Duluth City Council Agenda Session - November 21, 2024
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Duluth City Council Agenda Session - November 21, 2024
The Duluth City Council held an agenda session on November 21, 2024, beginning at 5:15 PM, chaired by President Randorf. The session reviewed items scheduled for the November 25, 2024 City Council meeting, including resolutions, ordinances, and updates on various city projects and programs. Most consent agenda items were approved without discussion, but several items prompted questions and clarifications from councilors.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2–5 (grant anticipation revenue notes, series 2024C–F): read by Councilor Forsman; no questions.
- Items 6–8 (currency exchange license, computer replacements, Cisco cloud calling): read by President Randorf in Councilor Durwachter's absence; no questions.
- Items 9–12 (library safety coordinator classification, construction inspector amendments, supervisory collective bargaining agreement, Ben Van Tassel appointment): read by Vice President Tomanek; discussion ensued (see below).
- Items 13–19 (agreement with State Services for the Blind, Studio Café development agreement, Duluth Production Incentive Program, DECC harbor dredging, Churches United in Ministry amendment, paper mill cleanup grant, Damiano emergency shelter agreement): read by Councilor Nephew; discussion on items 15 and 18 (see below).
- Items 20–22 (Frontier Energy professional services, benchmarking grant, Hillside Culvert repairs): read by Councilor Mayo; no questions.
- Item 23 (ballistic vest reimbursement): read by President Randorf in Councilor Swenson's absence; no questions.
- Items 24–26 (Morgan Park community center grant, Waabizheshikana Section 106 compliance, Wade Stadium use amendment): read by Councilor Awal; discussion on item 24 (see below).
- Items 27–30 (water utility revenue note, city code amendment, cannabis zoning and business regulations): read by respective councilors; discussion on item 30 (see below).
Discussion Items
- Ben Van Tassel Appointment (Item 12): Councilor Durwachter asked how many applicants were considered. Vice President Tomanek responded that approximately six or seven were interviewed; the exact total number of applicants was not recalled but some did not meet minimum qualifications. Councilor Forsman asked about the Library Safety Coordinator classification (Item 9). Administrator Montgomery clarified that two FTE positions existed (originally safety specialists), one was elevated to coordinator with incremental costs covered by library savings. Councilor Awal added that a part-time FTE was converted to full-time, allowing the library to be fully staffed for the first time since COVID.
- Duluth Production Incentive Program (Item 15): Sherry Marshick, Executive Director of the Upper Midwest Film Office, reported that since the program's inception, approximately $2.3 million has been brought into Duluth that would not have otherwise been spent. She noted a significant slowdown in the past 18 months due to industry strikes but expected two larger projects in the first quarter of 2025, one in Duluth, each worth a couple million dollars. A recently completed small project will air on Lifetime in mid-2025.
- Paper Mill Cleanup Grant (Item 18): Councilor Mayo asked about Exhibit A striking out text regarding match funding from Sofidel. Dr. Jobs explained that Sofidel is still providing the match, but the city must act as pass-through; the language was cleaned up to conform to DEED program requirements.
- Morgan Park Community Center Grant (Item 24): Vice President Tomanek inquired about the $500,000 grant. Administrator Montgomery stated it is an energy grant for installing solar panels on the roof, noting that the roof was previously reinforced to support the load, making the facility well-suited for the project.
- Cannabis Business Regulations (Item 30): Councilor Mayo asked whether information on the city's cannabis licensing webpage could be updated to include the new ordinance; Clerk Johnson confirmed it could. President Randorf asked Attorney Lair to compare city and county regulations. Lair explained the city ordinance regulates businesses within Duluth limits, while the county ordinance covers county areas outside Duluth; both are very similar. County penalties are petty misdemeanors up to $300; city penalties are violations under Chapter 12, with fines set on an annual schedule comparable to alcohol violations (step system up to $1,000).
- Future Meeting Schedule: Councilor Forsman noted that for the next three meetings, council meetings would begin at 5:15 PM instead of 7:00 PM.
- Marketing Contract Update: Councilor Mayo requested an email summary of the selection process for the marketing contract prior to the upcoming presentation. Administrator Montgomery agreed to provide a detailed overview.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items are expected to be presented for approval at the November 25, 2024 City Council meeting; no formal votes were taken during this agenda session.
- Administrator Montgomery will prepare and send a summary of the marketing contract selection process to council members.
- The city clerk's office will update the website with information on cannabis business regulations.
- Councilors were reminded of the adjusted 5:15 PM start time for the next three council meetings.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, Counselors. It is 515. We'll go ahead and get started with our agenda session tonight. Um we'll dig right in. Uh we're on item two. This is finance with Counselor Forsman. All right, thanks, President Randor. Resolution nine eleven authorizing the issuance and sale of a two million five hundred and sixty-one thousand four hundred and eighty-one dollar taxable grant anticipation revenue note series twenty twenty-four C and providing for its payment. Resolution nine twelve authorizing the issuance and sale of a one million five hundred and ninety-seven thousand, two hundred and eighty-five dollar taxable grant anticipation revenue note series twenty twenty-four D and providing for its payment. Resolution nine thirteen authorizing the issuance and sale of a one million six hundred and thirty-nine thousand, three hundred and fifty-four dollar taxable grant anticipation revenue note series twenty twenty-four E and providing for its payment. And resolution nine fourteen authorizing the issuance and sale of a one million nine hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollar taxable grant anticipation revenue note series twenty twenty-four F and for pr uh providing for its payment. Thank you, Councilor Forsman. We'll pause there. Any questions on items two through five. Seeing none, we'll move on. We're on purchasing and licensing. Um I see Counselor Durwachter could not make it. I'll go ahead and read those in. We're on item six, resolution eight eighty four, a resolution approving the issuance of twenty twenty-five Minnesota currency exchange license to the title loan company Inc. Item seven, resolution eight ninety-six is a resolution authorizing the purchase of desktop and laptop computer replacements from insight public sector in the amount of 175,203 and 65 cents. And item eight uh is resolution nine seventeen, a resolution authorizing the purchase of five years of Cisco Cloud calling from the C DW Government Inc. for the total amount of three hundred and eighty thousand two hundred and fifty-seven dollars and twenty cents with an estimated annual amount of seventy-six thousand fifty-one dollars and forty-four cents. We'll pause there and take questions. Perfect. Thanks. Seeing none, we'll move on. We're on personnel. Vice President Tomonic. Approving proposed specifications for the new civil service classification of library safety coordinator and specifying contract benefits for same. Thank you, Vice President Tomonic. Any questions on items nine through twelve? Counselor Dir Wachter. Uh thank you, President Randor. Um I have a question, and this is not in any way against the resolution confirming Ben Van Tessel, but I'm just curious how many other people applied. Um you have an answer. Um President Randor, uh, Councilor Durwachter. I don't recall the total number. I know we interviewed. Oh, we probably interviewed six or seven uh at least. And I would have to get you the total number that applied, some of which just weren't didn't meet the minimum qualifications. Uh but I know we interviewed six or seven. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Councilor Durwalker. Next is Councillor Forsman. Thank you, President Randorf. Um first question. Mr. Montgomery, can you reorient me on the budget related to the library safety coordinator? Do we have two FTEs for that? Department, if you will now.
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