The City of Albert Lea Monday granted a contract to Palmer Engineering to design and supervise the construction and installation of security systems on the city’s water towers, water plants and lift stations.

The cost of the work will be $24,255 for the first half of the project and will not exceed $11,025 for the second half of the project.

The company will oversee the work of BMT Electric, whom the city is paying $220,500 for the installation of the security items.

The security is being added to the water system to protect against terroristic acts.

Also Monday:

-The city annexed land on East Main Street, east of Trail’s Travel Center, which encompasses Pro Trucking and other land owned by Bob Ackland and Sharon Astrup-Scott. The two are planning to start an export car business on that land.

-The city will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2006. A few weeks ago someone approached the city, saying that 2003 was the year of the city’s 125th anniversary, but after talks with city historians, it was decided that the date used for such celebrations would be the year the city was platted and recorded, according to Mayor Jean Eaton.