TRUMAN — Truman City Council on Monday heard from resident Dan Espeland, who expressed interest in purchasing several lots from the city.

Espeland is the owner of Minnesota Para Transit and wants to expand by constructing a new building on the nearby lots.

Espeland asked the council if the lots were for sale. They are at 209, 213 and 215 W. Ciro St. but are grouped together and would be sold as one parcel.

“They’re 25-foot lots and there’s four of them, so it would be 100 by 142,” said city clerk Monte Rohman.

The Martin County Assessor’s Office values the lots at $2,100.

“They’re not listed but we’re definitely interested in doing something with them,” said council member Brandon Mosloski.

“We like the location where we’re at on that end of town,” Espeland said. “We don’t want to relocate.”

Council member Brian Nickerson said, “We want to see another business survive in town.”

Espeland put in a $2,100 bid for the lots and the council accepted it.

Espeland said the tentative plan is to break ground in April, if possible, and be done by the end of July.

Moving along to other matters, the council heard from Faith Clow, a Truman pool commission member, who was present to talk about a fundraising project.

The council is aware the pool needs a new deck and some time ago there was talk about collecting donations from the community to help pay for it. The plan is to get a sign made to indicate the amount that has been raised.

Clow asked council members what they thought is goal, as she had only received one bid so far. After some discussion, the council advised the goal be to raise $50,000.

The council is open to pitching in some money after the fundraiser, if more is required.

“We don’t have anything set aside right now but that’s not to say we can’t,” Mosloski said.

“It’s something that has to be done,” said Mayor Lynn Brownlee.

In other news, the council accepted the 2018, collectible 2019 property tax levy, which is up 3 percent from last year. The levy is set at $430,600.