The Albert Lea City Council approved a $3.04 million contract with Mankato-based Holtmeier Construction on Monday to connect sewer and water lines to the Stables area.

Approval comes after years of attempts to conduct the work to connect the 52 lots in the Stables area and 10 in the Country Club area.

Prior to the vote, Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. thanked Freeborn County and city staff for their work in the process and for ensuring homeowners in the area would not have to bear “an unbelievable cost” for work.

“It’s been a long road, and there’s been a lot of conversation,” he said.

“Good job, everybody,” Rasmussen said after the vote.

Roads to be reconstructed as part of the project include Belgrade Drive, North Trail, East Trail, West Trail, Elm Street and Country Club Road.

“The low bid was sent to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to be reviewed for grant and loan funding,” said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams. “This project provides sanitary sewer and water to the Stables area, properties along Country Club Road and accommodates a future extension of the sanitary sewer and water main north along County Highway 20 to the West Plaza area.”

The estimated cost for the water portion of the project is $1.3 million. The city received a $841,653 water infrastructure fund-drinking water grant. A $466,767 Public Facilities Authority bond will be repaid with assessments, Adams said.

The sewer project is expected to cost $2.14 million. The city received a $1 million water infrastructure fund grant-clean water. A $1.14 million Public Facilities Authority bond is expected to be repaid with $638,297 of assessments, and the city and county portions of the project are $503,000.

The project is expected to take the entire summer.

Following the vote, 1st Ward Councilor Rich Murray said he was “glad” the project was moving ahead, noting he has received public comments on the plan.

“It’s good that we get this message and news out to them,” he said.

In other action, councilors:

• Ordered the improvement and preparation of plans for the $3.21 million Clausen Avenue, High Street, Sheridan Street, Giles Place and alley reconstruction project. Nearly 115 properties are expected to be assessed. The average assessment is $7,377, and the median $6,680. The lowest assessment is $2,040, and the highest $15,438. The assessments will be over 10 years. The project will be paid for with assessments, general obligation bonding money, city funds and water and sewer funds.

• Authorized separate agreements for the city and Albert Lea Township and Pickerel Lake Township to enter into fire protection service agreements for 2019 and 2018 payments of fire protection.

• Authorized a construction award/grant agreement for up to $6,766  with Camlyn Holdings, a company that applied for a matching grant for facade restoration under the Broadway Ridge Renewal Grant Fund for the Good Steward Consulting building, 137 N. Broadway Ave. Councilors also approved an easement agreement for the project. The project design has been approved by Heritage Preservation Commission. The next step for the project is a construction award document and easement agreement for the facade and use of funds.

• Supported a Freeborn County application to the Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program. The city and Freeborn County have secured $5.78 million in federal funding for the 2020 Bridge Avenue corridor project.

“Freeborn County, in conjunction with the city of Albert Lea, has an opportunity to apply for additional funding through the Local Road Improvement Program,” Adams said. “This resolution would support the Freeborn County application for a request of $875,500 in Local Road Improvement Program funding.”

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the request will likely not be funded this year because it is a non-bonding year at the Legislature.

• Approved a $19,250 pesticide application contract for this year with Mosquito Control of Iowa to include 10 weekly treatments.

• Approved purchasing two replacement single-axle Street Department trucks for $341,676.

Look to Wednesday’s Tribune for more information from Monday’s council meeting.