Waite Park Honors Firefighters, Lays Out Strategic Plan at Monday Meeting

(KNSI) — The City of Waite Park recognized three retiring firefighters at its meeting Monday night.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the ceremonies virtual in recent years. Chief Jim Aleshire says the men honored served the department for nearly a century on a cumulative basis.

“Between the three firefighters, there was a total of 97 years of combined service to the City of Waite Park. Bob Martins…he also served as assistant chief from 1992 to 1997. Then we have Joel Mohs and Daryl Haskamp [who] was unable to make it this evening, but Daryl Haskamp had 31-plus years of service on the department,” says Aleshire.

Each man received a replica axe to commemorate their time dedicated to Waite Park Fire.

In other city news, City Planner Jon Noerenberg discussed a state mandate being considered in St. Paul regarding housing. The council unanimously agreed to support the League of Minnesota Cities in opposing the measure. Noerenberg said local decision-making for zoning and housing is an important principle to maintain. The measure would force municipalities to be open to duplexes and small, stand-alone apartment dwellings, even if it doesn’t fit into their plans. Noerenberg says the proposals may be great for the Twin Cities but don’t apply so cleanly to Waite Park.

Councilor Ken Schmitt discussed building a Design Team to shape the Waite Park Strategic Plan. In late April, the group will gather at the Public Works facility to help create a vision for the city 21 years from now. That date has been chosen for a specific reason, says Schmitt.

“If you ask me why 2043? Because Waite Park will be 150 years old.”

Eight representatives from various stakeholder groups are needed, including homeowners, renters, small and large businesses, education, and elected officials. Administrator Shauna Johnson says nearly 60 people have already committed. Interested parties looking to take part need to sign up by April 8th.

The team will work for 16 hours over three days to complete the strategic plan.

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KNSI News Reporter Grant Dossetto contributed to this report.

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