Vortex owns the adjacent land to the south. The property to the west is zoned as industrial with the property to the east developed as a church and residential.

The Planning Commission, after holding a public hearing June 2 on the proposed changes, recommends approval.

To learn more and provide input, residents may:

• Contact their city councilor
• Read the agenda packet
• Attend the city council meeting on June 8 at 7 p.m. on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St.
• Watch the June 8 meeting online

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The city and Shell Rock River Watershed District had hoped to renew the tax to fund continued lake improvement projects along with expanding the Albert Lea Public Library, building the Songbird Trail, upgrading Snyder Fields and building the Miracle Ballfield.

Under state law, the Minnesota Legislature must approve putting a sales tax on the ballot for voter approval. In this year’s legislative session, sales tax requests from several cities failed to make the final tax bill.

The City of Albert Lea and Shell Rock Watershed plan to seek legislative approval again in 2027. In the meantime, they and several community partners continue to raise funds and seek grants for their projects.

Read more about the sales tax issue on the Minnesota Public Radio website.

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This changes means the city will not hold a primary on Aug. 11 for the Ward 4 seat.

On the Nov. 2 ballot for Ward 4 will be Charles Alkula and Joey Neely.

For more information about elections, visit www.cityofalbertlea.org/election-information/.

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On the Nov. 3 general election ballot, Mayor Rich Murray will face challenger Tiffany Fearing and Ward 2 Councilor Larry Baker will face challenger John Caucutt.

Incumbents Ted Herman filed for the Ward 3 seat and Brian Anderson for the Ward 6 seat, and both will run unopposed.

Filings closed June 2 for city council elections.

For more information, including how to register to vote, visit www.cityofalbertlea.org/election-information/.

For immediate release
June 3, 2026
Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, engagement/enrichment director, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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The mission of the City of Albert Lea is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

The post Filings close for Albert Lea City Council: 3 face challengers, 2 unopposed appeared first on City of Albert Lea.

To qualify, applicants must be eligible to vote in the state of Minnesota and be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Election judges selected to work will receive compensation of $13 per hour. Assistant head judges will receive $14 per hour and Head Judges will receive $15 per hour. These positions require a minimum of two hours of paid training, and judges will be assigned to either morning, afternoon, or all-day shifts.

If employed and selected to work as an election judge, your employer is required by law to provide you with time off from work to serve with no reduction in pay.

Election dates:

• Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026 – Primary Election
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 – General Election

Residents interested in serving their community on election day can apply or request additional information by contacting City Clerk Daphney Maras at 507-377-4335 or via email at dmaras@ci.albertlea.mn.us.

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The mission of the City of Albert Lea is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

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On Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m., kids of all ages can try hockey for free at the City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive. The Albert Lea Hockey Association will provide equipment at no charge. This is a great way to try the sport with no financial commitment. To register, visit the hockey association website at www.albertleahockey.org/program/try-hockey-for-free/33155.

Four neighborhood parks will offer free supervised activities for grade-schoolers, starting Monday, June 1:

• Academy, 910 Frank Hall Park
• Lakeview, 102 Willamor Road
• Sondergaard, 806 17^th St.
• Valley, 611 Sheridan St.

Kids may drop in Monday – Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. While no registration is needed for daily activities, they need to have a parent or guardian complete a registration form for the season. Activities will include crafts, games, art, water activities and tie-dyeing T-shirts. All play park leaders have passed background checks.

Freeborn County 4-H will also return to the neighborhood parks this summer, leading team-building exercises, STEM challenges, gardening and food demonstrations. Youth participants can even showcase their projects at the Freeborn County Fair.

Because of weather delays, the painters are still working at the Aquatic Center, 321 James Ave. The goal is to open the week of June 8. Season passes are available beforehand at the Recreation Department, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive. The Aquatic Center also has openings for swim lessons. Call 507-377-4370 for more information.

The Aquatic Center will again offer free admission – with one paid swimmer – for grandparents on Mondays and for dads on Sunday, June 21. Admission on Tuesdays is only $2 per participant with free admission for kids age 2 and younger.

A new feature this year is water walking, a low-impact and self-guided exercise, on Sundays from 7 – 8 p.m. with a $2 fee.

