FAIRMONT — The Fairmont City Council held a public meeting to address the 2021 improvement program and approved the advertisement for bids for two projects in the program on Monday night. Those projects were the reconstruction of Fairlakes Avenue and the Grant Street water main Replacement Program.

City Engineer and director of public works Troy Nemmers went through a presentation for the 2021 improvement program. This presentation includes the Fairlakes project that will include reconstruction from the dead-end to Woodland Avenue, a resurface from Woodland Avenue to Canyon Drive, and an overlay from Fairlakes Avenue to the bridge and then from Lake Avenue to gravel.

This project will include removing pavement, common excavation, replacement of storm sewer and old sewer water along with water main work and turf restoration. The estimated construction cost for this project is $1.91 million and the bid opening for this project would be at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18.

The Grant Street water main Replacement Project is to address the iron issues that exist at the end portion of North Grant Street. The city has provided an iron filter system to these homeowners for the past few years, but the conditions continue to persist. The existing water main and water services would be replaced as part of the project. The estimated construction cost for this project is $160,000 and the bid opening for this project would be at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17.

Along with that, the council approved the 2040 comprehensive plan that will serve as a guiding document for the city and its actions.

“This is where our policies and our planning should take us as we gear towards 2040,” city administrator Cathy Reynolds said.

This document consists of 12 big ideas for the future of Fairmont. Those 12 big ideas include spreading the positive narrative of Fairmont’s future, bring people together, leverage Fairmont’s natural setting, revitalize underutilized areas, embrace the new economy, create a supportive workforce environment, provide a safe and connected transportation system, strategically encourage growth and redevelopment, ensure safe neighborhoods, provide a variety of housing choices, foster a sense of belonging and a welcoming and neighborly atmosphere and position Fairmont as a regional center in Martin County.

The city council also proposed an amendment to their approved Ordinance 2020-12 authorizing the sale of designated city-owned lots via public auction from Nov. 23, 2020. The lots were the result of a demolition program and were to be sold in a public auction that has not been scheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions. A person is interested in purchasing a combined single lot on 606 North Prairie Avenue for $5,000.

The next Fairmont City Council meeting will be held on Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.