Lions Club donates fitness equipment; council proclaims Native American Heritage Month

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — At its Nov. 5 meeting the Cottage Grove City Council acknowledged a donation from the Cottage Grove Lions Club to replace or upgrade fitness equipment used by city staff and public-safety personnel, and it proclaimed November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month.

Pete Kerner, director of public safety, described the gift and how the donation was a product of local fundraising partnerships including the Lions Club, the VFW and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon groups. Kerner noted the department's interest in staff wellness and said the donated equipment and a recognition plaque will be placed in the city's fitness center.

"It's an honor as a part of the Lions Club to partner with, beyond the Yellow Ribbon and the VFW to support our public safety members and their wellness," a Lions Club representative said during the presentation.

Councilmember Garza read a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month and asked the council to renew commitments to reconciliation and government-to-government relationships with tribal nations. The council adopted the proclamation by motion and voice vote.

The donation and the proclamation were presented during the meeting's presentations segment and were approved or accepted without contested vote items.