Just moved to the Lester Prairie area? Here’s some information that can help make that transition easier.
City offices are located at 37 Juniper St. N. in the downtown area. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., phone is (320) 395-2646. The web site is www.lesterprairiemn.us.
The city has three rooms available for public use. Lester Prairie residents can rent the large conference room for $100, and the smaller rooms for $45 and $25.
For non-residents, the rent is $140, $55, and $35. A $50 damage deposit is required, and those using the room are responsible for cleanup.
Building permits
In 1997, the city adopted the Minnesota state building code. Under the code, a building permit is required for any improvements (new, repair, remodel, or replacement). The value factors in labor, whether done by a contractor or yourself. Applications are available at city hall.
Any questions regarding repairs or improvements to property may be directed to the city clerk or to the city building inspector.
House numbers
House numbers should be easily visible from the street to better locate your home in an emergency situation.
Numbers should be in contrast to the house color and be made of a reflective material.
Winter parking
No parking is allowed on city streets from Nov. 1 to April 1 between 2 and 6 a.m. That time is extended following snowfalls greater than 2 inches, until the street is plowed curb-to-curb.
There is also no parking on downtown streets from 2 to 6 a.m. year-round.
Snow removal
Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after the snow ceases to fall. Residents may not blow snow onto city streets.
Garbage pickup
Garbage pickup is every Monday, and garbage should be at curbside by 6:30 a.m. The city contracts with Waste Management for garbage removal.
Residents are allowed one 32; 64; or 96-gallon container per week. Containers are available by calling the city at (320) 395-2646.
Garbage service is billed monthly, along with your city utility bill.
Curbside recycling service
Curbside recycling service is every Monday. Recyclables must be separated and placed in bags, bins, or containers and at curbside by 6:30 a.m.
Acceptable products are newsprint (non-shiny), glass, aluminum cans, tin cans, rinsed and labels removed; and plastics, long-necked and with a recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle. Junk mail and bundled cardboard are also accepted.
Bins are available by contacting City Hall, (320) 395-2646.
Recycling locations
In addition to curbside recycling services, the following recycling locations are available in McLeod County:
• Waste Management, Prior Ave., Glencoe, open 24 hours
• Waste Management, Highway 22 S., Hutchinson, hours in summer – Monday, Wednesday, Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and in winter – Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Waste Management, Winsted Industrial Park, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Waste Management, Helen Township Shed near baseball field, Plato, open 24 hours.
• Waste Management, Prior Avenue and Main Street, Stewart, open 24 hours.
• Spruce Ridge Landfill, Highway 22 and McLeod County Road 71 between Glencoe and Hutchinson, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.
Hazardous waste drop-off center
Acceptable materials are latex and oil based paints, driveway tars and sealers, pool chemicals and acids, cleansers and cleaners, weed and bug killers, and many other common hazardous household wastes.
• Household Hazardous Waste Facility
1065 Fifth Ave. SE, Hutchinson, Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Water and sewer
The city bills for water and sewer usage on a monthly basis. Rates are based on a service charge plus a charge per 1,000 gallons used. Meters are automatically read.
Failure to pay a utility bill results in a $30 service charge and/or the water being turned off. Water is turned on upon payment of the utility bill plus a $30 service charge.
If you are moving, contact the city clerk at (320) 395-2646 with a final meter reading, forwarding address, moving date, and the new owner’s name.
City utilities
Cable – Cable television is available to all residents from Mediacom Cable. If you would like to connect to cable television or have any problems with cable television, call Mediacom at 1-800-332-0245. For repairs: (800) 422-1473
Electric – Xcel Energy, customer service: 800-895-4999, emergency or lights out: 800-895-1999, homesmart: 800-238-7378, business solution center: 800-481-4700.
McLeod Co-op Power, 1231 Ford Avenue, Glencoe, MN 55336. Customer Service 800-494-6272, outages 800-927-5685.
Gas – Center Point Energy, 2400 Riverfront Dr., Mankato, Minn., customer service, 800-245-2377; emergency only (gas leaks), 800-722-9326; TTY/voice, 888-321-4977. Call Gopher State before you dig 800-252-1166.
Telephone
CenturyLink, business office: 800-788-3500, repair service: 24 hours a day 800-788-3600, or TDD/TTY: 800-627-3529.
OHMs, ATVs, and snowmobiles
OHM (Off Highway Motorcycles), ATV (All Terrain Vehicles), and snowmobiles must be registered or licensed by the State of Minnesota and must abide by all state and local regulations. You can obtain a copy of the OHM, ATV, Snowmobile ordinance at City Hall or the Police Department. The City only allows snowmobiles and OHMs on First Avenue North, Central Avenue, Second Avenue South, and Pine Street South. NO snowmobiles, OHMs, or ATVs are allowed after 10 p.m. unless coming into or leaving the city. NO OHMs, ATVs, or snowmobiles are allowed in the city parks. The maximum speed is 15 mph within the city limits. Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail along the former Dakota Rail corridor.
Motorized scooters
A person may operate a scooter in city limits, as long as they abide by state statute 169.225 which includes the following requirements: the driver is over the age of 12, wearing proper head gear, has working lights on the scooter, must be on the road and not the sidewalk, and isn’t carrying more than one person.
Burning
Recreational fires are allowed if they meet with city guidelines. Please check with city hall before burning.
Dog and cat licenses
The city does not require licenses for dogs or cats, but they must be on a leash when not on the owner’s property. Dogs or cats running at large will be impounded. Charges are $30 per day paid to the city, plus boarding fees paid to the vet clinic.
Diseased trees
Boulevard trees that are storm-damaged or diseased will be removed by the city. No boulevard tree can be removed without consent of the city.
Brush/compost site
The brush site is seasonal, April through October, and is only for brush and tree limbs under 4 inches in diameter.
The compost site is for leaves, lawn clippings and garden waste.
Both sites are located south of the city park.
Call city hall for days and times the site will be open for use.
Other information and regulations
New residents are encouraged to stop by or contact city hall for any other information, (320) 395-2646
