Kevin Klapprich speaking at the City Council. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
The Wayzata City Council marked a milestone in the city’s public-safety history Tuesday, Aug. 5, formally swearing in Kevin Klapprich as Wayzata’s first full-time fire chief and recognizing him with a Lifesaving Award.
Klapprich officially began serving in the full-time position June 29, following 47 years with the Wayzata Fire Department and approximately 20 years as chief.
The appointment represents a significant investment in the department and the community while continuing a multigenerational tradition of fire service within the Klapprich family. His father, Paul Klapprich, served for many years as Wayzata’s fire chief, and his brothers have also served with the department.
Paul Klapprich joined his son at the ceremony and pinned the fire chief’s badge following the oath of office.
Council members recognized the sacrifices made not only by Klapprich, but also by his family and the families of Wayzata’s paid-on-call firefighters. They praised the department’s longstanding presence at emergencies, civic gatherings and neighborhood events, describing its members as some of the most visible representatives of the community.
The ceremony adds another chapter to a department whose modern organization dates to 1921 and whose service has long depended upon local residents willing to answer calls at every hour.
Chief Honored for June 4 Rescue
Before Klapprich addressed the council, the city presented him with a Lifesaving Award for his response to a June 4 appliance fire at 190 Wayzata Boulevard East.
Klapprich was the first firefighter to arrive and found a stove fire spreading up the back wall and into the cupboards. A Wayzata police officer identified as Officer Davidson arrived shortly afterward, and the two used fire extinguishers to slow the flames until additional firefighters and equipment reached the building.
During the response, Klapprich heard a resident on an upper floor while heavy smoke was filling the building. He entered the structure, helped the resident down the stairs and brought the person safely outside.
The resident was transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation and later recovered. City officials said Klapprich’s swift response saved the resident’s life.
“I Didn’t Get Here Alone”
Klapprich thanked his family, current and former Wayzata firefighters, city staff, elected officials, residents, businesses and fellow firefighters from throughout the region.
He reflected on the holidays and family gatherings interrupted through the years when he and other family members left the table to answer emergency calls.
“I look forward to serving the city with fairness, kindness, and humility,” Klapprich said.
He credited the many people who supported him throughout his career and helped prepare him for the department’s new chapter.
“I am here because of an army of people who did an awful lot for me along the way,” Klapprich said. “I didn’t get here alone.”
He concluded by describing the opportunity as an honor and saying he was deeply humbled by the confidence placed in him.
The council then recessed briefly as Klapprich, his family, firefighters and city officials gathered for photographs—commemorating both a personal achievement and a historic moment for the Wayzata Fire Department.
WAYZATA, MN — Neighbors across Wayzata will gather for block parties, cookouts and community activities tonight as the city celebrates its annual Night to Unite tradition.
Photos from Last years Night to Unite gathering.
The event runs from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at registered neighborhood gatherings throughout Wayzata and Long Lake. The community has participated in Night to Unite for more than 40 years, bringing residents together while strengthening relationships between neighborhoods and local public-safety officials.
Throughout the evening, representatives from the Wayzata Police Department, Wayzata Fire Department, city staff and elected officials will travel between participating block parties. Police cars and fire trucks will make appearances, with children receiving small giveaways and visitors sharing crime-prevention information.
The gatherings also give residents an informal opportunity to meet police officers, firefighters, city employees and local elected leaders, ask questions and learn more about the people serving the community.
Unlike a single citywide festival, Night to Unite takes place within individual neighborhoods. Gatherings may include shared meals, games, music and other family activities organized by residents and neighborhood hosts.
At its heart, the evening is about encouraging neighbors to know one another. Those relationships can help create stronger, safer neighborhoods by making it easier for residents to communicate, recognize when something is out of place and look out for one another throughout the year.
Residents with questions about Wayzata’s Night to Unite activities may contact the Wayzata Police Department at 952-404-5340.
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 — Hundreds of residents gathered outside Wayzata City Hall on Monday evening for the annual City of Wayzata Showcase, a lively community event celebrating the city’s departments, public safety teams, and local services.
Held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 600 Lake Street East, the event transformed the City Hall and public works campus into a festival-like atmosphere. Children laughed and played in the bounce house, lined up for face painting, and watched fire demonstrations, while families enjoyed hot dogs, giveaways, and K9 demonstrations. The popular Touch-a-Truckdisplay gave kids the chance to climb aboard everything from fire engines and squad cars to snowplows and excavators.
