The St. Paul Park City Council officially appointed Mike Kramer as the city's fire chief during its June 1 meeting, ending the department's longstanding practice of selecting its chief through internal three-year elections.
City Administrator Hugo McPhee said the city sought a more formal process as it continues to modernize operations.
"For the size of the city, as we're moving forward, some of the innovations that we're trying to be proactive and accomplish, we wanted to have a more formalized process," McPhee said. He explained that firefighters interested in the position were invited to submit letters of interest earlier this year and that Kramer "was the person who ultimately came out in that process and was the person who put in for it and has strong support with his staff."
The council unanimously approved the appointment before administering Kramer's oath of office. During the ceremony, Council Member Charlene Whitbred Hemmingson presented Kramer with his 20-year service pin, while Mayor Keith Franke noted that Kramer has actually served "officially 21 years" with the department.
The council also approved several infrastructure and technology projects through its consent agenda, including a drainage feasibility study near Summit Avenue and 14th Avenue, upgrades to the city's water and sewer monitoring system, updates to federally required emergency response planning documents, and cybersecurity improvements for the Police Department.
The most extensive discussion of the evening centered on the purchase of a 2026 Bobcat Toolcat and snowblower attachment for the Public Works Department.
Council Member Tim Conrad questioned whether the expenditure should take priority over other city needs.
"I just question the timeliness and responsible decisions of making for something that may or may not be needed," Conrad said. He noted that Public Works has received several equipment purchases in recent years and argued that "there should be a more inclusive discussion around the approval of upwards of what I'm sure would approach $85,000 or $100,000."
Conrad also pointed to aging fire equipment, saying, "We have a seriously aging firefighting fleet, which I believe two of them can only be used for personnel carriers, and I think there needs to be some serious address on how that is looked forward."
McPhee responded that the purchase had already been anticipated during the city's budget process.
"This item was approved at the December 2025 budget going into 2026," McPhee said. "This was previously approved by council."
Mayor Keith Franke agreed that future fire department needs deserve attention but said the Toolcat purchase represented a previously budgeted investment.
"I would say that both things can be true at once," Franke said. "I see this as a purchase that we've already allocated the funds for, and we also do need to invest in our future and our other departments."
Franke added that city leaders should continue planning for major fire department expenditures.
"We've had some discussions about in our next budget cycle planning for these major purchases that we're going to need to invest in going forward, especially within our fire department," he said. "How are we going to get those and make those decisions and get to those problems solved, or those at least plans laid for future purchases."
Conrad maintained his concerns on the matter.
“As I remember the conversation it might be a lawnmower or snow removal device,” he said of prior council approval.
Council Member Jeff Haggerty meanwhile supported the purchase, saying, "We do have a lot of aging equipment, and this is the reality of what we're going to need to do to keep St. Paul Park running."
The council ultimately approved the purchase on a 4-1 vote, with Conrad voting no.
Also touched on Monday was the relatively new Farmer’s Market, held the first Tuesday of each month at city hall from 4 to 7 p.m.
"It's the first time we've had this in our city, as I'm told, and we have musicians, food trucks, 13 or 14 tables from local vendors providing local crafts and goods,” McPhee said. “"It should really be a fun time. Good, good chance for the community to come together and have fun. And it's first Tuesday of the month here at City Hall, four to seven, and tomorrow's the first day."
The meeting concluded with reports from council members on the various city commissions and an appeal from Haggerty for residents to become involved in local government. Openings still remain on the public works commission.
"Be a part of it. Come on down, volunteer, be on the Public Works Commission," he said. “We have lots of fun.”
Franke took time to recognize Colleen Scheller’s retirement from manager of the American Legion Post 98.
“Good luck Colleen, and thank you,” he said.
Franke also shared letters received from students after he visited Mrs. Arnoldi’s class at Pullman Elementary.
"Dear Mr. Mayor, my name is Tyson. Thank you for coming to our school last week. Can you please get better sidewalks so people are safe?" one read. Another which Franke said he believed to be from a kid named Jordan seconded this request.
"Thank you for visiting. A question I wanted to ask is, how many pets do you have, and do you have any kids? But, in my opinion, you should expand sidewalks for the sake of safety."
A third alluded to the mayor’s busy schedule.
“I learned that you are busy and work a lot,” it read, with Franke observing that the kid was right.
“The kid’s a genius,” he said.
No city residents spoke earlier during the public comment portion of the meeting.