City residents will have a chance to voice their opinions on a proposed boat rental operation and on a road work project planned for the central part of the city at public hearings during tonight’s city council meeting.

Monday, February 25, 2002

City residents will have a chance to voice their opinions on a proposed boat rental operation and on a road work project planned for the central part of the city at public hearings during tonight’s city council meeting.

The council will also hear requests from the Skate Park Association and Destination: Albert Lea.

Residents in the area around where a Fountain Lake boat rental business may be located are expected to be present at the public hearing, as well as the owner, David Berg, and other proponents of the proposed operation. According to city officials, notices of the public meeting had been sent to all adjoining property owners.

The request is to operate a boat rental operation on Fountain Lake. The rentals would take place at the city beach or a city dock that may be built near the beach. The rental business would be open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the boats would be stored each night at the owner’s lakefront residence, which is located on Bridge Avenue.

The other public hearing involves planned overlay work on city streets located south of Fountain Lake, in the central part of the city, including areas near the viaduct bridge. The city wants to carry out the project to preserve the life of the streets, according to Paul Sparks, city manager.

The Skate Park Association plans on requesting that the city provide paid staff for supervision of the skate park, as they are unable to provide enough volunteers to keep it open on their own. The city estimates it would cost $6,500 to pay for a skate park supervisor for the summer season.

Destination: Albert Lea is asking for permission to use the North Broadway parking lot in downtown Albert Lea for the Farmer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market currently operates out of the parking lot at Skyline Mall.

The city council meets in the council chambers, starting at 7:30 p.m.