May 8, 2025

Honoring moms should extend well beyond a single day of appreciation each year! Cards, flowers and candy are always nice, but a call or in-person visit will also go a long way in thanking her, so don't forget your mom this weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all Prior Lake moms and the women who serve as role models and caregivers to others.

May 08, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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TOP STORY

Public Works Director Nick Monserud says the department has many tenured employees who know their job well. (Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass)

Behind the scenes: Public works department has hand in nearly every service provided to Prior Lake residents

Most Prior Lake residents would agree that living in a community with a large lake is a huge amenity. Few, however, may know what it takes to keep the rest of the city a desirable place to live based on roads, parks, basic city services and assurances that water coming into each home will stay flowing in a city of 30,000.

Those primary responsibilities fall to Nick Monserud, Prior Lake's Public Works Director and City Engineer. He oversees the department charged with many of the city's behind-the-scenes essential functions that directly impact local residents. With the help of 37 full-time employees, he is responsible for most of the city's infrastructure, including all city buildings, equipment, fleet maintenance, parks, playground equipment, watermain services and sewage system.

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A native of Iowa, Monserud says he was lucky to be stuck in traffic while driving into Prior Lake nearly a decade ago when he saw one of the city's electronic billboard advertising for an open project engineer position. He applied and was hired for that role in 2016, and has since been promoted three times, the last being to leader of public works. In addition to nine direct reports and other staff members, his department expands during the summer months when up to 40 part-time and seasonal workers are hired to maintain parks and help with recreation program offerings.

The department must be prepared day or night to handle emergency situations such as severe storms in the summer months and major winter snowfalls. The city also has 41 sewer lift stations, and if an alarm goes off, even in the middle of the night, a city employee is dispatched immediately to address anything that needs to be done, according to Monserud.

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NEWS

Spectators can watch LPGA professionals tee off on May 13.

The Meadows to host U.S. Women's Open qualifier event

The Meadows at Mystic Lake will host a U.S. Women’s Open qualifying event on Tuesday, May 13 that is free and open to the public.

More News

Schools

A town hall meeting to discuss the district’s budget is scheduled for May 21.

School district may still face shortfall nearing $1 million

Despite planned cuts, the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District’s general fund budget for 2025-26 is still projected to run at a deficit of $1 million.

Schools

UPCOMING EVENTS

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