The Whalan City Council moved smoothly through their routine agenda items as well as beginning of the year tasks during the first city council meeting of 2026.
Present at the January 12, 2026, regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Sheila Higbe, Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis (via Zoom) and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The council approved the agenda with one addition under new business, the minutes from the December 8, 2026, council meeting and the treasurer’s report as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
Jamie Sveen with Krage Insurance attended the council meeting to answer a few questions the council had about the city’s insurance coverage. The council approved removing a storage shed and a submersible pump from coverage.
Several items pertaining to liquor licenses and ordinance updates were tabled until the February 2026 council meeting.
Grossell provided council members with information regarding the Title 9 “General Regulations”: Sidewalk and Street Café Ordinance to review before the February meeting.
New Business
The city council approved meeting times for 2026 for regularly scheduled council meetings. Whalan City Council meetings will continue to be held on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Whalan Town Hall.
The city council approved the appointment of Kim Berekvam as Mayor Pro-Tempore for 2026.
Several mandatory resolutions in the new year were up for approval. Resolution 2026-01 – Designating an Official Depository, was approved with Merchant’s Bank as the official depository for the City of Whalan. Resolution 2026-2 – Designating an Official Newspaper, was approved with the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper.
The city council approved two additional resolutions including Resolution 2026-03 – Establishing a Mileage Reimbursement Rate, approved a rate of .72.5 cents per mile reimbursement if traveling for city business and Resolution 2026-04 – Authorizing Signature for City Accounts with the council approving the need for two signatures.
The city council approved a donation to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in the amount of $150.
Rates of pay for city employees and council members were reviewed. Part-time city helper rate of pay and snow shoveling labor were increased to the new minimum wage of $11.41 per hour. There were no other changes in rates of pay.
Council members approved a request by John Gaddo for the Subdivision Association to use the Town Hall free of charge on Sunday, January 18. Hallum will open the Town Hall for use and lock the door following the meeting.
Lanesboro Mayor Alicia Pearson shared information with the city council about the Rural Health Innovation Study which will be taking place in both Lanesboro and Whalan beginning in late January/early February. Pearson expressed she was sharing the information both as a resident of Lanesboro and in her role as Mayor of Lanesboro. The study is being run by the University of Minnesota and is specific to small rural communities.
The project has gained attention and support at the state and national levels. Pearson stated she is “excited to be moving it forward,” and wanted to make the city council aware of the project. Pearson also noted she would be available to answer any questions the council may have.
The council will ask Pearson to attend the February council meeting to share information about the project if she is available. For more information on the project visit omcare.com/rural-health-innovation-study.
The city council approved putting sand on the street to Cedar Valley Resort when needed.
Miscellaneous
Grossell updated the council on her recent and present tasks, mostly relating to end-of-year business and beginning of the year items. This includes paperwork such as the Worker’s Compensation Audit, Annual Tax Forms, Budget Finalization, City Summary Budget and Data Financial Reporting Form and Quarterly Tax Filing among others.
Grossell has also been working on the new paid leave law with quite a bit of paperwork and setting up accounts.
Grossell was informed that the Hazard Mitigation Plan process is almost finalized.
The Annual Rural Fire Association Meeting will be held on Monday, February 9 at 7 p.m. Hallum and Johnson will attend.
Grossell received an informational email that the Fillmore County Republican Caucus will be held on February 3 at 7 p.m.
In maintenance updates, city maintenance worker Randy Berekvam and Hallum discussed comparing the price of sand between Peterson and Lanesboro locations through Fillmore County. Hallum will contact Fillmore County for quotes.
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