New in town?

Just moved to the Lester Prairie area? Here’s some information that can help make that transition easier.

City of Lester Prairie

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 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 $40.

For non-residents, the rent is $140, $55, and $50. A $50 damage deposit is required and those using the room are responsible for clean up.

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 March 1 between 2 and 6 a.m. That time is extended following snowfalls greater than two inches, until the street is plowed curb to curb.

There is also no parking on downtown streets from 2 to 6 a.m. year-around.

Snow removal

Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after the snow ceases to fall. Residents may not blow snow on city streets.

Garbage pickup

Garbage pickup is every Monday and garbage should be at curbside by 7 a.m. The city contracts with Waste Management for garbage removal.

Residents are allowed one 36, 64, or 96 gallon container per week. Containers are available by calling the city at (320) 395-2646.

Garbage service is billed quarterly, along with your city utility bill.

Curbside recycling service

Curbside recycling service is every other 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 1 or 2 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 quarterly basis. Rates are based on a service charge plus a charge per 1,000 gallons used.

Meter reading cards are sent to residents prior to receiving a bill. There is a $15 penalty for residents who fail to return their meter card by the due date.

Failure to pay a utility bill results in 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.

Electricity

Xcel Energy, 421 Wabasha St., St. Paul, MN55102, customer service, 800-895-4999; emergency or lights out only, 800-895-1999; TDD/TYY 800-288-5533.

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.

Telephone

EMBARQ, business office: 800-788-3500, repair service: 24 hours a day 800-788-3600, or TDD/TTY: 800-627-3529.

Cable television

Cable television is available to all residents from Mediacom.

If you would like to connect to cable television or have any problems with cable television, call Mediacom at 800-332-0245. For repairs, call 800-422-1473.

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.

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. Follow the gravel road on the east side of the park to reach the site.

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.

City of Lester Prairie

City Council

Mayor: Eric Angvall

Acting Mayor: Andrew Heimerl

Council members: Larry Hoof, Ron Foust, and Arthur Mallak.

The council meets the first Monday after the first Tuesday every month at 7 p.m. at city hall.

City hall hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 37 Juniper St. N., telephone and fax (320) 395-2646.

City Staff

Clerk, Marilyn L. Pawelk; Assistant City Clerk, Darla Simon

Police Chief, Robert Carlson; Patrol Officers, Mark Thiry and Brenda Conzet

Maintenance, Greg Mueller and Adam Birkholz

Waste Water Treatment Operator, PeopleService, Inc. (Lee Ortloff)

Building Inspector, Waldron & Associates, Waconia, MN

City Attorney, Gavin, Olson, Winters Ltd., Glencoe

Assessor, McLeod County Assessor’s Office

Health Officer, GRHS - Lester Prairie Clinic

Park Board

Bob Messer, Chris Schultz, Larry Roth, and Troy Feltmann; council liaison - Andrew Heimerl

Planning Commission

Brian Duncan, chairman; Charlie Suedbeck, Bob Messer, Kristi Carlson, council liaison - Larry Hoof

Fire Department officers

James Hoof, chief; Fred Pawelk, assistant chief; Dave Horsman, assistant chief; Andy Heimerl, captain; Matt Tonn, captain; Jerry Pawelk, fire marshall; Maurice Tonn, secretary; and Don Hoof, treasurer.

Relief Association Officers

Andy Heimerl, president; Wade Schultz, vice president; Jerry Christenson, secretary; Matt Tonn, treasurer; Dave Dressler, trustee; Steve Klobe, trustee.

Fire Board

City of Lester Prairie, Winsted Township, Bergen Township and Lester Prairie Fire Department.

As a result of a FEMA grant, LPFD received 15 new ISI self-contained breathing apparatus, and SCBA face pieces for all 30 fire fighters. They also obtained 30 new Minitor V pagers. The value of the grant was $66,130.

McLeod County

County Seat - Glencoe, 801 11th St. E., (320) 395-2568 (toll free number for Winsted residents), (320) 864-5551

Cities: 9 (Glencoe, Hutchinson, Brownton, Stewart, Silver Lake, Biscay, Plato, Winsted and Lester Prairie).

Townships: 14 (Glencoe, Helen, Bergen, Acoma, Rich Valley, Collins, Sumter, Round Grove, Penn, Lynn, Hassan Valley, Hutchinson, Hale, and Winsted).

