SLEEPY EYE – The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved second and first readings respectively, amending plumbers and animal control ordinances Tuesday.

The plumbing ordinance amendment eliminates unnecessary paperwork and plumbers license fees and lessens city employee workloads, motion by Christina Andres, second by Scott Krzmarzick.

The first reading of Ordinance 190 eliminates dog licenses, called for by Doug Pelzel. Immunizations and collars on animals must show the name and phone number or address of the owner.

The city council also:

* Instructed City Attorney Alissa Fischer to create a purchase agreement for the City of Sleepy Eye to buy property at 117 2nd Ave. S.W., just north of the fire station and bring it to the next city council meeting. City Manager Bob Elston said buying the property would enable the fire station to expand more easily and economically in the future. A purchase price was not disclosed.

* Approved a conditional use permit for 619 Main St. East (the former City Limits bar/restaurant) to allow a single-family dwelling in the business/industrial zone, motion by Pelzel, second by Stevermer.

* Denied a variance request to allow a “pole building” style garage to be attached to a house at 200 5th Ave. S.W., motion by Pelzel, second by Krzmarzick.

* Approved a variance request to allow a wrap-around porch to replace two existing porches at 400 Walnut St. S.W., motion by Krzmarzick, second by Andres.

* Allowing Grizzly Canyon Antiques to install a sign in the store front that would extend into the right of way, motion by Andres, second by Stevermer.

* Approved selling Lot 8, Block 1, Snow First Addition to Cory and Angela Domeier for $59,000; first reading, motion by Stevermer, second by Krzmarzick.

* Approved splitting Lot 1, Block 4, Sleepy Hollow 5th Addition, Elm St. Storage, first reading, motion by Gary Windschitl, second by Pelzel.

* Establishing special use vehicle fees of $50 for three years, $25 for a duplicate, motion by Andres, second by Krzmarzick.

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