Duluth City Council Meeting – November 12, 2024

The Duluth City Council met on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting opened with a moment of silence to remember the lives of Aaron Abramson, Jacob Nephew, Catherine Nephew, Oliver Nephew, and Anthony Nephew, who were lost in a tragic event on November 7, 2024. The council approved the consent agenda, passed several resolutions and ordinances, and heard public comments on homelessness and traffic planning. Key actions included authorizing a $500,000 allocation for a temporary 120-bed shelter at the Damiano Center and first readings of ordinances regulating adult-use cannabis businesses.

Consent Calendar

• 24-052: Approval of the October 28, 2024 meeting minutes – passed 9-0.
• 24-0875R: Purchase of a tandem plow truck chassis from Ascendance Trucks for $166,166.34.
• 24-0876R & 24-0877R: Purchase and installation of sanding body equipment from Bert’s Truck Equipment for $175,405.00 and $229,764.00 respectively.
• 24-0883R: Confirmation of Stephanie LaFleur to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority.
• 24-0871R: Approval of the Brae View Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District plan.
• 24-0873R: Sixth amendment to a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for the Duluth Regional Exchange District Project.
• 24-0867R: Acceptance of $32,760.31 from the U.S. Department of Justice for ballistic vest reimbursement.
• 24-0863R, 24-0868R: Contracts with Contour, Inc. for high-priority lead water service replacements (sites 40,53,54 for $91,495.00; sites 59,67,70 for $87,897.00).
• 24-0874R: Amendment with LHB, Inc. for 3rd Street Reconditioning Project engineering services, increasing the contract by $94,789.00 to a new total of $547,410.00.
• 24-0881R: Agreement with Alliant Engineering for design services for the 6th Avenue East Reconditioning Project for $64,900.00.
• 24-0864R: Acceptance of a Cross-Country Ski Grant-in-Aid Program grant from the Minnesota DNR for FY2025, not to exceed $12,650.
• 24-0869R: Five-year seasonal lease of 90 golf carts and 8 maintenance/utility vehicles from Huntington National Bank for $484,360.00.
• All consent items passed unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on Brae View TIF District – No public speakers; the hearing was closed.
• Dan Fanning (Vice President, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce): Expressed gratitude for the council’s support of the Honor Flight Northland program, which will resume flights for veterans. He also thanked the city for partnership on community progress and outlined legislative priorities including the bonding bill, support for the 148th Fighter Wing, and a new air traffic control tower. He praised Chief Administrative Officer Dave Montgomery for his service.
• Lauren Martell (623 East 7th Street): Criticized the city’s traffic analysis for the Incline Village development, stating that the Alternative Urban Area-wide Review (AUAR) projects nearly 13,000 vehicle trips per day to a property with limited access points. She argued that the council’s certainty about the plan is flawed, comparing it to the school board’s past refusal to listen to concerns.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 (24-0865R): Resolution authorizing an agreement with LHB, Inc. for construction administration, engineering, and inspection services for the 2025 lead water service replacement projects, not to exceed $2,053,690. Passed 9-0.
• Item 16 (24-0879R): Resolution authorizing a development agreement with Northland Country Club to construct a public water main and obtain a utility easement. Passed 9-0.
• Item 17 (24-0889R): Resolution confirming the city’s support for those experiencing homelessness, amending a $500,000 allocation from the sale of the Cirrus Incubator Building, and requesting up to $500,000 from the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) for construction of a 120-bed temporary shelter at the Damiano Center. Sponsored by Councilors Tomanek, Forsman, Nephew, and Randorf.
  • Councilors Kennedy, Forsman, Mayo, Swenson, Nephew, Tomanek, and Awal expressed support, noting the need for collaboration with St. Louis County on public health and human services, the end of COVID-era federal funds, and the importance of addressing root causes like mental health and addiction. Councilor Swenson urged clarity on how DEDA funds are directed. Councilor Randorf noted the resolution will go to DEDA on November 20 and return to the council on November 25. Passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda and all items 15, 16, 17 passed unanimously (9-0).
• First readings of two cannabis ordinances (24-057-O and 24-056-O) were introduced; they will return for second reading on November 25, 2024.
• Second readings passed 9-0 on:
  • 24-048-O: Ordinance authorizing issuance of up to $8,218,142 in taxable grant anticipation revenue notes for water utility improvements.
  • 24-050-O: Ordinance reclassifying three half-blocks along E 4th Street to Form District 6 (F-6).
  • 24-052-O: Ordinance granting Minnesota Power a concurrent use permit for a loading dock on West Michigan Street. (Councilor Forsman abstained due to employment with Minnesota Power.)
  • 24-053-O: Ordinance granting Festies Inc. a concurrent use permit for a stoop and retaining wall at 711 Martha Street.
  • 24-054-O: Ordinance dedicating perpetual easements for utility purposes over city-owned property.
• Councilor previews: Councilor Tomanek thanked the Chamber for the Honor Flight program; Councilor Nephew thanked the Duluth Police Department for investigating recent break-ins; Councilor Swenson announced a public comment meeting for the West Superior Street Reconstruction Project; Councilor Durwachter praised the Brae View TIF District for 70 mixed-income units (30%-60% AMI); Councilor Mayo noted a candlelight vigil for the November 7 victims; Councilor Kennedy announced a community-led vigil on November 13.
• Committee of the Whole: Scheduled for November 25, 2024 at 6:30 PM, featuring St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Director Linnea Mersh to discuss homeless outreach and response.