The Whalan City Council will hold a public meeting at the end of March to inform residents of proposed liquor license regulations and rate changes.
Present at the March 9, 2026, council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe, Owen Lewis (via Zoom) and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in attendance.
The council approved the agenda with three additions under New Business, the Minutes from the February 9, 2026, council meeting and the Treasurer’s Report as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
The city council had many items to discuss in relation to Liquor License and Related Ordinance Updates. The Whalan Fee Schedule was reviewed with most fees remaining the same, but a Sidewalk Café fee and a Street Café fee of $50 were added.
A second reading of the Sidewalk Café and Street Café Ordinances took place with a few tweaks remaining before the final review of the ordinance by the city council.
The council completed its final review of the Liquor Regulations which is now ready for public review and comments. The council also finished the first reading of the Special Residential District materials which will be further discussed at the April 2026 council meeting.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Whalan Town Hall to inform residents and receive feedback regarding the proposed Liquor License Ordinance and rate changes. The public is encouraged to attend.
The council approved separating the liquor license fees from the Sidewalk Café ordinance and Street Café ordinance.
After the council reviewed the liability insurance coverage and removed items that were no longer necessary to cover, there was a change in the premium amount. The premium amount has decreased by 12.65% due to the changes made by the council.
New Business
The organizers of the MN Driftless Hiking Trail contacted council member Berekvam who is the Whalan contact person for the group. A letter of support from the Whalan City Council was requested by the group, which would be included in a grant application the organizers plan to submit. The council approved providing a letter of support as requested.
Grossell spoke with the city council regarding the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Application explaining that she has not completed the application but is hopeful she will be able to get the application completed and sent before the application deadline.
Decisions need to be made as far as the ballfield playground equipment. A design needs to be chosen and ordered. The council will continue researching the designs to select a design.
The council approved having Danny Sveen perform tree trimming on Deep River Road at a cost up to $500.
Hallum noted that the black top on the Oak Street hill has washed out again. The council will look into some type of possible solution.
Porta-potties will be placed on the trail from April 1 – October 31 and will be placed at the ballfield before Memorial Day until the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Miscellaneous
Grossell provided the council with an update on various items she has been working on and completed. The Workman’s Compensation Audit and the 2025 FYE items are complete. Financial Audit materials have been submitted.
Grossell and Higbe attended a League of Minnesota Cities, (LMC), staff visit and roundtable which was held in Lanesboro.
Hallum and Johnson attended the Lanesboro Fire Department Annual Meeting last month. Coverage fees for the city of Whalan have been established. The fire department fee for the year is $3,861.36 and the ambulance service fee is $1,410.35.
City Maintenance worker Randy Berekvam reported that the fuel tank is getting low. Berekvam will order fuel to fill the tank.
For more information contact city hall at 507.467.2212 or visit cityofwhalan.weebly.com.
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