FAIRMONT– On Monday the Fairmont City Council again discussed the Gomsrud Park- North parking lot project. The council hired Bolton & Men in February of 2023 as designer for the project, which has changed in scope several times with council input.

On Monday Public Works Director Matthew York said that two bids came in and both were about $220,000 above the engineer’s estimate, which was $726,229 for the parking lot and ramp without trails and $900,947 for the parking lot and ramp with concrete trails.

He said that the council could choose one of four options: Approve the low bid of $1.2 million from OMG Midwest Inc. for the project with trails; approve the low bid of $944,419 from OMG Midwest Inc. for the project without trails; reject bids and direct staff to rebid this fall for early spring project (affecting fishing opener and Fourth of July); reject bids and direct staff to rebid this fall for a summer project (beginning approximately July 7,2025); reject bids and direct staff to repair/replace the existing ramp platforms and complete any minor patching in the parking lot.

Council Member Jay Maynard asked why the bids came in so much higher over budget. Wes Brown with Bolton & Menk was present to address the question and said that the project was bid with the intention of being completed this year, which presented time constraints. He also noted that no local contractors bid on the project because many are behind schedule with the wet summer.

“The majority of it from what we can tell is the tight timeframe… and weather impacts on construction this year,” Brown said.

Council Member Wayne Hasek noted that the project likely won’t be any cheaper next year, either, but Brown said there is a chance it will be if some local contractors bid on the project.

Maynard made a motion that council select option number four– reject bids and direct staff to rebid this fall for a summer project beginning approximately July 7,2025. The motion passed.

In other business, Hannah Neusch, a water resources technician with the city, gave a summary of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Task Force meeting, which was held on July 9.

“Typically the AIS task force would meet once or twice a year prior to 2020,” Neusch explained.

She said that those invited to the meeting included Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), city of Fairmont, Martin County, Fairmont Lakes Foundation, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Fox Lake Association.

In addition to talking about the AID prevention aid program, Neusch said the majority of the time was spent talking about Curly Leaf Pondweed.

She said that those gathered were interested in working together to combat the invasive weed and that (SWCD) is gathering details on how much it would cost to put out a survey to see where the most serious issues are.

“It sounds silly because it’s everywhere, but we have to have proof of where it actually is,” Neusch explained.

Also discussed at the meeting, Neusch said that the Fox Lake Association talked about projects it’s doing to reduce AIS. She said at this point that AIS includes plants and animals.

“They stocked bluegill and perch to eat rough fish eggs before they can make it to maturity. They also put a bounty on rough fish eggs,” Neusch said.

Council Member Britney Kawecki asked when the 2025 plan for Curly Leaf Pondweed will be made available. Neusch said that the survey needs to be put out first but that SWCD is hopeful to get grant funds for it and put it out yet this summer. After that they will look at results and come up with a plan.

Neusch also provided a stormwater management program and stormwater pollution prevention plan. The plan is a requirement of the Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) General Permit.

In other action:

— The council held a second public hearing on proposed ordinance 2024:01- Rural and Urban Service District. While there was a desire expressed at some council members during the first hearing to review the affected properties/services said properties receive, the city is limited with the Martin County Auditor’s Office Aug. 1 deadline.

Ultimately the council adopted the ordinance as is but Kawecki asked that the issue be brought before the council again in the next three months to be reviewed.

— The council considered making a change order in the amount of $35,972 with ICON Constructors, LLC. for the Gomsrud Channel project. York explained that some unexpected steps had to be done to complete a necessary exploratory excavation. Kawecki expressed disappointment in the lack of transparency on the project and said that some residents have asked about the change from asphalt to concrete on the project. She asked for more explanation on project changes moving forward. Ultimately the change order was unanimously approved.

— The council set a public hearing on Monday Aug. 12 on an interim ordinance establishing a moratorium on cannabis business until Jan. 1, 2025.

— As per Councilor Michelle Miller’s request, the council discussed the possibility of putting additional street funding toward the 2025 street improvement plan to repair Park Street from Blue Earth Avenue to at least 2nd Street in front of the Martin County Library in Fairmont.