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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEMBER 24,1997 <br />Fahey pointed out the survey information provided outlining how other <br />cities address this issue. Fahey noted the support provided by other cities <br />for their historical societies. <br />Pedersen felt a regional approach made more sense rather than every city <br />having its own historical society and its own building. Pedersen felt this <br />was a bigger function and that surrounding cities should pool resources in <br />this regard. <br />Scalze pointed out that there is a big group of Little Canada volunteers <br />involved in the Historical Society, while the City of Maplewood is having <br />a difficult time getting a historical society off the ground. <br />Donovan reported that the Historical Society has approximately 75 active <br />members, three-quarters of which live in Little Canada. <br />Fahey stated that he would like to see the unique identity and history of <br />Little Canada preserved, and he was not interested in a regional approach <br />to the issue. Fahey suggested that perhaps a public hearing should be <br />called so the Council can obtain the sentiment of the community on this <br />matter. Fahey felt eliminating the bathroom issue would reduce the costs. <br />LaValle agreed that Little Canada's identity should be preserved, but <br />suggested that this could be done with a regional approach to the issue. <br />LaValle questioned spending $300,000 for an addition to the City Center <br />to house the Historical Society. LaValle pointed out that the Historical <br />Society is a private organization. <br />Fahey replied that the Historical Society is the guardian of the City's <br />identity, and an addition for the Historical Society would have an impact <br />on all the residents of the City. <br />Pedersen stated that he did not know that Little Canada's history was so <br />unique from that of sui~rounding areas. <br />LaValle suggested an option may be to relocate one of the houses the City <br />has purchased for use by the Historical Society. Scalze pointed out that <br />ADA issues would still come into play. <br />Scalze pointed out that the City spends massive amounts of money on its <br />park system, and noted that soccer fields, for example, are being used by <br />private groups. Scalze asked how this was different. Scalze pointed out <br />that the members of the Historical Society are all volunteers. Scalze felt <br />that preserving the history of the City could be considered a recreational <br />activity. <br />15 <br />