections and opening up catch basins to alleviate water backing up from the rain and melting snow.

“Your patience would be greatly appreciated,” he said.

Humpal also addressed the complaints about potholes throughout the city, predicting that repairs probably would not start until April.

“With water in the holes, it doesn’t do a lot of good to throw a patch in there,” he said. “It’s not just Fairmont. It’s happening all over the state.”

In other business, the council approved a $6,000 donation from the city to Interlaken Heritage Days, set for June 7-9. Marlys Brummond, a member of the seven-person IHD committee, recapped last year’s event, which cost more than $6,000 just for advertising and insurance. Bands and activities ran between $800 and $1,000 each.

Brummond said the committee has been fundraising all year with vendor shows and will soon begin the popular Holy Hotdish community meals. The committee also is seeking local entertainers, vendors, food trucks and sports groups to organize tournaments this year, as well as people who can help with an activity or two during the festival. More information and contact numbers are available at www.ihdfairmont.org

In other business, the council approved a list of excess inventory to be sold on minnbid.org, and designated fund balances and inter-fund transfers to prepare for the annual city audit.