Photo by Barb Jeffers
As the new playground equipment for the Whalan softball field has arrived, council members seek additional volunteers for assembly.
In attendance at the regularly scheduled June 8, 2026, city council meeting were mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe, Owen Lewis and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The city council approved the agenda and the minutes from the May 11, 2026, regular council meeting. The treasurer’s report was approved as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
The clerk/treasurer role was discussed since an ad was placed in the Fillmore County Journal for a part-time position to replace Grossell. There has been one applicant so far. Another ad will be published for the position with the council planning to meet with applicants later this month.
The walking tour by the city council has been completed. A few items were highlighted by the council to be addressed including grinding a stump at Main Street and Second Avenue, repainting the parking area at the die shop, alley grading, fixing the corner of New Street and First Avenue and removing a tree by city hall.
Council members approved having the stump ground in the amount of $2,500. They received an estimate of $500 from Danny Sveen for alley grading. The council will continue to work on the list of items to be completed.
Tree trimming on Deep River Road will be done in the fall.
The council continued a previous discussion on underground wiring and how many households would be interested in having it done. There was also a discussion about the possibility of the city paying a portion of the cost, but more information is needed about how many residents would choose to have their wiring moved underground. The council will continue to research this topic.
An ad will be placded in the Fillmore County Journal to highlight Whalan’s Music in the Bluffs series of concerts.
The new playground equipment for the ballfield has been delivered and needs to be assembled. Council members and volunteers will put the equipment together. The council will coordinate the volunteers.
The council reviewed the updated MN Basic Code Ordinance with recommendations from the Planning Commission and the zoning map.
The council discussed the Title 9 General Regulations: Sidewalk and Street Café Ordinance.
DNR Agreements still have not been received. The matter was tabled until next month.
The Oak Street Project was discussed. As no funds have been awarded and legislation has ended the discussion was tabled.
New Business
The Historic Bluff Country Byway Steering Committee has requested a Whalan representative to attend meetings. Councilmember Higbe will attend the June 11 meeting via Zoom.
The city council approved the Joint Powers Agreement for Prosecution Services.
Miscellaneous
Grossell reported to the council what she has been working on recently and provided updates.
All business licenses have been renewed. The Planning & Zoning meeting is cancelled this month due to a lack of agenda items.
The city of Whalan did not receive a T-Mobile grant that had been applied for.
There will be election judge training on July 1 in Preston, Minnesota with afternoon and evening sessions.
The Whalan Town Hall is rented on Saturday, June 13, with set-up happening the night before.
The city of Whalan has received unofficial census numbers from the State of Minnesota. Whalan is listed as having 73 residents and 37 households.
Whalan girls fastpitch games begin June 2 and continue through July 15. All games are double headers. The girls fastpitch tournament will be held July 3-5.
Maintenance Updates
City maintenance worker Randy Berekvam has purchased the leaf blower that was approved for purchase last month.
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