With the COVID-19 pandemic gaining strength recently, the Whalan City Council met virtually through Zoom on Monday, December 14, 2020.
Present at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting included Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis, Thore Johnson and Tanya Cook, as well as City Clerk Michele Peterson.
Three New Business items were added to the agenda including Visit Bluff Country Magazine ad, snowplowing and a resident’s smoke stack. The agenda was approved with additions.
The Minutes of the November 9, 2020, council meeting were read by Tuftin. Peterson read the Treasurer’s Report aloud as council members reviewed their personal copies. With no additions or corrections to either, the Minutes and Treasurer’s Report were approved.
There were no questions or comments from visitors attending the virtual council meeting.
Continued business
The council approved to extend the waiving of late fees until March 2021 to offer residents some relief during the pandemic.
Ordinances were discussed. The ordinance book is still being compiled. Discussion will continue at the January 2021 city council meeting.
Council also approved obtaining Manion O’Koren Law Firm for attorney services.
New Business
Wes Harding with Root River Trail Towns presented information about creating a new tourism brochure for Whalan. A committee will be formed, which will include some council members, to work on updating the old brochure. Additional information will be shared at the January 2021 council meeting. The information about Whalan in the visitor’s guide also needs to be updated.
It was decided to not place an ad in the Visit Bluff Country Magazine this year.
The council approved Resolution 2020-5, approving the final 2021 tax levy of $40,000.
The council approved to keep the City of Whalan email account with AcenTek and eliminate the Yahoo email account to avoid confusion.
Johnson reported to the council that the city is prepared for snowplowing and sanding city streets. Randy Berekvam will be the main snowplow operator and Johnson will be the backup operator.
A residence in town has a very low smoke stack that should be extended. The council will contact the homeowner.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the next Whalan City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 6 p.m. and will be available through Zoom. The rest of the 2021 meetings will retain the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m.