Multi-purpose

facility

proposed

for Sleepy Eye

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- The Sleepy Eye City Council learned about the city's need for a child-care and family learning center Tuesday night.

Sandi Borseth of Quinlivan and Associates, of Blue Earth, explained the Sleepy Eye Economic Development Authority's plans for the facility.

Two years ago, the EDA conducted an industry retention survey, which showed the need for more day care.

According to an EDA-sponsored child-care survey, 123 families in 16 business, excluding Norwood Promotional Products Inc., said they needed day care.

Ten employees quit working due to a sick child, four quit because of lack of day care, 49 missed work because of ill children, and 12 missed work due to lack of day care.

After the survey and analysis, the EDA tried and failed to find an employer interested in opening an employer-sponsored, day-care facility.

Last fall, the EDA was approached by Tri-Valley Opportunities, a private, non-profit community action agency.

Tri-Valley obtains funds from federal, state, county and private sources for programs that serve low-income families like Head Start for migrants and services for the elderly.

A survey at Del Monte Corporation last summer turned up 36 families with 52 children eligible for Head Start.

The EDA staff found a temporary Head Start location in the basement of Faith United Methodist Church, Sleepy Eye. Classes are held there Friday mornings and afternoons for Brown County residents. At-home visits take place other days of the week.

"The location is not ideal but suitable temporarily," Borseth said. "Scheduling conflicts mean the church site will not be available after this September.

A conceptual plan includes a new facility to educate children and their families, focusing on bridging the Hispanic and white cultures in Sleepy Eye and the surrounding area.

Proposed programs include a child-care center, latch-key program, Migrant Head Start, Family Literacy Program, Title One Program, MVAC/Head Start and adult education classrooms.

Shared space is planned for a library, computer center, toy-lending room, large-muscle activity area and kitchen and dining areas.

Building specifications have not been set.

Funds will be sought next year from the Children Families and Learning (CFL), South East Minnesota Initiative Fund (SEMIF), Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC), Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) and Tri-Valley Opportunities.

Local matching funds will be sought for a building to be completed in 2003.

Borseth will approach the council at a later date with building size and concept diagrams. She will request fiscal sponsorship and management of grant applications and funds.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober said the EDA is supporting the project 100 percent.

Kober is interested in combining the learning center with a water park project on property between the school and Norwood Products.

"Maybe these projects could be dual usage," Kober said.

In other action, the council:

* Approved terms for the new police association contract. The new contract was whittled down from a 40-50 page document to two to three-page document.

Salaries for 2001 for officers John Schueller and Bob Paulson will be $17.75 per hour. Jeremy Nachreiner and David Sievert will earn $14.04 hourly this year.

Salary raises for fiscal year 2002 will be based on October 2001 U.S. Cities CPI.

The entire police contract will be approved at a later date.

* Approved an EDA request to increase monthly Chamber of Commerce office expense payments from $600 to $750.

* Set a hearing time and date for 5:30 p.m., April 10 for 2001 street and utility projects.