SLEEPY EYE — The City of Sleepy Eye proclaimed and declared a local emergency exists effective Monday, March 23 with all the powers and responsibilities provided by Minnesota Statues, Chapter 12.

The declaration directed city staff to review ordinance and regulatory requirements, operations, civil and legal proceedings, events and resources to determine whether the foregoing should be adjusted or suspended, and to make recommendations regarding additional emergency regulations to support the employees and residents of Sleepy Eye.

An Emergency Management Team (EMT) was directed to be established including the city manager, emergency manager and city health officer.

All city departments and offices were directed to operate and support the response to this incident under the direction and coordination of the EMT including implementing new employee protocols, strategies, and processes to ensure public services are maintained.

The EMT and appropriate city staff were directed to coordinate appropriate aid and resources from surrounding jurisdictions, Brown County, the State of Minnesota, and the federal government, as needed.

An emergency Sleepy Eye City Council meeting has been scheduled for noon, Wednesday, March 25 to decide if an emergency declaration will be extended. It will be broadcast on channel 8 on both Sleepy Eye cable channels. The meeting will be closed to the public since that would mean more than 10 people in the council chambers, according to City Manager Bob Elston.

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