Assistant City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos and city staff have started going door-to-door in the sixth ward this week to talk to residents about questions or concerns they may have about how Albert Lea is governed and to increase awareness about programs available to residents.

Approval ratings from the community survey conducted in 2015 were lowest in the fifth and sixth ward.

The door-to-door canvass is part of an “all of the above” ongoing community outreach effort undertaken by city staff, according to a press release.

The city has devised and implemented a communication strategy making greater use of social media, establishing a weekly e-newsletter and mailing a printed newsletter on a monthly basis.

The mayor and city manager delivered State of the City addresses at senior homes in the city at the beginning of the year and Gabrielatos hosted a satellite city hall at MarketPlace Foods last month.

“In other words, we are taking every measure to hear from residents and tell them more about city government,” said City Manager Chad Adams.

The city began a similar door-to-door initiative in the fifth ward last year. Nearly every residence east of Morningside Road was canvassed.

For more information, contact Gabrielatos at 377-4316.