Candidates for Albert Lea City Council spoke without opposition Wednesday night at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce forum for candidates.

Both Larry Anderson, candidate for Ward 5 City Councilor, and Vern Rasmussen, incumbent candidate for Ward 1 City Councilor, are running unopposed in the Nov. 4 election.

Ellen Kehr, candidate for Ward 3 City Councilor, took part in the forum, but her opponent, Ryan Sabinish, chose not to participate.

Each candidate had two minutes for an opening statement.

Anderson is a lifelong resident of Albert Lea and has lived in the same house on Jefferson Avenue for more than 26 years. He works for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and is active in the community.

“I volunteer a lot and feel it’s time to step up,” he said, adding that he would like to see more businesses come to town.

Rasmussen is finishing his first term on the council, and noted his work on the city library board and the Port Authority board. The library saw the success of expanding in its current location over building new, and thanks to library staff, has seen an increase in usage. The Port Authority is opening a new industrial park as part of the Albert Lea Economic Development Authority.

“We have been one of the most successful communities in the using the JOBZ program for economic growth,” he added.

Rasmussen cited the following council achievements:

Investing in infrastructure, such as the neighborhood improvement program of improving streets instead of building new ones.

Improving downtown to preserve the city’s history and build its economic future.

Community policing, which gives people the voice to talk to police officers.

Expanding the city’s trail system.

Kehr is a native of Albert Lea and is the sales and marketing director for 4 Seasons Travel. She has served for five years on the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency board and is currently vice-chairwoman.

Like many young people, she said, she left Albert Lea to attend college and didn’t move back. She eventually did move back — after 25 years. After marrying Randy Kehr, who is now director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, they lived in large cities for 25 years, including Detroit, Nashville, and Kansas City. That experience makes them appreciate small-town life, Kehr said.

“I was taught by my parents that every vote counts and everyone needs to contribute,” she said.

Moderator Tim Engstrom, editor of the Albert Lea Tribune, then asked questions, as written by audience members.

Question: What are your top three priorities for improving Albert Lea if elected?

Economic development, infrastructure and collaboration, Kehr said.

“We’ve definitely come to a place where no one can do it alone. Not the city, not the county, not the watershed board, not the state. We need to work together and share our resources,” she said.

Public safety, infrastructure and annexation, Rasmussen said.

“We need to concentrate on building from within. If we continue to build our edges, we’re just laying more pipe, making more roads, bringing in more responsibility and increasing our costs,” he said.

Infrastructure, cooperation and economic development, Anderson said.

“We can help from within if people share their own ideas and thoughts,” he said.

Question: What is your view of the recent reduced sewer fees for large users?

“Anytime we can be more competitive, we have to be. We have to put ourselves in the arena to be able to compete with other communities,” Rasmussen said.

When local companies expand, the community succeeds, he added.

Anderson said, “If we don’t make it look like a good place for businesses to grow and expand, and hopefully bring more in, we’re not doing our job on the city council.”

Kehr said the city definitely needed to reduce the rates. She noted that the city’s wastewater treatment plant was built for a meatpacking plant no longer in existence and thus operates at half-capacity.

“We cannot afford to lose wet industry,” she said. “We need more wet industry to spread out those costs. And who better to do that for us than someone who’s already here and willing to expand, sees that we want them here and will work with them. That’s the word of mouth that will get more industry to Albert Lea.”

Question: What are you going to do to involve people in your ward in the issues?

Rasmussen listed several ways, including door-knocking as part of his campaign, his new web site, and his email address solely for council work.

But being out in the community is the most important, he said. “Be available, that’s the biggest thing I would do,” he said.

Anderson said he is asking businesses and individuals for input.

Along with door-knocking and an e-mail reserved for constituent comments, Kehr said, “I will continue to be accessible.” She added, “The best thing is to be involved in the community, that’s really where you get to know people on a personal basis.”

Question: How would you reduce the city’s utility bill?

