Photo by Barb Jeffers
The Whalan City Council was educated on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail that is being planned and how Whalan could be included in the trail. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting on April 14, 2025, were Mayor Hallum, along with councilmembers Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also present.
The council approved the Agenda as presented and approved the Minutes from the March 10, 2025, council meeting and the Treasurer’s Report.
Visitor Comments
Alex Shapiro with the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail attended the council meeting to provide information on the trail, what their vision is, what has been done thus far and what they hope to accomplish in the future. “Our project is an effort to establish a 100-plus mile backpacking trail through the driftless area of Minnesota in the style of the national scenic and recreational trail system supported by volunteers and operating as an independent organization,” stated Shapiro. Whalan has the opportunity to be included as part of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail, which would bring visitors and business to town.
Organizers of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trial will be holding a public forum at the Whalan Town Hall on Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the forum to learn about the proposed trail and ask any questions they may have.
Continued Business
The council approved Ordinance 2025-01 – Electric Franchise Agreement with MiEnergy, Ordinance 2025-02 – Electric Franchise Fee, and approved the Summary Publication of Ordinances in local newspaper.
No update was given on the meter socket installation near the bike trail. It has not been installed yet. Several of the used electric meters have been sold at $15 each. There are several still left for sale.
The discussion of the Block 12 Well meeting regarding electric costs was tabled until next month.
New Business
The council has received an application for a liquor license from Pat and Karna Hudoba of Aroma Pie Shoppe. The Hudobas attended the meeting virtually to discuss their proposal. There are many things for the council to consider on the issue before deciding as to whether to approve the liquor license. The council will investigate the matter and communicate with Hudobas and will report their findings at the May council meeting.
An ad to sponsor the Music in the Bluffs was approved by the council at a cost of $39.
After a discussion on the two CDs that will be reaching maturity soon, the council decided to let them roll over.
The 2024 Financial Statement prepared by Smith Schafer was approved by the council.
The councilmembers’ Walking Tour of Whalan will take place on Tuesday, April 22 at 9 a.m. The council takes this opportunity to walk around town and see if there is anything that needs attention or repairs. In case of inclement weather, the walking tour will be held on Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m.
The subject of DNR Agreements was on the agenda but as the city has not received the paperwork from the DNR yet, the matter was tabled.
The 2025/26 Business License Renewals were approved. Renewals are due in May to be effective on June 1, 2025.
Miscellaneous
Grossell gave the council an update on what she has been working on and the upcoming reporting that will soon be due. The County Hazard Mitigation Survey was submitted, one of two electric reports has been completed, and quarterly taxes have been taken care of. The second of the electric reports will be completed soon, as will COVID Reporting.
The city of Whalan has received a grant in the amount of $2,000 from the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation (LACF). The council shared their appreciation to LACF for the grant amount.
The council approved of accepting a $500 donation from MiEnergy for improvements at the ballpark.
Backflow installations have been completed per Sanitary Survey Report Findings.
For more information on the city, visit cityofwhalan.weebly.com, phone 507-467-2212, or email cityofwhalan@goacentek.net.
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