The Wayzata Police Department, Wayzata Fire Department, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were all on hand, giving the public a chance to meet officers, explore emergency vehicles, and learn more about their roles in keeping the community safe. The parking lot was filled with public safety vehicles, their lights flashing in the autumn dusk as families moved from display to display.
Formerly known as Public Safety Day, the annual showcase has grown into a citywide open house that highlights the teamwork between departments and encourages residents to engage with the people who serve their community every day.
As the sun set over Lake Minnetonka, the final fire demonstration lit up the evening sky — a fitting close to an event that blended fun, education, and hometown pride in classic Wayzata fashion.
The Wayzata Fire Department welcomed three new firefighters — James Botham, Mickey Leius, and Cooper Rasmus — during a swearing-in ceremony at the October 7, 2025, City Council meeting. Their appointments bring the department’s active roster to 27 of 30 authorized positions.
Cooper Rasmus, Mickey Leius, and James Botham.
Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich introduced each recruit as Interim City Manager Mike Kelly administered the oath of office.
James Botham
A second-generation Wayzata firefighter, Botham grew up around the station watching his father, Brian Botham, serve more than 35 years with the department. He first joined the ranks in 2008 after high school and returned in 2023 “with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for the fire service.”
Botham resides in Wayzata with his girlfriend Sarah, their puppy Amber, and cat Finch. He is actively working toward a full-time fire service career and enjoys hiking, traveling, and weekends at the family cabin.
Mickey Leius
A lifelong member of the Wayzata community, Leius is the son of Scott and Maryland Leius and a graduate of Wayzata High School. He went on to Des Moines Area Community College and Concordia University – St. Paul, earning a degree in Sports Management while playing college baseball.
Leius has served as a volunteer firefighter since April 2024 and works as a property manager for Boulevard Management and Advisory in Minneapolis. He also coaches baseball as an assistant varsity coach at Wayzata High School and previously coached at Edina High School. Known for his team-first attitude, Leius said he is honored to continue serving the community he calls home.
Cooper Rasmus
A 2024 Wayzata High School graduate, Rasmus grew up in Wayzata and Minnetonka with parents Colleen and Joe and siblings Emerson, Easton, Porter, and Vincent — the youngest of whom, he joked, “is pretty sure to be a firefighter one day.”
A 14-year veteran of Wayzata hockey, Rasmus brings youthful energy and a long-term commitment to the department, quipping that he hopes “to serve the City of Wayzata for the next 72 years.” He enjoys time outdoors, fishing, hunting, and being on the lake with friends and family.
Chief Klapprich thanked the new members for their service and reaffirmed the department’s goal of maintaining a full complement of 30 firefighters to meet the community’s growing needs.
Those interested in joining the department should reach out to 952-404-5338.
These photos, taken this morning, show the Wayzata Fire Department carrying out its 23rd annual 9/11 remembrance. Since 2002, firefighters have raised the American flag from the ladder truck on the Broadway Avenue bridge over Highway 12, honoring the lives lost and the heroism shown on September 11.
The Wayzata Fire Department will welcome the community to its 9th Annual Pancake Breakfast event on Sunday, September 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at 600 Rice Street East.
The family-friendly fundraiser will feature pancakes, French toast, sausage, coffee, juice, and a raffle, with all proceeds going to the Wayzata Fire Relief Association. Organizers expect to serve between 700 and 900 guests, continuing a tradition that began in 2015. Two years were missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the breakfast has since rebounded as one of the department’s most popular events.
Funds raised will go directly toward purchasing essential safety equipment for the city’s firefighters. Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich said the community’s generosity makes a direct impact: every dollar helps ensure firefighters have the gear and tools they need to respond effectively.
The event is open to the public, with donations accepted at will. Guests are encouraged to come hungry and support the firefighters who serve Wayzata year-round.
Wednesday evening brought an unusual scene to downtown Wayzata when a truck caught fire near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Rice Street—just steps from the Wayzata Fire Station.
Fire crews were on the scene in moments, answering what may be one of the closest calls in the department’s history. With the station less than a block away, the response time was nearly instantaneous. Flames were quickly contained before they could spread.
Wayzata Police also responded, assisting with traffic control and ensuring the area was safe for nearby businesses and evening commuters.
Hosted by the City of Wayzata and the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition, Night to Unite—formerly known as National Night Out—brings neighbors together with local police, firefighters, and city officials to build stronger community connections and promote public safety. On Tuesday evening, dozens of block parties were held across Wayzata, with city leaders rotating between them to listen, answer questions, and share updates.
