Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said Alnajjar applied for the license March 6 for Sleepy Eye Tobacco Inc.

The downtown building formerly housed Beltz Appliance Center. Dan Beltz operated a household appliance store including appliance repair and maintenance for several decades before recently retiring.

Elston said the license application is only for the sale of tobacco.

“We can license for tobacco,” said Elston. “Anybody that wants a cannabis license would apply with Brown County and the State of Minnesota. He (Alnajjar) plans to open the business in the Beltz building. We don’t know anything else about it.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a tobacco license Tuesday for Ahmed A. O. Alnajjar of Apple Valley to open Sleepy Eye Tobacco Inc. in the former Beltz Appliance Center, 144 E. Main St. Alnajjar said he plans to open the business in the next few months after updating the store to operate as a tobacco shop.

Alnajjar said he plans to have the building remodeled to accommodate tobacco sales in the coming weeks. At this time, his business plans include creating a new exterior sign.

“I will talk to my architect about interior updates, which we would like to do in the next month or so,” he said.

Approval came on a 4-1 vote following on a motion by Councilor Scott Krzmarzick, seconded by Nate Stevermer.

Councilor Doug Pelzel cast a dissenting vote.

“I just don’t think we need one (tobacco store),” said Pelzel.

The city council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing acceptance of a lead service line replacement grant estimated at $975,000 or the as-bid cost of a project to replace about 40 identified public and private water lines.

Sleepy Eye City Engineer Matt Miller said letters were sent to affected property owners last year and will be sent again this year.

He said no project work should have to be done under streets that were recently reconstructed and that copper service lines do not have to be replaced.

Miller said project work could begin this summer and continue into the fall or possibly to 2027 depending on the amount of work needed and the number of available contractors.

Action came on a motion by Councilor Stevermer, seconded by Gary Windschitl.

The city council unanimously approved a letter of support for Divine Providence Community Home to apply for a congressionally-directed USDA loan or grant. Funds are needed at the non-profit facility for updated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, concrete, windows and foundation work.

“The need for elder care and independent living is expected to continue to grow. Your letter of support can help make sure those services are available for years to come,” said Brown County Commissioner Brian Braun in a March 2 email to Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston.