A 12-member citizen task force will meet soon to come up with budget strategies for tackling the expected loss in local government aid to Albert Lea.

The members of the task force, who come from different parts of the community, were appointed Monday at the Albert Lea City Council meeting.

The names approved were Mike Moore, Bryan Purdie, Corrine Tims, Claire Vermedahl, Mike Ellis, Sheila Shulz, Lenore Fries, Dennis Dieser, Yolanda Martinez, Derby Olsen, Dave Klatt and Rita Moyer.

The members represent an equal representation from the six wards in the city and include a mix of civic leaders, business owners, education leaders and other residents.

The goal of their meetings will be to inform city residents of the potential for loss in services and increase in property taxes that will result from local government aid cut. They will work to bring together residents to evaluate options for cuts, said Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen. According to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget, Albert Lea could receive a cut of more than $500,000 toward the 2009 budget and a more than $1 million cut in 2010.

In addition to the task force meetings, councilors will host meetings throughout their wards to discuss the state cuts and the impact they will have on the community.

Councilor Larry Baker encouraged people to attend those meetings in their wards and to give input to the council when possible.

Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said the ward meetings will be between March 9 and April 3. Exact dates have not yet been set.

Simonsen said she is expectant to get the most recent revenue forecast in the beginning of March, and city staff hope to have budget strategies in place by the end of April.

Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh said he thinks the budget process should be in the open. Staff and the council members should submit as much information to people about how local government aid works.

The first meeting date is tentatively scheduled for 4:30 to 6 p.m. on March 2. At that meeting there will be an overview of local government aid and potential cuts.

Other meetings will be on March 16 and April 6 with times yet to be determined.

The second meeting will consist of discussing scenarios of cuts, and in the third meeting the task force members will give their recommendations.

All meetings will be in Room 109 of Albert Lea City Hall.

Councilor Ellen Kehr encouraged people in her ward to get involved in whatever way they can.

“This is a time when big decisions are going to be made, when some hard decisions are going to be made,” Kehr said. “This is our city. We need to know where you want to go.”

In other action, the City Council:

Confirmed the 2009 capital improvement projects.

The projects include neighborhood improvement projects, state-aid street overlays, Wedgewood Road construction, North Shore Avenue redevelopment, Willamor Road reconstruction, grading of Sunset Street Extension and installation of sidewalk along Minnesota Highway 13.

The council also asked staff to look into the cost of bids for the street, sewer and water for properties annexed into the city along U.S. Highway 69.

Responded to an inquiry from the Freeborn County commissioners about whether to pursue an interchange at Bath Road and Interstate 90.

The City Council voted unanimously to support Freeborn County’s quest to look into an interchange however with no monetary involvement at this time.

Directed city staff to complete a federal “multi-municipality all-hazards mitigation plan” survey. The plan will make Albert Lea eligible to receive FEMA funding in the case of a disaster.

Appointed Murtaugh and Rasmussen to a resource sharing committee with the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners. The committee will have two councilors and two commissioners.

Approved the request to have the second annual April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon on July 11. The race route will be the same as 2008, with the race starting at Country Inn & Suites, going around Albert Lea Lake and ending in Hayward. In addition to the half marathon, there will be a relay race.

Approved a request to allow overnight parking in front of 121, 127 and 129 Elizabeth Ave. from April 1 through Nov. 1.

The same request was approved by the council last year, and the police and street departments noted no issues with this last year.

Councilors indicated the agreement will be reviewed again in a year.

Approved a temporary portable sign on the sidewalk of Stadheim Jewelry from March 3 through 6.

Recognized Alvert Streyle as one of Albert Lea’s centenarians. Streyle’s 100th birthday was on Feb. 13.

Voted to reassess special assessments in the Pro Trucking plat because of a land sale to ITC Midwest.