Discussion:
At its June 6, 2023 meeting, Council approved the grant award from the MN Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Age-Friendly Minnesota (MN) program, providing funding to create an accessible and age-friendly patio space at the Community Center, plan gardening classes for the Active Older Adults program, and purchase supplies for the City Clerk’s office to utilize in their Senior Voting Initiative which brings voting to seniors in assisted living facilities.
The Age-Friendly MN program has announced that additional funding has become available and is offering this additional funding to current grantees to apply for first prior to the application being opened to other applicants. The expansion funds would be utilized to purchase additional seating, sunshades, mobile raised plant beds, concrete planters, and stone to match the current façade, creating a more defined area while simultaneously providing additional seating and permanent raised plant beds. The Age-Friendly MN grant will expand our current funding of $33,115, adding up to an additional $95,000 in funding per project.