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Public Works Frequently Asked Questions

Streets, Speed

[top] "What is the speed limit on my street, and can it be lowered?"
On residential roads that are not posted, the speed limit is 30 m.p.h. State law for public roadways implies that 30 m.p.h. is the lowest speed limit that can be enforced and can only be lower for very specific situations; e.g. school zones.
[top] "Why is the speed limit on Kingsway Drive only 30 MPH?"
In addition to the information previously provided, the maximum engineered design speed on some of the curves on Kingsway Drive are 30 MPH.
[top] "What should I do if I see someone speeding or driving dangerously in my neighborhood?"
Enforcement of traffic laws in Le Sueur is provided by the City of Le Sueur Police Department. Try to get a license plate number from the vehicle, then, even if you don't get a plate number, call the non emergency number, 507-665-3313, and inform them of the problem.

Other FAQ's

[top] "A snow plow hit my mail box, will the city fix it?"
The City accepts responsibility for mailboxes which are allowed to be placed in the road right-of-way, if the mailbox location and construction complies with recommended City standards and the damage is by physically being struck by a plow blade, wing, or other piece of equipment. Mailboxes should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or a wing. Therefore, damage resulting from snow is the responsibility of the resident. The City will repair or replace mailboxes in those instances where the City is responsible for the damage.
[top] "Does the City replace sod, sprinkler systems or landscaping damaged by snow plowing?"
The City will come out and repair boulevard turf disturbed by snow plows with black dirt and seed. This work is normally scheduled in the spring. Any landscaping or sprinkler systems placed in the City right-of-way, is placed there at the homeowners risk. Call the Public Works Department to report damage at 665-2266.
[top] "How do I know if a snow emergency has been declared?"
As a general rule you can assume a snow emergency will be declared following or during a snow occurrence of four (4) or more inches. The announcement will be made on KRBI radio 1310 AM, 105.5 FM, and on our local cable television channel 8.
[top] "Aren't vehicles suppose to STOP for pedestrians in cross walks?"
YES, the biggest problem seems to be a misunderstanding of the law by motorists and pedestrians alike, the pedestrian should be attempting to cross the roadway, not just standing behind the curb.
  • "Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. This provision shall not apply under the conditions as otherwise provided in this subdivision."
"Pedestrian Laws of Minnesota"
[top] "What are Le Sueur's policies for traffic signs?"
The Le Sueur Public Works Department annually receives a number of traffic sign requests from residents. The majority of these sign requests generally relate to concerns for speeding and/or other careless driving behavior. When these requests involve changes to the number or locations of STOP signs, speed limits, or parking restrictions City Council action is required to make those changes. City staff typically prepares the necessary studies and/or reports necessary for City Council consideration.

In the case of requests for yellow and black warning signs, City staff analyze these requests and place or modify signs in general accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD), which is a specific, local version of a broader comprehensive federal document. These documents guide local road authorities in the placement of signs, and help to ensure consistency from city to city, county to county, state to state, etc. The MMUTCD is cited as a guiding document and the best overall resource for experts involved in all facets of traffic control and sign placement, and usually referenced in litigation arising from motor vehicle accidents. For these reasons, City staff relies heavily upon the guidelines and principles contained therein.
[top] "Warrants for Stop Signs"
Because the STOP sign causes a substantial inconvenience to motorists, it should be used only where warranted. A STOP sign may be warranted at an intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist:
  1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule is unduly hazardous.
  2. Street entering a through highway or street.
  3. Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area.
  4. Other intersections where a combination of high speed, restricted view, and serious accident record indicates a need for control by the STOP sign.
Prior to the application of these warrants, consideration should be given to less restrictive measures, such as the YIELD sign (2B-7) where a full stop is not necessary at all times. Periodic reviews of existing installations may be desirable to determine whether, because of changed conditions, the use of less restrictive control or no control could accommodate traffic demands safely and more effectively.
[top] "Wouldn't a "SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY" sign help to provide safer streets?"
The "SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY" type signs were removed entirely from both the Federal and State versions of the Manual a number of years ago. The reason was that the signs were deemed vague and confusing to motorists in their message, and studies performed indicated no measurable change in driver behavior in the vicinity of the signs. The intention of yellow and black warning signs is to call attention to a condition which would be unexpected to an average driver, e.g. sharp curve, railroad crossing, school crossing, stop ahead, trail crossing, etc. While the presence of children in a street certainly can constitute a potentially hazardous condition, it is intuitive to most drivers that roads through predominately residential communities such as Le Sueur will have some number of children adjacent. There is no known or agreed upon criterion for when a certain density of children in a residential area exceeds what an average driver expects. "SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY" signs within the city were removed a number of years ago following an extensive survey and evaluation of Le Sueur's traffic control devices by a traffic engineering firm. It is felt that the City could be creating a larger problem by inadvertently condoning public streets as safe play areas for children.
[top] "Who do I contact to find out about the procedures for new driveway curb cuts or driveway apron replacements?"
You need to contact Dean Kunze the Public Works Director at 665-2266 or dkunze@cityoflesueur.com for approval there is no permit required.
[top] "Who do I contact regarding poor visibility at an intersection due to shrubs or trees?"
You need to contact Andy Cemenski the Park Supervisor at 665-3325.
[top] "Will the City trim my trees?"
The city Forestry Department trims trees located on city property, within city right-of way, or trees that obstruct view of city signage, and trees that diminish visibility at intersections contact Dan Griep City Forester at 665-2266. The cities Electrical Department trims or removes trees that may interfere with power lines call 665-3338 or dmeyer@cityoflesueur.com.
[top] "How do I know if a tree is in city right-of-way?"
In most cases, city right-of-way extends ten to twelve feet behind the back of the curb.
[top] "Who is responsible for sidewalk repair?"
The adjacent property owner is responsible for maintenance, construction and reconstruction of the sidewalk abutting their property. The property owner also has legal liability should an accident occur on the sidewalk.
[top] "What can I bring to the compost site, what are the hours, where is it located?"
Yard and garden waste material such as leaves etc. can be deposited to decompose and be used as a soil additive in the future. Decomposed materials are available to Le Sueur residence. Tree materials can be deposited on the "burn pile". Only organic materials are expectable. The site is open 24-7. You can find the site by taking Grove Street west from North Main Street and following the gravel road in a winding southwesterly direction.
[top] "Who do I notify if a street light is out?"
The Le Sueur Electric Department at 665-3338 or dmeyer@cityoflesueur.com
[top] "Can I reserve a park picnic shelter?"
The shelters at Mayo Park and Legion Park may be reserved for a fee of $25.00 by stopping at the Le Sueur Community Center at 821 E. Ferry Street between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The shelter may be reserved from May 1st  through September 30th.  The shelters will be available until fall park shut-down (when water is turned off, usually around Nov. 1). Reservations will be honored in the order they are made. Reservations will be taken beginning January 1st of each year. Standing reservations for yearly events (i.e. family reunions) will no longer be accepted. A reservation calendar will be posted at the Mayo Park and Legion Park Shelters. The shelter is available for usage without a reservation or fee if it has not been reserved by a fee paying group.

Use of restrooms and water sources are available to all Le Sueur park users regardless of whether they have a reservation or a group using a shelter.