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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Duluth City Council Personnel Committee Interview and Agenda Session - October 23, 2025

City Council — Thursday, October 23, 2025

BodyDuluth, Minnesota

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, October 23, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:47:06

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:59

Okay, we'll begin the personnel committee chair meeting.

1:03

Um I would like to call Mr.

1:04

Gary Black to the dais.

1:11

Good evening.

1:12

Good evening, Mr.

1:14

Mr.

1:14

Black.

1:14

My name is Counselor Awal.

1:17

Um I will be conducting the personnel committee chair meeting and the Duluth Airport Authority um interview today.

1:24

Thank you for joining us and applying to the Duluth Airport Authority.

1:28

Um I have a series of set questions that I ask all interviewees, and then afterwards we'll open it up to the board.

1:36

Um before we begin um the the the set questions, I was wondering if you would be willing to introduce yourself, just to give a little background.

1:45

I am uh Gary Black.

1:47

I've been a resident of Duluth for about 28 years.

1:50

My wife and I moved up from Vero Beach, Florida, where I was a test pilot for Piper Aircraft to be a test pilot for Cirrus Design Corporation in 1997.

2:01

I have a wife and two children.

2:03

One's a doctor out in Seattle, the other is working uh up at the airport at Monaco Aviation.

2:09

Thank you so much, Mr.

2:10

Gary.

2:11

Uh first question for you.

2:13

Why are you interested in serving on this particular board?

2:16

My life uh revolves around the uh airport.

2:19

I certainly worked at Cirrus Aircraft for uh 23 years.

2:23

I work up there on most on a daily basis.

2:26

My current activity is selling pre-owned airplanes.

2:29

I have a number of friends that are in the uh one forty-eighth air guard, a number that fly with the Civil Air Patrol and in general aviation.

2:38

And uh it's one way to bring in my 50 years of aviation experience uh to help the community.

2:46

Thank you, Mr.

2:47

Gary.

2:47

Or Gary Black, thank you, Mr.

2:49

Black.

2:49

Uh second question.

2:50

Brie please give a brief outline of your educational and work experience.

2:55

How will your background and personal strengths be a be a benefit in relationship to the Duluth Airport Authority?

3:02

My background educational.

3:04

I was a undergraduate degree from Michigan State in uh in pre-med.

3:10

I went on to serve uh 20 years in the Navy flying F-14s and working off aircraft carriers.

3:15

During that time I picked up my master's in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, completed my MBA work with the University of Washington, Florida Institute of Technology.

3:28

Retired from Cirrus Aircraft in 2020 during COVID to take care of aging parents, signed on with a partner of CIRS Aircraft to sell the pre-owned Cirrus.

3:38

So I um actively flying uh every uh at least once or twice a week.

3:44

Thank you, Mr.

3:45

Black.

3:47

Next question.

3:48

Um presently serving on any other boards or commissions?

3:53

If so, which ones?

3:54

I am the chairman of the Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, where we train train a hundred and forty high schoolers from fourteen different high schools up at Colleges Saints Gallaska in the summer.

4:07

I've been in that capacity as chairman for about five years and a member of that board for about twenty years, but that's the only other board that I'm on.

4:17

Okay.

4:40

Do you see do you foresee any personal scheduling conflicts which may prevent you from attending the regular meetings of the Duluth Airport Authority?

4:48

The Duluth Airport Authority regular board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the conference room on the third floor of the Duluth International Airport Termin terminal.

5:00

Only have one per year, that conflicts.

5:02

There's the uh annual EAA Air Venture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which I've been doing for 34 years.

5:08

That's the third week of July every year.

5:11

So I do attend that as a part of my uh work function.

5:15

Occasionally uh Cirrus aircraft will have a Cirrus experience either on the second or the third week of January, but normally it's the second week, so I don't see any other conflicts.

5:29

Thank you.

5:30

Um thank you.

5:36

I'm I'm still trying.

5:37

Thank you for for your patience with me.

