As the Whalan City Council met on August 10, they had yet to receive a response from the MN DNR after multiple attempts regarding the yearly agreement document and subsequent reimbursement from the DNR for trail maintenance that normally takes place.
Present at the meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Sheila Higbe, Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The Agenda was approved with no additions. The council approved the Minutes from the regularly scheduled July 13, 2026, city council meeting and approved the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Visitor Comments
Zach Tincher, newly hired city clerk currently in training, was in attendance to observe the council meeting. Tincher noted that he was happy to be attending the meeting.
Continued Business
Grossell provided the city council with an update on the clerk/treasurer roles. Tincher has been training with Grossell throughout August. In September, Tincher will start full time, although much of his time will be spent at the clerk’s conference, and Grossell will continue in the clerk/treasurer role until October, when Tincher will take over the role of city clerk and Grossell, in her singular role as treasurer, will provide the Treasurer’s Report only.
The council discussed the walking tour and what has been accomplished recently. A tree was taken down, and road patching has been done, with additional patching to be completed later.
Hallum gave an update on the underground wiring in Whalan. Hallum and Berekvam have contacted residents to see if they are interested in having their wiring placed underground. They are waiting for responses from residents.
The council discussed the park renovations and the newly installed playground equipment. Three steps need to be cemented as soon as the council can get the work completed.
Grossell provided the council with an update on the yearly DNR Agreement for reimbursement for maintenance on the trail. She has still not received any response after multiple attempts to contact the DNR. “Still nothing; and I have reached out to a few different contacts, and nobody seems to know anything. So, my guess is we are not going to be getting reimbursed for trail maintenance this year. Whether that is the new thing moving forward, or just this year, but so $500 we would normally see, as of right now I don’t anticipate that we will be receiving that,” stated Grossell.
The council approved Resolution 2026-07A, containing a necessary revision from the original resolution.
Councilmember Berekvam gave an update on the Good Ol’ Days celebration which was held the first weekend in August. More than 30 people attended and enjoyed a potluck dinner. The Good Ol’ Days celebration will be held next year the first weekend of August.
A discussion was held by the city council on future flood planning. Hallum reported that the city has approximately 1,000 bags ready to be filled with sand in the event they are needed.
The city council continued the review of the MN Basic Code Ordinance suggesting updates and recommendations from the Planning Commission.
Miscellaneous
Grossell provided the council with updates on a few matters of importance. The election filing deadline has passed. All current incumbents have all filed for new terms.
The Planning & Zoning meeting for August has been cancelled due to lack of agenda items.
The next game night will be held August 26 from 6-9 pm. At least 25 people attended game night in July and fun was had by all.
The Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) extension request has been submitted.
SEMAC, who awarded the grant for the Music in the Bluff series this summer, provided the council with informational pamphlets to share with residents.
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) would like to attend a council meeting, as they have in the past, to provide updates to the city council. Grossell will invite a representative to attend the September or October 2026 council meeting.
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