FAIRMONT– The Fairmont City Council took steps forward at Monday night’s meeting when it came to the Public Works Facility and what to do with the previous Senior Center building. Both motions carried and both will proceed in their processes.

The Public Works Facility has been a six-year-long process of trying to build a new facility. It has included a tax levy and has been discussed at most of this year’s city council meetings. Throughout that process the options discussed were what could $5 million get for a public works facility, what would a renovation or expansion of the existing building look like, what could be done as an expansion, renovation, or addition at the Line Department location on Marcus Street and approving resolution 2021-18 to award the contracts for the construction of the proposed Public Works Facility at the Margaret Street location.

The council approved resolution 2021-18 which is to award the contracts for the construction of the proposed Public Works Facility at the Margaret Street location. The recommended award total for the bids is roughly $7.5 million.

Councilor Randy Lunbenow recently took a tour of the building and described seeing things that disappointed and upset him. Lubenow stated that he hopes the council will continue to walk through city buildings and maintains what the city has. Lubenow made the motion to approve the resolution.

Councilor Britney Kawecki also said the decision was not an easy one and wished that the amount started lower and went up as needed.

“I do know that we do need a new facility and I know that it frustrated a lot of people that we were trying to exhaust all of our options,” Kawecki said. “When it comes to taxpayers’ money I think we need to start watching what we’re doing because I just think it will keep adding on and with the wastewater treatment plan being next, eventually we need to start cutting some things.”

The council also approved a proposal from Joseph Riemann to purchase the Senior Center Building for the intended use of a brewery. There were two proposals for the building one from Riemann and the other from Lee C. Prentice with the American Legion Post #36. Staff reviewed the two proposals and evaluated them based on the purchase price, the economic development generated for the community, and the quality of the development.

The proposals were then scored on each of the criteria stated in the RFP, which included the completeness of the proposal package, the proposal recognized as the highest value to the City, the proposal that meets or exceeds standards of Planning and Zoning and Building Code, and that the proposal timing is achievable and favorable. Based on the results the brewery scored higher than Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post #36.

“We do want to just let the American Legion know that we do appreciate their proposal, but because of the scoring we are recommending approval from the proposal of Joseph Riemann for the intended use of a brewery,” Economic Development Coordinator Linsey Preuss said.

Riemann stated that he appreciated the time and attention and that it’s been great working with Preuss and other city staff.

In other action, the City Council approved:

— A lease agreement with Independent School District # 2752 that two rooms located in the SMEC building will be utilized by the Community Education and Recreation program.

— Advertisement for bids for resurfacing and overlay projects that include resurfacing of Holland Street, overlays of Lake Avenue, sewer work on Lake Park Boulevard, resurfacing of the Amber Lake boat landing, and a trail to the bandshell at Sylvania Park. Bids will open at 10 a.m. on April 22.

The next Fairmont City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m.