5:39

I'm still recovering from some illness the last few weeks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████48%

Human Rights Commission█████████10%

Procedural████████9%

Public Engagement████████8%

Personnel Matters███████7%

Airport Management█████5%

Community Engagement███3%

Parks and Recreation██2%

Legal Process██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Duluth City Council Personnel Committee Interview and Agenda Session - October 23, 2025

On October 23, 2025, the Duluth City Council's Personnel Committee Chair (Councilor Awal) conducted an interview with Gary Black for a potential appointment to the Duluth Airport Authority. Following the interview, the council held an agenda session beginning at 5:15 PM to review items for the upcoming Monday council meeting, including resolutions, ordinances, and a short-term rental moratorium.

Personnel Committee Interview

Gary Black, a 28-year Duluth resident with 50 years of aviation experience, interviewed for the Duluth Airport Authority. He highlighted his background as a former Navy F-14 pilot, test pilot for Piper and Cirrus Aircraft, and current aircraft broker. He expressed enthusiasm for serving on the board and familiarity with airport operations, including the 148th Air Guard, commercial service, and general aviation tenants like Monaco Aviation and Lake Superior College.
Black stated that his primary conflict of interest would be his work as an aircraft broker, but he would recuse himself from deliberations if a conflict arose. He cited his involvement with Women in Aviation, offering free flights to high schoolers, as an example of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In response to councilors' questions, Black suggested potential airport improvements such as an on-airport restaurant, more hangar expansion, and attention to Sky Harbor. He did not foresee scheduling conflicts except for the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh in July. No formal vote was taken; the appointment will be considered at a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

The following items were presented without questions and are expected to appear on the consent agenda for the October 27 council meeting:

Resolution 808: Adopting interim controls and a moratorium on certain short-term rental permits.
Resolution 809: Authorizing purchase of computers, laptops, and docking stations from Insight Public Sector for $198,180.59.
Resolution 842: Authorizing purchase of software and technology products subject to city attorney and IT review.
Resolutions 826 and 827: Approving civil service classification amendments for property and evidence specialist and assistant city clerk (renamed deputy city clerk).
Resolution 815: Authorizing DEED contamination cleanup grant application for the Lot D project, with a 25% matching share not to exceed $150,000.
Resolution 824: Partial vacation of a drainage easement in Atlas Industrial Park.
Resolution 831: Easement agreement for 114 West First Street for hazardous condition abatement.
Resolutions 816, 820, 822, 823, 829: Various engineering contracts, easement acceptances, and municipal consent for St. Louis County scrub seal project.
Resolution 821: License agreement with Minnesota Power for an EV charging station in Canal Park through 2035 at no cost to the city. Councilor Forsman requested removal from the consent agenda to abstain.

Discussion Items

Tenant Landlord Connection Program (Resolution 825): Councilor Randor questioned the city's lack of contribution to the program this year. Staff confirmed the general fund is not contributing for 2025, but that may change next year. The city will accept $22,500 from the HRA to support the program operated by One Roof Community Housing. Staff will provide more details.
Hartley Hills Easements (Resolution 828): Planning Manager Moses explained that original stormwater and trail easements did not align with the plat; property services is working with owners to correct it. No concerns raised.
Lester Park Golf Course Land Use Study (Resolution 845): Councilors sponsored a resolution requesting a land use study for the former golf course property. Discussion centered on the process, DITA funding, and land transfer.
- Planning staff outlined a nine-month process with community meetings, public hearings, and an RFP for a consultant with natural resources/open space expertise. The study would lead to potential comprehensive plan amendments and rezoning.
- Councilors questioned why DITA would fund the study (~$200,000) and why the land transfer to DITA (requiring a supermajority) should occur before the study is complete. Staff explained that DITA needs an agreement to expend funds and that no closing/transfer would occur until all conditions, including the study, are met.
- Councilor Randor expressed concern about losing supermajority protection; Councilor Durwachter suggested the city could fund the study instead of DITA. Administration defended the approach, stating DITA is willing to pay and that the development agreement would protect the city.
- The resolution includes provisions for 50% of net proceeds to parks (preference for Enger Park Golf Course) and 50% to a revolving loan fund. It also refers to 37 acres under an option agreement with a December 31, 2025 deadline.
Human Rights Commission Restructuring (Ordinances 27 and 26): Two ordinances propose incorporating protected class commissions as committees within the Human Rights Commission.
- For Ordinance 27, an amendment by Councilors Awal, De Luca, and Swenson sets a deadline of June 30, 2026, for each commission to vote on incorporation; failure to vote results in automatic incorporation. Councilor Kennedy asked about preempting the NQT Commission's scheduled vote on November 3. Councilor Awal responded that the amendment allows time for a vote.
- Ordinance 26 would integrate the Duluth Non-Binary, Queer, Trans, to Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, and Asexual Commission (NQT to SLGBIA) into the Human Rights Commission. Councilor Kennedy sought clarification on committee structure and quorum; Attorney Lair explained committees would not require a quorum. Councilor Awal noted that some commissions have struggled with quorum due to staff vacancies and recent deaths. Councilor Kennedy requested that staff (Mr. Dukic and Dr. Liu) attend the Monday meeting for further questions.

