SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday to extend its coronavirus emergency declaration to Tuesday, April 14, its next regular city council meeting.

Action came on a motion by councilor Gary Windschitl, seconded by counilor Nate Stevermer, to extend a three-day emergency declaration the city council unanimously approved Monday.

City councilors, the mayor, city manager and city clerk spaced themselves at least six feet apart from each other at the emergency meeting in the council chambers Wednesday noon.

At the end of the meeting, broadcast on Sleepy Eye local access channels on cable television, Mayor Wayne Pelzel urged “folks at home” to follow coronavirus health guidelines spelled out by state and national health officials.

On March 23, the city council directed an Emergency Management Team (EMT) including the city manager, emergency manager and city health officer and appropriate city staff were directed to coordinate appropriate aid and resources from surrounding jurisdictions, the State of Minnesota and the federal government,as needed.

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.

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