The Recreation Department will offer a free field trip to the Aquatic Center on Friday, June 12. Participants must ride the bus to and from the pool to participate. The bus will pick up kids from Sondergaard Park at noon, Valley Park at 12:15 p.m. and Lakeview Park at 12:30 p.m. Participants should pack a lunch to eat at Frank Hall Park before the pool opens, a swimsuit, towel and snack money.

Archery tag for ages 8 and older starts on Tuesday, June 16, at 5:30 p.m. This free activity will take place weekly through July 21 at Eberhart Park, 1502 Eberhard St.

There will be a free movie in the park on Friday, June 26, with the showing of “Goat” at Sondergaard Park. This event is open to all ages, and attendees should bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.

The City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive, will be open for public skate this summer on Thursdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m., starting June 10. Admission is only $2.

The Splash Pad is open daily, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. with no admission fee.

For more information about recreational programming, call 507-377-4370 or the see the Summer Fun Guide on the city website at www.cityofalbertlea.org/departments/recreation/.

May 29, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, engagement/enrichment director, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

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Other changes include:

• Dogs and cats must remain under their owner’s physical control and not roam freely off property
• Feeding of feral cats is prohibited unless part of a trap and neuter program

The changes are intended to better align city regulations with enforcement practices while continuing to address nuisance and animal welfare concerns.

Ordinance changes require 2 votes, one to introduce them and one to adopt them. The second vote is scheduled for June 8.

For the full discussion, watch the council meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/GdJvgX8dNss

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On Thursday, May 28, a crane will arrive on-site to lift equipment to the roof. Crews will also park a scissor lift at the front of the building, which will block the left-hand entrance door for the duration of the project.

The City expects the installation to take 7 to 10 days.

The City of Albert Lea advises the public to exercise caution when entering City Hall. The Public Library will remain accessible throughout the project.

The City of Albert Lea received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce “Solar on Public Buildings Program” to install solar power arrays on four city-owned facilities:

• City Hall
• Fire Station
• Main Lift Station
• City Garage

For progress updates, residents can follow “City of Albert Lea – City Hall” on Facebook or Instagram.

For immediate release
May 22, 2026
Media contact: John Ryther, environmental/civil engineer, at 507-377-4327 or jryther@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

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Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire in the kitchen on-top of the stove and nearby cupboards.  The residents were all out of the home.  Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire and kept the damage to the immediate area.

The damage was all to contents and is estimated at $6,000.

Albert Lea Fire Rescue investigated the fire and determined the cause to be accidental.

Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service and Albert Lea Police Department assisted at the scene.

ALFR reminds residents to keep stove areas clear of items.  A two foot buffer is a great start.

For immediate release

May 17, 2026

Contact for fire operations: Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.us

Contact for fire investigation during business hours: Albert Lea Fire Rescue at 507-377-4341

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The mission of Albert Lea Fire Rescue: We are committed to help people and to do what is right, today and in the future.

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The following seats are open: Mayor and Ward 2, 4 and 6 city council seats, now held by Rich Murray, Larry Baker, Reid Olson and Brian Anderson, respectively. These seats are for 4-year terms.

Voters will also elect a representative for Ward 3 to serve the remaining two years of the 4-year term. This seat became vacant following Jason Howland’s resignation; Ted Herman currently holds the position by mayoral appointment until the end of 2026.

Because the mayor position represents the community as a whole, candidates may live anywhere within city limits. For the other seats, councilors represent specific wards and must live within those ward boundaries. A map of wards is available on the city website.

As required by Minnesota law, candidates must:

• Be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• Be at least 21 years of age upon assuming office
• Have maintained residence in their ward for at least 30 days before the general election

To file for office, candidates need to complete an affidavit of candidacy and pay a $25 fee at the City Clerk’s office on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St. Candidacy packets are available in the City Clerk’s Office, 221 E. Clark St., or on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

As part of a statewide update, the Secretary of State’s Office is encouraging candidates to type their Affidavit of Candidacy to help prevent misspellings on ballots.

Residents may use a public computer at the Albert Lea Public Library to complete their filing documents. Computer use is free. Printing is available for 25 cents per page in color. Note the library only takes cash.

Filings close at 5 p.m. June 2 with the primary election on Aug. 11 and the general election on Nov. 3.

For more information about filing, contact City Clerk Daphney Maras at 507-377-4335 or dmaras@ci.albertlea.mn.us.

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The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

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