Albert Lea Mayor-elect Vern Rasmussen is expected to announce tonight whether he will accept an immediate appointment as mayor or wait until January to begin in the position.

Rasmussen, 1st Ward councilor, won the mayoral seat during last week’s general election with about 62 percent of votes. Former Mayor Mike Murtaugh received about 28 percent of the votes, after he announced in September he resigned from the position after the death of his wife, Geri. He is focusing primarily on caring for his two daughters.

Albert Lea City Attorney Lee Bjorndal said according to his understanding of the city’s charter, Rasmussen will be appointed immediately as mayor subject to his acceptance.

If Rasmussen accepts the immediate mayoral appointment, a special election will be required for the 1st Ward council seat because there’d be more than two years left in his vacated term.

If Rasmussen declines the immediate appointment and waits until January to begin his term as mayor, the new 1st Ward councilor could be appointed in January because less than two years of that term would be remaining.

Bjorndal said he has spoken with Rasmussen about the decision and advised him he needs to make a decision tonight.

During tonight’s meeting, the City Council will also:

• Vote whether to authorize a contract with former City Manager Paul Sparks to be a consultant for labor negotiations for 2011.

Historically, negotiations have been a responsibility of the city manager, but in the absence of this position, discussion was made with Sparks to see if he could perform the duties.

If approved as recommended, Sparks would receive $65 an hour for up to 120 hours.

• Have the first reading of an ordinance regarding where alcohol can be permitted within the city.

Generally, alcohol is prohibited in public places, except for at community events at the National Guard Armory, the city arena and the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has recommended to expand this list to include Bancroft Bay Park, the cottage and new pavilion at Edgewater Park and Fountain Lake Park and gazebo.

• Vote whether to accept bids and award the contract for re-roofing the Albert Lea Airport hangar.

Seven bids were submitted for the project, with the low bid coming from Stock Roofing Co. of Fridley for about $48,000.

The engineer’s estimate was $60,000.

• Vote whether to approve the order for removal of a house at 405 W. College St.

The house has a large hole in the foundation and is reportedly reasonably beyond repair, according to the Inspection Department.

• Vote whether to approve a purchase by the Albert Lea Public Library for two self-checkout units.

Cost is estimated at about $24,000 for both.

• Vote whether to share the costs with Freeborn County for an agreement with Pictometry International Corp.

Pictometry creates orthogonal and oblique digital images of the earth using airborne platforms.

The images could be used by engineering, inspection, police and firefighters.

The total cost is estimated at $54,500, to be broken down over three years. The cost it then proposed to be split in half with Freeborn County.

• Hear a request to hold a prescription collection event for Albert Lea residents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 27, in the parking lot on the northeast corner of Newton Avenue and College Street.

• Vote whether to approve no parking along a portion of Myers Road.

If approved, there would specifically be no parking on the west side of the road between 14th Street and the curve to accommodate the construction of a new five-foot concrete sidewalk along the west side of the street.

Myers Road will be reconstructed using a 20 mph curve, instead of a 30 mph curve.