SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved temporary liquor licenses for several summer festivals Tuesday.

Temporary licenses were approved for the Knights of Columbus Council 3134 July 4 at Allison Park, St. Mary’s Church Festival church grounds Aug. 4, Servicemen’s Club 1st Ave. street dance Aug. 16, Sleepy Eye Brewing Co. Allison Park, Aug. 17 and at Sleepy Eye Brewing Company Sept. 28. Liquor license approval came on a motion by Councilor Doug Pelzel, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick.

Liquor license renewals effective July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, were approved for Janu-4 Freedom (gas station/convenience store), off-sale 3.2 beer; the Sleepy Eye Baseball Association Prairieview/Eagles Park 3.2 on-sale beer April 15-Sept. 30; Sleepy Eye Lanes, 3.2 on-sale beer; Meyer’s Bar & Lounge, liquor/Sunday liquor, 3.2 off-sale beer; Servicemen’s Club, liquor/Sunday liquor; Sleepy Eye Liquor off-sale liquor; Sleepy Eye Brewing Co. on-sale brewer’s tap, Sunday license/brewer off-sale intoxicating liquor with Sunday license; Dawg Haus, liquor/Sunday liquor.

Fireworks permits to sell fireworks for Janu-4, Schutz Family Foods, and the Sleepy Eye Fire Department for the lake fireworks display were approved, motion by Andres, second by Gary Windschitl.

A variance request from Russell and Mary Helget to build a detached garage in line with their existing house that is four to five feet from the west property line, rather than the required 7.5 feet, was approved, motion by Pelzel, seconded by Krzmarzick. Planning and zoning recommended approval.

The city council tabled vacating alley right of way along the 700 block of Water Street S.W.

A resolution for a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) grant to purchase a utility tractor for airport improvement was approved on a motion by Councilor Scott Krzmarzick, seconded by Christina Andres.

Under the agreement, the State of Minnesota will pay 80% of the cost, $40,924.79. The City of Sleepy Eye’s cost share is $1,925.53 to purchase a new John Deere 5075M utility tractor. The utility tractor cost is $66,445.32 minus $23,595 for a trade-in tractor.