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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEMBER 24,1997 <br />Fahey stated that he would like to find a creative way to fund an addition <br />for the Historical Society. Fahey noted that it will be a year and a half <br />before the Historical Society qualifies to conduct charitable gambling. <br />Fahey suggested that perhaps there are organizations that might step up <br />and help fund the addition. <br />Morelan pointed out that where the Historical Society is now does not <br />meet code, and suggested that to pro-long the situation would not be in the <br />best interests of anyone. Morelan also reported that he has talked with <br />many people on this issue both for and against, and was not sure he would <br />learn anything new at a public hearing. Morelan suggested that the <br />problem is that the cost of the project is very definite while the benefit is <br />somewhat obscure and difficult to measure. <br />LaValle stated that he had no problem with the issue of new space for the <br />Historical Society, it was the cost that troubled him. <br />Donovan pointed out that the Historical Society previously displayed its <br />collection to visitors, school children, etc. This can no longer be done <br />because of accessibility issues. <br />Fahey indicated that it is a quality of life issue. Fahey stated that he could <br />see the Historical Society working in tandem with school-aged children. <br />Fahey felt that as much value could be put on an addition for the Historical <br />Society as the addition of a$40,000 parking lot in Pioneer Park. <br />Pedersen again suggested that cities get together as a group on this issue <br />feeling that more could be done as a group than a bunch of smaller cities <br />addressing the issue independently. Pedersen pointed out that the histories <br />of the surrounding cities is similar as this was a rural agricultural area. <br />Pedersen felt that Little Canada was not so unique that there was nothing <br />in common with surrounding cities. <br />Morelan pointed out that the area was New Canada, and Little Canada was <br />the center of that area. <br />LaValle pointed out that if a building was constructed for the Historical <br />Society, there is no indication of how many people would use the building. <br />Scalze felt there was a history record of how many people have visited the <br />existing Historical Society site. <br />Donovan reported that visitors include school children, miscellaneous <br />visitors, as well as a large gathering each year when the Historical Society <br />16 <br />