Photo by Barb Jeffers
The Whalan City Council worked through a long agenda during the May 11 council meeting. Present were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The council approved the agenda with two additions under Continued Business and one addition under New Business, the Minutes from the April 13, 2026, regular council meeting. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
Following a public hearing on a new Interim Street Café Ordinance with no comments or questions from the public, the city council approved tabling the ordinance vote until a later date.
Tree trimming on Deep River Road has not yet been completed. Hallum will look into when the work can be completed. No action has been taken on the Oak Street Project. Block 12 Well electric costs will be invoiced for 2026.
The city council set the dates for their walking tour. Council members will meet on May 19 at 9 a.m. to walk around town and pay attention to any needs or improvements they may notice. Rain date will be May 21 at 9 a.m. if necessary.
DNR Agreements have not yet been received. Grossell will notify the council when the agreement documents are received.
Jane Lewis updated the council on Music in the Bluffs 2026. The events will be held on Saturdays – June 20, July 25, and August 22.
Grossell updated the council on the ordering of the playground set for the ballfield. The last step was to choose between the colorful option or the natural color option. The council approved ordering the natural color option. Grossell also informed the council that she was able to secure large savings by requesting the company extend a sale price for the Whalan city council, which they did. This lowered the price from a quote last year of over $19,000 to the order price of $15,081. The council appreciated Grossell’s initiative and the savings it produced.
Council members will work together as well as ask for volunteers to help with the pre-installation work where the new playground equipment will be installed.
Fifteen to 20 residents have shown an interest in having underground wiring installed for their electric meters. If interested, contact the city or any council member.
Community game night has been successful with the next one planned for May 13 from 6-9 p.m. at the Town Hall.
New Business
The city council approved a temporary liquor license for the 2026 Whalan Fastpitch Tournament which will be held July 3-5.
Ben Ruberg, with the Planning and Zoning Committee, presented council members with copies of the MN Basic Code Ordinance book with updates tailored specifically to Whalan. Councilors will review the book and make recommendations for changes or additions at the June council meeting. The council thanked Ruberg for all his work on the project.
Grossell informed the city council that within one year’s time she is planning to retire and would also like to spend a month or two down south this winter, so she proposed the city council start searching for a replacement for the city clerk and/or treasurer position.
She stated she could possibly continue performing the treasurer’s duties remotely, if necessary, but it would not be possible to do the city clerk’s responsibilities remotely.
The city council approved advertising for a new city clerk and/or treasurer position.
Miscellaneous
Grossell provided the council with an update on what she has been working on in the last month. She completed COVID Funds Annual Reporting and the 2026/27 Business License Renewals.
The Planning & Zoning Meeting for May has been canceled.
Grossell informed the city council that an IRS refund has been received in the amount of 1,385.30 due to a previous overpayment that was discovered last year.
The council approved the purchase of a leaf blower for city use in the amount of $49.
Grossell informed the city council that she received information about the amount of Local Government Aid (LGA) Whalan will receive in 2027. In 2026, the amount of LGA was reduced to $1,432. The city received notice that in 2027 the amount of LGA will be reduced to $702.
Leave a Reply