The Albert Lea City Council hired an outside advocate Monday to lobby for the city’s $10.72 million grant application through the Minnesota Department of Transportation to the federal government.

Albert Lea’s project is one of six communities statewide to be included in the MnDOT application for funding through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, also known as TIGER II, program.

MnDOT’s total grant is $90 million.

If awarded, the grant would fund a major reconstruction of North Broadway Avenue and build a parking ramp east of the Freeborn National Bank Building.

The total estimated cost of the project is $13.4 million. If the grant is awarded that would leave $2.68 million in city cost.

City Manager Jim Norman said the grant would make a proposal with the Albert Lea Medical Center in the downtown more feasible. The city is working on a public-private partnership with ALMC for renovation of the Freeborn National Bank, Jacobson Apartments and Stadheim buildings for office space. This would create the need for 200 to 250 parking spaces.

The advocate hired Monday is James C. Erickson of the Solomon Group, Minneapolis. The council approved a fixed retainer fee of $10,000 for Erickson, along with a reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses — including at least one trip to Washington, D.C. — not to exceed $1,500 without prior approval.

The council also discussed arranging a delegation visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with key players as well.

In other action, the City Council:

Approved a letter of support for the Shell Rock River Watershed’s application for $2.7 million in funding from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

If awarded, the state funding will finance the acquisition of property for the outlet of Albert Lea Lake and a portion of the Shell Rock River. The project would assist with ongoing lake management, habitat and wildlife restoration. Once it is completed, the DNR would have long-term management over the property.

Awarded the contract for the reroofing of Albert Lea City Arena to All Weather Roof out of Austin.

All Weather Roof was the second lowest bid submitted for the project, after Schultz Builders out of Utica, who asked that their bid be withdrawn after the deadline because of errors within the bid.

All Weather Roof submitted a base bid of about $115,000 with an alternate for metal shingles at about $49,000.

Insurance will cover the base bid of $115,000 because of storm damage.

Fourth Ward Councilor Reid Olson, who works at Home Solutions Midwest in Albert Lea, asked that city staff work with the contractor to determine whether the new steel shingles can be applied over the old roof. This could have a potential savings ranging from $15,000 to $20,000.

Approved a request from the Albert Lea Fire Department to hold a Fill the Boot fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway Avenue.

The event will raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Waived the landfill fees associated with debris collected during the annual lake cleanup last Saturday.

Approved a replat of one lot in the Summerdale Townhomes Second Addition and four lots of the Summerdale Addition, to create eight lots for twin homes.

Each living unit will pay $1,800 in sanitary sewer and water development fees, for a total of $3,600 per structure. Other building permit fees and street opening fees will also apply.

The council also approved a conditional use permit for the Summerdale Townhomes Third Addition.

Approved various miscellaneous assessments for unpaid utility bills and sewer line replacement. According to the resolution, the assessments are due in a single installment within 30 days, or else they will bear interest at 4.75 percent per year.

City staff will be looking into an assessment at 335 S. Broadway Ave.

Approved a request for a street dance on Sept. 11 outside the Moose Lodge.

Approved a request to have a private party, involving loud music, on private property at 1501 Blake Ave., from 7 p.m. to midnight Sept. 18.