The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved amending an ordinance that removes a public hearing when the city shuts off utilities.

The second reading of the ordinance came on 5-1 vote, with Al Brooks opposed and John Schulte absent.

“This procedure has not been used over the past several years, and while permissible under the law, is an additional hurdle and procedure which complicates water shutoffs by staff,” the council agenda notes.

The ordinance had called on the city to mail a notice with the name and phone number of the city staff member who was assigned the complaint. The delinquent bill payer at that time could request a hearing and attempt to prove that the account was paid in full.

Customers of the city’s water service still will receive due notice if they fall behind on payments of pending shutoffs. Complaints still can be handled by calling or stopping at City Hall, the manner by which most people dealt with water issues.

The first reading was on Jan. 23.

The agenda states: “State law does allow procedures to protect tenants when landlords have failed to make timely payments.”

In other action, the City Council:

• Approved on a 5-1 vote its fee schedule, with Brooks opposed.

The most notable fee change is the addition of a $25 administrative fee for special events. Special events are events that require city assistance, such as police officers, street cones or the other city services. Regular events are ones that reserve a facility, such as a pavilion or an area of park, but don’t require city services.

Season passes at the city pool will be $35 for an Albert Lea resident and $45 for a non-resident. This was the first reading of his ordinance amendment.

• Approved an ordinance covering signs in residential areas.

The amendment would allow 32-square-foot wall signs in professional offices, clinics, clubs and other non-residential places in the “R-3 multi-family district.” The prior ordinance allowed 20-square-foot signs. The first reading of this amendment was Jan. 23.

• Extended the cable TV franchise agreement with Charter Communication by four months.

Robert Vose, a lawyer with Twin Cities-based Kennedy & Graven, is representing the city in negotiations with Charter for a new franchise agreement.

A revised agreement could be ready for council action as soon as next month.