People interested in donating to the Broadway reconstruction project will now be able to do so with a policy approved Monday by the Albert Lea City Council.

The policy originated after a local contractor expressed interest in fundraising for portions of the project not included in the final design — benches and tree guards, said City Manager Chad Adams.

They were eliminated after costs came in higher than estimated.

According to the policy, donors may purchase a bench or a tree guard for $1,000, which will include a placard if requested.

For donations higher than $25, the donor’s name will be included on a master plaque to be placed somewhere within the project.

Donations will be accepted by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Foundation on behalf of the city, and the chamber will notify the city of donations on a monthly basis.

The Broadway reconstruction project includes the replacement of the street, sidewalk and underground utilities on Broadway from Fountain Street to Main Street. Decorative lighting, crosswalks, kiosks, trees and tree grates will be added, along with basic pedestrian plazas at William and Water streets.

Fountain Lake Park at the north end of Broadway will undergo a reconstruction with the addition of a grand staircase leading from Fountain Street to a sidewalk promenade in the park, a handicapped accessible sidewalk and a new boat dock on the lake.

In other action, the City Council:

• Authorized agreements with five downtown business owners for $2,500 each from the Broadway Ridge Grant fund.

The grants will be used to improve the rear entries of the businesses when access is limited to the front doors this summer during the Broadway project.

• Amended the Broadway Ridge Grant Fund stating that there will be a preference to give grant funds for occupied buildings or buildings where a plan is in place to occupy them.

• Amended the city’s liquor ordinance, clarifying that drug stores and stores where petroleum products are primarily sold cannot have an off-sale liquor license.

• Had the first reading regarding an amendment to an ordinance about lodging taxes.

Under the amendment, lodgers will not have to pay lodging tax for people staying at their establishment for 30 days or more.

• Approved a lease agreement with the state for the use of the City Arena parking lot each Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon during the summer for motorcycle licensing tests.

• Authorized the mayor and city manager to enter into an agreement with Lewis and Associates to perform a three-year audit on the franchise agreement that the city has with Charter Communications.

The audit will be conducted with Owatonna, splitting costs to $7,500 for each city plus out-of-pocket expenses.

• Approved a resolution supporting a funding request from the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club for a new boat dock and fishing pier on Fountain Lake.

The club is applying for a $10,000 grant through the Freeborn County Community Foundation.

The Department of Natural Resources would design the project and possibly match the project value.

• Approved a request from Joseph Lee, owner of Alwyn’s Concessions, to have his concession stand at various city events this year.

• Approved the 2013 Wind Down Wednesday events as community events where alcohol can be served.