The city’s nonunion employees, along with city employees under two unions, will see no cost-of-living increase in 2010, according to resolutions approved by the Albert Lea City Council Monday night.

Eligible nonunion employees, as well as those under the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 1018 union and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1041 union will, however, receive step increases either mid-year or on their anniversary date, depending on the contract.

Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh pointed out that employees are only eligible for step increases within the first five years of employment. After five years in the same position, the employee reaches the top of their step.

The contract with the local Teamsters union, representing the Albert Lea Police Department, has not yet been finalized.

Contracts for the nonunion, AFSCME and IAFF employees state the city will pick up 100 percent of the increase in health insurance and will contribute the same amount to the employees’ health savings accounts as in 2009.

Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said language changes were made in the AFSCME contract regarding holiday and use of light equipment, along with new seniority language pertaining to layoffs.

In the IAFF contract, language changes were made to the contract regarding vacation carryover and the elimination of obsolete practices, Simonsen said.

Murtaugh thanked the bargaining units and city staff for their work in reaching an agreement.

In other action, the City Council:

Voted 5-2 to approve an interim sign ordinance that temporarily prohibits illuminated flashing light signs within the B-3 District and flashing light signs greater than 400 square feet throughout the community.

Simonsen said the interim ordinance came up after a public concern over illuminated flashing light signage. Questions have risen as to whether the signs pose a hazard to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Others have questioned whether the signs should be regulated within the B-3 district, she said.

Councilor Ellen Kehr said she thinks the interim ordinance will allow the city to look at the current ordinance, research it and reorganize it.

City Attorney Lee Bjorndal recommended the council get a group of people together to study the issue.

The interim ordinance will be in place for up to a year, with a possible extension of an additional 18 months if necessary.

Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh said he wanted to point out that the ordinance is not a reaction to just one sign — referring to a recent request by American Legion Leo Carey Post 56 for a sign on their building on North Broadway Avenue.

Murtaugh said he thinks setting up a task force with interested parties is a logical step to take.

“This isn’t a reaction to one thing in particular,” he said. “It’s something that needs to be done.”

Murtaugh, Kehr, Councilor Vern Rasmussen, Councilor Larry Baker and Councilor Larry Anderson voted in favor of the interim ordinance, while Councilors Al Brooks and Reid Olson voted against it.

Brooks and Reid indicated they did so because they didn’t have a problem with the Legion’s original request.

Tabled a development agreement with Greater Jobs Inc. for the proposed development in the Interstate 35/Interstate 90 Business Park east of Love’s Travel Plaza.

 Tabled a vote authorizing sewer and water rates for 2010.

 Approved an amendment to the tattoo ordinance.

The ordinance came before the council earlier this year and has since been revised.

It addresses tattooing, body piercing, body branding and body scarification, with the intent to protect the health and welfare of the general public, Simonsen said.

It includes a section on definitions, licensing requirements and procedures, license application, review and investigation, restrictions on businesses, as well as health and sanitation requirements to be a licensed facility.

Approved an amendment to Chapter 66 of City Code referring to utilities.

Simonsen said the major changes to the ordinance include the removal of articles pertaining to storm water utility and public lighting utility, along with the addition of a section of storm water infiltration and inflow and illegal connections.

The ordinance identifies that an inflow and infiltration surcharge would be added to utility bills each month for properties that have been given a compliance date but have not made a repair to their sewer line.

Other changes include adding a delinquent charge to bills that are unpaid on the 20th day following billing, instead of the 30th day, along with the ability to shut off services to abandoned, foreclosed and vacant properties.

Likewise, consumption rates for those eligible for financial assistance were increased from 1,000 cubic feet to 1,500 cubic feet per quarter.

Authorized the allocations of police and fire pension interest earnings for 2009.

Interest earnings were about $600,000, though this was a higher year than usual.

They will be applied to general police and fire expenditures.

Councilors allocated $270,000 of the 2009 interest earnings to go toward the Law Enforcement Center payment for 2010.

Other pending uses of the interest earnings include $270,000 from the 2010 earnings to be paid in 2011 for the LEC, and $270,000 from the 2011 earnings to be paid in 2012.

Approved a contract for professional services with Zenk, Read, Trygstad and Associates for engineering and consultation for the completion of Edgewater Park pavilion and roadway design.

Simonsen said the cost of engineering a new three-season pavilion, parking lot, roadway design, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main, as well as construction oversight, are not to exceed $74,000.

This will be paid through funds authorized from the state to remediate the site after the North Edgewater Park cleanup.

Adopted the 2010 fee schedule.

Simonsen said the most significant changes include an increase in boat docks, aquatic center fees, arena ice rental, use of athletic fields, park reservation rentals and garden plots.

Councilors asked that changes to operate a massage establishment be postponed until the new massage ordinance is completed.

Awarded bids for annual chemical supplies.

Set the value of one acre of undeveloped land at $10,000 per acre, as set in 2009.

Voted to table a public hearing regarding the storage of excess tires at 1100 South Broadway Ave. until the council’s Jan. 25 meeting.

 Designated a $25,000 donation from actress Marion Ross to be used to offset costs of operating the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

 Authorized the transfer of $25,000 from the unreserved fund balance of the general fund to the building maintenance fund for sandblasting and painting the city’s aquatic center.

Named the Albert Lea Tribune as the city’s designated legal newspaper.

Appropriated funds for the 2010 fiscal year as approved in the budget.

Approved a request from the Albert Lea Eagles Club for permission to use the Morin Park warming house for the Cans for Cancer event Jan. 9.