Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye City Council denied Matt Ibberson’s request to allow a 10 feet by 16 feet building he called a fish house on his property Tuesday. Planning & Zoning earlier denied the request. Ibberson said he registered the building with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and that there is no definition of what a fish house structure should be

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved the final 2023 budget Tuesday in the council chambers.

Action came on a motion by Councilor Doug Pelzel, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick. The proposed $1,643,010 levy is a 3.96% ($62,515) increase from 2022. The budget includes a $123,055 recreation and parks increase to $624,350.

“I think it’s a pretty good number to come in at. Fuel is still high, but it has come down some,” said Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston.

“I think we worked hard on the budget. You did a good job, Bob. You make it easy,” said Councilor Pelzel.

No public comments were made at a Truth in Taxation hearing.

The city council unanimously:

• Approved Mayor Wayne Pelzel’s appointment of Cody Groen to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), replacing Bob Weiss who served on the PUC for 29 years, eight months.

“Bob was very helpful,” said Councilor Gary Windschitl.

• Denied Matt Ibberson’s request to allow a structure to be located next to his home, based on the notion that it is a fish house. Planning & Zoning unanimously denied the request Dec. 6 and recommended the city council define local code for the structure, which did not happen.

Action came on a motion to deny by Councilor Windschitl, seconded by Nate Stevermer. Councilor Pelzel cast a dissenting vote.

City Manager Bob Elston said allowing the structure on the property would put Ibberson at 1,105 square feet, over the maximum square feet of 1,008 for something other than a residence. A large garage is also on Ibberson’s lot next to his residence.

Ibberson told the P&Z and city council he registered the building with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

• Approved raising city employee wages four percent, motion by Councilor Christina Andres, seconded by Krzmarzick.

• Approved pre-paying July Fourth fireworks for $8,000 to receive a 12.5% discount.

• Accepted donations of $6,421.20 from St. John’s Lutheran Church for Sleepy Eye Police video cameras; $472 to Sleepy Eye Ambulance from Gloria Helget in memory of Rosella Windschitl; $50 from Schwartz Farms for the Sleepy Eye Fire Department and $20 from Steve Rohinsky to the City of Sleepy Eye.

• Approved purchasing a 2022 Ford F150 pickup truck for the parks department at the $35,300 state bid price, motion by Pelzel, seconded by Andres.

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