The city of Albert Lea is undertaking a pilot program at Edgewater Park that would provide rental spaces for lake-goers looking to use a dock but not install or maintain it.

The City Council Monday unanimously approved the pilot program after deciding on the location near the east park entrance over placing rental spaces on City Beach, south of the parking lot.

The pilot program is expected to include two dock structures approximately 30 feet long. Each dock is expected to provide two rental spaces.

“If the pilot moves forward, new dock equipment would be purchased for the installation at an approximate cost of $12,000,” Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said in a report. “The dock equipment would be modular so it can be reused in the future if the arrangement, location or size of the installation is changed.”

Annual rentals are planned, but the fee for using spaces has not been announced.

“A rental price recommendation and other terms will be suggested for council approval prior to renting,” Adams said.

First Ward Councilor Rich Murray said Lakes Foundation President Brian Hensley offered to work with the city for the project.

“If they would like to spend their $12,000 and put this in place and partner with us on it, I think that would be fantastic,” Murray said.

On Wednesday, Hensley said he had not spoken to Murray about the project.

“I had suggested two months ago at a Parks and Rec meeting that I thought this was a poor use of city (tax) dollars, and a private group should raise the funds for a project like this. I also said the Lakes Foundation might be an avenue, and that if I were elected president, I would like for the Lakes Foundation to hold a retreat in February to determine our future projects.”

Hensley said Phil Wacholz of the Albert Lea Engineering Department brought up the project to him Tuesday, “and I shared again that I personally like the project, and that someone should attend our February retreat to pitch the idea and see if it sticks.”

Hensley said the project is not a priority for the Lakes Foundation.

“If I thought it would make money, I would be trying to figure out a way for the Lakes Foundation to do it and keep the revenue,” he said.

The Parks & Recreation Department Advisory Board unanimously approved the pilot project earlier this month by voice vote.

Fourth Ward Councilor Reid Olson has served on the Parks & Recreation Board.

“This has been a project we talked about for at least two years,” he said.

Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland said if successful, the project will move beyond the pilot stage.

“This is a pilot project,” he said. “It’s only for four slips, but I think the intent is, is that if this project, pilot project, is successful, they’ll move forward with more slips and a larger, marina-style dock space.”