As the Whalan City Council works to update its official ordinance book, two additional ordinances were added at the February city council meeting.
All board members were in attendance at the February 8, 2021, regularly scheduled monthly meeting, including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Kim Berekvam, Tanya Cook, Owen Lewis and Thore E. Johnson along with City Clerk/Treasurer Michele Peterson.
The agenda was approved with no additions or corrections requested.
Tuftin read the minutes of the January 11 city council meeting. As no additions or corrections were requested, it was approved.
The treasurer’s report was read aloud by Peterson as council members reviewed their personal copies. The council approved the treasurer’s report.
There were no visitor’s comments.
New business
An estimate of $1,800 was received to replace an electric pole and the conductor. Replacement has been recommended due to the age of the pole. Any other work to be done would be at the homeowner’s expense if they wanted to bury the line. The pole feeds at least one home and a street light. Johnson and city maintenance worker Randy Berekvam will look at the electric pole and report back to the council at the March 2021 council meeting.
Continued business
Berekvam reported that they continue to work on the new Whalan brochure. She will follow up with more information at the next council meeting.
Peterson presented new documents for rental of the town hall. A deposit in the amount of 25% of the total fee will be required, along with a refundable security deposit in the amount of $150. Rental fee for the town hall will remain at $50 for property owners and $100 for non-residents.
It was noted that an official maximum capacity number needs to be determined for the town hall. Peterson will look into how to reach the maximum capacity number. The council will table the discussion until March.
The council discussed internet service for the town hall. One possibility suggested was sharing the internet service with the museum. Peterson will contact AcenTek for further information. The issue was tabled until the next council meeting.
Council members discussed whether it would be advantageous to establish a Whalan sales tax. The funds would have to be used for projects that would benefit the town, its residents and visitors. There were many suggestions for projects that the funds could be used for.
One issue would be the administrative cost to establishing a city sales tax. Council members will continue to look into the issue and discussion will continue at the next council meeting.
The council discussed the lodging tax. According to Berekvam, the council has two options, which are “to continue with the City of Lanesboro or break away on our own” and have Whalan collect its own lodging tax. The contract with the City of Lanesboro could also be negotiated.
The council members discussed the partnership with the City of Lanesboro in reference to the lodging tax and if Whalan has received it’s fair amount of proceeds from the lodging tax. “We know that there is potentially money out there for our city and we need help just as much as Lanesboro,” stated Berekvam.
A committee will be formed to discuss the issue and bring their recommendation to the council at the April city council meeting. The committee will include Cook, Berekvam and Lewis, along with possibly business owners or residents that may be interested.
The council approved Title 1 Ordinance – General Provisions and Title 3 Ordinance – Establishing Boards.
The next regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting will be held Monday, March 8, at 5 p.m. and will be available through Zoom. The meeting ID can be found on the City of Whalan website at www.cityofwhalan.weebly.com.
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