Duluth City Council Meeting – December 15, 2025

The Duluth City Council met on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered the final approval of the 2026 operating budget and tax levies, a contentious debate on proposed changes to standing rules (including public comment procedures), and farewell speeches for three outgoing councilors. Public comment featured concerns about a possible library relocation, opposition to the standing rules changes, and a request regarding a cannabis business near a music school.

Consent Calendar

• 25-0945R – Approved the fiscal year 2026 operating budget for the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA). Passed 9–0. Earlier removed from the table and voted on separately.
• 25-0955R – Authorized an annual contract for OEM parts and labor for CAT equipment from Ziegler Inc., not to exceed $315,000.
• 25-0962R – Authorized the fourth renewal of a contract with WEX Bank for Circle K fuels, not to exceed $1,108,800.
• 25-0965R – Approved applications for lawful gambling.
• 25-0966R – Approved various liquor licenses.
• 25-0968R – Authorized contract for CASE equipment OEM parts and labor from Titan Machinery Inc., up to $55,000.
• 25-0969R – Authorized contract for Elgin and Vactor equipment parts from MacQueen Equipment Inc., up to $136,000.
• 25-0970R – Authorized contract with Duluth Tire & Oil Inc. for tires and repair, up to $180,000.
• 25-0971R – Authorized OEM parts contract for 2026 from Ascendance Trucks Central LLC, up to $180,000.
• 25-0974R – Authorized OEM parts contract for 2026 from Boyer Trucks-Superior, up to $65,000.
• 25-0977R – Authorized renewal of bulk fuel contract with Inter-City Oil Co. for 2026, up to $156,600.
• 25-0951R – Confirmed appointments of Mariah McKechnie, Michele Reeves, and Jacinta Roth to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
• 25-0952R – Approved vacating a portion of right-of-way along S. 29th Avenue East.
• 25-0954R – Authorized permanent closure of Lincoln Park Drive to vehicular traffic.
• 25-0963R – Approved purchase of water meter ERTs from United Systems and Software Inc., up to $324,000.
• 25-0964R – Accepted a permanent easement from KT Real Estate Holdings LLC for street, sidewalk, and utility purposes at no cost.
• 25-0976R – Accepted a temporary construction easement from Graybar Electric Company Inc. at no cost.
• 25-0982R – Authorized a five-year agreement with Ever-Green Energy Inc. to manage Duluth Energy Systems (December 31, 2025 – December 31, 2030).
• 25-0947R – Authorized a limited use permit with MnDOT for a snowmobile trail in Trunk Highway 23 right-of-way.
• 25-0953R – Authorized a lease with Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association for office space in Wheeler Fieldhouse.
• 25-0975R – Authorized a five-year agreement with Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club for use of Lester-Amity Chalet.
• 25-0978R – Authorized the third amendment to an agreement with the MN DNR Lake Superior Coastal Program for acquisition of property from Park Hill Cemetery Association.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Asher Estran (District 4) – Accused the mayor of quid pro quo regarding the Leicester Park land transfer and library relocation. Claimed the mayor offered budget support in exchange for votes. Expressed opposition to moving the library away from downtown and criticized proposed changes to public comment rules, calling the government a "kleptocracy."

• Amber Bocher (2021 W. 2nd St.) – Strongly opposed moving the library from its downtown location, citing accessibility concerns for those reliant on bus lines. Expressed fear that a move to the UnitedHealthcare campus would harm vulnerable populations and urged the council to keep the library on the main bus line.

• Alex Swenson (Morley Heights) – Strongly opposed Resolution 25-0995R (modifying public comment provisions). Argued it would force citizens to sit through entire meetings (potentially 5 hours) to speak, and that an 11 PM cutoff could allow the council to filibuster public comment. Called the proposal "authoritarian."

• Alexandra Panovich (District 4) – Criticized the process of the recent Leicester Park land transfer vote, stating it undermined trust and that the outcome appeared predetermined. Praised Councilor Wendy Durrwachter for voting against the transfer. Expressed concern about concentration of power in Councilor Forsman (Finance chair and DITA member) given DITA’s documented failures (Lincoln Park Flats).

