The city of Whalan gratefully accepted a $200 donation from the Whalan Lutheran Church during the regularly scheduled October 13, 2025, city council meeting. The money is earmarked to go toward ballfield expenses. The council thanked the church for its gracious donation.
Present at the council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis, Kim Berekvam and Sheila Higbe. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The council approved the agenda with one addition under New Business, the minutes from the September 8, 2025, council meeting and the treasurer’s report as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
Grossell gave the council an update on liquor license and related ordinance updates. Committee members have been working on updating the liquor license ordinance and are getting close to having a final revision for the council to review. The Zoning Committee will also have updated ordinance information soon for the council to review as well.
The council discussed the 2025 walking tour and what has been completed. The streets have been patched and repaired, which was a priority on the tour list of items to repair, improve or complete.
Council members were provided with the draft of the 2026 budget for their review. Grossell requested that council make notes of any suggested adjustments or questions they may have for discussion at the November council meeting.
The fence at the ballfield has been taken down, thanks to a group who agreed to take it down in the fall and put it up in the spring, as well as chalking and marking when needed.
New Business
The council discussed the option of entering into a Prosecutor Agreement with the Fillmore County Attorney’s Office or continuing with City Attorney Joe O’Koren. The decision was made to stay with O’Koren Law Office.
An ad in the 2026 Visit Bluff Country magazine was approved, in the amount of $215.34.
A second Hazard Mitigation Plan Update meeting was held on September 22 with Mayor Hallum and Councilmember Higbe attending virtually.
Miscellaneous
There continues to be one vacancy on the Zoning Committee. Three of the five positions on the committee will have their terms up as of January 2026 unless people volunteer to serve and/or current members choose to remain on the committee.
The October Zoning Committee meeting is cancelled in order to give committee members time to review the materials for updating ordinances.
Maintenance
Stump grinding work has been completed.
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