Letter: City should rethink the design of the building for public toilets – Albert Lea Tribune

As a long -standing provider on Albert Lea Farmers Market, I have been working for public toilets in the area near the farmers' market and in the splashpad in the past. Some time ago there was a public referendum about three projects, the city of Arena, Marion Ross Building and the public toilets in this area. The diagram of the then proposed toilet building showed a building that was similar to the animal shelter in Pioneer Park and an overhanging roof at one end for picnic tables etc. etc. received an overwhelming public permit (over 70% approval, I believe). After the city comes closer, your proposal now only includes toilets and a storage area (allegedly for the farmers' market, although we have never asked this that our current small red barn works well for us) and we cannot afford any possible rental fees that could result.)

Albert Lea Farmers' market acts as a non -profit 501 (c) 3 and with an extremely low budget. We have had a deficit in the past two years, and the board members had to compensate for this with their own money until the supplier fees have been received. The city has a contract with the market to use the lot, and when we originally came to this place, there was no fee for the use of the lot. This changed and in recent years we have paid 200 US dollars, and the contract must be renewed this year and could may increase.

Every year it seems to be more difficult to finance a farmers' market financially, and I think we offer the city of Albert Lea a real benefit. At the moment we have two children's programs, market sprouts and power of the products to offer families a financial incentive, to come to the market and to eat healthier. Both are dependent on the funding financing and were a real advantage for our providers and customers. We also offer the option of using Snap/EBT advantages on the market and in recent years we can not only use your performance cards on the market, but also triple the amount of your advantages (which means that you can get three times as much food on the market with the same performance card as in grocery stores). We also accept Wic and Senior Farmers Market Benefit vouchers on the market. These programs help some of our people with lower incomes to get the most food, and it is a local healthy food and also the local economy.

I checked the district development agency (financed by Diamond Jo Casino) and was asked to apply for a scholarship for the construction of a structure. However, this application would have to be filled out by the city of Albert Lea. You could receive all the necessary information by contacting the Worth County Development Office (Deb Hanson) in Northwood. Some groups in Albert Lea have received quite significant means of this. The next applications can be submitted this autumn, with Grant Money being awarded on November 15th.

The structure I like to have built not only includes the toilets, perhaps some necessary storage, but also a roof overhang at the opposite end, which could be used there some picnic tables, or could be used by groups that offer entertainment and need electrical outlets, and overhead shelter from the weather. Beautiful fountain lake and deserves an attractive and functional building. And even if the application for a scholarship of this building could delay another year, we must have a building that will best serve the public in the future and contribute to the beauty of the region.

If you agree, let your city council members, mayors and city administrators etc. know how to feel about it.

Thank you very much.

Verblys Huntley
Albert Lea