SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council approved a retirement letter from City Manager Mark Kober, Tuesday.

“It’s with regret that we acknowledge this letter,” said Mayor Wayne Pelzel.

Kober said he plans to step down as city manager in early 2019 after nearly 18 years on the job, but gave written notice to facilitate the hiring of a competent replacement. Kober said he plans to pursue some time with family and other interests while he may.

“I have fully enjoyed my time in Sleepy Eye and look forward to finishing the city hall project this year and helping my successor with the 2020 Street & Utility Project kickoff,” Kober wrote.

He recommended the City of Sleepy Eye hire David Drown & Associates as a search consultant as soon as possible. Kober said he would assist the City for several months next year with 2020 budget preparation and with 2020 street and utility project assessments and hearing work.

Kober said he would remain helpful with the Economic Development Authority (EDA). In addition, he said he’d like to recognize and thank people at a later date.

The city council unanimously approved:

• Updating Community Center needs including $12,500 for a new air conditioning and heat pump unit and glass back door, motion by Doug Pelzel, second by Nate Stevermer. Kober said the Community Center furnace is rusting out.

• A first ordinance reading of plat and annexation for the Snow 4th Addition including four 2.5 acre lots.

• A hearing on the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and preliminary issuance of general obligation bonds for the city hall project. Bid package approval was set for a noon, June 27, meeting, on a motion by Pelzel, seconded by Joann Schmidt.

• A request for a zoning change from multi-family to residential by Dean Mathiowetz for Lot 4, Block 1, Mathiowetz 3rd Addition, on a motion by Dick Zinniel, seconded by Pelzel. Mathiowetz said he plans to build a spec home on a 0.6-acre lot east of Ross Park.

• Discussed Paul Warshauer’s request for a conditional use permit for a ground-level apartment at 229 W. Main St. Kober said a full hearing on the request is set for the July city council meeting.

• Preliminary information on the $7.9 million 2020 street and utility project that will include improvements on 71 city blocks. Zinniel said several streets not listed in the project had sewer issues, including sand and tree-root infiltration. City Engineer Dave Palm recommended holding a Street Committee meeting soon to discuss the issues for possible project inclusion.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.