City Hall
4646 Dakota St. S.E.
952-447-9800

Police Station:
4649 Dakota St. S.E.
952-440-3555

Departments & Directors

City Manager

Frank Boyles
952-447-9801

Assistant to the City Manager

Kelly Meyer
952-447-9802

Director of Finance

952-447-9841

Director of Public Works/City Engineer

Steve Albrecht
952-447-9831

Building and Transportation Services Director

Jane Kansier
952-447-9812

Community Development and Natural Resources

Danette Walthers
952-447-9813

Police Chief

Bill O’Rourke
952-447-9861

Fire Chief

Doug Hartman
952-440-FIRE (3473)

Telephone Numbers

Emergency 911

Administration
952-447-9800
City Council, meeting and general information about city programs and events, human resources, communications and transportation services.

Building and Transportation Services
952-447-9850
Building permits, code enforcement, inspections, nuisances, complaints, Laker Lines transit services and city code enforcement.

Community Development and Natural Resources
952-447-9805
Planning and zoning information, economic development and natural resources.

Engineering
952-447-9830
Road construction information, grading issues, drainage concerns (storm sewer), new development construction, Lakes Advisory Committee information, load limits for streets, Gopher State One Call and sewer and water locations, and benchmark information.

Finance
952-447-9840
Licensing, assessments, water billing and accounts payable. Maintenance Facility. 952-440-9830 Park maintenance information, snow plowing information, street maintenance information, and sewer and water maintenance information.

Recreation
952-447-9820
Recreation program information, field scheduling and reservations, park and picnic reservations, and Parks Advisory Committee information.

Police Department (non-emergency)
952-440-3555

Prior Lake Animal Control
952-894-9065

Minnesota Relay Service (for hearing impaired)
1-800-627-3529

Prior Lake Fire Department
Fire Station No. 1: 16776 Fish Point Rd. S.E.
Fire Station No. 2: 3906 Station Place N.W.
Prior Lake is served by a volunteer fire department which includes a Rescue Squad. The city has a "5" ISO insurance rating. For Fire Department Administrative Services, call City Hall at 952-447-9800.

Sewer & Water Billing
Prior Lake City Hall
952-447-9843
Residents are billed for municipal water and sewer use every two months. Water and sewer bills are based on use for the previous two months. With the installation of “radio read water meters,” residents no longer have to report meter usage. Readings are submitted automatically, assuring accuracy and timeliness.

City Council

Mayor

Jack Haugen
4824 Adrian Circle S.E.
952-447-5473

Council Members

Kenneth Hedberg
6582 Harbor Beach N.E.
612-382-6143

Warren Erickson
3031 Spring Lake Rd.
952-440-2171

Chad LeMair
5524 Highpointe Court S.E.
952-440-8506

Steve Millar
16776 Fish Point Rd.
952-440-4572

The Prior Lake City Council consists of the mayor and four council members who serve four-year, staggered terms. Currently, local elections take place in November of the odd-numbered years. An ordinance adopted in 2006 will change elections to the even-numbered years in 2010, with the interim election in 2009 to be for three-year terms.

The city operates under the Minnesota Statutory Plan B form of government. An elected mayor and city council set local policies and legislative priorities. Management of local affairs is performed by an appointed city manager who is directly responsible to the mayor and city council.

The city government operation is divided into several departments. They are: Administration, Finance, Public Works, Community Development and Natural Resources, Building and Transportation Services, Police and Fire.

Meetings

Prior Lake City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
6 p.m.
Meetings are held on the first and third Monday. An open public forum on Prior Lake issues is conducted at 6 p.m.

Prior Lake Planning Commission
City Hall Council Chambers
6 p.m.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Prior Lake Lake Advisory Committee
City Hall Council Chambers
4:30 p.m.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.

Prior Lake Parks Advisory Committee
Prior Lake Maintenance Center
6 p.m.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month.

All meetings of the City Council and its advisory bodies are open to the public. All meetings are televised live and rebroadcast on the city’s cable channel, PLTV-15.

City Ordinances

Lawn Maintenance

Weeds & Grass
Weeds and grass are not permitted to grow higher than 12 inches. If they do, the city may have them cut at the property owner’s expense. Questions about weeds should be directed to the Building and Transportation Department at 952-447-9811.

Water Usage

Watering Restrictions
From May 1 through Oct. 1, outside sprinkling, irrigation, car-washing and other non-essential outdoor use of the municipal water system may occur only on an odd/even basis before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Residents with an even house number may water lawns or use an outside hose before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only on even-numbered calendar days. Residents with an odd house number may water lawns or use an outside hose before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only on odd-numbered calendar days. Exceptions are made for newly seeded or sod lawns within the first 30 days of placement. Please call 952-447-9830 to request a permit to water outside of the above designated times. Private wells are exempt from these restrictions.

Impact of Swimming Pools
For monetary savings, residents should delay filling their swimming pools until after May 21 because of the manner in which water bills are calculated. Call the water billing office at 952-447-9843 with any questions.

Winter Regulations

Snow Removal
To facilitate snow and ice removal, parking is not allowed on city streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. daily, beginning Nov. 1 and ending March 31. Violators will be ticketed. Streets, alleys and municipal parking lots are usually plowed within 24 hours after a snowfall. Major thoroughfares and collectors streets are given priority, followed by residential streets and alleys.

Sidewalks/Fire Hydrants
From a liability perspective and in consideration of guests and customers, property owners are responsible for shoveling sidewalks and clearing snow from around fire hydrants. Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice.

