Duluth City Council Agenda Session - May 22, 2025

The Duluth City Council held an agenda session on the evening of May 22, 2025, to consider a series of resolutions and ordinances. The meeting covered purchasing and licensing, appointments, planning and economic development, public safety infrastructure, recreation, and first readings of several ordinances. A study session on rental licensing and enforcement was announced for the following Tuesday. No public comment was heard.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–7: Resolutions approving temporary expansions, temporary on-sale liquor licenses, permanent expansions, and a premise permit for the Irvine Community Association.
• Items 8–11: Resolutions confirming appointments to the Heading Home Advisory Committee, the Duluth Non-Binary Queer Trans Two Spirit LGBT+ Commission, the Community Development Committee, and amendments to the civil service classification of city clerk.
• Items 12–14, 16: Resolutions authorizing a purchase agreement with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for Lincoln Park property, vacating streets and easements, and a sub-recipient funding agreement with Sofidel America Corp. (Item 16 was discussed and is noted below, but passed as part of the consent calendar.)
• Items 17–19, 21–25: Resolutions authorizing a wheel loader purchase, an agreement with Evergreen Energy for a customer portal, amendments to Lake Walk Trail License Agreements, and engineering services contracts for street preservation and lead service line replacement projects (Denfeld, East Hillside, and Yen projects).
• Items 27, 29: Resolutions accepting an amendment with the Minnesota Historical Society for the Martin Trail Interpretive Plan and authorizing acceptance of tax-forfeited land for trail purposes.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 445 (Item 16) – Sub-recipient agreement with Sofidel America Corp.: Director Van Tassel explained that the resolution authorizes the city’s pass-through agreement for a $2.3 million cleanup grant from DEED, confirming Sofidel’s commitment to grant guidelines. No changes to the project.
• Resolution 426 (Item 20) – 6th Avenue East Reconditioning Project: A $2,984,400 contract awarded to Northland Constructors. Councilor Mayo asked about the scope (lead service line replacements, signal upgrades, curb/sidewalk, surfacing) and timeline. Staff will check for a timeline update.
• Resolution 430 (Item 26) – Parking ramp structural repairs: A $244,195 contract with SICON. Councilor Swenson asked whether the cost has decreased since ramps were secured; Councilor Mayo asked about the Heart Ramp re-engineering. Staff will follow up with parking officials.
• Bentleyville Tour of Lights contract (Item 28): Councilor Randorf asked about substantive changes; staff said it is similar to past years. Councilor Owl asked about the damage cost-sharing (city responsible for first $10,000, event covers remainder). Staff will check past damage amounts.
• Ordinance 11 (Item 32) – Zoning map amendment: Reclassifies a parcel from Mixed-Use Business (MUB) to Residential Traditional (R1) to allow a single-family housing project. Councilor Mayo confirmed the owner’s intent.
• Ordinance 12 (Item 33) – Skywalk bridge concurrent use permit: Grants a private skywalk connection over East First Street Alley. Councilor Forsman asked about maintenance (city not liable) and Councilor Mayo asked about hours of operation (private, key card access).
• Ordinance 13 (Item 34) – Tenant notice ordinance: Requires posting of tenant rights information in larger rental buildings. Councilor Owl asked about coordination with the Duluth Tenants Union; Councilor Randorf explained they are working with the union but this is separate from the proposed ballot measure, part of a multi-part policy effort. Councilor Mayo asked about posting requirements (public areas in larger buildings, not single-family). Councilor Kennedy asked about the upcoming study session; Administrator Staling outlined the session’s purpose and format (open meeting, broadcast, no public comment, focused on rental licensing and enforcement).

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar items were approved unanimously. No formal roll-call votes were recorded, but no objections were raised.
• Staff will provide follow-up information on the 6th Avenue East project timeline, parking ramp cost history, and Bentleyville damage amounts before the next regular meeting.
• Ordinances 9 through 13 were read for the first time and will be considered for final passage at a future meeting.
• A study session on rental licensing and enforcement will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (due to Memorial Day) at the council chambers, open to the public and broadcast.