Still, Candidates differ in personalities and experience

Economic development. Downtown reconstruction. Property taxes. Proposed reorganization.

Those were just a few of the topics 2nd Ward Albert Lea City Council candidates Larry Baker and Robert Hoffman debated Wednesday in what was the first of three public forums of the night sponsored by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce for council candidates.

In front of a crowd of about 40 people in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Baker stressed his almost eight years already on the council and his dedication to the position, while Hoffman described his energy and enthusiasm for the city.

Both men, who will face off in the Nov. 4 election, have lived in Albert Lea most of their lives.

Baker, 57, is a carpenter for Lembke Construction and has served as the ex-officio member of the Albert Lea Planning Commission, the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Board of Appeals.

Hoffman, 37, is a real estate broker and property manager, and is presently the chairman of the Heritage Preservation Commission and the board of directors for the Minnesota Multi Housing Association. He has also served as a chamber Ambassador and the chairman of the Albert Lea Planning Commission.

 

Economic development

Multiple questions from the audience asked the candidates about economic development and what might help and hinder businesses from coming to Albert Lea.

Baker said he is a part of a group of Blandin Leadership graduates formed to look at potential uses for the Blazing Star Landing. The group wants to develop a visioning plan that developers can look at when they come to the community.

He said the best thing to offer for new businesses coming to town is the people in the community and noted that the city is constantly looking at ways to bring in new development and strengthen existing businesses. He noted he did not see any major obstacles for new business growth.

Hoffman said he plans to be “really loud” in his efforts to encourage development and talked about his dedication in buying a building downtown and for finding a purchaser for the former Walmart, which he manages.

He said he thinks the best things to offer new businesses are the city’s parks and recreation, its smaller housing crisis when compared to the nation and the city’s lower crime rates. Its obstacles are the nearby cities of Austin, Owatonna, Rochester and Mankato, and the tax differences between Minnesota and neighboring states.

 

Downtown reconstruction

Both men said they supported the $4.6 million downtown reconstruction completed last year, though Hoffman said he had concerns with the renovations of Fountain Lake Park at the north end of Broadway.

Baker talked primarily about the infrastructure needs underneath the road at the time.

In a separate issue downtown, Baker and Hoffman said they supported the Albert Lea Art Center as the first-floor tenant of the Freeborn National Bank Building.

Baker said he has seen many developers look at the building, and he has seen the offers other developers have made. Cohen-Esrey’s $400,000 offer for the building was significantly higher than others that offered $1.

Hoffman said he thinks the Art Center can make it in the first floor of the building, but he questioned the use of income-based apartments on the upper floors.

 

Property taxes

Both men said they supported the proposed 3 percent overall tax levy increase for residents in 2015, especially considering that 2 percent goes to the debt levy to cover projects already completed.

Hoffman noted, however, that the city needs to see growth more than it sees its taxes increase.

Baker said the city has more than $70 million in infrastructure needs, and the council has made it a goal to address those needs.

 

City manager and proposed reorganization

Hoffman said he thinks City Manager Chad Adams simply did what he was directed to do when he came up with a reorganization plan for the city’s management structure.

The plan has been the center of public discussion since it was announced in late September.

The proposal recommends splitting up the services and responsibilities of the Parks and Recreation Department under other departments and eliminating Parks and Recreation Director Jay Hutchison’s position, among other changes.

He said he grew up heavily involved with the Parks and Recreation Department, and he is concerned about that department getting split up under two other departments.

Baker said the reorganization is one of the main goals the council gave Adams when he was first hired. The councilor said if the restructuring could eliminate some inefficiencies in the city, he would support it. He has a concern with the effect the plan would have on some of the city employees, he said.

 

Blue Zones Project

Both men said they supported the Blue Zones Project, which encourages people to make choices that encourage longer, healthier lives.

Baker said the project has done a lot of good things for the city.

Hoffman echoed the comments.

When asked about their support for bike lanes, which came around the time of the initial Blue Zones Project in Albert Lea, there were mixed reactions.

Baker said he supported the bike lanes on Front Street and said he thinks they have helped slow down traffic on that road.

Hoffman said he better supports the idea of shared user paths than a bike lane.

 

Qualities as a candidate

Hoffman pointed to his energy, enthusiasm and experience and his love for Albert Lea as making him a good candidate.

He said if he is elected he could “yell a little louder” in helping to make the city successful.

Baker said when he is out in the community people come up to him to talk, and he takes the time to listen. While he may not always agree, he said he thinks he is approachable and hardworking and always give people respect.

“You see what you get with me,” he said.

 

Missed the public forums?

Look to Friday’s Tribune for more on the 6th Ward and mayoral debates.