No decisions have been made regarding the future of the Bridge Avenue corridor, a few Albert Lea City Council members and the city’s new mayor said Monday during the first council meeting of 2009.

The comments stemmed from a public informational meeting last week about the options for the corridor, during which a full-house crowd of people came to voice their opinions of what they think should be done.

The road, also known as Freeborn County Road 22, faces a major community question: Should it stay a two-lane road, expand to a three-lane road or expand to a four-lane road? A major expansion of the street would require obtaining the right-of-way of a couple dozen homes and even a few businesses.

An overwhelming majority were opposed to any kind of major expansion of the street. They said, however, that with some creative problem solving, added turning lanes and maybe even a smaller boulevard, many of the problems that have persisted along the Bridge Avenue corridor can be resolved.

In addition to opposing the project during that meeting, several questioned that a decision about the project had already been made.

In response, Councilor Vern Rasmussen said he wanted people to know that he doesn’t think anyone on the council thinks they are moving ahead with the spending for the project. Planning and spending are two seperate actions.

“We do need to plan for the future, and I think all of us are taking that seriously,” Rasmussen said.

An expansion of the street is “not an option for us at this point,” he said. “I want to put everybody’s mind to rest.”

Newly seated Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh echoed Rasmussen’s comments.

“We are taking input to decide which of the options that are presented in the study to go with,” Murtaugh said.

He noted that though there were a lot of people who spoke in opposition of the project on the night of the meeting, he does know that there were some people in attendance that night who were in favor of it.

He encouraged people from both sides to speak out.

“It is not too late to do that,” Murtaugh said.

In other action, the City Council:

Adopted a green mission and vision for the city that was formed by the city’s green committee, which is made up of representatives of each city department and Randy Tuchtenhagen with Environmental Services in Freeborn County.

The mission statement approved states, “The city of Albert Lea recognizes that a healthy environment and responsible use of the earth’s resources is critical to sustain the present and future population. The mission of the city’s green committee is to continuously protect and improve the environmental well-being of our community by identifying and implementing sustainable policies and practices in our daily work environment, which impact positively on the environment.”

Rasmussen thanked staff for their hard work on the missiona.

“I think this is another example of Albert Lea being a leader,” he said.

The city is stepping forward and taking initiatives that he likes to see, he said.

Denied a request from the Albert Lea Art Center Christmas Tree Committee to store boxes containing artificial Christmas trees in the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson buildings.

Councilor Larry Baker said he did not support the request because if the council were to allow the Art Center to store their things there, there would be other people who would want to store their things there as well.

“This wasn’t anything directed toward the Art Center,” Baker said. “It’s just something I thought was best for the community.”

Murtaugh added that because there are a number of things happening with the Freeborn National Bank Building at this time, it is also best for the overall presentation of the building to not have the storage there.

Appointed Councilor Al Brooks as the mayor pro tempore for the council. The mayor pro tempore serves as mayor in the mayor’s disability or absence from the city, or when a vacancy in the office exists.

Brooks has served in this position for four years prior.

Set the value of one acre of undeveloped land for 2009 at $10,000.

Named the Albert Lea Tribune as the city’s official newspaper for 2009 for legals.

Authorized bond payments for 2009. This allows staff to make bond payments as they become due throughout the year.

Presented Albert Lea Finance Director Rhonda Moen with a plaque for being awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The award is for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2007.

Recognized Gail Rasmussen, an Albert Lea Public Library clerk, for 40 years of dedicated public service at the library.

Voted to declare council members be covered by the Minnesota worker’s compensation law.

Appointed Keith Fligge and Vern Rasmussen to the Albert Lea Port Authority Board of Directors.

Fligge’s term will be for six years, and Rasmussen’s term will be for four years. This is the second term for both.

Accepted an admission and proposed order for Chaser IV LLC.

Called a public hearing for an order for removal at 316 Railroad Ave. on Jan. 26.

Voted on the councilors’ appointments to boards and commissions.