The February 3 Fountain Council meeting included approval of an ordinance enacting a code of ordinances for the city. The Minnesota Livability Code is based upon the Minnesota Basic Code, a model of ordinances in areas typically encountered by small cities including zoning and utilities. The Livability Code is targeted towards even smaller cities, with populations below 500. Developed by the League of Minnesota Cities and revised in 2016, the code can be adopted without change or modified in areas specific to each cities’ needs.
A public hearing regarding proposed adoption of the code was held prior to the council meeting and received no concerns from the public. Approval also authorized the codification of Fountain’s ordinances for printing.
The bulk of discussion during the meeting was with Sarah Sturgis, Executive Director for the Fillmore County Historical Society. Operating the Fillmore County Historical Museum in downtown Fountain, the society reopened the museum just recently.
“I want to thank the council for the grant for the utility relief. It has been very helpful,” noted Sturgis. “We were shut down for a total of six months, but are excited to be back in business. We’re open – yay!” she enthused to a round of laughter from the council.
Sturgis also serves as the representative for the City of Fountain in the Root River Trail Towns (RRTT) organization. “I enjoy being a part of it.” She encouraged an official from the city or council to join her in serving, noting most cities have two representatives. “I’m happy to play that role. I just don’t want to misrepresent what’s happening in town. I want to make sure I’m as informed as possible,” she added.
Without a Chamber or tourism office, Sturgis further noted that the RRTT website is heavily used by visitors to Fountain. “The museum is both a tourist and locally used resource. Fountain gets some of the highest hits on the site,” she said. “We wondered if you’d consider designating the historical society museum as the official tourism center for the city.”
There was some concern from Mayor Schott. “Check with officials from Fillmore County. It’s the county’s historical society and I don’t want to favor one city over another.”
It was noted, however, that while the society is the county’s in name, it’s run entirely by its own entity. Still, the society will check with the county regarding the designation proposal. “We can try to be specific about how we use language and articulate that,” suggested Sturgis.
Councilor Colleen Foehrenbacher questioned what the vision for the visitor’s center would be and whether that included space inside or outside of the museum. At this time, the concept is in early stages, but Sturgis indicated they society would love to have a gift shop and work to update the curb appeal of the museum.
“Our primary focus is to do some designs to the outside, welcoming people to Fountain. It takes money, but we feel if we have a good plan and get people behind it, it’s doable,” Sturgis stated.
A handful of updates were also noted at the council meeting including plans for Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to assist with writing grants for the city. The purpose is to secure funding assistance for street repairs. “Some projects we need to get done,” said Mayor Jim Schott. “We have not been up to date on them.” A proposal is expected to be presented to the council by CEDA representatives at a future council meeting.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m., at the community center. The meeting is open to the public.
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