FAIRMONT– The Martin County Board of Commissioners heard from Martin County Fair Board President, Robbin Celander, who provided a fair update during the board’s meeting on Tuesday.

Celander shared that there are 15 members on the board with the newest member being on for about five or six years.

“We have a very strong board that works so well together,” he said.

Celander also said that it’s a progressive board that would like to see the fair grow through more opportunities for people and especially youth.

Next he provided the commissioners with some information on updates made to the fairground site over the past year. At the racetrack, last year the board put $24,000 into the concession stand and $65,000 into lights and updates on the transformer shed.

However, he shared that the racetrack isn’t profitable, but that the board is working on it because it believes it’s an asset to the community and also brings people to the community. He said currently the fair subsidizes the racetrack.

“As far as the fairgrounds go, in 2022 we painted Keitzer Arena and the old horse barn and you would not have seen that at the fair because it was done after the fair,” Celander pointed out.

He said that project costed $34,000. In 2021 and 2022, about $20,000 was spent on new trees.

“If you’ve been to the fairgrounds, about 85 percent of our trees are Ash. In the last two years, it’s sad. We won’t have a tree left in the park after the fair. We are planting lots of trees and will continue to do that because shade is important,” Celander said.

The trees have needed to be removed because they were infected with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

Celander spoke about some other projects that were done in the last year, including work to the blacktop, which involved sealing cracks and costed $6,500 for materials.

“It needed to be done. It probably hadn’t been done in 10 to 12 years,” he said.

A new stage is also being built in the park, which Celander said is a substantial project. He said the stage is too small to house the acts that they want to bring in.

“Eventually we’d like to get new bleachers. We’re renting bleachers right now; we took the old ones down,” Celander said.

He pointed out that the fairgrounds is used for other events, including the MYLE (Minnesota Youth Livestock Expo) which he said is the biggest livestock show in the state, aside from the state fair, and also the biggest weekend in Fairmont for hotels.

It was also shared with the board that the Martin County Arena gets used for a variety of events, including a good number of weddings and some other events and parties.

Finally, Celander said he appreciates the support of the board, as well as the support and sponsorship of businesses in the county. He said that their income from sponsorships off of business is up $70,000.

The board also heard from Chuck Mixson, a member of the Martin County Veterans Memorial (MCVM) committee, who was present to let the board know that the steps that go up to the donor wall need to be replaced.

“We have a bid to do it. We’re going to add some footings to it this time to make it more stable. The bid is $3,600, approximately. We’ll cover the cost for it,” Mixson said.

The board approved of the request for improvements to the MCVM.

Moving to other matters, the board considered revisions to the drug and alcohol free workplace and testing policy for commercial and non-DOT employees.

Human Resources Director Leigha Johnson, said that the changes come following the changes in the state regarding marijuana use.

“As of now, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, so anyone that is involved with the department of transportation, that’s an absolute no regardless of the law. They cannot test positive for marijuana,” Johnson said.

She said the biggest difference is that non-DOT employees fall under the state.

“Just like with alcohol, you can go home and have a cocktail or marijuana at night, but you can’t come to work actively high,” Johnson said.

However she noted that there isn’t a good testing capability for marijuana right now, which is why they have updated the reasonable suspicion form to include marijuana.

Commissioner Elliot Belgard asked how much of the policy was changed. Johnson said that it’s a complete rewrite and also much longer as it includes cannabis.

The board unanimously approved of the revised policy.

In other news, the board:

— Recognized the retirements of Denise Jorgenson, with seven years of service, and Valerie Jepsen, with 11 years of service.

— Approved a resolution to enter into lighting maintenance agreement with MnDOT on Trunk Highway (T.H.) 4.

— Approved the 2023 annual ongoing maintenance of the compensation and classification plan.

— Accepted the resignation of a part time sheriff’s deputy and authorized recruitment.

— Accepted the resignation of assistant county attorney and authorized recruitment.

— Approved updates to the victim witness coordinator job description.

— Approved an amendment to an agreement with Bolton & Menk, in the amount of $4,000 for work on the courthouse drainage and ADA improvements.

— Approved a three percent increase on lease agreements for county owned office spaces.

— Approved a change order, in the amount of $5,496, for Oleson & Hobbie Architects for the roof replacement project at 1200 North State Street.

The board went into closed session to discuss the purchase of real property for county use.