Lanny Landsverk, city maintenance worker for the City of Whalan reported to the council at the November council meeting that he will be retiring next fall after the seasonal work has been completed. The council thanked him for his years of service thus far and appreciated the early notice to look for a replacement.
The monthly meeting, which took place on Veterans Day, November 12, 2018, began at 5 p.m. Mayor Marlys Tuftin, City Clerk Lolly Melander and council members Johnny Halvorson, Owen Lewis and Everett Johnson were present. Absent was council member Kim Berekvam.
Minutes from the October 8 meeting were approved as read by Melander. One addition to the treasurer’s report was made to the bills due, which was $465 owed to Landsverk. The treasurer’s report and bills due were approved with the addition.
Visitors comments
Wes Harding announced that the Root River Trail Towns Committee will be having their annual meeting in the Whalan City Hall on Tuesday, November 27, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Harding invited the public to stop in and see what is happening with the committee. The Root River Trail Towns Committee promotes tourism and commerce along the trail in nine different communities.
Old Business
Mayor Tuftin reviewed the budget. The council looked ahead to next year for items or projects that needed to be added to the budget. Motion was made and approved to set aside $5,000 to be put in the fund for repair on the city hall roof.
New Business
A bill in the amount of $1,609.52 from Haakenson Electric for repair on the Cindy Crestwell property has been received. The charges are from a storm in October when a branch came off a tree, causing considerable damage to the meter boxes and there was a power outage for two households. The tree was not on city property and the city’s insurance will not cover the cost. The bill will be forwarded to the property owner.
Melanie Murphy was on the agenda to discuss trees which are on city property. Murphy attended with two additional family members. The dispute is in regards to three trees that are on city property which the Murphy family has maintained for many years. The city hired Norby Tree Service to trim tree branches that were in the way of power lines and to advise the council on any trees that needed to be removed.
Norby stated the three trees in question are problematic trees and should come down but the Murphy family is against removing them and proposed leaving the trees standing and they will continue to maintain them at their own expense.
Although the Murphy family planted the trees decades ago the question is whose property they are on. “The city has the right of way and the city has the unincorporated road where there are three power poles that go down the hill — that is actually a city designated unincorporated road,” stated Tuftin. “Those trees, they seem to be very close to the power lines, and those were recommended to be removed,” she explained.
The city council went to the area and evaluated it and felt the trees were on city property.
“We’ve never denied taking over city property — everybody has something or does something with the city property to maintain, to keep it up,” said Murphy.
The issue was tabled until the December council meeting when the Whalan city attorney and the attorney for the Murphy family can be present.
An estimated $550 will be added to the budget for 2019 to spray Rhino lining in the bed of the city sand truck for rust protection.
The official state election results were reviewed. Marlys Tuftin was re-elected Mayor for a two-year term and Johnny Halvorson and Kim Berekvam were each elected for four-year terms as council members.
Added to the agenda was a discussion on a special zoning meeting that was held in regards to roads and unincorporated roads. There are a number of unincorporated areas in town. The one specific area the zoning committee wanted to look at was the area between Oak Street and Bench Street that goes down the hill.
“That’s where our power line goes,” stated Tuftin. “We have had discussions, as you know, about the property, and the city feels we have an obligation to take care of our power lines and to keep those areas clear and accessible to our utility trucks so they can get at them and make repairs as necessary,” said Tuftin.The area in question will be surveyed to clear any confusion as to property lines.
The next regularly scheduled monthly Whalan City Council meeting will be held December 10. The public is encouraged to attend.
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