Randall Erdman

Age: 55

Address: 210 N. Second Ave.

1. What is the best thing the city can do to attract businesses?

There are actually two things that can be done to attract businesses. Existing businesses create an estimated 70 to 80 percent of all new investment and jobs in a community. Essential components for expansion of current businesses would be needed, such as business programs, identification of barriers to business expansion, and solutions to help overcome them. Existing industries are the best recruiters and turn existing businesses into ambassador recruiters for the community. Existing businesses should be shown regular, sincere appreciation for their commitment to the community. Continue to adopt a team approach to recruitment. The Albert Lea Economic Development Agency should be the “quarterback” of the economic development team which includes the city, county, community college, state agencies, private sector, Albert Lea Public Schools, Alliant Energy, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services and Albert Lea Medical Center. This team concept will help to create a regional approach to economic development and should include marketing materials and marketing messages for effective recruitment of businesses to Albert Lea.

2. What steps should Albert Lea take on its downtown business area?

Try to encourage more second-story solutions, which is to have more people living in the downtown, and encouraging downtown businesses to take advantage of the tools already in place to make downtown the town center for arts, shopping and entertainment. Those tools include tax-increment financing, the Broadway Ridge Renewal Fund, Historic Preservation Commission and various other incentives the city has to encourage investment in the central business district. Helping to encourage downtown as “the place to be” in Albert Lea. Finishing an entire plan for the downtown and encouraging more events and festivals in and around the downtown area.

3. Do you think the preagenda meeting is necessary? Why?

I have never liked the term “preagenda.” They are more of a council workshop. Information is shared and questions are answered by staff professionals. No decisions are ever made at this meeting. I, myself, feel they could be done away with; however, as in any occupation, there are different levels of commitment and sometimes it is beneficial to share the information and have time to study and look at all avenues of an issue. I find it ironic that the state Legislature can caucus and discuss issues and also Congress has committee meetings to hammer out details on various issues and programs, yet this local government meeting (which is open to the public, in our council chambers, and could be broadcast on Albert Lea TV) comes under much scrutiny and is really just an information-sharing session. If you want a healthy community, you need an informed and enlightened council.

4. How do you rate the city manager’s performance over the past five years?

First of all, this is a personnel issue. I do not feel it is a fair question, but I will answer the question. Being on the council when the council searched for a new city manager after 28 years under the same management, the candidate we were looking for needed strong public relations skills. The current city manager has had a performance evaluation each year since coming to our community. The results of those evaluations have been positive. I personally feel City Manager Victoria Simonsen has exceeded expectations, is always pleasant and works very well with the City Council.

5. What changes would you make concerning the relationship between city officials and county officials?

The relationship between city and county officials is positive in my opinion. That does not mean we always agree. There has been cooperation through joint projects such as the Freeborn County Government Center, the Broadway Ridge Renewal Fund, the Bridge Avenue Corridor Study and many other areas. We have scheduled joint workshops in the past and need to keep the lines of communication open. Albert Lea is the engine that drives Freeborn County, and we need to continue to fuel the engine.

6. What are your plans to improve the quality of life in Albert Lea over the next four years?

Support lake improvement efforts and other water-related issues and work with the state of Minnesota for more funding for critical infrastructure upgrades. Continue to encourage private investment in the downtown historic district and the Blazing Star Landing site. Promote and market the community to take advantage of our existing assets such as location, lakes, school system and medical center. Work to improve our neighborhoods by enforcing existing ordinances and codes especially with regard to distressed properties. Provide the experience, open communication and leadership needed for the city of Albert Lea.

7. What changes would you make in the city budget and/or in tax rates?

The state of Minnesota currently has changed the formula for local government aid. Greater Minnesota cities all experience the same problem of less funding from the state of Minnesota. The city currently works hard at providing services at an affordable rate. Having experience on the budget process, I feel the city has done this and will continue to keep the taxpayer in mind to provide quality services at a fair rate. The council works very hard at looking out for the general public. We try to be as open as possible in the budget process and any and all information is available to the public at any time. Currently, I would make no changes. The 2009 budget has been prepared and is available for viewing at the Albert Lea Public Library.

8. What is your track record of community service?

I was co-founder and first president of Destination Albert Lea and the 2nd Ward City Councilor (one term). I am currently mayor of Albert Lea and a member of Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club, social member American Legion Club Post 56 and member Albert Lea Eagles. I served on Albert Lea Planning Commission and Albert Lea Human Rights Commission.

