SLEEPY EYE – The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved setting the Nov. 9, 2021 city council meeting for final assessment hearings on three improvement projects Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by councilor Gary Windschitl, seconded by Nate Stevermer to hold final assessment hearings on projects including 2020-21 street and utilities, 12th Avenue N.E./St. Mary’s St. and CSAH 35/First Avenue improvements.

City Manager Bob Elston suggested starting the meeting with hearings for projects involving more than 400 people at 6 p.m. Elston said he believed the hearings could be completed within an hour, in time for the regular city council meeting.

“This meeting is for the assessment amount for people, not for things like how the (boulevard) grass is growing,” Elston said. “If we have 70 people or more at the hearing asking questions, we can adjourn it and hold it a couple days later.”

Elston said project invoices will be mailed to affected residents two or three weeks before the hearing.

In additon, Elston said project protests should be made in writing prior to the hearing or the the mayor at the hearing.

Elston said he spoke to Mrs. Botz’ Environmental Science class at St. Mary’s High School Tuesday about the students adopting a storm sewer project including signs about what to do with waste items.

“What goes into the storm sewer goes into the lake,” said Elston. “We see grass and leaves in the lake. It puts a big organic load on the lake. Mrs. Botz’ classes are always good. Students are excited about it.”

The city council unanimously approved:

* Accepting donations of $1,370 from the 1919 Classic Bass Tournament for Sportsmen’s Park docks, $7,363 from the Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club for police officer body cameras and $50 from Sleepy Eye Senior Citizens to the Dyckman Free Library, motion by Stevermer, second by Windschitl.

* A variance request by Bill Pelzel to allow a building larger than 1,008 square feet on residential property at 1004 3rd Ave. N.E., planning and zoning recommends, motion by Stevermer, second by Scott Krzmarzick. Councilor Doug Pelzel abstained. Pelzel said he plans to remove an existing shed and replace it with a 36 feet by 56 feet structure, improving property value and curb appeal.

* A second reading of Ordinance 193 to correct property lines around the storm sewer at 6th and Birch St. N.E., motion by Stevermer, second by Windschitl.

* Resolution 22-2021 for a lot split associated with the property line correction, motion by Krzmarzick, second by Windschitl.

* City Engineer Dave Palm said the First Avenue North was paved Tuesday and sidewalks could begin as early as Thursday, Oct. 14.

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