The City of Wayzata and the Wayzata Fire Department have announced the appointment of Kevin Klapprich as Wayzata’s first full-time fire chief, effective June 29, 2026.
Klapprich has served with the Wayzata Fire Department since 1978 and has been fire chief since 2006. His move into the newly created full-time position marks a significant milestone for the department and reflects the expanding responsibilities of the role in serving Wayzata and the surrounding community.
“Chief Klapprich has exemplified dedication, integrity, and care for our community throughout his years of service,” said City Manager Aurora Yager. “His steady commitment made this an easy decision. We are thrilled to congratulate him on becoming our first full-time Fire Chief and look forward to the continued leadership he will bring to Wayzata and Woodland.”
For Klapprich, the appointment continues a lifetime of service rooted deeply in Wayzata.
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed the City’s first full-time Fire Chief. It is a privilege to continue leading the dedicated firefighters who give so much to this community,” said Chief Klapprich. “Wayzata has always been my home, and serving alongside generations of firefighters — including my father and brothers — has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I look forward to building on the department’s proud tradition of service, strengthening our partnerships throughout the community, and ensuring we continue to provide exceptional emergency response for the residents, businesses, and visitors of the community.”
The appointment recognizes both Klapprich’s long record of service and the evolving demands placed on the department. After nearly five decades with the Wayzata Fire Department, including 20 years as chief, Klapprich now steps into a full-time leadership role at a moment when emergency response, training, planning, equipment, inspections, and community partnerships continue to grow in importance.
WAYZATA — In a wide-ranging May workshop, the Wayzata City Council discussed long-term staffing needs, reviewed a proposed City Operations Resilience Plan, and weighed potential changes to the city’s tree ordinance in response to concerns raised by Woodhill Country Club. While no formal votes were taken, the meeting offered clear direction on key budget and policy issues likely to shape upcoming decisions.
Staffing Requests Reflect Public Safety Priorities
The evening began with a presentation on long-term staffing needs as part of the city’s 2026 budget planning process. City Manager Jeff Dahl and department leaders outlined three positions under consideration: a full-time fire chief (2026), an additional police officer (2026), and an IT position (2027).
Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich described the evolving demands of leading a modern fire department, explaining that although his role is officially part-time, he routinely works 25–30 hours a week managing inspections, equipment maintenance, training, and public education. “There’s just so much more going on now,” Klapprich said, noting that outdated policies and pre-planning gaps hindered emergency response in some recent cases.
Council members debated whether to explore a shared service model with neighboring communities or move forward with creating a standalone full-time chief position. While open to future regional collaboration, the Council broadly supported the need for dedicated leadership and succession planning.
Interim Police Chief Jamie Baker presented a case for expanding the department’s authorized staffing by one officer to retain high-performing Community Service Officers (CSOs). Given the 8–10 month timeline to fully onboard and train a new officer, Baker argued that keeping top CSO talent in-house was a smart investment. The proposal would allow the city to hire up one position in anticipation of vacancies, rather than reacting after a departure.
The Council showed general support for the strategy, with some members emphasizing the importance of linking new positions to operational impact, such as expanded patrol coverage or improved service continuity.
Energy & Environment Committee Presents Resilience Plan
The Council then reviewed a draft City Operations Resilience Plan, developed by the Energy & Environment Committee in partnership with consultants from LHB and funded by a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant.
The plan outlines how city operations—from vehicle fleets to water treatment—can adapt to environmental and infrastructure pressures tied to climate change, aging systems, and resident growth. A greenhouse gas inventory showed increased emissions tied largely to water usage, while also pointing to improvements in energy efficiency elsewhere.
“This is about using data to guide smart infrastructure decisions,” said committee member KC Chermak. “It’s not prescriptive, but it provides a framework for future choices.”
Mayor Andrew Mullin expressed appreciation for the work, but emphasized the need to prioritize cost-effective, actionable items and better understand resident appetite for sustainability spending. “Most people support the idea of resilience,” he stated, “but we need to understand what they’re willing to fund.”
The resilience plan will come before the Council in June for approval to meet grant closure requirements. Final adoption will not commit the city to specific actions, but will serve as a strategic tool for future decision-making.
Woodhill Country Club Requests Exemption from Tree Ordinance
The final topic centered on Woodhill Country Club’s request for relief from the city’s strict tree preservation ordinance. As the club prepares for a major course restoration, representatives said the current policy—crafted with residential development in mind—creates unintended burdens for large landowners like golf courses.
General Manager Brian Edmiston described how Woodhill’s 72-acre property contains more than 5,000 trees and detailed safety concerns with aging specimens that overhang practice areas. In some cases, trees deemed unsafe by the club’s certified arborist could not be removed under city policy due to low “occupancy” calculations on golf grounds.
“This ordinance was not written with properties like ours in mind,” Edmiston said. “We’re trying to manage green space responsibly, but the administrative and financial hurdles are substantial.”
Council members agreed that the ordinance, while effective at curbing overdevelopment, did not anticipate institutions managing large tracts of land for recreation or education. The consensus was to direct staff to draft a proposed exemption for golf courses, with broader consideration of institutional landholders—such as schools or utility providers—to follow as part of a larger policy review.
Next Steps: Budget, Policy, and Strategic Planning
The Council concluded the workshop by agreeing to revisit the city’s subdivision code in a future session, citing a need for more flexibility in current regulations.
Each of the evening’s three main topics will return to the Council in some form—through budget discussions, formal ordinance proposals, or strategic planning workshops.
“We’ve got important decisions ahead,” said Mayor Andrew Mullin. “This was a great step forward in clarifying where we are and where we need to go.”
Wayzata Lion President Tim Anderson presents a check to Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich, City Manager Jeff Dahl, and Council Member Molly MacDonald.
