by Wayne Pelzel, Sleepy Eye Mayor
The last couple months, the primary focus has been on the budget. The Council has had a couple working sessions to bring the budget totals into better focus, but the results have not been real encouraging. Today, the budget increase could be as high as 10 percent. But I don’t think the Council will want to let that stand. Cutting is always an option, but not a very popular one. Another option is to use some investment dollars to “buy down” the budget. It is believed that option could be exercised with some restraint and thereby keep our investment balance high enough that the interest earned would still maintain the principal. This will likely be an agenda item at the August 13 City Council meeting.
A common topic of discussion is the lack of housing options in the City. Even though the apartment building was added, moderately priced single family homes are still in great demand. With that goal in mind the EDA has been looking to construct a patio home (without a basement) in the southeast portion (by the pond) of the community. That area was chosen because the lots are lower priced and the needed infrastructure is already there. There are no decisions made yet as far as who would build it, which lot it would be built on, and so on. But, the concept is being seriously looked at.
My term as mayor will come to an end this December 31. From day one, I have always supported term limits, so it is time to live by my words. I can’t believe how fast eight years have gone by. It really has been an honor to serve as the Mayor of this great community and I hope that I have contributed to the City’s progress during that time. I will have the opportunity to write four more monthly columns and I thought I’d use these columns to reflect on some of the progress that has been made during that time. It is important to note that the progress that has been made is the result of many good folks working together to accomplish those things. The City Council, the City managers, the Downtown Revitalization Committee, The EDA, the other various Boards, Commissions and Committees, as well as many individuals, all have contributed to moving Sleepy Eye forward.
In this column, I’d like to remind folks how far Main Street has come in the last years. The EDA, under the direction of Kurk Kramer, has put in place policies that have significantly encouraged businesses to look at development in our downtown. Although that work is not done, much progress has been made. If you stop and reflect on Main Street in 2016, you will see the progress I’m talking about. Allow me to walk you through new buildings and refurbishments along those 10 blocks.
Beginning on the corner of Highways 4 and 14, the old Skelly Station was removed and an attractive park replaced it. Continuing east on 14, numerous business places have been refurbished including the Mages Building and Pollard Dental Clinic, and certainly the Pix and the Veteran’s Memorial with the Huey should be mentioned, along with airbnb Sleepy Eye Uptown, Hawkins Chiropractic and Powerhouse Nutrition. Matt and Crystal Ibberson tackled two buildings on the corner of Highway 14 and First Avenue, while Matt Mages refurbished the second floor of the Beltz Appliance building, creating another airbnb. Further east is the Schroepfer building with a whole new look. Then at the east edge on 14, we find Kibble Implement, Caseys, AmericInn, the Sleepy Eye Event Center, Double B Car Wash, C and S Heating and Air Conditioning, and Sleepy Eye Apartments.
No doubt I missed some and I apologize for that. But, interestingly, there’s even more planned. There are plans waiting on financing, contractors and miscellaneous other factors to develop even more of our downtown buildings. We can be proud that Sleepy Eye is coming back to life.
Eight years ago, I spoke at the Chamber of Commerce meeting saying that our goal should be to make Sleepy Eye a destination. I think with the cooperative spirit that exists, “destination” is exactly what is happening.
In the next four columns, I’ll speak more about progress in Sleepy Eye focused on staff relations, finances, the lake, and attractions that bring people to Sleepy Eye.
Don’t forget….Summerfest is almost here!