The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved giving up to $111,000 out of the city’s revolving loan fund to help fund a new printer at Church Offset Printing.

The new printer is estimated to cost about $220,000.

Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen said, with the addition of the printer, there will be eight new jobs created, plus the retention of five jobs already in place at the company.

“I think it’s important for us to understand that our existing businesses are prospering and doing well,” he said.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said Dan Dorman, the director of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, is looking into helping Church Offset get a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan that would cover 80 percent of the $220,000 for 10 years at zero interest. If this grant is obtained, the city would only give a loan for $40,000.

In case the USDA loan is not approved, the city would loan the $111,000 for five years at 3 percent interest.

In other action, the City Council:

• Awarded the contract for the Katherine Street reconstruction, West Hawthorne Street paving, paving of the Pioneer Park parking lot and spot reconstruction of Betha Larson Lane.

The projects will be completed by Ulland Bros Inc. for about $337,000.

• Amended a part of the City Code, clarifying some language regarding the Board of Appeals. The amendment does not change the way variances are addressed by the city, but simply corrects the language.

• Rejected bids for the potential elevator replacement in the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson Apartments building.

Bids came in at about $346,000 and $385,000.

The council rejected the bids because of insufficient funding.

• Authorized an agreement with Freeborn County regarding sharing equipment.

The city and county had been sharing equipment from time to time, however, there was no agreement in place prior.

• Authorized the payment of easements for a sanitary sewer extension to the Hill’s Gardens area.

• Withdrew a $50 assessment of 714 Pillsbury Avenue regarding the city’s sanitary sewer line inspection program.