Journal file photo by Clay Schuldt Sleepy Eye intends to feature a firework display over Sleepy Eye Lake July Fourth again this year. The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a permit Tuesday for the Sleepy Eye Fire Department to display fireworks. The 2021 fireworks display over Sleepy Eye Lake is pictured above.

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye’s long-standing tradition of displaying fireworks over Sleepy Eye Lake on July Fourth will continue this summer.

The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a fireworks permit Tuesday allowing the Sleepy Eye Fire Department to display fireworks over Sleepy Eye Lake.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said the city budgeted $8,000 for the July Fourth fireworks display over the lake.

The July Fourth tradition includes the Knights of Columbus serving burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings plus beverages in Allison Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fireworks begin at about 9:45 p.m. Spectators are asked to arrive at the display early and follow Facebook for any weather-related changes.

The city council also approved a permit for Jan 4 (Freedom Valu Center) to sell fireworks.

Fireworks approval came on a motion by Councilor Christina Andres, seconded by Doug Pelzel.

Sleepy Eye City Engineer Matt Miller said an application for $1.5 million in Minnesota Department of Transportation Local Road Improvement funds were not approved for the School Street St. S.W. street and utility reconstruction project on the north side of Sleepy Eye High School property.

“We were not selected for funding, but the project ranked 13th of 74 state funding applications,” Miller said.

He said the $2.6 million project has been on the City of Sleepy Eye planning list since 2020 when project bids were determined to be too high. The City of Sleepy Eye would be responsible for paying $1.1 million for the streets that have been patched a number of times in recent years.

The project includes street reconstruction and utility improvements on School Street S.W. from Seventh Ave. S.W. to Fourth Ave. S.W., reconstruction of Fourth Ave. S.W. from Linden St. S.W. to Water St. S.W. plus sidewalks to be added on School St. adjacent to the high school football field.

The council unanimously approved a first reading of a $56,500 offer by Doug and Sue Folkens to buy the last residential lot on the north side of S.E. Maple Street, Lot 13, Block 1 of Snow’s 1st Addition. The offer was $2,800 below the city’s asking price for the property.