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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

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1. How do I know if a tree is mine or belongs to the City?

The Public Works division can assist with determining if a tree is within the right-of-way.  Please call (507) 593-8378.

2. Will the City help identify infected trees?

Yes.  Please contact Public Works at (507) 593-8378.

3. What are the next steps if my tree is determined to have an Emerald Ash Borer infestation?

Contact a local tree contractor for the removal or injection of the infected Ash tree.

4. Will the City pay for tree removal?

No.

5. Will the City pay for tree injections?

No.

6. Am I required to remove my tree?

No, but it is recommended to remove any Ash tree to prevent further spread of EAB.

7. Where should I dispose of my tree?

At the City's compost site located off of Boright Street.

8. What is the City doing with their trees that have EAB?

The City currently has a Emerald Ash Borer Management plan to help mitigate the further spread of EAB.  This document can be found on our EAB page.

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General

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1. Why are flags at half staff today?

There are many reasons flags fly at half staff.  Visit Half Staff for more information or to receive state and nationwide half staff notifications directly.

Half Staff American Flag Notifications

2. Where is my voting place?

The City of Le Sueur polling location is the lower level of City Hall (203 South Second Street).  Visit our elections page for more information.

3. What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A Comprehensive Plan is an expression of the community's vision for the future and strategic map to reach that vision.  The City of Le Sueur adopted the 2040 Comprehensive Plan on November 14, 2016.  Comprehensive planning is an important tool for cities to guide future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical environment for residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities.  For more information, visit our Comprehensive Plan homepage.

Le Sueur's Comprehensive Plan

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Police

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1. Does my pet need to be licensed?

Dogs and cats over the age of 6 months need yearly pet licenses.  The dog or cat need to be current on rabies vaccinations and proof is required at the time of obtaining a license.

Licenses can be purchased or renewed through our eLicense site.

2. Does Le Sueur have animal control services?

We work with Minnesota Critter Getter for animal control needs.

3. What constitutes a nuisance?

In general, a public nuisance: 

• Maintains or permits a condition which unreasonably annoys, injures or endangers the safety, health, morals, comfort or repose of any considerable number of members of the public.
• Interferes with, obstructs or renders dangerous for passage, any public highway or right-of-way or waters used by the public.

The full nuisance code is available on our Code of Ordinances page.

4. What should I do if I see someone speeding or driving dangerously in my neighborhood?

Try to get a license plate number from the vehicle, then (even if you don't get a plate number), call the Le Sueur Police Department non-emergency number at 507-665-3313.

5. What is the process for purchasing a firearm?

The permit to purchase or transfer a firearm can be found on our Permits & Forms page.

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Streets & Parks

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1. A snow plow hit my mail box, will the City fix it?

The City accepts responsibility for damages to mailboxes if the mailbox location and construction complies with the City's Mailbox Placement Standards and the damage is by physically being struck by a plow blade, wing, or other piece of equipment.  Please note: damage caused by snow hitting the mailbox is not covered.

To have your mailbox repaired or replaced, please fill out our Mailbox Damage Application and remit to City Hall.

2. How do I know if a snow emergency has been declared?

As a general rule, a snow emergency will be declared following or during a snow occurrence of two or more inches.  The announcement will be made the on City's website, Facebook page, Le Sueur County News, and KCHK radio.  Notifications can also be sent to you direct by text or email by signing up thru our Notify Me module.

3. Who do I contact regarding poor visibility at an intersection due to shrubs or trees?

Please contact Joel Schmidt, Public Works Manager at 507-593-8378.

4. 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.

5. Does the City replace sod, sprinkler systems or landscaping damaged by snow plowing?

The City will 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.  Please contact the Streets & Parks Department with questions.

6. Will the City trim my trees?

The Streets & Parks Department trims trees located on City property, within City right-of ways, or trees that obstruct the view of City signage, and trees that diminish visibility at intersections.  If you have questions, please contact our Streets & Parks Department.

The Electrical Department trims or removes trees that may interfere with power lines.  Please contact our Electric Department about any concerns.

7. How do I know if a tree is in the City right-of-way?

In most cases, City right-of-way extends 10 to 12 feet behind the back of the curb.

8. 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 miles per hour.  State law for public roadways implies that 30 miles per hour is the lowest speed limit that can be enforced and can only be lower for specific situations such as school zones.

9. What items are accepted at the compost site?

Yard and garden waste such as leaves, shrubs, trees, and glass clippings can be deposited at our site.  Decomposed materials are available to Le Sueur residents.  Only organic materials are acceptable.

10. What are the compost site hours?

The site is open 24/7.

11. Where is the compost site located?

Our compost site is located off of Boright Street (near the Electric building).

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Water/Wastewater

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1. I think my toilet is leaking, what should I do?

Leak detection tablets are available to Le Sueur residents at the Water/Wastewater Facility (1500 North Commerce Street) free of charge.  Stop in today to get yours!

2. Who is responsible for maintenance of water meters, valves, and water service lines?

The City of Le Sueur is responsible for the maintenance of the water meter.  If the water meter is not working properly or if you suspect there is a problem with your water meter please contact the Water/Wastewater Department.

Property owners are responsible for maintenance of all water piping from the City’s main (including the connection) to the house or business including all piping in the building.  Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the curb stop valve and the valve before the meter.

