The request by splash pad supporters died due to lack of a motion.

Splash pad supporter Kimberly Ecker said the city council was asked to consider allowing a splash pad at Kiefer Park by eliminating one of two tennis courts or placing a splash pad at Eagle’s Park, just west of the baseball ballpark parking lot.

“We’d like to raise all funds for splash pad construction (estimated at about $300,000) plus a few years of maintenance and water usage,” said Ecker. “We considered Kiefer Park because of the daycare businesses nearby. We are also open to other locations.”

Councilor Nate Stevermer said he wondered how many years of water usage could be paid for with fundraising because water would be a cost every year.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kimberly Ecker of Sleepy Eye speaks to the Sleepy Eye City Council Tuesday regarding a request to allow a splash pad to be built on city property. The request died due to lack of a motion.

Ecker mentioned using Venmo QR codes to pay for continuing splash pad costs.

“Originally we thought of raising money for two or three years of operation,” she said.

“We also have a swimming pool that needs repair, that will be a big expense,” said Councilor Doug Pelzel.

Stevermer said the swimming pool is 20 years old.

Ecker said she is interested in bringing two splash pad vendors back to Sleepy Eye for more in-depth information to be presented to the city council.

“We think a splash pad will bring people to town from other cities like Comfrey and Springfield. If they come here, they may go to the Dairy Queen or grab a pizza on the way out,” she said.

Ecker said splash pad supporters recently sent out a survey and received 195 responses, most of which support the project.

She said timed water activators could be used to control the amount of time water runs in splash pads.

Councilor Gary Windschitl told splash pad supporters that as part of the city budget process, they would have to meet with the Sleepy Eye Park Board first.

“The city budget process includes looking at short and long-range items and how they affect it,” said Windschitl. “The budget is so tight now, we raised the city budget a considerable amount this year just to keep things the way they have been and maintain what we have. We have a list of things we could add to the budget and it’s considerable in length.”

A splash pad supporter with a special needs child said there was no risk of drowning at a splash pad and that the pool’s lift was a “little big” for her child.

Council President Christina Andres said she has a special needs child that she takes to the swimming pool and stays with him.

“It does work,” she said.

Andres said she attended a park board meeting Monday and learned that budget items include overlaying water park cracks, upgrading city park shelters and the Allison Park play center.

“Those things supersede adding anything new at this time until we get other amenities taken care of,” she said.

Sleepy Eye Ambulance rate increases were unanimously approved, motion by Councilor Scott Krzmarzick, seconded by Andres. In-town run rates will rise from $1,400 to $1,500. Out of town runs will climb from $1,400 to $1,600. Mileage rates rise from $24 to $25 a mile. Lift assists climb from $150 to $200.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kimberly Ecker of Sleepy Eye speaks to the Sleepy Eye City Council Tuesday regarding a request to allow a splash pad to be built on city property. The request died due to lack of a motion.