Due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whalan City Council has made the decision to not allow any rentals of the city hall building until after December 31, 2020.

Present at the Monday, July 13, 2020, regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, councilmembers Owen Lewis, Tanya Cook, Thore Everett Johnson and Kim Berekvam, as well as City Administrator Michele Peterson. The meeting was held in the Whalan City Hall and was also available online through Zoom.

Following two additions, the agenda was approved.

The minutes from the June 8, 2020, council meeting were approved, as well as the treasurers report.

There were no visitor comments.

Continued business

Mayor Tuftin gave an update to the City of Whalans COVID-19 response. Late fees for electric service have been waived recently to provide some financial relief to residents during the current pandemic. The decison was made to continue waiving the late fees for electric service.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the council feels it would be best to not allow any rentals of the city hall building until the end of the year. The council will revisit the issue after December 31, 2020.

Dust control will not be done this year.

City rounds were discussed. There are a few potholes in alleys that need to be filled with gravel. The council will request city maintenance worker Randy Berekvam fill the potholes in alleys. Johnson and Lewis will obtain estimates for further work on city streets.

Peterson has gotten a website for the City of Whalan up and running. There is no charge to the city for the website cityofwhalan.weebly.com. The council encourages residents to visit the website and offer any suggestions or content for the website.

Peterson has made updates to the ordinances which were recommended at the June council meeting.

The City of Whalan has $1,000 available from the Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce for beautification purposes. There was a brief discussion on what items could be included under beautification and further discussion needs to take place on the matter.

New business

Two residents, Ben Ruberg and Diane Snyder, expressed interest in serving on the Planning and Zoning board which had two open seats. They were both appointed to the board.

A proposed resolution by Ben Ruberg supporting diversity failed due to lack of a motion.

The City of Whalan had a savings account which had not been active for quite some time, as well as two CDs. Peterson stated that the bank currently has a special offer for a 17 month CD paying .65% interest, which is better interest than the city is currently receiving. She suggested that the city combine the savings account and the two CDs into one CD to take advantage of the current offer.

A discussion on whether to replace a transformer was tabled until further research is completed. According to Johnson there are transformers in the city shed which may be serviceable.

The council approved a zoning permit request by Steve and Diane Snyder to build a stairwell on the back of their property for safety reasons.

Peterson reported that the City of Whalan received notification from the Minnesota Department of Health that the water testing turned out well.

The next regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting will be held Monday, August 10, at 5 p.m.

More:

Whalan foregoes renting of city hall until further notice - Fillmore County Journal