County Commissioners

District 1 - Ray Bayerl, 20778 Cable Ave., Lester Prairie, (320) 485-2181

District 2 - Kermit Terlinden, 1112 14th St. E., Glencoe, (320) 864-3738

District 3 - Grant Knutson, 14267 County Road 7, Hutchinson, (320) 587-9108

District 4 - Sheldon Nies, 1118 S. Jefferson St., Hutchinson, (320) 587-5117

District 5 - Beverly Wangerin, 817 Colorado St. NW, Hutchinson, (320) 587-6869

Elected Officials

Auditor, Cindy Schultz (320) 864-1210

Treasurer, Linda J. Radtke (320) 864-1271

Recorder, LynnEtte Schrupp (320) 864-1327

Sheriff, Scott Rehmann (320) 864-3134

Attorney, Michael K. Junge (320) 864-1265

District Court Judges

Judge Michael Savre (320) 864-1281

Judge Terrence Conkel (320) 864-1281

County administrator, Nan Crary (320) 864-1363

Court services (probation), Andy Ypma (320) 864-1277

County coroner, Dr. Janis Amatusio, (320) 587-2020

County surveyor, Jeff Rausch (320) 587-4789

Social services, Gary Sprynczynatyk (320) 864-3144

County highway engineer,

John Brunkhorst (320) 864-3156

County assessor, Sue Schulz (320) 864-1254

Environmental services, Roger Berggren (320) 864-1259

Veterans services, Jim Lauer (320) 864-1268

Emergency services, Kevin Mathews (320) 864-1339

Extension service, Nathan Winter (320) 587-0770

Information systems, Tom Keefe (320) 864-1325

Agricultural inspector, Allan Koglin (320) 587-2082

Public health nursing, Becky Felling (320) 864-1373

Winsted direct line: (320) 395-2568

Planning & zoning, Larry Gasow (320) 864-1291

Parks, Al Koglin (320) 587-0770

Solid waste, Edwin Homan (320) 234-7166

Buildings supervisor, Wayne Rosenfeld (320) 864-1221

Human Resources, Mary Jo Wiesler (320) 864-1320

Minnesota

State Senator District 18 Steve Dille (R)

This is Dille’s fifth term in office as a senator.

Sen. Steve Dille

69800 305th St.

Dassel, MN 55325

(320) 398-6545

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Blvd., Room 103

St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: (651) 296-4131

Fax: (651) 296-9441

E-mail: sen.steve.dille@senate.mn

Committees:

• Finance • Agriculture • Capital Investment • Enviroment and Natural Resources • Enviroment Energy Budget • Veterans budget and policy (ranking member)

District 18 includes all of Meeker and McLeod counties, plus the following area in Wright County: the cities of Howard Lake, Cokato, and Annandale; and townships of French Lake, Middleville, South Haven, Southside, and Stockholm.

State Rep. District 18A Ron Shimanski (R)

This is Shimanski’s first term.

Home: 23808 Jet Ave.

Silver Lake, MN 55381

Office: 227 State Office Bldg.

St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 296-1534

E-mail: rep.ron.shimanski@house.mn

Web site: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/18A

You may sign up for email updates on his web site as well.

Committees:

• Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs

• Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division

• Labor and Consumer Protection Division

• Telecommunications Regulation and Infrastructure Div.

District 18A includes all of McLeod County, plus Collinwood Township in Wright County.

McLeod Co. Commissioner Ray Bayerl

Home: 20778 Cable Ave.

Lester Prairie, MN 55354

(320) 485-2181

Office: 830 E. 11th St.

Glencoe, MN 55336-2200

Phone: (320) 864-5551

Fax: (320) 864-3410

Committees: siz

• The general government committee for the Association of Minnesota ed States

US Senator Norm Coleman (R)

This is Coleman’s first term in office.

Senator Norm Coleman

2550 University Ave. W., Suite 100N

St. Paul, MN 55114

Phone: (651) 645-0323

Fax: (651) 645-3110

US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D)

This is Klobuchar’s first term in office.

Senator Amy Klobuchar

PO Box 4146

St. Paul, MN 55104-4146

Phone: (612) 727-5223

Fax: (612) 727-5220

E-mail: info@amyklobuchar.com

Web site: www.amyklobuchar.com

Committee: • Agriculture

U.S. Rep. District 7 Collin Peterson (DFL)

This is Peterson’s seventh term in office.

Collin Peterson

2159 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-2165

Fax: (202) 225-1593

Web site and e-mail: www.house.gov/collinpeterson (for e-mail, go to prompts)

Committees:

• Agriculture

- Livestock and horticulture (ranking member)

- conservation, credit, rural development, and research

- general farm commodities and risk management

• Veterans’ affairs

- Democratic veterans’ affairs

- Health

• Permanent select committee on intelligence

District 7 encompasses a huge chunk of area that is west of the Twin Cities. At its eastern end, it includes voters in the townships of Winsted, Bergen, Hale and Rich Valley; and the cities of Winsted and Lester Prairie.