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New Germany council OKs mutual aid pact with Lester Prairie, accepts donated park shed
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the New Germany City Council approved an automatic mutual-aid agreement with the Lester Prairie Fire Department, accepted an 8x12 shed donated by Mayer Lutheran for Lindstrom Park, approved a baseball-park flag and equipment quote, and passed routine consent items and personnel carryovers.
Mayor Shirley Jaeger called the City of New Germany council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2026. The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and moved on to public comment and regular business.
Resident Ron Eiden raised concerns about water pooling in a local alley and asked the council for a solution. Council Member Paul Roepke recommended installing a catch basin and regrading the alley in spring, with the matter to be revisited when weather conditions allow.
Fire Chief Ryan Goede told the council that the Lester Prairie Fire Department had contacted him about its Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating and limited water-supply capacity for structure fires. To address the concern, the council approved an automatic mutual-aid agreement under which New Germany would supply water to Lester Prairie in the event of a structure fire. Council Member Paul Roepke moved to approve the contract; Council Member Lorn Herrmann seconded and the motion carried 4-0.
Parks staff Eric Ropeke presented two park items. Mayer Lutheran offered to donate an 8-by-12 storage shed to be placed at Lindstrom Park near the first-base line; students in Mayer Lutheran’s woodshop would construct the shed. The council approved acceptance of the donated shed (moved by Paul Roepke; seconded by Lorn Herrmann; motion carried 4-0). The council also approved a quote for a flag and related equipment for the baseball park (moved by Lorn Herrmann; seconded by Thomas Mielke; motion carried 4-0).
City Clerk Twyla Menth reviewed administrative items including the annual indebtedness report and a pay-equity report, noted that about five to six year-end reports remain outstanding, said auditors would be on site Jan. 27–28, and reported staff are continuing work on 2026 fire-department contracts. A Metronet right-of-way permit with a $125 fee was noted in the building-permit section; the transcript shows no separate council vote on the permit.
On the consent agenda, the council approved the Jan. 6, 2026 council minutes, claims for payment, and financial reports (moved by Thomas Mielke; seconded by Paul Roepke; motion carried 4-0). The council also approved carrying over 20.61 vacation hours for the clerk into 2026 (moved by Paul Roepke; seconded by Thomas Mielke; motion carried 4-0). With no further business, the council adjourned at 7:45 p.m. (moved by Paul Roepke; seconded by Thomas Mielke; motion carried 4-0).
Votes at a glance: 1) Approval of meeting agenda — mover: Council Member Paul Roepke; second: Council Member Thomas Mielke; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved. 2) Automatic mutual-aid agreement with Lester Prairie Fire Department — mover: Paul Roepke; second: Lorn Herrmann; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved. 3) Acceptance of donated 8x12 Mayer Lutheran storage shed for Lindstrom Park — mover: Paul Roepke; second: Lorn Herrmann; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved. 4) Baseball park flag & equipment quote — mover: Lorn Herrmann; second: Thomas Mielke; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved. 5) Consent agenda (Jan. 6 minutes, claims, financials) — mover: Thomas Mielke; second: Paul Roepke; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved. 6) Clerk vacation carryover (20.61 hours) — mover: Paul Roepke; second: Thomas Mielke; vote: 4-0; outcome: approved.
What’s next: auditors will be on site Jan. 27–28; staff will revisit the alley drainage item in spring and continue work on 2026 fire department contracts.
