The Fairmont City Council on Monday selected five finalists for the city administrator position to invite for in-person interviews on May 4. The council appeared individually Monday in a group “video chat” format with Sharon Klumpp, a director at Baker Tilly, the firm hired to seek out a new city administrator.“We received 28 applications. We saw some good depth of experience with the applications we received,” Klumpp told the council.
Baker Tilly had narrowed down the list of applicants to the top nine most-qualified candidates. The council previously reviewed and ranked those nine individuals, with four candidates garnering a strong showing.After each council member offered an opinion, the group agreed to interview the five top-ranked candidates. Travel expenses, such as hotel, mileage and airfare, if necessary, will be reimbursed.
The council also:
Held a public hearing on the sale of 512 N. Elm St. to Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault Counties. The city razed the house on the property and wants to give the property to Habitat, which will pay all surveying and closing costs. No one spoke at the hearing or submitted any written comments. The sale will be finalized at the council’s April 27 meeting.
Learned that the completion of some 2019 street improvement projects has been delayed after Sunday’s snowfall. Troy Nemmers, city engineer/public works director, told the council that the completion of Winnebago Avenue, Fourth Street, the parking lot behind Human Services and other projects scheduled to start this month will be set back a few days.
Approved the mayor’s appointment of Perry Struss to the Public Utilities Commission to replace Matt Huset, who resigned because he is moving.
Authorized advertising for bids for the $4.7 million Lake Avenue reconstruction project, which stretches from Fourth Street to Blue Earth Avenue.