ABOVE: Lee Baarts, Fairmont’s mayor, speaks to the Early Risers Kiwanis on Wednesday morning at The Ranch Restaurant in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT–Fairmont Mayor Lee Baarts was the guest speaker at Wednesday morning’s Kiwanis Early Risers meeting. Baarts spoke candidly about a number of subjects including the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds, city administrator search and upcoming Blue Earth Avenue project.

“I’m starting my fourth year as mayor of Fairmont. It’s definitely more than I ever anticipated,” Baarts admitted.

He shared that he’s been surprised by the amount of people who think that being mayor is his full-time job.

“They’ll call me and ask if they can come see me in my office, but I work in Truman,” Baarts explained.

He works along with his father at Baarts Trucking and shared this his oldest son recently moved back to the area to start working at the business, too. Baarts emphasized that it’s good to see young people who have moved away make the decision to come back to live and work in Fairmont.

When it comes to the search for a city administrator, Baarts said that after the special meeting on Feb. 19, an offer was sent to the most recent candidate, Jason Baker, but that he had no further news beyond that.

“As of right now, I don’t have an answer on the hiring. I hope that it’s on the agenda for Monday. We might have a city administrator possible hire come Monday,” Baarts said.

He also briefly touched on the search for a community development director, which was most recently held by Pat Oman, and shared that some applications had come in but the candidates either took a different job or were no longer interested in the position so he said the search is going to start back up.

Baarts shed light on some business happenings around town, starting with the recent unfortunate news of the upcoming 3M closure.

“I was just as shocked as everyone else when that word came across. I hope they change their minds. I hope there’s other plans. That’s tough,” Baarts said.

He did say that there is some interest in the former Hardee’s building and that there is a pending sale but that he didn’t have any other information.

“Maybe the third time’s the charm. It was a Wendy’s, a Hardee’s, maybe the third one can make it work,” he said.

This led someone to ask about the new ownership of Five Lakes Centre. Baarts said that while the new owner is also from New Jersey, he understands that they are more active and looking for businesses to come in.

It was said that the new owners don’t seem community friendly as non-profits aren’t allowed in it anymore and that they wouldn’t allow the Early Risers to have their recent pancake supper in the space, as they had previously done in past years. Baarts said he would check on the matter.

Someone else asked for an update on the LOST funds since the community center project is not moving forward as planned.

“The sales tax money that has been getting collected for years, of course, the Opera House has gotten brought up many times over but legally, none of it can be used for the Opera House. I wish it could, I would be first in line to sign papers, but it has to be used for something new and city-owned,” Baarts said.

He said that the city, along with individual council members, have been seeking ideas from the public on how to use the funds and whether they should be used on one project or spread across multiple projects.

“Personally, I would like to see it cut up and have this park add a little bit and this trail a little bit,” Baarts said.

It was said that years ago when a survey was done, before the community center project was on the docket, the top three responses had to do with lake improvements and water quality. It was suggested that some of the money be used for that.

“That’s a great point. We all talk about the lakes of Fairmont and that’s an important part,” Baarts said.

A special meeting will be held, likely in April, Baarts said, for the council to discuss next steps regarding the funds.

On the topic of projects, someone asked for an update on the Lake Avenue and Blue Earth Avenue projects.

“Lake Avenue, what a mess,” Baarts said. “I think the company that was chosen bit off more than they can chew. That’s my opinion. The weather wasn’t that bad for them to not get that completed.”

He commended the businesses along Lake Avenue that have been patient with the ongoing project.

Baarts also touched on the upcoming Blue Earth Avenue project, which will start this summer and affect the area beginning at the roundabout at the start of Downtown Plaza all the way down to Highway 15.

“I know the light will be gone. You can like or love the roundabouts, everyone has their opinion on them, but nobody wants to spend a half a million for stoplights, either,” Baarts said.

He said that he is looking forward to how it will be set up with two lanes and a center turn lane and that he personally does not mind roundabouts.

In closing, Baarts said he appreciates everyone who has thanked him for serving as mayor and keeping the council and meetings in order.

“There are times when someone asks what they can do to help. Be part of something,” he said.

Baarts praised the Early Risers for what they do as a group to help the community and for taking an interest.

“It’s tougher and tougher everyday to find people to fill boards and commissions,” he said.

On that note, Baarts shared that he’s up for reelection this year and admitted that he has not yet decided whether or not he will run again to serve as mayor of Fairmont.