The Whalan City Council announced at their June 12 meeting that they have received a positive response to the city’s drinking water. Residents can rest assured knowing that their tap water is safe to consume.
Present at the meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Michele Peterson was also in attendance.
Five items were added to the agenda which included Discussion about Second Street; Discussion on memorial bench; Request for temporary liquor license; Speed bumps; and Gas tank.
Minutes of the regularly scheduled May 8 council meeting and the Treasurer’s Report were approved as presented.
New business
Peterson reported that the drinking water test for the City of Whalan came back with positive results.
Having city maintenance worker Randy Berekvam look into getting the gas storage tank fixed was approved. The discussion was tabled until the July council meeting.
Continued business
After requesting opinions from the city council on the previous draft of a short-term rental ordinance, the Zoning Committee brought forth an adjusted draft of the ordinance for council members to study. The matter was tabled until the July council meeting. A copy of the draft will be posted on the City of Whalan website for residents to view.
The council approved going forward with the grant application process.
The improvement project at the playground and around the gazebo is complete. Pea gravel has been placed and mulch has been placed.
Council approved a $100 donation to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.
The services of the Sentence to Serve (STS) program will be utilized by the city.
Council member Johnson will contact the DNR about signs and also about trees along the trail.
The MiEnergy restoration project is complete.
Discussion on repair of picnic tables versus purchasing new ones was tabled until the July council meeting. Johnson and Lewis will do some research on cost effectiveness.
Danny Sveen will perform blade work and dust control in the same areas as last year.
Peterson reported that she had been contacted by a family whose grandmother lived in Whalan and they visited often while growing up, so Whalan has a special place in their hearts. They asked if the council would consider allowing them to place a memorial bench in honor of their grandmother.
The council discussed the matter and would welcome the addition of the memorial bench with stipulations such as a cement pad for maintenance purposes and also that the bench be as maintenance-free as possible. Peterson will contact the family and will report back to the council at the July council meeting.
The Zoning Committee needs to look at Second Street down to New Street as grass has grown over the alley. The Zoning Committee will give a recommendation on how to handle the situation and if it needs to be surveyed. Discussion will continue at the July council meeting.
New parking regulations on Second Avenue will be in place. Parking will now be diagonal parking on one side and parallel parking on the other side.
Traffic is traveling too fast on Main Street and the council discussed possible ways to stop this. Options discussed were speed bumps, putting up a speed limit sign or other signage. The subject was tabled until the July council meeting.
A temporary liquor license for the upcoming ball tournament was approved.
The next regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 10 at 5 p.m. at the Whalan Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
For more information visit the City of Whalan website at cityofwhalan.weebly.com or phone city hall at (507) 467-2212.
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