Nuisance Control

Noise/Odor Ordinance
Generally, noise that can disturb others in a residential area should not occur before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any noise that is a potential health hazard or nuisance is prohibited. This includes excessive noise from vehicles, animals, stereos, musical instruments and combustion engines.
Snowblowers are exempt from the noise ordinance, but residents are asked to use common sense and neighborly courtesy.
Lawn mowers and other power equipment, including construction tools, may be operated from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Snowmobile Operation
Snowmobiles may be operated from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and New Year’s Eve. When operating on private property (other than marked trails), snowmobilers must have written permission of the property owners in their possession.

Unless otherwise stated, operation on public property may not occur within 100 feet of fishermen, skating areas, sliding areas, or other areas where snowmobile operation would conflict with the general use of the area or in parks except for a very limited area on the lakefront. Snowmobiles are limited in the downtown area for safety and to preserve street scaping. Call the Police Department at 952-440-3555 for more information.

City Licenses & Permits

Building Permits

Prior Lake City Hall
952-447-9850
Building permits are required for most projects including decks, finished basements, wood stoves, fireplaces, water softener, furnace, air conditioning and demolition. The department also registers plumbing contractors. For residents’ convenience, the city has information sheets that list useful tips regarding fences, decks, landscaping and more.

Pet Licenses

Prior Lake City Hall
952-447-9840
Pet licenses are required and must be renewed every two years. Pets must wear the license tag around their necks. The fee is $20 (two­year license) for non-spayed/non-neutered, and $10 (two-year license) for spayed/neutered. No license will be issued unless the owner can provide current documentation that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

There is a limit of three dogs and/or cats per household, unless the owner has obtained a kennel permit. All dogs and cats are required to be on a leash in all cases when the animal is not on the owner’s property. Problems associated with barking dogs or animals running at large should be referred to:
4-PAWS Animal Control 952-894-9065
Prior Lake Police Dept. 952-440-3555

The animal control agency has a list of pets that have been impounded. Call to check if your lost pet is on the list. Animals are generally kept for only 10 days and there is a daily charge.

Other Permits & Licenses

The city also has other license and permit requirements. Gambling, liquor, masseuse, refuse and cigarette licenses may be applied for from the Finance Department. Solicitor and outdoor concert permits are obtained through the Police Department.

Other Requirements

Fence Construction
A building permit is not required, but in order to ensure certain criteria are met, the Building and Transportation Department issues a fence permit free of charge. The maximum height is 6 feet. Fences must be on the property of the owner building it, and they cannot be placed on public right-of-way. Privacy fences are not allowed in front yards and all fences must be kept in good maintenance. A fence handout is available from the Building Department.

Address numbers
House numbers are required. They must be posted on the building where the front entrance is located, clearly visible from the street with vivid and sharp contrast to their background.

Garage Sales
Garage sale signs are not regulated, except that they are prohibited on utility poles and in the public right of way. Generally the right of way for a residential street is 10 feet behind each curb. For larger roadways, the telephone poles may be regarded as the beginning of the right of way. Garage sale signs should not cause pedestrian or vehicular traffic problems and good neighborliness should be maintained.

Block Parties/Outdoor Concerts
If you plan a block party or outdoor concert, please contact the Police Department at 952-440-3555 for assistance at least 30 days prior to the event. Outdoor concert permits are required.

Docks
Only one dock to a property is permitted. Please be a good neighbor and locate your dock so it does not conflict with a neighbor’s or block sight lines. No more than five boats may be kept on each residential dock. The City of Prior Lake’s dock location policy is available at www. cityofpriorlake.com.

Boat Accesses & Slip Rental
There are two summer boat accesses on Prior Lake — the Sand Point Beach access at 14377 Crest Ave. N.E., and the Dewitte access at 16800 Dewitte Ave. S.W. For more information about lake access, rules and regulations, contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at 651-259-5740.

There are 18 boat slips along Watzl’s shoreline and another 18 at Sandpoint Beach. Of those 18, nine can be reserved by the public, eight are available on a first-come, first-served basis and one is reserved for lake law enforcement purposes. For details, call 952-447-9820.

General City Info

Capital Improvement Program
A key tool in the city’s long-range planning is its Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which contains information about proposed capital projects, the proposed timeline for completion and funding sources. Approved in June 2006, the CIP for 2007-2011 calls for $21 million in improvements around Prior Lake next year, highlighted by the construction of Fire Station No. 2 and a new Water Treatment Facility, the drilling of well No. 10, the reconstruction of County Road 82 — as well as the reconstruction of intersections at Highway 13/County Road 12 and the installation of signal lights at County Road 21/Fish Point Road.

Nearly $59 million in improvements are contemplated for the period 2007-2011. Visit www.cityofpriorlake.com to download the complete CIP.

Economic Development
Contact Development Director Paul Snook at 952-447-9805 or by e-mail at psnook@cityofpriorlake.com. There are tools and information available to assist residents, including possible site locations, reference materials, finance information, incentives, state and federal financing options, business planning tools and more.

Web Site
For more information about the City of Prior Lake, visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofpriorlake.com. From park and trail information to agendas, transit information, job postings and more, this site has information for every resident. For details, contact Communications Coordinator Michael Peterson at 952-447-9804.

City news Service
For information about the city’s cable channel or to receive announcements about the latest city news, add your name to the city’s free e-mail distribution list. Visit www.cityofpriorlake.com, and click on “Get Connected” to receive one or more of the city’s e-newsletters.