At one particularly engaged gathering, conversation turned to familiar concerns: enforcement of e-bike regulations, exhibition driving, overgrown city landscaping, and the long-standing frustration over the neglected Wayzata Post Office lawn. Many quieter conversations also unfolded around the city’s pending short-term rental ordinance discussions—some supportive, others opposed—underscoring the range of resident perspectives as the issue moves closer to a council decision.
“We’re here to answer your questions.”
Police Chief Jamie Baker introduced herself to residents as Wayzata’s newly appointed top law enforcement officer, sharing that he brings over two decades of policing experience, including three years as Deputy Chief in New York. “I was Deputy Chief for three years… I [have] 21 years of law enforcement with another agency. So that’s me in a nutshell,” he said, speaking plainly and without fanfare. Mayor Andrew Mullin, known for his dry wit and easy rapport with residents, followed with a smile: “What she said. I’m the mayor.”
Post Office Lawn Sparks Frustration
The first question echoed a long-running complaint: the Wayzata Post Office’s lawn is overgrown and neglected. “Why they don’t take care of or maintain their grass or their lawn?” one resident asked.
Mayor Mullin acknowledged the frustration, saying: “We are actively policing from an inspection standpoint and trying to enforce our local ordinances as little tiny Wayzata against the federal government, which is not an easy thing to do… we understand how it looks, how it’s kept, and it’s not acceptable, and we will not stop until they do their job”.
He encouraged residents to contact Rep. Kelly Morrison, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Sen. Tina Smith directly, noting, “…citizens are really going to be the driving force… ” .
Gardens Overgrown, but Ideas Take Root
A resident who jokingly referred to herself as “the number one street walker in Wayzata” expressed concern about declining upkeep in landscaped public spaces, especially along Panoway.
Mullin responded, “You’re not alone in that point of view… The shadow side of what you’re asking for costs a lot of money… I hear you loud and clear. You’re not saying do more, you’re saying do less with higher quality”.
Several residents proposed reviving the city’s Adopt-a-Garden program. Mullin was receptive, noting its history and challenges, “Part of what has challenged the volunteer program is the volunteers to administer the volunteer program… I’d welcome investing in it more” .
He also floated a sponsorship idea, “Otten Brothers and some of these other businesses would gladly spend the money to outsource the upkeep—as long as they get to put a little sign in there. Could you sponsor a garden for $5,000 a year and just write the check?.”
E-Bikes and Teen Safety
One of the most urgent topics raised was the rise of e-bikes on sidewalks and paths. A resident asked about motorized bikes racing past walkers along the lakefront. Mullin and Baker were direct, “They’re not supposed to be on the sidewalks or the bike path… They need to follow all the same rules and regulations as regular, normal, non-motorized bikes” .
Mullin described enforcement measures already in place, “We passed a local ordinance that if you’re under 18 and you’re not wearing a helmet, we can stop you without cause and we can seize your bike and we can send your mom and dad a $200 fine… which is new on the books as of May 1st.”
Efforts to regulate high-powered throttle e-bikes—many of which can reach speeds comparable to mopeds—as motorcycles failed at the Minnesota Legislature last session. Mayor Mullin explained that while Wayzata and other cities have taken local action, broader regulation at the state level has been difficult to advance.
“…being a little naive and only in the chair for seven months, we got buzz-sawed by the lobbyists,” Mullin said, referring to the strong travel, leisure, and recreational bike industry that pushed back against proposed restrictions. “They killed our bill probably within four days of it hitting the floor.”
Despite the setback, Mullin said the city is not backing down. He’s working with legislators, to reintroduce a revised version of the bill in the upcoming session—this time with broader regional support. “We’re trying to get all 14 mayors [around Lake Minnetonka] to sign on to that bill to try to get action. I can’t promise it, but I can play you what we’re doing.”
The aim of the legislation is to reclassify throttle-assisted e-bikes in a way that gives law enforcement more tools to address safety concerns—especially around youth riders and pedestrian-heavy areas like Panoway.
Exhibition Driving Crackdown
A resident praised the city’s progress on curbing exhibition driving, saying, “It’s not perfect but it’s much better than it was.” Mullin confirmed the policy change, “If you have a second offense… it’s a $1,300 fine and you have to appear before a judge. That was not on the books last year” .
