FAIRMONT — On Thursday evening several Fairmont city staff members were at Ward Park in order to make themselves available to answer questions and provide updates to the community.

Those present included city administrator, Cathy Reynolds, economic development director, Linsey Preuss, finance director, Paul Hoye, Police Chief, Mike Hunter, and city engineer, Troy Nemmers. Mayor Deb Foster was also present, as well as council members Randy Lubenow, Wayne Hasek, and a handful of Fairmont residents.

One resident asked about the safety council. Reynolds said it’s been reinvigorated this year after a pause. She said they plan to meet at least twice a year to talk about safety issues with the next meeting coming up in September.

On that topic, one resident asked about the recent high number of dog bites and dog complaints.

“The majority of dog bites that are happening are actually on private property. It’s not that it’s a loose dog running, but the most common one has been people visiting and the dog’s biting friends when they come over,” said Hunter.

He said they document it and if the dog has shown aggression in the past, they issue a potentially dangerous dog form. The owner is put on notice that under state statute, if the dog continues to be aggressive, certain criteria must be met to continue to have the dog as a pet, such as more supervision, a required muzzle, and a certain amount of insurance on the dog.

“It’s a tough process for everyone involved but that’s been the majority of what we’ve been seeing this last year is people visiting friends and getting bit by the family dog,” Hunter said.

Reynolds said the city is working on putting together a responsible dog ownership campaign, which will be a page on the city’s website that will summarize the rules on pet ownership and licensing requirements.

“It will have all of the ordinances and rules in one place where you can find them on the website so it’s a handy reference for people,” Reynolds said.

She said it will not only be good for pet owners but other residents so they know what the requirements are if a dog is barking all of the time.

Another resident asked if there was any word on when the movie theater in Fairmont would open.

Preuss said the operator of the movie theater in Fairmont is the same person that operates a theater out of Sioux Falls and they have expressed interest in wanting to re-open, but they’re not at full capacity there yet.

“Another issue is not being able to find product. They’re not releasing movies like they were prior to Covid. The hope is that they will re-open,” Preuss said.

Preuss also provided an economic update. She said that, so far in 2021, both first and second quarter, there have been 220 residential building permits.

“That includes maintenance, new additions or alteration and that is up from about 200 at this time last year and last year was really high as well,” Preuss said.

As for commercial, Preuss said there’s a total of $14 million in the first and second quarter and last year at this time there was $5.3 million.

“There is quite a bit happening. Thirty-five of those are additions and alterations, four are new buildings for a total of 39 commercial building permits,” Preuss said.

There have been 52 zoning permits issued for adding something like a deck or a shed.

“With Covid, people have spent a lot of time in their homes and they’re looking at fixing up their outdoor space so we’re seeing that increase as well,” Preuss said.

Preuss said they have been 44 different entrepreneurs or businesses that have reached out to the city seeking some type of assistance, whether it be for financial assistance, general business assistance, or ideas for a new site to move a business. Preuss said she’s been able to tap into different resources to help answer questions.

Turning to other matters, one resident said after being at the Martin County Fair and seeing all of the campers at the fairground, they were wondering if there’s been discussion between the fair board and the county about putting a campground there.

“There’s been some discussion. I’ve talked to the fair board and from my conversations with them, they’re not interested in operating it year-round,” said Reynolds.

She said if someone was interested, such as the city, the fair board might be interested, though it would require further development.

“But the key is, if you were to open it as a campground, it has electrical hookups, but no water hookups or sewer or anything along those lines,” Reynolds said.

Another resident asked if it would be possible to have more camping at Cedar Creek Park, aside from tent camping. Nemmers said they allow camping there now for events with an event permit, but there are restrictions with the park itself due to some funding.

Two more conversations with the city are slated to take place this year with the next one being held on October 21. A location has not yet been selected.