Photo by Barb Jeffers
The Whalan City Council has hired Zachary Tincher of Lanesboro as the new city clerk for Whalan. Current City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell will remain in the role of treasurer. Present at the regularly scheduled July 13 council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Sheila Higbe, Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The Agenda was approved with one addition under New Business. Minutes from the June 8 regular council meeting were approved by the city council as well as the Minutes from the June 25 and July 7 special meetings. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
Grossell gave an update on the clerk/treasurer role. Interviews were held for the position and Zachary Tincher has accepted the position of city clerk. Grossell will remain as city treasurer at this time. Tincher will train under Grossell for a few hours during August and the entire month of September. Tincher will take over as city clerk in October and will also be attending a two-day clerk’s conference.
The city council approved the purchase of a new laptop, one year of tech support and a printer/scanner at a cost of approximately $2,500. They approved paying for two full-time city clerks for the month of September and approved having a background check done if Tincher takes on the role of treasurer in the future.
The council discussed updates on the walking tour reporting that the alleys have been graded and work on city trees will be completed in the fall.
Grossell updated the council on underground wiring in Whalan. Letters from MiEnergy have been sent out. The city council approved paying for the electrical box for residents interested in having their wiring placed underground.
The council discussed park renovations and playground equipment at the ballfield. The decision needs to be made as to what to put down on the ground in the playground area. The council will research possibilities. Three steps need to be cemented in at the playground.
The city council continued to review the MN Basic Code Ordinance book page by page taking into consideration recommendations from the Planning Commission.
The DNR agreements have still not been received. Emails from Grossell have had no response.
Higbe attended the Historic Bluff Country Byway Steering Committee meeting and learned that there was not a need for a representative from each community. Higbe will no longer be on the Steering Committee.
New Business
The council approved Resolution 2026-07 as the legislature has changed the process of mail in ballots for small towns, according to Grossell. A mail in ballot can no longer be requested verbally; it must be requested in writing.
The council approved the Workman’s Compensation Renewal through the League of Minnesota Cities.
The city council will accept the matching grant funds from Taylor Family Farm in the amount of $12,500, which was used for the purchase of playground equipment for the ballfield.
Whalan Good Ol’ Days will be held Saturday, August 1. The city council approved the use of the town hall for Whalan Good Ol’ Days at no cost.
An Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) audit is overdue as Grossell had no notice that it was due this year. The AUP is a special audit for small cities that have a merged city clerk/treasurer position. An audit is required every five years. An extension was automatically given, but Grossell requires some time to gather the requested information. The city council approved requesting a second extension to allow Grossell time to gather the requested information. The goal date to have the information submitted is August 31.
The council discussed planning for future flooding. There are bags for sand in the city shop. Hallum will inspect the bags to make sure they are still usable. Council members will research a tarp system that has been used successfully in the area and decide if that would be an option for the city as well.
Miscellaneous
The next Music in the Bluffs series will be held on July 25.
An update was given on election filing. The mayoral position and two city council seats are open. Affidavit of Candidacy is open from July 14-28. There is a $2 filing fee.
The Whalan ball tourney was held, although it was shortened from three days to two days due to lack of teams.
The Planning & Zoning Committee meeting for July has been cancelled due to lack of Agenda items.
Game night will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at the town hall.
In the Maintenance update, the council reported that fuel had been delivered.
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