It’s an issue that gets a lot of people talking — should the city spend money to spray for mosquitos or should the money be saved and put toward something else at a time of tight budgets?

The question will be up for vote by the Albert Lea City Council Monday night.

During its meeting, the council will vote whether to approve a contract with Mosquito Control of Iowa for this summer’s mosquito spraying.

Mosquito Control of Iowa submitted a bid of $26,550 for 10 applications or $2,655 an application.

The company has the ability to spray by air.

The city also contacted Clarke mosquito control for a quote; however, Clarke did not submit one.

According to city background information, the company felt it could not be competitive because it doesn’t have a plane close enough to the city.

In other action, the council will:

• Vote whether to authorize the issuance of $975,000 in general obligation permanent improvement revolving fund bonds.

The bonds will provide funds for improvement projects for the summer, including the downtown alley resurfacing, the 2011 neighborhood improvement project, the bituminous overlay of four state-aid streets and the paving of a portion of Lincoln Avenue.

Though total project costs have been estimated at $1.5 million, state-aid grant funds, sanitary sewer, watermain funds and prepaid assessments will help pay for the remaining balance.

• Vote whether to change the name of 777th Avenue in the new Interstate 35/Interstate 90 Business Park to Eastport Avenue. The council will also consider changing the name of the proposed access road in the business park from 211th Street to Hartman Street.

• Vote whether to authorize agreements for railroad crossing improvements at the Union Pacific crossings at the intersection of Highway 65 and Myers Road.

The estimated cost of the project is about $216,000 with federal funds providing 90 percent of the funding and the city providing 10 percent.

• Vote whether to accept quotes for the replacement of four leaking gates and deteriorated pipes at the wastewater treatment plant.

Three quotes were received for the project, with the low quote coming from Gridor Construction Inc. of Buffalo for about $85,000.

• Vote whether to award the contract for bituminous from Flint Hills Resources. The company placed the only bid.

• Vote whether to approve the preliminary and final plat for the Interstate 35/Interstate 90 Business Park, including changes to lots 3 and 4 of Block 1.

• Vote on a request from Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Jon Ford to waive the building permit fees for the Small Cities Development Program applied for in 2011.

The authority has applied for funding for 23 units of owner-occupied rehab.

The estimate of the fees that are asked to be waived equals $4,150.

• Vote on a request to waive the building permit fees for the roof replacement of The Children’s Center on James Avenue.

According to background information provided by city staff, insurance will not cover the loss or cost of the replacement.

The center is doing some fundraising to raise the cost of the materials and is planning to work with ShineFest volunteers and local contractors to find volunteers for the labor.

Building permit fees are estimated at $583.

• Vote whether to approve the transfer of the community development assistant position to the administration budget.

• Vote whether to approve an agreement with the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club to operate the concession stand at the Albert Lea Aquatic Center for the summer 2011. The club will pay $500 a month for use of the stand.

• Vote whether to approve a request from the Low Bucks Car Club for the approval of the annual Eddie Cochran car cruise on June 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. The cruise will begin at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• Vote whether to approve a request for an annual block party on North Shore Avenue from 7 to 11 p.m. July 30 to raise money and food for the food shelf.

• Hear an update regarding the Red Power Roundup event scheduled for June.

• Canvass the votes of the special election for the 1st Ward City Council seat.