Council approves engineering services contract for new stormwater ponds, trails

Yahoo

28-01-2025

Jan. 28—The Albert Lea City Council on Monday voted to approve engineering services for a series of stormwater rain gardens and public use trails slated to be constructed off of Front Street between Maplehill Drive and South Fourth Avenue.
City Manager Ian Rigg said the city received an almost $886,000 stormwater resiliency grant for design and construction of the project, which will take place on city-owned property at 1300 Front St.
The area is prone to flooding.
Rigg said the parcels were donated to the city to create stormwater storage.
Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland said he was glad to see the project ahead.
"This project — I want to forewarn — this isn't going to solve completely flooding, but this will help," he said. "Flooding in that area has been an issue for a long time. Looking forward to see this move forward."
He said it will not only aid in the flooding but it will also provide some new opportunities for pedestrians nearby.
The council approved a cost of $173,700 with HR Green of St. Paul to develop construction plans and a cost estimate for the project, including design, wetland delineation, stormwater modeling with Geotech coordination and ADA walkway and improvements, along with optional construction oversight.
The total estimated cost of the project is $1.028 million.
Howland said the project is slated for completion at the end of 2025 or spring of 2026.
In other action, the council:
—Accepted donations totaling about $6,500 toward a small changing room for referees and hockey players in a portion of the skate-changing area outside the Nystrom Rink at City Hall.
Rigg said Recreation Department staff had expected to build the room themselves, but Attig Construction offered its services, along with Geneva Lumber, Rink Systems and Albert Lea Electric, which also offered supplies and services. The 9 1/2-by-17-foot room will display the names of the donors.
Howland, Mayor Rich Murray and Councilor Brian Anderson thanked the businesses that donated their services and materials to the project.
—Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for the reconstruction of 11th Street, from Margaretha Avenue to the east end. Proposed work includes complete removal and replacement of the pavement, curb and gutter, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and watermain.
—Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for this year's state-aid overlay projects.
The project includes bituminous mill and overlay on Garfield Avenue from Fairlane Terrace to Richway Drive.
—Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for the neighborhood improvement project for this summer.
It includes two main components: bituminous mill and overlay in the Crossroads Boulevard area and a portion of Lake Chapeau Drive, and replacement of the bituminous surface on a portion of SE Marshall Street.
—Appointed Marly Steele to the Senior Center Board.