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Residents ask Kasson City to back veterans memorial; council gives direction to proceed
Summary
A citizens' group presented designs and about $45,000 in pledges for a veterans memorial and asked the city for funding or in‑kind support. Council members instructed staff to pursue options, including legacy fund grants and providing city labor; one council member recorded opposition.
Representatives of a community veterans memorial project presented plans and a funding request to the Kasson City Council and received council guidance to move the project forward.
“Right now we’re sitting at about $45,000 cash in our account,” said Ben Langan, one of the project’s organizers, as he handed council members a packet with designs, measurements and preliminary pricing for a monument. Langan said the group hopes to begin construction in spring and is seeking city help with financing and with initial footing and ground work to show demonstrable progress to donors.
A volunteer grant writer with the group told the council the project has local business pledges and that the group is exploring multiple fundraising avenues, including sales of commemorative pavers and a possible round‑up program at the city liquor store. “We’re not looking for a one‑person aspect. It’s looking for community involvement,” the volunteer said.
Council members discussed site logistics — notably that the memorial would encroach on an existing sand volleyball court — and whether the court could be moved east to preserve room for future expansion. A local contractor and donor offered to donate labor for concrete footings and foundation work, the presenters said.
Council members also identified potential funding sources. One member noted that the state’s Legacy Fund (the result of a voter‑approved amendment that funds cultural and historical grants) includes a veterans memorial funding avenue and encouraged the group to pursue that grant and other matches. Council staff were asked to advise on grant eligibility and next steps.
A council member moved that the city provide direction and support to pursue the project, including in‑kind labor assistance; a second was recorded and the council provided guidance to proceed. The transcript records a vocal opposition from one council member during the vote; the maker and seconder names and full vote tally were not specified in the meeting record.
The group said it will continue fundraising, finalize contractor estimates and coordinate with city staff on site planning. The council did not adopt a formal funding appropriation at the meeting; further staff follow‑up on grants and implementation steps was requested.
