FAIRMONT– The Fairmont City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday in place of the fourth Monday of the month meeting which was cancelled due to the Memorial Day holiday. During the meeting the council considered giving donations to the Fairmont Fireworks Committee and Project 1590.

Sam Cress with Light, Noise & Smoke, the Fairmont Fireworks Committee, was present to speak about this year’s display and request some funds from the city.

“We appreciate the past support that’s been up to $10,000,” Cress said. “Being that this year is the 250th birthday of America, we’ve actually doubled our show.”

He said that they plan to do a $50,000 show, compared to a $25,000 show as was done in past years. He said just over 1,000 shells will be going off and pointed out that the holiday, and the display, fall on a Saturday this year.

“That’s going to be very exciting and will bring a lot of people to town,” Cress said.

Council Member Randy Lubenow said that since the committee is doubling the show, he asked whether they wanted a larger donation.

Cress said they are working on getting private donations from other businesses but that he wouldn’t say no to more money. He also reminded the council that the committee is working on making the display self-sufficient funding-wise in the near future.

“I do think it’s an important thing with it being the 250th anniversary, and the fact that it brings people to town… I would move to give $15,000 to the fireworks display,” Lubenow said.

Council Member Jay Maynard seconded the motion, but said he wanted to make sure there was money in the budget for it.

Finance Director Paul Hoye was absent and City Clerk Betsy Steuber said that $10,000 was set aside for the fireworks in this year’s budget. The council seemed confident that money could be found in the budget but plans take a final vote on the matter at its next meeting to ensure there are funds for it.

The council also heard from Celia Viesselman with Project 1590, who was present to speak about some of the group’s various initiatives, particularly one dealing with the downtown area.

Some of Project 1590’s sub-committees include Kids Just Want to Have Fun, Bacon Capital USA and Fairmont Main Streets, which is a partnership between the Greater Plaza Area Council and Project 1590.

“Minnesota Main Streets is focused on bringing together communities across the state to make their downtowns a place where residents want to be and people want to visit,” Viesselman said.

She added that often times focusing on improvements and events can be extra stress and work for small downtown business owners so Minnesota Main Streets helps those businesses thrive by giving extra support.

Viesselman said that one initiative which has carried through is the downtown flower pots, a partnership also between Janzen’s Greenhouse, Project 1590 and Greater Plaza Area Council.

She also brought forth a request for a donation of $1,500 from the city to go toward the cost of the downtown flowers, which she said costs about $5,000 a year. She also pointed out that downtown businesses give money toward the cause.

“It would go a long way to ensure this practice can continue this year and next year,” Viesselman said.

Council Member Britney Kawecki had commented that the flowers look nice this year and she asked where the flowers are all located. Viesselman said that there are baskets on the light posts by Gomsrud Park and the Martin County Library and there are also pots downtown.

The council approved of granting the $1,500 for the floral displays.

In other business, the council:

— Heard a request from the Fairmont Charter Commission to amend the language of Charter Section 2.0, Form of Government. It was said that the amendment would help clarify the language pertaining to the Weak Mayor Council Plan. The council passed a motion to call for a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on June 22 for the proposed ordinance amendment.

— Approved in a 4-1 vote a motion to request that the charter commission review section 11.02 of the charter, dealing with the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) purchasing policy.

— Approved in a 3-2 motion to have the PUC proceed as they have been unless otherwise directed by council.