A year after it had originally planned to begin construction for its building addition, the Freeborn County Humane Society is finally one step away from the addition becoming a reality.

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday is slated to vote on awarding bids for the 40-by-40-foot addition, a project that is being funded solely by the Humane Society and at least $150,000 in donations from community members.

“I’m glad we’re there,” said Humane Society Director Christa Stieler. “I’m glad we’re going to do it. We’ve been talking about it forever.”

Bids were opened on May 31, and the low bidder was Welker Custom Homes Inc. of Owatonna for about $216,000. Stieler said she anticipates construction to begin within the next couple of weeks.

The addition is expected to double the size of the current building and provide much-needed space for the animals there. The city has approved the plans for the design.

Plans for the building had been in limbo for at least a year after former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle was found to have taken money from her company’s escrow accounts — including a $150,000 grant given to the Humane Society for the addition — and ultimately gambled it away.

The organization, with the help of the community, has worked diligently during the last year to recoup that money through donations.

Stieler said the organization needs to come up with a little more money to finish construction, but most of the money has been recouped.

The Humane Society operates the city’s animal control shelter as part of a joint agreement between the city and the Humane Society.

During the Monday meeting, the council will also:

• Vote whether to authorize a study of West Main Street near Hills Garden Center after the Engineering Department received a complaint of seepage surfacing from a suspected broken drain tile.

According to background information, staff with both the city and Freeborn County investigated the complaint and confirmed the seepage to be sewage.

Freeborn County staff then researched septic system records in the area and found that very few of the homes had a septic system permit on file.

Many of the homes affected are already served by city water but are still in Albert Lea Township.

The study will look at options to best serve this area.

• Vote whether to authorize semi-tractor trailers and RVs coming with the National Red Power Round Up from June 20-25 to park at the Blazing Star Landing throughout the week.

According to background information provided by the city, city staff have surveyed area campgrounds to determine if parking is available at this facilities. Both KOA and Hickory Hills are fully reserved.

For the trailers and vehicles to park there, city staff would need to mow and lime stripe the site and mark monitoring wells.

To defer some of the costs, staff are recommending a one-time fee per parked unit of $10.

• Have the second reading of an ordinance that would amend the locations in the city alcohol can be served with an on-sale liquor license.

The current list of places this is acceptable are the National Guard Armory, City Arena and the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The amendment adds Bancroft Bay Park, the cottage and new pavilion at Edgewater Park, and Fountain Lake Park and gazebo.

The groups serving the liquor must have insurance.

• Vote whether to authorize the purchase of a new Zamboni ice resurfacer at City Arena, which would replace the 1972 one purchased when the arena opened in 1976.

The propane model is estimated at about $94,000. The purchase is budgeted in the arena’s budget.

• Vote whether to amend a task order with Mead & Hunt for work being done at the Albert Lea Airport.

• Vote whether to approve a request from the American Legion Leo Carey Post 56 for the annual flag burning ceremony at 6:15 Tuesday in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot.

The Legion is requesting the north half of the lot be used for the event.

Firefighters will be on hand.

• Vote whether to approve a joint powers agreement with the state that will allow the police department to access federal funding to assist in training, education and enforcement with other jurisdictions to combat Internet crimes against children.

• Vote whether to approve a request from Aylwin’s Concessions to sell cotton candy and snow cones from a tent in the parks in Albert Lea during the summer.

• Vote whether to approve an off premise liquor license for the American Legion for June 23-25 and July 1-3.

• Set the city’s assessment interest rate.

• Vote whether to approve a two-year maintenance agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for maintenance of U.S. Highway 65 and a portion of state Highway 13.

• Vote on a resolution allowing the city to dispose of a 1982 Lumina from the city’s Inspection Department, which is no longer in running condition.

• Vote whether to approve blocking off the south side of Abbott Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 for a house auction at 925 Vine Street.

• Vote whether to approve a request to extend the park hours to midnight at Edgewater Park on Oct. 15 for a wedding reception being held at the new pavilion.