The first stages of two policy changes that could affect Albert Lea residents and businesses are on the city council’s agenda Tuesday.

The council will hear public input on a possible leaf-burning ban. The city now allows burning on specified days, but has gotten requests to consider an all-out ban, said City Manager Paul Sparks.

The city would need to provide other options for leaf disposal if it bans burning.

The council’s 7:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday, pushed back a day because of Veterans’ Day, opens with a public hearing on the matter, where any resident can speak.

The council will also set a date for a hearing on another change: an increase in city water and sewer rates, brought on principally by the loss of the city’s number-one customer, the Farmland Foods plant destroyed by fire last summer.

Rates could go up around 15-20 percent to make up for the lost revenue from Farmland. At the same time, the city wants to change its

billing structure to monthly instead of quarterly billing.

Also on the council’s agenda:

– The city will consider a final contract with Wal-Mart for improvements surrounding the company’s planned Supercenter on the east side of Albert Lea;

– Councilors will decide on a contract for evaluation of the chemical molybdenum in the city’s wastewater system. The chemical is federally regulated and could cause the city problems if levels rise, Sparks said. The chemical is coming fron industrial waste.

– The city will consider a contract that will give it possession of the old Farmland site once cleanup and demolition are complete.

The meeting starts at 7:30 in the council chambers at City Hall.