Parking on Hills Raises Alarms
One of the most personal and emotional moments of the evening came from a resident concerned about cars parked on both sides of a steep hill on Walker Avenue. “People gun it up the hill and all these kids… we’ve seen a lot of really, really close calls, and it freaks us out… In the winter it’s even worse because it’s very narrow. It’s dangerous,” stated a resident.
Chief Baker acknowledged the challenge: “It’s really difficult for us to address that if they’re parked legally,” but encouraged residents to call 911 during the incidents—even if it’s a non-emergency—so officers can document it live .
Good News on Home Burglaries
An attendee asked for an update on residential burglaries. Chief Baker reported improvement, “Those have calmed down… basically a ring that was out of the country. And so they’ve been charged federally.”
Budget Growth Draws Scrutiny
One resident asked Mayor Mullin about a previous reference to a 50% increase, prompting a pointed discussion about the city’s operating budget. Mullin clarified that while individual taxes hadn’t risen by that amount, the city’s overall operating expenses had grown significantly.
“The operating expenses of the city have gone up 50% over the past four years,” he said. “Public safety is going to be [the top] driver. Second would be inflation… and third, administration.”
He then made it clear he was speaking personally—not on behalf of the full council or city staff. “From my chair, my political answer is: we don’t have a money problem—we have a money management problem. And I will again only speak for myself. We’ve got to get our budget under control and we’ve got to get the levy [increase] to 5% or less.”
Mullin, who has lived in Wayzata for over 30 years, said he finds it “unconscionable” that the city’s spending has grown at that rate over just four years. He’s advocating for a target levy increase of 3–5%, tied more closely to inflation, and encouraged residents to ask other elected officials where they stand. “It means taking things off the list before you keep adding things on the list,” he added.
The exchange underscored the balancing act between maintaining service levels, managing growth, and respecting the tax burden on longtime residents.
One Night, Many Voices
As the event wrapped up, city officials were off to the next stop. “We appreciate it. Thank you,” said Mullin. “Great party, as always.” Officers were encouraged to grab a bite before hitting the road. The open dialogue underscored one of Wayzata’s key civic values: not just listening to residents—but acting on their words.
WAYZATA — In a wide-ranging workshop session on Tuesday, May 6th, the Wayzata City Council opened informal discussions about the city’s long-term public safety facility needs, reviewing space limitations, projected growth, and conceptual planning scenarios for housing both police and fire services under one roof.
Wayzata’s current public safety buildings — the police department constructed around 2000 and a fire station dating back to 1966 — no longer meet modern standards or the operational demands of a growing, dual-community service model. Officials cited significant shortcomings in storage, wellness accommodations, training space, evidence handling, and overall capacity for current and future staffing levels.
“Our locker rooms, meeting areas, and physical wellness spaces were never designed for today’s staffing needs — let alone the twenty-year growth horizon we’re planning for,” consultant Paul Mitchell from BKV Group stated during the presentation. “Squad cars are still stored outside, which causes inefficiencies during Minnesota winters and jeopardizes sensitive equipment.”
The planning team presented several options for addressing the city’s facility needs, ranging from partial renovations to entirely new construction. A combined police-fire facility was emphasized as the most space- and cost-efficient scenario, potentially saving 5,200 square feet by consolidating shared-use areas like training rooms, physical fitness facilities, mechanical systems, and community-facing public spaces.
Projected space needs call for approximately 35,000 square feet for police and 33,000 for fire, though shared design elements could reduce the total footprint closer to 63,000 square feet.
Mayor Andrew Mullin underscored the conversation’s strategic importance: “We’re not making a construction decision tonight. This is about setting the long-term vision. If we want to maintain independent control of our police and fire services — and not be forced into regional consolidation due to lack of investment — then we must think ahead.”
Council discussion emphasized the importance of integrating staffing and equipment projections with facility needs, noting that capital planning requires a comprehensive view that includes personnel, operational demands, and spatial requirements.
Discussions also touched on potential future site acquisitions, topography challenges, parking constraints, and funding options — including bonding, phased implementation, and shared service models.
The Council concluded by directing staff to schedule a follow-up session, inviting Police Chief Jamie Baker and Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich to present their 20-year operational outlooks. A tour of comparable metro-area facilities is also being planned for council and staff.
“This is about data, discipline, and credibility,” Michael Healey from the BKV Group noted. “Whatever we propose needs to be defendable — not just to the governing body, but to the taxpayers who ultimately own these buildings.”
No immediate action was taken. Council members emphasized the importance of public transparency and long-range planning as the community begins to envision the next generation of Wayzata’s public safety infrastructure.
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