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The Albert Lea City Council on Monday voted to support a community effort underway for banners on Broadway that will honor Albert Lea’s graduating high school seniors.

The council voted to provide $1,000 to $1,300 in costs for a third-party installer to hang the banners next month.

“It’s for a good cause,” said City Manager David Todd. “I think it’s definitely a feel-good community moment.”

The idea for the banners was brought forward by local couple George and Jill Marin, who are working with Tic Toc Digital Printing Plus to get the banners made.

Todd said it was cheaper to utilize the company for installation and take-down than it would be for city staff to do the work. He estimated it would have cost an equivalent of about $5,000 if city staff and resources were to be used to hang the banners compared to the $2.50 per graduate negotiated for installation and $2.50 per graduate for take-down with the sign company.

Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland thanked those who were making the project a reality.

“At a time like this, a challenging time in our community and across the world, it’s good to have something positive like this,” Howland said. “I’m sure there will be naysayers that say we shouldn’t dedicate resources or taxpayer money to positive projects like this, but you know it really is projects like this — like the splash pad, the Marion Ross statue — where the community is investing in itself to make it a more inviting and welcoming place I think is something that is really good. And in this case it showcases our future generation, so I think that’s a positive as well.”

Howland said he spoke with George Marin, who said there is a deadline for seniors to turn in their names and photos by May 8, and then he hoped the banners could be installed about two weeks later.

Todd said there are about 66 decorative poles on the Broadway corridor, and each pole can hold four banners, allowing for 264 seniors to be recognized. Seniors from Albert Lea High School and Albert Lea Area Learning Center will be included, along with confirmed homeschool graduates.

Marin said last week each banner will cost $32.50 to be paid by the senior or their family and the senior will get the banner back as a keepsake when they are taken down from the poles. Other sponsorships by organizations and businesses are also available, and funds can be deposited at Security Bank.

The action comes as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz last week ordered schools to be closed the remainder of the academic year.