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New Prague council approves two drones, ambulance deals and rezoning; driveway fix and long-term finance plan also cleared
Summary
The New Prague City Council approved purchasing two police drones, a five-year ambulance services contract and lease, adopted a rezoning ordinance and authorized a small fire-station driveway fix; staff will return with an ALPR policy and a draft massage-therapist licensing ordinance remains under discussion.
The New Prague City Council on Monday voted to buy two unmanned aerial vehicles for police use, approved a five-year ambulance services contract and facility lease, adopted a rezoning ordinance and authorized a targeted repair to the fire-station driveway.
At a public hearing on the drones, staff said the systems would be used for first response and investigations, not routine surveillance, and that the $24,005.98 purchase would be funded from forfeiture proceeds. After public comments both for and questioning the timing of the hearing, the council approved the purchase by voice vote, 5-0. Staff said a formal policy governing use will be brought back for council review before the systems are deployed.
Council separately approved a five-year ambulance services contract beginning May 1 and a three-year facility lease that sets rent at $1 per year; North Ambulance (North Memorial) will contribute up to $5,000 annually toward facility utilities. Both motions passed by unanimous voice vote. The council also carried the second reading and adoption of ordinance No. 360 to rezone the properties identified in staff materials.
City engineer Matt updated the council on upcoming street and warranty work on Columbus Avenue North and other 2024–2026 projects; no vote was required on those items.
The council approved a proposal to hire ABDO to prepare a five-year long-term financial plan (budgeted), saying the work should include benchmarks to guide future budget decisions. Council members asked staff to request peer comparisons and to incorporate clear financial guideposts.
For the fire department, council approved a targeted repair to lower the driveway approach by roughly six inches to prevent truck frame stress. The estimated additional cost (about $5,500) was authorized with direction to seek a 50% cost share from the rural partner; the motion passed 5-0.
A draft local ordinance to license massage therapists was discussed at length but not adopted; staff will revise the draft and send it to the city attorney for review. The council also scheduled special interview sessions for boards and commissions on April 28 with May 4 as a backup.
The meeting closed after miscellaneous discussion about the state flag and confirmation that the city does maintain a separate New Prague flag used at the Scott County Fairgrounds.
