Mayoral term headed to ballot
Published 9:15 am Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The mayoral term petition cleared its final hurdle Monday at the Albert Lea City Council meeting. The measure is headed to the ballot for this November.
The council voted unanimously to certify the petition, which was signed by more than 500 people. The question asks voters whether the city’s mayor should serve two- or four-year terms.
According to city officials, 509 out of 543 signatures were certified. Only 360 signatures — or 5 percent of the voters in the last general election — were needed to place the question on the ballot.
The signatures were reviewed by two people in the Freeborn County Auditor-Teasurer’s Office, along with City Clerk Shirley Slater-Schulte and Lisa Williamson, in the City Attorney’s Office.
If approved, four-year terms would go into effect for mayors elected after Nov. 1, 2014.
In other action, the City Council:
• Approved the extension of conditional use permits for Prairie Senior Cottages and Summderdale Townhomes.
• Approved an agreement between the city and Freeborn County for a telephone infrastructure agreement.
The agreement provides for the installation and configuration of a new phone system.
City cost is about $36,000. The total cost is about $231,000. The city will repay its funds at $863 a month for 42 months.
• Authorized an agreement with the Albert Lea Ice Skating Association to operate the concession stand at the city pool.
• Accepted an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the airport improvements.
• Authorized an internal loan from the building services fund to go toward the Vitality Center fund. It will pay for construction expenses and possible equipment purchases to complete the Vitality Center.
• Accepted $750 worth of trees to the city from Modern Woodmen of America for the lower area of Bancroft Bay Park. The trees are slated to be plated Friday.
• Accepted a donation of $100 from Security Insurance to go toward the Parks and Recreation Department.
Look to the Tribune for more about the Monday meeting.