9. Please tell us why voters should pick you.

There is no substitute for experience. Six years of knowledge and background on every city issue has prepared me for another term as your mayor. I have built relationships with other government officials that have taken time and effort to develop. This is necessary in making Albert Lea more of a regional center and in letting them know our critical needs and funding challenges. I have been a positive promoter and sales person for the city of Albert Lea. I feel our community is poised for some major growth, and we all can play a part in economic development. I know what it takes to do the job and be effective as the mayor of your city. I will be professional and put in the extra effort to take our city to the next level. I prefer to look through the windshield rather than the rearview mirror. What I see is a bright future for Albert Lea.

Mike Murtaugh

Age: 47

Address: 313 Willamor Road

1. What is the best thing the city can do to attract businesses?

I believe the best thing the city can do is to provide city services in such a way that property taxes for businesses are as low as possible in comparison to our neighboring cities. Unfortunately, since 2002, property taxes on a business property (as well as residential property), have more than doubled.

For example, in 2002, a business property valued at $500,000 had a city tax of $1,878, and by 2008 for the same valuation the city tax had increased to $3,991, more than double (League of Minnesota Cities). In 2002, Albert Lea had the lowest city tax in our region, compared to our neighbors Austin, Fairmont, Faribault, Mankato, Owatonna and Rochester. By 2008, Albert Lea was second highest, exceeded only by Owatonna (up 20 percent), for a property of the same valuation. The tax for other cities noted for the same period ranged from a decrease of 3 percent (Mankato), to increases of 2 percent (Rochester), 8 percent (Fairmont), 9 percent (Austin), and 44 percent (Faribault). So our neighbors managed to hold the line on taxes, while we did not.

We also need to make sure charges for city services, such as sewer rates, compare favorably with our neighbors.

2. What steps should Albert Lea take on its downtown business area?

We should continue with efforts to maintain the unique nature of downtown, such as the Historic Preservation Commission. I would favor changes in zoning and ordinances for downtown that would allow the return of signage that can project from storefronts, such as the attractive neon and other lighted signs we used to have in the 1940s to perhaps late 1960s when many fell into disrepair or businesses, such as the movie theaters, left. Since, businesses appear to have had little choice but to use flat signs of paint or vinyl lettering on plywood.

I recall when most businesses along Broadway Avenue, from Water Street to Main Street, had either fixed or retractable canopies over sidewalks. A few remain, but at one time you could practically walk from one end of Broadway to the other without getting wet if it was raining.

Photographer Ken Wangen took a series of photos of downtown illustrating these classic design elements in their post-World War II heyday, in particular one showing the Rivoli Theatre. I’d love to see our downtown look this good again.

Also, I would want to be sure we are actively marketing the Freeborn Bank building to potential developers, such as Artspace.

3. Do you think the preagenda meeting is necessary? Why?

I have proposed eliminating the preagenda meeting. This “meeting before the meeting” has expanded far beyond its original purpose. I have discussed this issue with former city officials, both elected and staff, who agree that the preagenda meeting has become a source of controversy and outlived its usefulness. Originally, the meeting was held with little or no discussion — the city manager would present the proposed agenda but little more. Today, there is more discussion, including questions and answers, which council members obviously use to formulate decisions on topics at hand.

While this meeting is open to the public, it is poorly attended, it is not broadcast on KATE or the government-access channel, and no public input is allowed. These factors reinforce the belief of many residents that by the time the actual council meeting is held, the decisions have been made before the public is able to give input in public hearings or the public forum (which should be at the beginning of the meeting for this reason).

At a minimum, the preagenda meeting could be eliminated for a trial period of time. Given the limited discussion that was originally held, it need not result in longer council meetings.

4. How do you rate the city manager’s performance over the past five years?

This question was asked at the pre-primary candidate forum. Since I am not currently a council member, I cannot rate the city manager’s performance from that perspective, nor would it be necessarily appropriate as a personnel matter, as Mayor Erdman noted at that time. However, I can say from personal experience that Victoria Simonsen has been approachable when I have had questions about city matters and has responded to questions and requests for information promptly. Having that background, I would expect that we could have a good working relationship.

5. What changes would you make concerning the relationship between city officials and county officials?

Having observed how some issues that the city and county have in common, I believe there is some room for improvement. Quarterly joint meetings between the City Council and county board might be a good step to improve communication.

