Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye Family Aquatic Center lap pool reopened June 9 after it was closed for several days due to a water leak. Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said the water park is functioning well now despite leaking a small amount of water.

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to begin the process of refunding itself with up to $1.2 million in bond proceeds for costs to upgrade park and pool facilities.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said the resolution would allow the City to begin to issue debt for up to four projects. The projects include repairing a water park pool filtration piping water leak, re-plastering the entire pool bowl, milling and overlaying the bike trail and installing a handicapped playground set in a park.

“We could chose to start pool repair work the day after it closes this year,” Elston said.

He said a public hearing to discuss which projects to pursue and related details could be held at the Sept. 8 city council meeting.

Resolution approval came on a motion by Councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick.

In other business, the city council approved renewal of a one-year conditional use permit (CUP) for Open Bible Church to operate at 144 West Main Street by a 4-1 vote. Councilor Doug Pelzel cast a dissenting vote.

Bob Elston recommended a one-year CUP be used again. He said no complaints were received lately about the property.

Election judges for the 2026 primary and general election were unanimously approved, motion by Councilor Krzmarzick, seconded by Christina Andres.

Head judges are Rita Weiss and Michelle Strate. The other judges are Eva Thoms, Jane Fischer, Connie Knutson, Margaret Kuebler, Jacque Novotny, DeeAnn Gieseke, Vickie Kral, Bob Elston, Denise Ludewig, Carol Wendland, Darlene Brummond, Mark Beito, Tammy Helget, Joann Schmidt and Wayne Pelzel.

Brown County Commissioner Brian Braun said in his update that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) will set up video cameras at the State Highway 4 and Brown County Highway 22 intersection south of Sleepy Eye, where a recent crash happened.

“I’m working with MNDOT on this intersection. I got them to put some cameras out there to monitor the intersection that is the worst intersection in Brown County,” Braun said.