Minneota council supports county museum’s expansion project

Minneota has added its name to a growing list of supporters for the second-floor exhibit plan of the Lyon County Historical Society.

Monday the Minneota City Council pledged $3,000 toward the creation of an exhibit for the second floor of the museum in Marshall to cover contemporary history, meaning post World War II to the present.

In order to secure a grant of $500,000 from the state, museum board members are first obtaining “support” from local communities to show the high amount of interest in the county museum.

“We want to go to the state with strong support to have a realistic chance of commitment (of the grant),” said John Marshall, treasurer of the Lyon County Historical Society Board.

“So far everyone has stepped forward with support,” said Marshall.

“We want to show the state we have support,” Marshall said. Jennifer Hess, Chairman of the Board, indicated the new exhibit would show county history from 1950 on. “We’re now at the construction phase,” she said.

Hess indicated, “$30,000 has been set aside for this project and there is still fund raising efforts.” The hope is to have the new exhibit in place before 2020, which is the year of the 150th Anniversary of Lyon County.

A celebration is being planned for that event.

The new project will include, “Dynamic stories that illuminate and expand on the interpretive themes developed, using museum collections to support the narratives,” said information provided by the historical society.

The historical society, “Is committed to developing an exhibit that carries a ‘Wow’ factor. They hope visitors to the center will find something unexpected in the exhibits.”

IN OTHER action the board:

•Noted the Minneota Police Department report that indicated the August 2017 burglary cases involving Minneota Building Center, Gislason Ace Hardware and Bauer Automotive have concluded with a suspect pleading guilty.

•Approved the purchase of a 2018 Hustler Super Z Huper Drive mower from Wayne’s Tractor Repair of Marshall for $9,999.

The cost was originally $12,499 but Wayne’s allowed $2,500 for the trade in of the old mower.

The new one brings a five-year warranty. The old 2015 mower had been repaired and still is not in working condition.

•Approved the following zoning permits:

—Yvette Kloos of 227 Jefferson for a deck to her home.

—Matthew Boettger of 308 E. Third Street for 2 egress windows on his home.

—Chad and Nicolle Johnston for back steps and side deck onto their house on North Third Street.

•Approved bituminous patching and overlay for the city streets to the low bidder, Fuller Paving of Pipestone for $48,840.

The second bid by Duininck, Inc. was over $60,000.

•Approved 2018 election judges for both the state and primary general elections. Sixteen judges were approved.

Head election judge is Deb Johnson.

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