New Germany council approves 2025 police contract, fire officer roster and routine consent items

The City of New Germany council approved several routine and personnel items at its Dec. 3 meeting, including a regional police-services contract and fire department officer appointments.

Councilmember Kevin Grove moved and Paul Roepke seconded approval of a 2025 police services contract with Carver County; the motion carried 5-0. The minutes state the contract explains regionalized coverage; the contract text itself was not included in the minutes and is recorded as “not specified” in the public record.

Chief Ryan Goede presented the recommended 2025 Fire Department officer roster: Goede as chief, Chris Barlau as assistant chief, Alex Kurtz as first captain and secretary, Cole Midthun as second captain and Nick Erickson as third captain. The council approved the slate (Grove moved; Mielke second; vote 5-0). Chief Goede recommended discontinuing the daytime rescue reserve program because volunteers were few and unable to commit consistently; council agreed to suspend the program.

The council approved the consent agenda — including Nov. 19 minutes, claims for payment and financial reports — on a 5-0 vote (Herrmann moved; Roepke second). Other approvals recorded include the agenda approval at the start of the meeting and the motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. (Grove moved; Herrmann second; vote 5-0).

Staff reports included a recommendation to apply for FEMA turnout-gear grants (the city has applied successfully in prior cycles), a Carver County CDL pilot program that could send two employees for training, and ongoing utility-software conversion and meter investigations. The council scheduled the formal fee-schedule adoption for Dec. 17.