Key Outcomes

No formal votes were taken during the agenda session; all items will be considered at the next regular council meeting on October 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
Councilor Forsman will abstain from Resolution 821.
A motion to amend Ordinance 27 was announced, sponsored by Councilors Awal, De Luca, and Swenson.
The city council will hold a budget presentation on October 31, 2025, at 8:00 AM at the DECC.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, we'll begin the personnel committee chair meeting. Um I would like to call Mr. Gary Black to the dais. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Mr. Black. My name is Counselor Awal. Um I will be conducting the personnel committee chair meeting and the Duluth Airport Authority um interview today. Thank you for joining us and applying to the Duluth Airport Authority. Um I have a series of set questions that I ask all interviewees, and then afterwards we'll open it up to the board. Um before we begin um the the the set questions, I was wondering if you would be willing to introduce yourself, just to give a little background. I am uh Gary Black. I've been a resident of Duluth for about 28 years. My wife and I moved up from Vero Beach, Florida, where I was a test pilot for Piper Aircraft to be a test pilot for Cirrus Design Corporation in 1997. I have a wife and two children. One's a doctor out in Seattle, the other is working uh up at the airport at Monaco Aviation. Thank you so much, Mr. Gary. Uh first question for you. Why are you interested in serving on this particular board? My life uh revolves around the uh airport. I certainly worked at Cirrus Aircraft for uh 23 years. I work up there on most on a daily basis. My current activity is selling pre-owned airplanes. I have a number of friends that are in the uh one forty-eighth air guard, a number that fly with the Civil Air Patrol and in general aviation. And uh it's one way to bring in my 50 years of aviation experience uh to help the community. Thank you, Mr. Gary. Or Gary Black, thank you, Mr. Black. Uh second question. Brie please give a brief outline of your educational and work experience. How will your background and personal strengths be a be a benefit in relationship to the Duluth Airport Authority? My background educational. I was a undergraduate degree from Michigan State in uh in pre-med. I went on to serve uh 20 years in the Navy flying F-14s and working off aircraft carriers. During that time I picked up my master's in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, completed my MBA work with the University of Washington, Florida Institute of Technology. Retired from Cirrus Aircraft in 2020 during COVID to take care of aging parents, signed on with a partner of CIRS Aircraft to sell the pre-owned Cirrus. So I um actively flying uh every uh at least once or twice a week. Thank you, Mr. Black. Next question. Um presently serving on any other boards or commissions? If so, which ones? I am the chairman of the Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, where we train train a hundred and forty high schoolers from fourteen different high schools up at Colleges Saints Gallaska in the summer. I've been in that capacity as chairman for about five years and a member of that board for about twenty years, but that's the only other board that I'm on. Okay. Do you see do you foresee any personal scheduling conflicts which may prevent you from attending the regular meetings of the Duluth Airport Authority? The Duluth Airport Authority regular board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the conference room on the third floor of the Duluth International Airport Termin terminal.

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