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After a tornado warning led them to shelter on the lower level of City Hall for a time, the Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved awarding the contract for the new bathrooms that will be built this summer near the splash pad downtown. 

The project cost, with added 10 percent contingencies, was approved at about $178,000, down from the initial budget of $250,000. 

The structure will be built with a combination of city staff and contractors, according to City Manager Ian Rigg. It will be 32 feet by 14 feet and will also include a mechanical room and storage room. 

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker, who abstained from the vote because of his employment through Arrow Building Center, said the project had been a long time coming and that for many years, people have wanted a public restroom downtown. 

“This will be a welcome addition,” Baker said. 

He and 3rd Ward Councilor Jason Howland credited the work of Assistant Public Works Director Ryan Hajek and others in his department for their hard work in getting the project put together under budget. 

They considered three designs for the project — one a prefabricated, modular design that would come fully assembled; a second design for prefabricated materials that the city could put together and a third option through Arrow Building Center that the city could build.

The restrooms were part of the almost $10 million referendum passed in April 2024 on a 3 to 1 vote. Other work included was at City Arena, Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and Aquatic Center. 

In other action, the council:

• Approved the appointment of seven people to the Human Rights Commission. 

The commission had stopped meeting during the pandemic, but based on requests from several residents was revived.

Rigg said the city received applications from 14 well-qualified residents. 

The seven chosen were the following, Cesar Victorino, one year; Peggy Olson, one year; Jeremy Corey-Gruenes, two years; Angie Hanson; two years; Irasema Hernandez, four years; Aruna Evenson, four years; Charles Alkula, four years. 

The commission will focus on local issues and operate as nonpartisan.

• Awarded the contract to Flint Hills Resources of St. Paul for bituminous material for the city for 2025. 

• Accepted a donation to the Recreation Department for $500 from Cargill for weekly programming for students ages 12 to 18 this summer. Programs will include an escape room, archery tag, basketball and swimming. 

• Heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Mike Zelenak about the city’s award as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota by Workforce Development Inc. 

• Heard proclamations from Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, REACT Month and Building Safety Month. 

• Voted against a grant and assessment agreement with the owner of 201 E. Front St. for remediating the abandoned car wash there.

Rigg said the proposal would have provided a $16,000 loan secured through assessments, along with a $16,000 grant through the city’s corridor grant program.

He said the owner wanted to preserve the building for future storage or other future uses for the building. He noted similar things had been done before and the project met the requirements for the grant.

Some of the councilors questioned the equity for the project and what would happen if the money was not repaid.

Councilors Reid Olson, Rachel Christianson and Mayor Rich Murray voted against, while Baker abstained because of his employment. Councilors Keith Van Beek, Brian Anderson and Howland voted in favor.