After a discussion at the September council meeting whether to replace all of the bulbs in the city of Whalan’s streetlights to LED bulbs at one time or to replace a few at a time due to the high cost of replacement, the city council of Whalan has decided to hold a public hearing on the matter, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. on October 9, 2017 – just prior to the regular monthly council meeting at the Whalan City Hall.
All council members were present at the regularly scheduled September council meeting held September 11, 2017, along with City Clerk Lolly Melander.
The minutes from the August 14, 2017 were read by Melander. With no requested additions or corrections a motion was made by Everett Johnson, second by Wyatt Berekvam, to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.
The Treasurer’s Report was read by Melander. No additions or corrections were requested. Motion by Owen Lewis, second by Kim Berekvam, to accept the treasurer’s report and bills due as read. Motion carried.
Visitor comments
Char Johnson with the Taste of the Trail Committee gave a report to the council on Whalan’s participation in Taste of the Trail held on September 9, 2017. Johnson stated Whalan’s Taste of the Trail event was “very successful,” saying they served approximately 2,000 food samples. Those volunteering their time heard many good compliments about the event. “I think everyone enjoyed a beautiful day and were left with a very positive feeling about the city of Whalan,” stated Johnson.
Johnson suggested that as Wes and Judy Harding “do an awful lot for the city” and are “so willing to help – always” and due to the fact that Wes was the head of the Taste of the Trail event in Whalan that it would be nice if the city would send them a thank you card. The council wholeheartedly agreed. Melander will send a thank you to the Hardings in appreciation of their hard work for the city.
Old Business
Lewis and Johnson gave a report on street repairs. All of the work has been completed as planned.
Mayor Marlys Tuftin gave a report on the town hall door. She spoke with the carpenter, Randy Berekvam, who stated that the new front door has been ordered. The new door will be a steel door instead of a fiberglass door which is currently in place. The door will need to be painted once it is installed.
Berekvam will also take a look at the back door which has been leaking and has caused water damage to the carpet.
Berekvam offered to pay $50 for the front door currently in place on the town hall if the city had no use for it. The payment would be taken off the labor costs to install the new door. Motion by K. Berekvam, second by Lewis, to accept the offer which would lower the cost of installation. Motion carried.
Melander gave an update on the emergency siren which has not been operational recently. Kevin Beck, Emergency Management Director, contacted Melander explaining that box elder bugs had caused a short which made the siren inoperable.
Although the siren had been sealed, the seal cracked, which allowed the bugs to get in. Ancom Communications of Rochester, the company which services the siren, has billed the city a service fee of $195 for fixing the siren and re-sealing it. The council feels that the city should not be billed for this service as it was Ancom’s seal that cracked leading to the siren not working. Melander will contact Ancom to voice the council’s concerns.
The second application of dust control has not been done. The council feels there is no need for a second application as the dust is not a problem at this time. Melander will contact Chuck’s Feed & Grain of Peterson, Minn., to cancel the second application for this year.
New Business
Whalan Lutheran Church has donated $298.23 from the softball tournament proceeds to the city.
Motion by Lewis, second by Johnson, to have Melander complete a city compliance tour with a Fillmore County deputy. Motion carried. The date will be determined by the deputy and Melander.
Tuftin brought up the subject of very poor or no cell phone service in Whalan. In cases of accidents on the river or other emergencies, the use of cell phones can be vital to contact emergency responders. Tuftin contacted the League of Minnesota Cities and was informed that “in order to get a tower we would have to contact our government officials,” she explained to the council.
K. Berekvam agreed with Tuftin, saying that recently she and others had helped rescue a family of four who had tipped their canoes over by a nearby bridge. “They couldn’t get any service and they didn’t know the area, they didn’t know where they were, where to go or what to do,” adding, “thankfully we didn’t need an ambulance” for them, stated Berekvam, but “if we had a cell phone tower here…it definitely would be an asset,” she said. “It would be good for the residents as well,” stated Tuftin.
“It would be a good idea to talk to our legislators,” stated Tuftin. The council also noted that the city owns property up on top of the hill near the softball field that would be the perfect spot for a cell phone tower. The council members will look into the possibilities and report any findings at the next regularly scheduled monthly council meeting.
Motion by Johnson, second by Lewis, to approved the proposed 2018 tax levy. Motion carried.
Motion by W. Berekvam, second by Johnson, to adjourn. Motion carried.
The next regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting will be held on October 9, 2017, at 5 p.m., following the public hearing.
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