FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Safety Council met Monday evening for the second time this year. The council discussed several topics including the speed limit along Albion Avenue and biking rules.

The council last met in April of this year. Prior to that it hadn’t met in five years.

Council members include Paul Carlson, Jim Utermarck, Ralph McMillion, Rick Schaefer and Sandee Nelson, who was not present. City staff members include Fairmont Police Department Captain Eric Tonder, Street/Park Supervisor Nick Lardy and city council liaison, Britney Kawecki.

One topic discussed was the speed limit on Albion Avenue.

Carlson said years ago when the last section of Albion was put in and speed limit signs weren’t posted yet, the topic was discussed.

He said it had been brought to the city council in the past to continue going 30 mph coming off of Highway 15 heading south on State Street down on Albion until Hall street. Then the speed limit would go back up to 40 mph from Hall Street south.

“I would like to revisit that because there’s no way in the summer time, especially with the Dairy Freeze and traffic going in and out, that that should be a 40 mph road,” Carlson said.

Tonder said that brings up a good point of what’s needed to change a speed limit.

“We certainly should take the recommendation of the group back (to the city council),” Tonder said

Kawecki brought up the fact that trying to cross the street from the bike/walk path to the Dairy Freeze is also difficult.

The possibility of putting in a cross walk there was briefly discussed, but members said they worried it would set a precedent of other businesses wanting a crosswalk to their establishment as well.

Going back to the discussion of the speed limit, Carlson said he wanted to revisit it because he felt like it was an issue this year with increased traffic in the area.

Lardy and Tonder said they would check in with Public Works Director Troy Nemmers regarding the process of changing the speed limit.

Moving to other matters, Carlson said he thinks it’s worth reminding people that they bike with traffic and walk against traffic.

“Also the fact that you’re required by state law to use a sidewalk when it’s available,” Carlson said.

Tonder shared that people can bike on the sidewalk, but then they forfeit their rights as a cyclist.

“There’s also rules of the road when you’re on a bike. You have the rights of a car when you’re on the street but not when you’re on a sidewalk,” he said.

The council also discussed the possibility of meeting more frequently. They set the next meeting two months out, for Monday, Nov. 15.

Following the meeting, Tonder provided a brief update regarding recent vandalism which took place at Veteran’s Park.

He said that a fire was set in the men’s restroom at Veteran’s Park on Sunday evening and as a result, the restrooms will be closed for repairs for the rest of the season. They normally close for the season on Oct. 15.

He said the Fairmont Police Department is still investigating the incident and welcomes anyone with information to come forward.