Waite Park Mayor Delivers Annual State of the City Address

WAITE PARK -- Stay focused on making Waite Park the best place to live. That's the message from Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller during the 7th annual State of the City Address today.

Miller gave a short speech before turning the attention over to the department heads. City Administrator Shaunna Johnson says the city added about 700 new residents in 2013.

Johnson says the city's goals for 2014 include evaluating their current emergency operations to be better prepared for a potential disaster, focus on housing development and improve their use of technology.

In addition to the population growth the city also welcomed some new businesses. Rejuv Medical recently opened along Third Street North and BioLife Plasma opened a second location near Menards. Construction on a new senior living center is underway.

Fire Chief Jim Aleshire says the fire department's goal is to focus on training their new members. The fire department added four new volunteer fire fighters after three volunteers reached retirement last year.

Police Chief Dave Bentrude says last year there were 8,580 calls for service--that's a two-percent increase from 2008.