The minutes of the Fairmont City Council meeting held on November 14, 2011, at the City Hall 
Council Chambers.

Mayor Randy J. Quiring called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  Council members Clerc, 
Gorath, Lucas and Rahm were present.  Council member Kallemeyn was absent.  Also in 
attendance:  City Administrator Jim Zarling; Assistant City Administrator Mike Humpal; City 
Attorney Elizabeth Bloomquist; Police Chief Greg Brolsma; Public Works Director/City Engineer 
Troy Nemmers; Finance Director Paul Hoye; and City Clerk Susan Olson.

It was moved by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Rahm and carried to 
approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 24, 2011.  

The following comment(s) were received by the City Council during Open Discussion:
o	Council member Darin Rahm reminded the Council and the community of the annual 
Fairmont Glows Parade to be held on Friday, November 18, 2011.  The parade begins at 
6:00 p.m. at Ward Park and travels north to Lincoln Park.  
o	Council member Gorath inquired about the possibility of scheduling the leaf vacuum to 
make a third trip through the City to pick up leaves that have fallen since the second trip 
through the City.  Administrator Zarling explained another trip would not be practical 
given the amount of fall work that still remains for City Street and Park crews.
o	Mayor Quiring congratulated the Fairmont High School Football team on their victory 
Friday night, November 11th and wished them luck at their game Friday afternoon against 
Annandale at the Metro Dome.

Mayor Quiring read a proclamation proclaiming the week of November 13 through 19 as 
“American Education Week” in the City of Fairmont.

On November 1, 2011, the Fairmont Planning Commission voted to unanimously recommend 
approval of an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit of the Hy-Vee Food Store at 907 
South State Street.  The conditional use permit was issued to allow the construction of a motor 
fuel station/C-store in a B-3 General Business District.  The amendment would allow HyVee to 
relocate the structure to the southeast corner of the property.  A motion was made by Council 
member Lucas, seconded by Council member Gorath and carried to approve the amendment.

The construction of the new water plant will offer the City additional capacity to provide treated 
water to the community.  This additional capacity has initiated conversation with Buffalo Lake 
Energy to provide them with City water.  The first step in the process is to enter into a 
Memorandum of Understanding with Buffalo Lake Energy for the potential sale of this water.  
A motion was made by Council member Rahm, seconded by Council member Lucas and carried 
to authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires water utilities have a water supply plan 
which documents certain information regarding the City’s water supply.  The DNR also requires 
this document be updated every ten years.  A motion was made by Council member Clerc, 
seconded by Council member Rahm and carried to adopt this updated Public Water Supply Plan.  
In addition, a motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by Council member Clerc 
and carried to authorize the City Clerk to sign the Certification of Adoption of the Water Supply 
Plan.
Mayor Quiring is recommending the appointment of Chris Pierce to fill the vacancy that exists on 
the Planning Commission.  A motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by 
Council member Lucas and carried to approve this appointment.  Mr. Pierce will serve a three 
year term.  

During the relocation of the public utilities at the former VFW site at 301 South State Street, 
wood blocks treated with creosote were discovered buried on site.  The City has submitted a 
grant application to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to help 
identify how the blocks and the effected soils can be removed and where it can be placed.  
Council member Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2011-48 
approving this grant application which will cover 75% of the cost of the investigation.  Council 
member Gorath seconded the motion for its adoption.  On roll call:  Council members Lucas, 
Rahm, Clerc and Gorath all voted aye.  No one voted nay.  Mayor Quiring declared said 
resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to 
have been duly passed, approved and adopted.  Council member Rahm introduced and moved 
for the adoption of a second resolution, Resolution No. 2011-49, committing the City on behalf 
of Bank Midwest to cover the additional 25% of the cost and that the Mayor and City 
Administrator be authorized to execute such agreements.  Council member Gorath seconded the 
motion for its adoption.  On roll call:  Council members Lucas, Rahm, Clerc and Gorath all voted 
aye.  No one voted nay.  Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the affirmative 
vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, approved and 
adopted.

City staff has successfully negotiated a three year labor agreement with employees represented 
by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW, Local Union 949).  A motion 
was made by Council member Clerc, seconded by Council member Rahm and carried to approve 
the employment agreement with IBEW, Local Union #949, calling for 2% wage increases in 
2012, 2013 and 2014.

City staff is also recommending pay increases of 2% per year for the 27 employees who are not 
represented by a union.  A motion was made by Council member Rahm, seconded by Council 
member Gorath and carried to approve 2% pay increases for all full time unrepresented 
employees for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The City of Fairmont is one of two cities remaining in Minnesota that has a local Police Relief 
Association.  The Fairmont Police Relief Association Board of Directors passed a resolution on 
September 27, 2011 to seek legislation to merge the Fairmont plan with the Public Employees 
Retirement Association.  Council member Lucas introduced and moved for the adoption of 
Resolution No. 2011-50 supporting legislation to merge the Fairmont Police Relief Association 
with the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA).  Council member Clerc seconded 
the motion for its adoption.  On roll call:  Council members Rahm, Clerc, Gorath and Lucas all 
voted aye.  No one voted nay.  Mayor Quiring declared said resolution to have received the 
affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to have been duly passed, 
approved and adopted.

It is a requirement of the State that Council members who participate in the annual Board of 
Equalization review have State approved training.  A few years ago, due to an election, the City 
did not have anyone trained and, therefore, we were required to hold “open book” meetings.  
The City is now able to have our appeal and equalization powers reinstated.  Council member 
Gorath introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2011-51 submitting a request 
for reinstatement of the City appeal and equalization powers effective January 1, 2012.  Council 
member Rahm seconded the motion for its adoption.  On roll call:  Council members Clerc, 
Gorath, Lucas and Rahm all voted aye.  No one voted nay.  Mayor Quiring declared said 
resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to 
have been duly passed, approved and adopted.

The City of Fairmont was awarded a “Safe Routes to School” federal grant.  In order to accept 
these Federal funds, the City needed to enter into a Delegated Contracting Process (DCP) 
agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to act as the agent for these funds.  
Council member Clerc introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 2011-52 
authorizing an agency agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Council 
member Lucas seconded the motion for its adoption.  On roll call:  Council members Gorath, 
Lucas, Rahm, and Clerc all voted aye.  No one voted nay.  Mayor Quiring declared said 
resolution to have received the affirmative vote of the Council and he then declared the same to 
have been duly passed, approved and adopted.

In 2012, Federal funding will be available to complete some improvements at the Fairmont 
Municipal Airport.  Total cost of these improvements is estimated at $3,124,000.  Federal money 
will pay 95% and the City portion will be 5% or $156,200.  Bolton & Menk, Inc. has submitted 
Work Order #1 in the amount of $192,000 to complete the design, bidding and grant process for 
these airport improvements.    A motion was made by Council member Gorath, seconded by 
Council member Rahm and carried to approve Work Order No. 1 to Professional Services 
Contract; Design, Bid Administration and Grant Assistance and Closeout for the 2012 Airport 
Improvements.

A motion was made by Council member Lucas, seconded by Council member Rahm and carried 
to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m.

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ATTEST:					Mayor


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City Clerk