FAIRMONT– On Monday Lynn Brownlee and Pat Jones, two members of Truman Active Living, shared some of their group’s ideas with the city council during its regular meeting.

Brownlee said they’ve had a recurrent goal and topic of discussion and that’s been a pickleball court.

“I know it’s been found unfeasible financially, however we’d like to propose a temporary solution,” Brownlee said.

She asked whether the surface could be lightly redone.

Mayor Terry Bentele said that they received a bid to overlay and crack fill it about six months ago and that bid alone was about $22,000.

Brownlee said they would need some painting done for the lines. She said that there are some nets they could use temporarily.

“We’ve been trying for way too long and I agree with you. We should try something,” said Council Member Jake Ebert.

Jones shared that Truman High School has added pickleball to its physical education curriculum so students will be learning the game. She spoke about a recent news story concerning pickleball as well.

“It’s so popular everywhere and every age can play it,” said Brownlee.

Council Member Patty Truax said that the council has looked at several options for the court including concrete, overlay and blacktop and that it’s all been so expensive.

City Clerk Melissa Sirovy said they have $15,000 budgeted for it and a memo from last spring with an estimate of about $135,000 for two full pickleball courts and one half basketball court to be installed where the former tennis court area is.

Ebert said while they’d like to do something, they’re currently working on a campground project so nothing will likely happen regarding the pickleball courts yet this year.

Moving to other business the council considered some bonds for campground improvement. The council had a recent work session where Utility Foreman Brent Brown shared that the cost for 10 revamped campsites with electric, water and sewer would be just over $100,000.

At Monday’s meeting, Brown said that he had a proposal from Bolton and Menk which included survey services, site and utilities plans and sewer water pollution prevention.

“The thought was we could put in 10 sites now, put the plans in the drawer and maybe five or 10 years later go back out,” Brown said.

Ebert made a motion to go forward with the survey and design services. The motion passed.

In other utility business, Brown said they are in need of a new utility trailer as the one they currently have isn’t heavy enough for the equipment they need to haul. He said they currently have an 18-ft. trailer with 3,500 pound axels.

“The equipment we have now, we’re overloading it,” said Brown.

He shared some quotes for a 22-ft. and a 24-ft. trailer. Brown said they would like to use capital equipment money and split it between sewer and electric.

“If we have money in there I’d like to see it (happen). I’ve seen the trailer you guys have been using,” said Ebert.

The council approved of purchasing the 24-ft. trailer.

In other news, Brown also shared that the punchlist for the water tower project has been completed. He said they’re planning on opening bids for the water filter rehab project on Nov. 3.