• Mike Mayo (55804, former councilor) – Opposed Resolution 25-0991R (study session changes), valuing the current agenda sessions for public and media engagement. Proposed tabling for the new council to decide. Thanked outgoing councilors Swenson, DeLuca, and Awal for their service.

• Roy Hamlin (father of Randi Hamlin, owner of Hamlin Music Academy) – Requested that the council prevent a cannabis business from opening adjacent to the music school, citing Minnesota Statute §342 which allows cities to require 1,000-foot buffers from schools, playgrounds, and other sensitive areas. Noted over 40 students under 12 attend lessons at the academy. Also mentioned proximity to a facility serving mentally challenged adults.

• Amber Lewis (55804, Braver Angels Alliance) – Encouraged the council and community to adopt principles of respectful disagreement, citing Braver Angels workshops. Urged dialogue across political divides.

• Alec Cadley (Lakewood Road) – Opposed standing rule changes, arguing they limit transparency and reduce time for citizens and councilors to address items before votes. Noted discrepancies between the online agenda and the printed version.

• Lauren Martell – Opposed the standing rules changes, stating they would reduce public input and transparency. Praised the council’s current openness compared to the school board. Thanked outgoing councilors Awal, Swenson, and DeLuca.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 25-0991R (Study Sessions & Meeting Order) – Vice President Nephew moved to table. Council discussed concerns about timing (new councilors arriving in January) and the value of current agenda sessions. Tabled 9–0.

• Resolution 25-0995R (Public Comment Provisions) – Vice President Nephew defended the proposal, noting three minutes per speaker would remain; it would simply reorganize agenda-related comments first. Councilor Durrwachter moved to table, citing similar concerns about accessibility and potential filibusters. Councilor Awal expressed discomfort and supported tabling. After debate, motion to table passed 6–3 (Awal, Derwachter, Randorf, DeLuca, Swenson, Tamonic in favor; Forsman, Kennedy, Nephew against).

• Ordinance 25-034-O (Special Parks Fund Levy 2026) – Councilor Awal noted the parks levy is capped and insufficient to maintain parks, recommending a future referendum. Passed 9–0.

• Ordinance 25-035-O (General Purposes Levy 2026) – Passed 8–1 (no further detail on dissenting vote).

• Ordinance 25-036-O (2026 Budget Appropriation) – Councilor Forsman thanked staff, noting the levy was reduced from original projections to under 5%. Passed 7–2.

• Ordinance 25-038-O (Duluth Transit Authority Special Taxing District Levy 2026) – Passed 9–0.

• Ordinance 25-033-O (Human Rights Commission Reorganization) – Councilor Awal explained the ordinance allows committee chairs to become voting members on the Human Rights Commission and permits other protected class commissions to voluntarily incorporate. Mayor Reinert commended the work. Passed 9–0.

• Councilor Kennedy – Addressed public testimony about a cannabis business on Grand Avenue. Stated the business does not yet have a license from the city; licensing begins at the state level. City Clerk Denham will investigate.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved as a block, 9–0.
• Resolution 25-0945R (DTA Budget) – Approved 9–0 after removal from table.
• Resolution 25-0967R (Minnesota Power Easement) – Passed 7–0 with 2 abstentions (Councilors Forsman and DeLuca abstained due to employment with Minnesota Power).
• Resolution 25-0991R (Study Sessions) – Tabled 9–0.
• Resolution 25-0995R (Public Comment Rules) – Tabled 6–3.
• Ordinances 25-034-O through 25-038-O (Levies and Budget) – All approved (9-0, 8-1, 7-2, 9-0 respectively).
• Ordinance 25-033-O (Human Rights Commission) – Approved 9–0.
• Nominations for 2026 Officers – Councilor Swenson nominated Vice President Nephew for Council President; Vice President Nephew nominated Councilor Kennedy for Vice President. No other nominations; election to occur in January.