Whalan City Clerk Michele Peterson announced at the August Whalan City Council meeting that Affidavits of Candidacy are available for the City of Whalan mayor position and two city council seats. Affidavits can be filed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and must be filed before 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
Present at the August 8 council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis, Sheila Higbe and Thore E. Johnson, along with City Clerk/Treasurer Peterson.
The agenda was approved, with five additions under Miscellaneous, which included Community Survey, Request from Museum, Mulch, Request from Taste of the Trail and Brush Clean-up.
Approval of the July 11, 2022, meeting Minutes will take place at the September 2022 council meeting after corrections have been made by Peterson.
The Treasurer’s Report approved as read.
Continued business
Siding replacement on the town hall was discussed. Peterson reported that she has been in contact with the USDA and the project may be eligible for a grant through the USDA. Peterson also contacted the state historical office to apply for a Legacy Grant.
There is an open seat on the Zoning Board. Anyone who is interested in joining the Zoning Board can contact Peterson.
Two plum trees donated by Johnny Halvorson will be planted on the town hall property.
Parking along 2nd Avenue was discussed. The road is too narrow to have diagonal parking, even if only on one side of the street. Parallel parking will be assigned on both sides of the street.
New Business
Randy Berekvam, city maintenance, reported that the motor on the mower is bad. He has been looking into the cost of replacing the motor. The council will allow up to $2,500 to have the motor replaced.
A discussion was held about the annexed area and the public right of way and maintenance of that area. When the area was developed the roads were described as private and the developer was going to be responsible for maintenance.
The council has been approached to consider road maintenance in that area, including snow plowing. Residents in the annexed area are in the process of creating a homeowner’s association. They would like to work with the city to have the road maintenance done. Although a private development, the residents in the annexed area pay taxes, utilities and other services to the City of Whalan. Peterson will talk to the city attorney about the situation and how best to move forward.
The discussion on Oak Street drainage was tabled until the September 2022 regularly scheduled council meeting.
A neighborhood meeting for the 2022 street improvements will be held Wednesday, August 17 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. Residents are encouraged to attend.
A town hall meeting to discuss electric utility will be held Wednesday, August 24 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. Residents are encouraged to attend.
Miscellaneous
A community survey created by the Zoning Committee will be sent out, asking residents for their opinions on short-term rentals in town.
A request was received from the museum to have light bulbs updated as there are a couple that are burnt out and several that are dim. An estimate will be obtained, to have light bulbs in the museum changed over to LED light bulbs.
The unusable mulch that was delivered will be moved from the basketball court to the area near the burn pile. Any residents interested will be allowed to take any of the mulch that they can use. The mulch is not shredded, rather chunks of wood. The city has not been billed for the mulch.
The Taste of the Trail committee was given approval to use the town hall September 8, 9 and 10, 2022.
The council discussed areas in town that need brush clean-up. Council members will identify spots that need to be cleaned up and the council will follow up at the September meeting.
The next Whalan council meeting will be held Monday, September 12 at 5 p.m. at the Whalan Town Hall.
For further information contact the City of Whalan at (507) 467-2212 or visit www.cityofwhalan.weebly.com.
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