TRUMAN– On Tuesday, the Truman Active Living group informed the city council of plans it has to apply for a grant to fix up the community building.

Marilyn Carrigan with Truman Active Living said that it’s a one-time, federal community grant for age friendly projects to improve places for Minnesotans to grow older. She said local governments can apply and that community buildings fits well within one of the categories.

She said the maximum is $99,000 and that the deadline to apply is coming up on Feb. 6 but they would like apply a week early if possible. It will be announced who gets the grants on April 12.

“I know the community building needs some help. The active living group is looking into this and we’d like your input on what could be done. We know the roof is a major problem right now,” Carrigan told the council.

She further said that a lot of older people, as well as people of all ages in the community, use the building and that they need estimates and a budget before they can apply for the grant.

Cathy Sorenson, a member of both Truman Active Living and the Spruce-Up Committee, said she had met with a contractor about upgrading the kitchen in the community building.

Nancy Salic, another member of the active living group said they were hoping the city could fix the roof and that the group could upgrade the kitchen with the grant money.

Mayor Jake Ebert said they’re aware that something needs to be done with the roof but that they didn’t budget for the work in 2023.

The project would need to be completed within a year of the grant being given. Council Member Chris Mosloski pointed out that a lot of contractors are busy right now and that it could be awhile to find a person or company to take on the work.

“It might be later in the year but we can probably get it done,” said Council Member Patty Truax.

The group does not need council approval to apply for the grant, but wanted to communicate what it was working on with the council.

The council also discussed the new pool manager job description. For the past few weeks the council has been looking at examples in other area communities of various descriptions as it wants to add a new position that will oversee lifeguards and activity of the pool. The position would also oversee the campground and Graf Park in the summer months.

On Monday the council looked over a description, which is labeled parks and recreation. Hours and the rate of pay have not yet been set. The council discussed making it clear that the job is seasonal and threw around several ways to word it. It also discussed the need to dedicate an assistant pool manager who will be in charge in the evert that the pool manager takes time off.

The council approved of the job description with several amendments and discussed places where it could be posted.

In other action, the council:

— Adopted the 2023 fees and charges schedule.

— Approved an ordinance amending the city code to officially decommission the planning commission and have the city council fulfill the functions of the planning commission.