As discussed at the June 9 meeting, the city of Whalan was notified that water samples sent into the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have passed.
Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting was Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also present. Councilor Sheila Higbe was absent.
The council approved the Agenda with two additions under New Business. These additions included a Donation and Truck Repair. The council approved the Minutes from the May 12 council meeting and the Treasurer’s Report as presented by Grossell.
Continued Business
Hallum gave an update on the meeting with Block 12 Well regarding electric costs. Block 12 Well will pay the city $240 to cover the rest of the year’s costs. Any adjustments that need to be made will be considered at the end of the year. Block 12 Well plans to pay on a yearly basis for the foreseeable future.
Grossell expressed to the council that the Liquor License Ordinance needs to be updated. She will start going through the ordinance to suggest changes and updates to the ordinance.
The next steps in the 2025 walking tour to-do list were discussed. As funds are limited, the council will fix what they are able to right now and continue the checklist as funds become available.
New Business
The city was informed that it had overpaid payroll taxes and will be receiving a refund of $1075.92.
Renewals have come up for the first two CDs. Each have earned just over $400.
A donation in the amount of $1,000 was received from Anne and John Soiney. The funds are to be used for the ballfield. The council approved to accept the donation. A sincere thank you to the Soineys for their generosity.
City maintenance worker Randy Berekvam has suggested having the frame of the city truck sandblasted. With the truck not having quite 10,000 miles on it, he feels it would be worth it to have all the rust removed and a coating applied to extend the life of the truck. The cost would be approximately $600. Berekvam will ask for another quote from a local business to compare costs and report back to the council.
Miscellaneous
Grossell gave the council an update on several items. The 2025 Whalan Fastpitch Tournament will be held July 4-6. This is the 50th anniversary of the tournament. The council approved a temporary liquor license for the tournament.
It is hoped that the lean-to at the ballfield will be built before the tournament in July, but if it is not, tents will be used.
The council approved using funds from the electric fund to have the remaining work at the ballfield completed. Any donations received for the ballfield will be put back in the electric fund.
Grossell noted that any spongy moth application that will be done should be able to be completed around any dates that events are being held in town.
The city received two notifications from the MDH that the water tests passed. Water samples were collected from the well and the drinking fountain.
All but two of the business license renewals have been received. One of the businesses may be stopping operations. Grossell will investigate the matter and report back to the council.
A reminder that the city still has used electric meters for sale at a cost of $15 each. If interested, contact the city office.
Grossell updated the council on grant activity. She will report any further information on grants to the council.
Informal updated census numbers for Whalan were received. As of 2024, Whalan is listed as having 73 people and 37 households.
The city office will be closed June 13–23. If calling the city office phone number during that time, residents will have the option to leave a voicemail.
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