New City Clerk Swears in New Council Member in Whalan

Zach Tincher, the new City Clerk in Whalan, swore in new council member Alesha Sveen following his first official council meeting as City Clerk on October 12.

Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis and Kim Berekvam.  Councilor Sheila Higbe was absent. City Clerk Tincher was in attendance, and City Treasurer Teresa Grossell attended through Zoom.

The Agenda was approved with one addition under New Business. Minutes from the September 14, 2026, regular council meeting were approved by the city council, and the Treasurer’s Report was approved as well.

Continued Business

Hallum gave an update on the 2026 Walking Tour of the city by council members. All items on the list to be completed have now been completed.

The council discussed updates on Underground Wiring in Whalan. They discussed the possibility of the city paying $275 toward each meter.  More information needs to be collected before a final decision is made. The matter was tabled until the November council meeting.

Park Renovations and Playground Equipment were the next items on the Agenda. All items have been completed for the year. The cement steps that need to be installed will be completed in the Spring.

Tincher provided an update to the council about the AEDs available through Fillmore County. Whalan was approved to receive an AED, in addition to the one that is in the City Hall.

New Business

The city council approved accepting donations for the Whalan ballfield in memory of Thore E. Johnson in the amount of $1,500.

A discussion was held on whether the city would like to include advertising in the Answer Book the Fillmore County Journal is compiling. The matter was tabled until the November meeting.

The city council approved Alesha Sveen to fill the remainder of Councilman Thore E. Johnson’s term.

The council approved the use of the Town Hall for the owners of Rivers Edge on January 24 or 31, 2027.

MnDOT currently has a program called Active Transportation Planning Assistance. The program provides grants and technical assistance to make biking, walking and other activities better. More information is available online if interested.

Tincher notified the city council about an opportunity for a free trial membership to Southeast Service Cooperative. The council approved a one-year free trial membership.

The city council discussed the use of the City Hall bathroom by patrons of the museum located on the upper floor of the City Hall building. After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled until the November council meeting.

Clerk/Treasurer Updates

Tincher informed the council that the city had received notice of Fillmore County Property Reappraisal.

The City of Whalan received notification of League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) Workers’ Compensation Dividend.

Tincher will be working on several things in the next month including the MnDOT Non-Metropolitan Consultation Survey, which is due by November 9, as well as the MnDOT Statewide Bicycle+ System Plan Comments due before October 23.

The city council approved the three-year reappointment of Diane Snyder on the Planning and Zoning Committee.

Tincher informed the council that the cost of the Zoom trial subscription is ending and the cost to use Zoom will be increasing from $10 a month to $169 a month. The council approved paying the rate increase.