Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Paynesville accepts $3,000 American Legion donation, opens hiring for volunteer firefighters
Summary
The Paynesville City Council accepted a $3,000 donation from the American Legion for the fire department, approved several fire-department personnel updates on the consent agenda and voted to open hiring for up to two (possibly three) volunteer firefighters. Council noted the department logged 146 calls in 2024.
The Paynesville City Council accepted a $3,000 donation from the American Legion to support the Paynesville Fire Department and voted to open a hiring process for up to two, possibly three, volunteer firefighters.
Mayor Pro Tem (S1) said the check presentation was “our honor” and described the department as an asset to the community. The gift was presented during the new-business portion of the meeting and council members paused for photographs.
Why it matters: The council discussed staffing and training needs for the fire department after a report showing 146 calls in 2024. The city also recorded recent and upcoming training for firefighters, including pre-plan training, fire-investigation instruction, right-to-know and bloodborne-pathogens training, and attendance at an electric-car fire training organized by the county chiefs association.
The consent agenda, which council approved by motion, included appointments to the fire department roster: Chief Mike Stern; Assistant Chief John Schulzer; secretary Boddi Strand; finance officer Jessica Stransky; Captain Justin Bogy; First Lieutenant Adam Fols; training officer Brad Mhop; and second training officer Dominic B. The council also acknowledged the resignation of firefighter Elizabeth Roth, effective Feb. 1.
On staffing, the council approved a motion to open the hiring process for volunteer firefighters with language to keep the application open until a recommendation can be made to council. The motion was seconded and carried. The meeting transcript does not identify a named mover or a roll-call tally for that motion.
Direct quotes from the meeting were limited to remarks by the presiding official, who said the department’s community role “is our honor” and thanked volunteers and community supporters.
What happens next: The hiring process will proceed and remain open until the city receives and forwards recommendations to the council. Department month-end reports were posted to the city website for further detail.