The Wayzata Lions Club has demonstrated its commitment to community welfare by once again donating proceeds from lawful gambling operations to the Wayzata Fire Department.
Tim Anderson, a representative of the Lions Club, is seen here presenting A check for $20,000 to Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich, City Manager Jeff Dahl, and Councilwoman Molly MacDonald.
Total grants to the Fire Department are estimated to be over $60,000 in calendar year 2023.
The donations underscore the Wayzata Lions Club’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the well-being and educational opportunities within the community.
Since its inception in 1988, the partnership with the City has resulted in nearly $3,000,000 in proceeds being donated to worthy causes.
Wayzata Lions Club: Serving Locally and Globally
Founded in 1917, the Wayzata Lions Club is dedicated to serving communities worldwide and is part of Lions International.
Renowned for fighting blindness, the organization also tackles various local projects, including environmental care and aiding those in need.
Their vision care efforts include screenings, collecting used eyeglasses, and providing equipment to medical facilities, aiming to eliminate blindness.
They also support youth through scholarships and mentorship, with over 144,000 youths engaged globally.
With grants exceeding $700 million since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation aids humanitarian projects worldwide.
During disasters, they provide immediate relief and aid in long-term recovery efforts.
The Wayzata Lions Club lives by their motto, “We Serve,” actively engaging in global service to improve lives and foster community resilience.
For more information on the Wayzata Lions including how to be involved, visit their website.
A correction was made to the amount donated since 1988.
Firefighter Rich Holm is retiring after 37 years of service to the Wayzata Fire Department. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
After an illustrious career spanning 37 years, firefighter Rich Holm has bid farewell to the Wayzata Fire Department, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service.
Holm, who joined the department in 1985, has been a steadfast pillar of the firefighting community in Wayzata and was recognized at the Wayzata City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Throughout his tenure, he has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents.
Colleague and Mayor Pro Tem Alex Plechash described Holm as not just a firefighter but a leader and mentor who inspired those around him. “…we served together in the Fire Department, it’s a testament to your contributions to see how many people showed up tonight. Not just firefighters but family and police officers as well. I’m not exaggerating when I say you have been a real value to the department. I will also say that you were a real value to me. There were a few people on the Fire Department that acted as mentors to me, over the years, you were definitely one of those and I definitely appreciate that.”
Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich, speaking about Holm’s retirement, expressed gratitude for his years of service. “During Rich’s time on the fire department, he spent the 37 years as a firefighter, he spent a number of years as a pump operator, we call them FMO’s, he filled in for a period of time as Lieutenant when we were short, he spent I don’t know how many years being the Fire Department President, he spent twice that many years being the Relief Association President, and as City Manager Dahl said he has made the place a better place.”
Klapprich, continued, “He wasn’t afraid to speak up, he was always there when you needed him, and for that we have a better fire department.”
Holm expressed his gratitude in response, “I never thought this night would come, I really never thought I would leave, I’d like to say thank you to my wife and my family. I can’t say enough about the family support, you have to be there, and you have to have the family behind you.”
He continued, “To the Fire Department family past and present, I have to thank everyone, everyone here, the Police Department, I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart, it’s been quite a journey and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If anyone is out there watching and wants to join, this organization is amazing.”
In a ceremony held during the December 5th City Council Meeting, Wayzata Fire Department Chief Kevin Klapprich, alongside City Manager Jeff Dahl, officially swore in two new firefighters to the ranks. Chief Klapprich took the opportunity to introduce the community to these dedicated individuals who will be serving the city with commitment and valor.
Mason Meyers, a Minnetonka resident, took his oath of service with his wife Sunny and their 4-year-old daughter Eden by his side. Having grown up in Shakopee, Minnesota, Meyers brings over a decade of experience in building maintenance to the Wayzata Fire Department. Currently serving as the self-contained breathing apparatus apprentice technician at a fire equipment maintenance company, Mason finds joy in family time. His personal interests include rock climbing, triathlons, and embracing the great outdoors.
Connor Stepka, a native of New Prague, now proudly calls Wayzata home alongside his fiancée Casey. In addition to his role in the Wayzata Fire Department, Connor is also a member of the Excelsior Fire Department. Further showcasing his commitment to community well-being, he serves as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at North Memorial Ambulance, having graduated from Anoka Tech in September 2022. Connor shares a passion for warm-weather outdoor activities and cherishes spending time with family. He expressed his delight at being part of the Wayzata community.
The addition of these two accomplished individuals strengthens the firefighting force in Wayzata, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Residents look forward to benefiting from the skills and dedication that Mason Meyers and Connor bring to the city’s Fire Department.
A home under construction on the 2700 block of Gale Road in the town of Woodland caught fire Wednesday night.
Image courtesy Mike Wilson.
The blaze, which occurred during the construction process, posed significant challenges for firefighters. According to Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich, there were no nearby fire hydrants available, complicating the response.
The Wayzata Fire Department held it’s annual Open House in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week. There were many young families in attendance, who climbed in and out of fire trucks, tried on firefighting equipment, sampled some hot dogs, chips and cookies, and went for rides in a fire truck around Wayzata.
While I was their Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich took a moment out of his busy schedule to talk with me. “We do it to make people aware of some of the fire prevention stuff that is out there. If we can prevent them, it’s a lot better than having to go there and put them out.”
Klapprich went on to talk generally about how the Wayzata Fire Department Annual Open House is every year. “This is actually a little different than what we have done in the past. We used to give rides up in the air with the ladder. The last few years we haven’t. So what we did this year is we give them rides around town [in our firetrucks], down Lake, to Ferndale, to Wayzata Boulevard. The hot dogs are new this year… we have been doing this probably on a Monday for the last 10 years.”
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