The Fairmont City Council Monday Approved requesting that properties in the city forfeited for nonpayment of property taxes be sold or conveyed to the city. Each year, Martin County offers such properties to the city first. If the property is blighted or uninhabitable, the city will raze the structure. This year, the city requested seven properties: 512 N. Elm St., 1206 N. Elm St., 110 Webster St., 714 N. North Ave., 406 N. Elm St., 606 N. Prairie and 415 E. Sixth St.

The council approved hiring Bolton & Menk for $110,500 to design the Margaret Street trail extension. The original grant for the project, which will connect Margaret Street with Torgerson Drive, was increased from $408,000 to $430,000 to help compensate for the cost of the pedestrian bridge required to cross Center Creek. Total cost of the project is anticipated to be $950,000, with construction to begin in 2020.

An event permit for the annual Glows parade was approved by the Fairmont City Council on Monday.

The parade is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.

Parade line-up starts at 5:15 p.m. at Ward Park. The procession will head north through Downtown Plaza and continue on North North Avenue, ending at Lincoln Park.
During this time, Albion Avenue from Webster Street to Woodland Avenue and Tilden Street from Park Street to Albion Avenue will be blocked off due to traffic and safety concerns.

Mayor Debbie Foster reported on the Sept. 24 closed session to evaluate the job performance of Elizabeth Bloomquist, city attorney. She said the council was very satisfied with Bloomquist’s overall performance, and some concerns were discussed in the review.