For instance, negotiations between the city and county regarding the city’s payment for use of county courthouse space for law enforcement staff became dragged on to the point that the city was delinquent. Also there appears to be lack of agreement over the handling of solid waste at the city’s transfer station. In recent years, the transfer station had operated at a loss while it provided services to both city and county residents. While the fees implemented by the city have put the transfer station in better financial condition, I believe the county needs to have some involvement in the operation of the transfer station. The city had discussed closing the transfer station if it becomes a financial burden. I would not want to see this happen if this leaves residents without a proper way to dispose of items such as appliances, construction waste and other items that might otherwise get dumped inappropriately.

6. What are your plans to improve the quality of life in Albert Lea over the next four years?

One goal would be to ensure that residents feel that city government listens to them and conducts meetings and decision-making in a way that residents can observe the entire process. While it is not required, the public forum during the regular council meetings is an excellent way for people to give input, ask questions and make suggestions. When done in a respectful way, the public forum is a way people can demonstrate they could be potential council members or mayor. Eliminating the council’s preagenda meeting would be an easy way to remove a source of distrust.

We also need to pay closer attention to the essential city services, such as good roads and replacing the sewer system, which is literally crumbling under our feet. For instance, instead of putting money into new housing developments for items that should have been the responsibility of the developers, we should invest taxpayer money into maintaining what we already have.

We also need to ensure that the cost of city government does not become excessive such that property taxes keep rising at a pace faster than neighboring cities. This will make Albert Lea an attractive location for new and existing businesses, and new residents.

7. What changes would you make in the city budget and/or in tax rates?

We need to emphasize to city staff that all spending needs to be scrutinized now to ensure that every dollar spent is needed. If we don’t do this now, we risk having to make harsher cuts in the future including staff and/or services, especially with the precarious condition of our country’s economy at this time. Some residents believe that the number of city employees has grown in recent years, but this is not true according to information I received during the 2009 budget workshops. However, the city cannot be immune from the same conditions that have forced most businesses to do more with less people and a tighter budget.

I addressed the issue of business property taxes earlier. Residential property taxes in Albert Lea have increased just as dramatically from 2002 to 2008. A house valued at $100,000 had a city tax of $147 in 2002. By 2008, a house with the same valuation now pays $336 (increased 129 percent). The residential tax for other cities noted for the same period and value ranged from decreases of 10 percent (Mankato) and 1 percent (Rochester), to increases of 3 percent (Fairmont), 11 percent (Austin), 21 percent (Owatonna), and 34 percent (Faribault).

8. What is your track record of community service?

Except my college years, I’m a lifelong resident of Albert Lea. Since 1986, when I began my work career, I’ve volunteered for a variety of community groups. This list has changed as I married and had a family, as our needs and activities have changed. I was an active member of the Cloverleaf Lions for 10 years, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, including Ambassador of the Year in 1992. I worked on numerous ACT and Minnesota Festival Theatre plays from 1985 to 1988. At Riverland Community College, I’ve been a board member of the Albert Lea Campus Foundation and currently am a member of the Computer Technology Advisory Committee.

In recent years as a family, we are active members of two nonprofit organizations, the Bayside Waterski Show Team, in which my daughter Erin and I both ski, and the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club, where my daughters Erin and Tierney skate. I have helped children learn to water ski, and I assisted with the Learn to Skate program last season, and plan to do so again this year. Together, my wife, Geri, and I coordinate the SCRIP program, which provides funding to the St. Theodore School Endowment.

9. Please tell us why voters should pick you.

For several years, I have paid close attention to local governments and have been encouraged by others to consider running for office. I’ve also commented about various city and county issues by giving input at meetings, writing letters to the editor, and speaking with elected officials. This year, after seeing further restrictions on the public forum due to decorum issues, and spending decisions by the city council which I have disagreed with, I decided it was only right that I offer myself as a candidate for the office of mayor of Albert Lea.

I have shown that I am willing to question government actions, and I have done so in a respectful manner. I have been a proponent of broadcasting government meetings, including encouraging the county to make use of this tool. I have stood up for maintaining the ability of residents to freely give input on topics of their choice through the council’s public forum. I’ve challenged the city to present options that would allow a zero tax levy increase for 2009. I will continue these things as mayor.

Finally, I ask for your vote because I am positive we can keep Albert Lea a great place to live.