Kehr said the city already has a committee working on this issue and would like to see its recommendations. Anytime the city needs to replace equipment, it needs to do so with more efficient equipment, she said.

Rasmussen said the city is one of the largest energy customers in the area and needs to identify further ways to cut usage. He cited the example of the wastewater treatment plant using its methane gas as a power source as one way the city has taken steps to reduce energy use. By partnering with Alliant Energy for low-interest loans, the city takes a proactive approach, Rasmussen said.

Anderson said talking to city staff is one way to generate ideas. Future options might include LED lights and fluorescent lights without mercury.

Question: Owatonna has a larger population yet a smaller city staff. What would you do to make the city’s work force more efficient and reduce the number of city employees?

Owatonna may have fewer employees, but it also has more crime, Anderson said. “You need to look at the whole picture, not just a portion of it,” he said, explaining that he would look at the services provided, such as parks.

Kehr said the true issue is what job needs to be done. She would look at the situation and background before making any decisions. City staff have been asked to make cuts, and they have, such as the library cutting its hours.

Rasmussen said layoffs are a real possibility in these tough economic times. As city staff retire or leave their jobs, the council will examine whether that job needs to be filled. The city will delay filling any positions for four months, which means cutting the equivalent of one full-time position if delaying three jobs for four months each.

Question: Albert Lea has a $17 million budget reserve, when the $10 million pension fund and the $7 million general budget reserve fund are combined. What would you do to reduce this reserve?

Kehr said she would need to examine the budget in detail and seek an auditor’s opinion before giving a knowledgeable response.

Rasmussen said the reserve funds are not excessive because the state auditor recommends keeping enough reserve to cover six months of expenses. That’s especially important in case the state cuts its local government aid to cities half-way through the year, which has happened in the past. Also, the $10 million pension fund generates enough interest to double that money over 20 years, Rasmussen said.

Anderson said he would need to look closely at the question before answering.

Question: Could each of you tell us about your past community service?

Kehr cited her 10 years on the Children’s Center Board, co-chairing the 2005 United Way campaign, and serving in the Albert Lea Business and Professional Women’s Club, in the Lions Club, as a Chamber Ambassador, and on the Riverland Community College Foundation Board.

Rasmussen noted his service to St. Theodore’s Church, including the endowment board and parent-teacher association, and the Human Rights Commission.

Anderson listed his serving on the Shell Rock River Watershed District Advisory Committee, as president of the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club, and as a lake cleanup volunteer.

Question: Should Albert Lea join 166 other cities and become a green city?

Rasmussen said, “The city has to evaluate its economic situation in all its decision-making processes. But we need also to work to be more of a green community … If it’s within our means, we should do anything possible to be a green city.”

Anderson said being a green city means using less resources and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. He explained he’s researching aerators for Fountain Lake that use less energy while improving water quality.

Kehr said, “On a global level, that’s our responsibility.” While people need to leave a cleaner environment for future generations, people need to be reasonable about it and use common sense.

Question: Is it OK for police officers to take their patrol cars home and leave them un-used, adding to the total number of police cars the city needs to buy and maintain?

Anderson said he knows from his work with emergency response teams that a fast response team is crucial in disasters and accidents.

Kehr said she assumes that a supervisor approves taking the vehicles home and that the officers follow policy.

Rasmussen said safety is the most important issue. Along with needing a fast response time, research shows that employees take better care of their work vehicles when allowed to take them home, which reduces maintenance costs. In addition, police cars parked throughout the community act as a deterrent to speeding and other crimes.

Closing statements

“I promise, if elected, I will work very hard for you. I will be accessible, I will listen carefully, I’ll speak honestly, I’ll study the issues and always work with a spirit of cooperation … I will be an effective leader and a strong voice for the people in the Third Ward,” Kehr said.

Rasmussen said he would work to make city government more efficient and innovative, to control the development of the Blazing Star Landing, to examine the feasibility of annexing the area around the former Stables supper club, and to communicate with other boards.

Anderson said his focus would be on working within the city’s budget given mandates and increasing understanding of that process.