FAIRMONT– On Monday night, Alex Young-Williams spoke during the public comment portion of the Fairmont City Council meeting to ask the council to consider re-establishing the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

“Specifically I would like the city to open applications and seek out applicants to serve on this commission,” Young-Williams said.

He said he’s been working with a group of residents for the past six months and the drive to re-establish the commission is gaining momentum. The group handed out about 300 brochures during the Interlaken Heritage Days parade on Saturday.

Young-Williams shared that Human Rights simply means to value, encourage, respect and care for one another and that the commission will focus on both civil and human rights and work with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Over 30 cities and towns in Minnesota currently have a Human Rights Commission. The city of Fairmont once had a functioning Human Rights Commission and it is still part of city code.

The group holds meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Martin County Library in Fairmont. Young-Williams encouraged any member of the public who is interested to attend.

Following his comment, Mayor Deb Foster asked the council to reach out to City Administrator Cathy Reynolds if they have any questions or thoughts or would like to work on re-establishing the HRC.

Moving to other matter, during staff/liaison reports, City Engineer Troy Nemmers provided a reminder that city-wide clean-up starts today with the first session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. He asked that residents line up accordingly outside the Martin County Highway Department at 1200 Marcus St. and bring their coupons with them.

Finance Director Paul Hoye briefly went over the first quarter financial report, which included the general fund, revenues and expenses and fund balance as of March 31. Hoye said the largest source of revenue comes from taxes and government aid, which comes in twice a year in June and December. He said the second quarter report, which comes out June 30 will provide a better picture.

“Total revenues of $233,000 is down a little bit from where we were at last year at $290,000, mainly in licenses and permits and intergovernmental revenues,” Hoye said.

Reynolds took the time to thank the city and park crews for the work that’s been done thus far during the summer season and the various events that have been held.

“There’s still a long list of things to come yet this summer as far as activities and events,” Reynolds said.

She touched on some events that will happen this week, including the city band concert tonight at the Sylvania Park band shell and the worship service there on Wednesday night. On Thursday evening the Red Rock Center for the Arts will hold a concert at Lincoln Park.

Reynolds also shared that concept designs and options for the proposed community center will be worked on in the coming weeks. She said once they’re gathered the information will be taken to the pubic for community input.

Council Member Britney Kawecki provided a recap of last week’s Planning Commission meeting when a public hearing was held regarding the re-zoning request for 93 acres north of George Lake and west of Holland Street in Fairmont. A group asked to be re-zoned from R-1 to B-1 in plans to put a campground on the site.

“The commission decided to deny that at this point because they felt that B-1 was too broad. The Carlson Walters Group is putting together a new proposal to submit to the Planing Commission,” Kawecki said.

In other news:

–The board approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to sign the state grant agreement for ILS (Instrument Landing System) replacement project. The total estimated project cost is $57,000 with $39,900 being contributed by MnDOT. The total local share is $17,100.