3. If I experience frozen water service after normal business hours, who do I call?

Please call 507-665-9941 and follow the instructions to speak with our on call staff to respond to the incident.

4. How do I know if I should run my water to keep my pipes from freezing?

If your pipes have already frozen once this season and you have been advised by City staff to keep the lines open by running water, please continue to do so.  In this case, you will not be charged for water and sewer used.  You can also test your water temperature.  Please contact the Water/Wastewater Department if it is 36 degrees or lower or if you need assistance in taking the temperature.

5. What is the proper procedure for running water to prevent water service lines from freezing?

Run cold water from the lowest point in the house, usually a laundry room sink or tub.  It is important to keep the water flowing constantly at a rate of about one gallon every four minutes (the stream width of a pencil).  Do not run hot water, as hot water will freeze faster than cold water.

6. If my water service line freezes, who is responsible for thawing it out?

The City of Le Sueur is not responsible for thawing out your pipes, as the water service is the homeowner’s property from the house to the main in the street.  However, we will assist you in contacting the appropriate professional to fix the problem and will assist who you hire.

7. Can water temperature be used to predict if my water pipe will freeze?

Sometimes.  With deep frost, the ground around water pipes may not be frozen, but it is unlikely warming the pipes will help.  If the water temperature falls below 36 degrees and you are concerned, please call contact the Water/Wastewater Department to discuss your options.

8. The water at my faucet seems almost freezing. Should I be running my water?

The first step is to test your water temperature.  Please call the Water/Wastewater Department at 507-­665-9941 if it is 36 degrees or lower or if you need assistance in taking the temperature.  Failure to contact the Water/Wastewater Department prior to running water to prevent water lines from freezing may result in the property owner or tenant being responsible for the excessive water and sewer charges.

9. I chose to run my water without contacting the Water/Wastewater Department. Can I get a credit on my utility bill for the excess water and sewer usage?

Failure to contact the Water/Wastewater Department prior to running water to prevent water lines from freezing may result in the property owner or tenant being responsible for the excessive water and sewer charges.  Upon contact, we may send a staff person to your location to determine if running water is necessary.

10. Can the City of Le Sueur predict which water services will freeze?

No.  Most water pipes that freeze have no history of freezing in the past.  While relatively few in number, frozen pipes occur at random all across our service area.  In some areas of the City, staff have seen frost depth approaching the water service depth.  However, we cannot determine the frost depth surrounding each of the 1,490 water service lines that exist within the City service area.

11. If there is a chance of water lines freezing, why not just tell everyone to run their water?

The chance is approximately .5% that water lines will freeze.  We want to conserve precious water resources and keep our prices low for our customers, most of whom will not be affected by a frozen water lines in any given winter.  Running water unnecessarily will raise costs for all our customers to prevent an event that is unlikely to occur.

12. My house never had frozen pipes until recently. Why did my pipes freeze now?

Water service lines (pipes) 6.5 to 7.5 feet below ground.  Frost could be down to the same level as the water service lines in some areas and can freeze in these conditions.  There are a number of factors that determine the depth of the frost in any given winter.

13. I have been running my water as instructed by the Water/Wastewater Department and my sewer line now backed up. Who is responsible and should I call the City of Le Sueur?

The city is not responsible for sewer service lines freezing or failing due to running water to keep you water service from freezing.  However, you should still contact the Water/Wastewater Department so it can be determined if the problem is your sewer service or city sewer main.

14. The weather is supposed to rise above freezing. Can I stop running my water now?

No.  If you are running your water as instructed, keep the water running until we contact you.  Frost will take longer to leave the ground than a few days of above freezing temperatures.

15. What can I do to keep my pipes from freezing again?

Once your line has been thawed out, it is essential to keep the water running continuously as instructed: one gallon every four minutes.  Turning the water off, even for a few minutes, could cause the once frozen line to refreeze.  Remember this line already froze this year and is likely to refreeze if you do not continue to run water as instructed.

16. When my water comes out of the tap, it looks cloudy, but then clears up. Should I be concerned?

Cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the bubbles in carbonated soft drinks.  After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and escape into the air.

This type of cloudiness occurs most often in the winter when the drinking water is cold.  When relatively warm well water leaves the treatment system, it travels through pipes in the frozen ground to your home.  The water is cooled and is not able to retain as much oxygen, but because the water is trapped in a pipe the oxygen cannot escape.  When you open your tap, the water is no longer trapped inside the pipes and the oxygen immediately begins to escape (or bubble) to the surface.

17. What is the hardness of city water?

The hardness of our well water as it comes into your home or business averages about 20 grains per gallon or 350 milligrams per liter of total hardness.

18. How does lead get into your house or building water?

The most likely sources of lead in water are lead solder or brass fixtures in your home’s plumbing and/or your service line.  The City of Le Sueur’s water mains are constructed mainly of cast iron and ductile iron with no soldered joints.

19. Where does my water come from?

The City of Le Sueur provides drinking water to its residents from groundwater sources:

• Two wells from the Jordan aquifer at 274 and 280 feet
• One multi-aquifer from the Jordan, Fronconia, Ironton, and Galesville aquifer at 660 feet
• One from the Mount Simon aquifer at 690 feet