Duluth City Council Agenda Session – October 24, 2024
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Duluth City Council Agenda Session – October 24, 2024
The Duluth City Council held an agenda session on Thursday, October 24, 2024, beginning at 5:15 PM. The meeting included an interview for an appointment to the DECC Board and discussion of 27 agenda items covering finance, personnel, planning, public works, recreation, and ordinances. No final votes were taken; action is scheduled for a future meeting. The session ended with the Council moving into a closed session to discuss a grievance settlement.
Interview for DECC Board Appointment
- The Council interviewed Stephanie LaFeurer, a Duluth native and president of the Lincoln Park Business Group, for a seat on the DECC Board. LaFeurer highlighted her community involvement, honesty, and teamwork skills from 25 years in the military. She expressed full support for the DECC's financial responsibility and transparency. Council members asked about her background and approach to problem-solving. When asked about recent news that the DECC no longer needed a line of credit from the city, LaFeurer said that was outstanding and what everyone hoped for. The Council will vote on the appointment in a few weeks.
Personnel Items
- Resolution 780: Confirming Brian Murphy to the Seaway Port Authority. Councilor Kennedy asked if there were other applicants not interviewed; staff confirmed no other applications. Kennedy stated she will continue to ask this question until the process is solidified.
- Resolutions 817 and 818: Approving new civil service classifications.
- Resolution 855: Confirming Terry L. Lair as city attorney and terminating Jessica J. Freleck. Councilor Owell asked about combining termination and appointment in one resolution; staff explained it is historical practice.
- Resolution 862: Approving a $75,000 settlement of a grievance with the City of Duluth Supervisory Association. This item was discussed in closed session.
Planning and Economic Development
- Resolution 821: Partial vacation of utility easements to allow a garage addition. Staff noted the easements have never been used and no future use is planned.
- Resolution 847: A five-year master services agreement with Stantec Consulting for environmental services, not to exceed $250,000. This pre-authorizes environmental work for timely projects; a similar agreement with Barr Engineering will be brought later. Councilor Durwachter asked about exceeding the cap; staff explained options include using a second contract or seeking a council extension.
- Resolutions 850, 851, 854: Vacating various easements and rights-of-way.
Public Works and Utilities
- Resolutions 822–825: Lead water service replacement projects for high-priority sites (child care centers, schools) totaling $63,895, plus engineering amendments for Hillside and Lincoln Park. Staff announced a $30 million state award for 2025 to continue lead line replacement.
- Resolution 852: Approving service call rates for Duluth Energy Systems, adjusted for the first time in years to market rates.
Public Safety
- Resolution 848: Agreement with St. Louis County for police services under the Operation Stone Garden Grant, $60,433. Chief Sinoa explained the grant has been received for 20 years to enhance security at the port, airport, and events like Grandma's Marathon.
Recreation, Libraries, and Authorities
- Resolution 853: Accepting a $531,590 Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant for Spirit Mountain capital improvements.
- Resolution 856: Accepting a $13 million state grant for Spirit Mountain infrastructure, requiring a $13 million local match. Executive Director Glumack detailed plans to renovate the Skyline Chalet and replace two 50-year-old lifts (Summit and Gandy) with one fixed-grip lift. Councilor Mayo asked about donating retired equipment to Chester Bowl; Glumack said they have a good relationship and will explore reuse.
Ordinances
- Ordinance 50: Rezoning three half-blocks along East 4th Street from MUN/MUI to F-6 to align with the comprehensive plan, excluding the old Essentia hospital site. Councilor Mayo asked about compatibility if the medical campus locates there; staff said that site is excluded and would need future rezoning.
- Ordinance 52: Concurrent use permit for Minnesota Power docking.
- Ordinance 53: Concurrent use permit for stoop and retaining wall.
- Ordinance 54: Dedicating perpetual easements.
- Ordinance 45: Authorizing up to $13.5 million in Spirit Mountain bonds. Vice President Tomonic asked about property tax impact; staff will provide details.
- Ordinance 49: Exempting vacation dwelling units (VDUs) in RR1/RR2 zones within 300 feet of an MUC district from the city’s VDU cap. Extensive debate occurred. Staff explained the history: the area was rezoned in 2009 and the planning commission opposed the change. Councilor Nephew argued the hotel built on the site destroyed property values and the exemption is a correction. Councilor Kennedy noted the existing cap system; staff confirmed the affected properties (at least four) can already apply through the lottery (about 70 applicants annually for ~10 new permits). The exemption would be unlimited. Councilor Mayo asked if future development within 300 feet could also be exempt; staff confirmed yes. The Council will consider four legal criteria before final vote. Additional information on the criteria and whether owners have applied will be provided.
- Ordinance 43: Amending snow emergency regulations. Communications staff outlined a mailer to every door and a digital campaign. Jeff (public works) noted the changes take effect in about 30 days and are timed for when snow storage becomes an issue, typically January.
Key Outcomes
- The Council will vote on the DECC board appointment in a few weeks.
- Formal votes on all resolutions and ordinances will occur at a subsequent council meeting (likely October 28).
- The Council entered a closed session under attorney-client privilege to discuss the $75,000 grievance settlement (Resolution 862).
Meeting Transcript
Hey. Good evening, folks. We are going to start with the um interview for the deck position. Can I have the applicant come forward, please? Good evening. Thank you for being here. Can you tell us how you would like to be addressed? Okay. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Do you we'll start with questions uh regarding this position? Do you have personal or financial interest, direct or indirect with the deck, or are you engaged in any capacity whereby a conflict of rent interest might arise? Negative. Okay. Please give us a brief outline of your educational and work experience and how that background might be of benefit in relationship to the deck. Um born and raised Duluth. Um in the heart of the craft district. I also lead the Lincoln Park business group. I have for the last five and a half years, and I've been on the board for the last 10. Um just a matter of being involved. I think uh see something, say something. You need to be involved in your community. So that's why I'm here. Okay, thank you. And you you touched on that, Stephanie, but uh if you want to expand on that, why you're interested in serving on the deck board in particular. Because the deck is a huge part of Duluth, and it's a huge part of Lincoln Park. And so the operation of the deck and how that's set up and the future goes for the deck, you need to be involved. And being in charge in Lincoln Park and being a part of that, and being a born and raised Duluth, I think it's important to support that and be a part of um uh what's the right word? Um, not the fix it, but uh a solver and and to be a part of that so that things get done. Just like like you serve on the city council. It's not because you get paid a lot of money. Do you foresee any personal scheduling conflicts which would make it difficult for you to attend the board meetings? Negative. It's during the day on Thursdays, last of the month, I believe. Right. Um, what do you consider your personal strengths that you would bring to your work on the deck? Uh knowledge, experience. Um, I also um probably gets me in trouble more than it should, but I say things. So what I mean by say things is I'm very honest and forthcoming. So if I see a wrong, I expect it to be fixed. I'm a I don't have a problem in the communication department, I think is a better term to use. Okay. Um are you presently serving on any other boards or commissions? Yes, ma'am. Not commissions. I am the head of the Lincoln Park business group, and I also serve on the White Side Whiteside Board. Okay. Um, is there anything you'd like to add and tell the council concerning your possible appointment to the deck? Um, just that uh I I love my city. There's a reason I raise my kids here, there's a reason I still stay here, and um, I think the deck is a vital part of our area, and um support and transparency is also important, and I'd like to be a part of that.
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