SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a five percent monthly refuse rate increase for River View Sanitation (RVS) residential curbside service as of Feb. 1.

Action came on a motion by Councilor Gary Windschitl, seconded by Nate Stevermer for single monthly rates to rise from $13.29 to $13.96 and family monthly rates to rise from $19.02 to $19.97 a month. Additional cans rates rise from $4 to $4.50 a month for single and family service.

RVS co-owner Brent Kucera said the price increase resulted from an 18% Brown County Landfill tipping fee increase.

Kucera added that RVS recently added automated trucks that makes service much easier.

“Also for the last year and a half at our Del Monte shop, we’ve been building our own dumpsters, roll-offs (large, study trash containers) and doing our own repairs,” said Kucera.

Also on Tuesday:

• The city council unanimously approved Sleepy Eye Medical Center board salaries at $800 a year and $900 for the board chairperson and secretary.

• Councilor Christina Andres was unanimously elected city council president.

• Sleepy Eye City Attorney Alissa Fischer Groen said she and Sleepy Eye City Clerk Michelle Strate are updating the city personnel policy to comply with the new Minnesota earned sick and safe time law effective Jan. 1 that requires employers to provide paid leave to employees. Paid leave can be used for certain reasons, including when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member, or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.

For more information, visit https://www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave