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Lonsdale council approves fire department budget, schedules police body‑worn camera hearing and OKs gambling permit
Summary
On Feb. 12 the Lonsdale City Council approved the Lonsdale Fire Department's 2027 budget and CIP, scheduled a March 12 public hearing on a police body‑worn camera policy tied to a DOJ grant, approved a premises permit for the New Prague Youth Hockey Association and appointed Seth Peterson to the Founder's Day Committee.
The Lonsdale City Council on Feb. 12 approved several administrative items including the Lonsdale Fire Department's 2027 budget and capital improvement plan, scheduled a public hearing on a body-worn camera policy after a Department of Justice grant award, approved a lawful gambling premises permit for the New Prague Youth Hockey Association, and appointed Seth Peterson to the Founder's Day Committee.
Fire Chief Joe Pumper presented the fire department's proposed 2027 budget and capital improvement plan, telling the council the Fire Board decided to account only for fire aid, previously budgeted capital outlay and justification cost-sharing. Pumper said the City's share of the proposed budget is 46.39%, totaling $286,186.62 — about $27,078.19 higher than the 2026 contribution. Councilmembers thanked department volunteers and unanimously approved the budget and CIP.
Police Chief Jason Schmitz told the council the department had applied for and been awarded a Department of Justice grant to purchase body-worn cameras and that state law requires the city to adopt a policy and provide the public an opportunity for comment before purchase. Schmitz said he and Sergeant Schleichert reviewed multiple policies and aligned the draft with the League of Minnesota Cities model; he also said the City Attorney reviewed the draft and found it met statutory requirements. The council scheduled a public hearing for March 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
City Administrator Joel Erickson explained a premises permit application (LG214/LG215) submitted by the New Prague Youth Hockey Association for lawful gambling at 115 Railway Street SW and said the association is already licensed to conduct gambling. The council approved Resolution 2026-07 supporting the premises permit and discussed whether the city should draft a local gambling ordinance to establish permit processes, possible local tax options and reporting requirements.
The council appointed Seth Peterson to the Founder's Day Committee; staff noted Peterson is not a city resident though his property abuts the city boundary and that only the EDA has an explicit residency provision in its bylaws.
Votes at a glance - Approve Lonsdale Fire Department 2027 Budget & CIP (motion passed 4-0). Mover: Tom Berg. Second: Brian Wermerskirchen. - Schedule public hearing for Police Body-Worn Camera Policy for March 12, 2026 (motion passed 4-0). Mover: Brian Wermerskirchen. Second: James Vosejpka. - Approve Resolution 2026-07 (New Prague Youth Hockey Association premises permit) (motion passed 4-0). Mover: Brian Wermerskirchen. Second: James Vosejpka. - Approve Resolution 2026-06 (appoint Seth Peterson to Founder's Day Committee) (motion passed 4-0). Mover: Kari Miller. Second: James Vosejpka. - Approve consent agenda, minutes and adjournment (motions passed 4-0).
