A.L. Charter Commission asks for additional public input

The Albert Lea Charter Commission on Monday voted to recess its annual meeting for a month without voting on any potential changes to the length of the city’s mayoral terms.

The commissioners said they wanted to garner additional public input about the topic and have more of their questions answered before voicing an approval or disapproval of changing the mayoral terms from two years to four years.

“I think it’s something we should not take lightly,” said Commissioner Warren Amundson. “Our charter is serious, and it has been around longer than most of us.”

The decision to recess came after public comments by five residents in favor of the proposal and one resident against it. There was also discussion about what is necessary to change the charter by Albert Lea City Attorney Lee Bjorndal.

Three current Albert Lea City Council members — Larry Anderson, Larry Baker and Al “Minnow” Brooks — were also in attendance, along with current Mayor Vern Rasmussen.

The commission generally meets once a year.

The residents in favor of extending the mayor’s term to a four-year term said the change would give the city more consistency in the position, create continuity and encourage long-term visioning, among other reasons.

“Long-term it would be great for the community,” said former Albert Lea Mayor Randy Erdman. “It would help the community to mature, to develop and grow.”

Resident Tony Trow said he has seen how much a well respected mayor with vision and the ability to lead people can make a big difference for a city. He’s also seen how important it is for the mayor to know the legislators that represent the city. These things take time to develop, he said, noting he does not think a year or two is enough time to establish these relationships.

Former 3rd Ward Councilor George Marin spoke from a viewpoint of being on the council previously for eight years. He called the two-year mayoral terms “an obstacle” for the council.

“It’s very, very difficult for the council and mayor to bond, to learn each other, to learn policy, to learn where we’re at and where we want to go as a community,” Marin said of the current term length.

He said in his time on the City Council there were five different mayors.

Resident Grace Haukoos said she thinks Albert Lea’s current charter trivializes the office of mayor.

“In two years nobody can get their feet on the ground,” she said. “The council and the mayor have to work together.”

Mark Anderson, however, who opposed the change, said he did not think the mayoral terms were a problem.

He talked about the Albert Lea mayors who have served since 2000 when Marv Wangen ended his 10-year stint in the position. He asked why mayors since that time haven’t served two terms in a row. He talked about how some ran into personal problems, one had a close death in the family, one got defeated and one decided he wouldn’t run again. These reasons, he noted, explained the more frequent change in the position.

He said he also supports the current mayoral term length because people can vote for change if they don’t like the direction the city is moving.

“If you are a good leader, people are going to follow you,” Amundson echoed.

Amundson, a former City Council member, was the most vocal during the discussion about the issue.

He said he thought if a change to the term was approved, it should not begin until 2016, instead of 2012 as proposed.

There was also concern about the timing of turnover on the council.

Resident Tami Staker said because the City Council members who already serve four-year terms have staggered elections, half of the council changes every two years anyway.

Commissioner Phillip Kohl questioned any potential recall measures that might be able to be included in the charter should any problems arise.

Information about the proposal is expected to be shown briefly on the city’s government channel along with contact information for the commission’s members. The public is encouraged to contact commissioners to voice their opinions.

The commission is slated to meet again at 5:15 p.m. June 6.