Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved the sale of two tax-forfeited properties for public auction Tuesday, including this vacant gas and service station at 245 Main St. East, and another parcel at 105 7th Ave. N.E.

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the sale of two properties for non-payment of taxes.

Action came on a motion by Scott Krzmarzick, seconded by Doug Pelzel, to sell a former gas and service station at 245 Main St. E. and an empty lot at 105 7th Ave. N.E. at public auction.

“It’s time,” Pelzel said before the vote.

According to the resolution, the city does not have a public use for the properties.

The properties will be sold through the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office. After minimum bids are set, auctions will be scheduled, printed in local newspapers and listed on the Brown County website under Auditor-Treasurer, Taxation, General Auction/Property Sale Information. Visit www.co.brown.mn.us.

The council also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a study to determine the community impacts of cannibis sales on a motion by Pelzel, seconded by Nate Stevermer.

“This is every community’s challenge now. The Legislature dumped it on us and said, ‘You deal with it,'” said Sleepy Eye Mayor Wayne Pelzel.

City Manager Bob Elston said cannibis can’t be sold in liquor stores under state law. He added he doesn’t plan to hire a consultant for a cannibis study.

City Attorney Alissa Fischer said the Public Health Department can do a cannibis study at no cost to cities.

Mayor Pelzel recommended a moratorium on cannibis sales. A first reading for a 12-month moratorium on cannibis sales came on a motion by Krzmarzick.

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