Duluth City Council Meeting - May 21, 2026

The Duluth City Council met on May 21, 2026, to review and discuss the consent agenda for the upcoming formal council meeting on Tuesday, May 26. The session included detailed deliberations on the Downtown Development Strategy, a loan amendment with Sofidel, and several property agreements. Councillors reminded that the next meeting is on Tuesday, not Monday, with a Finance Committee meeting at 5:15 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 451: Authorizing an amendment to a crime victim services grant, extending the term through December 2026 and adding $17,500 for a victim services specialist position in the city attorney's office.
• Resolution 459: Approving applications for lawful gambling.
• Resolution 463: Approving issuance of various liquor licenses.
• Resolution 458: Approving a new civil service classification of Operations Program Coordinator (result of a job audit, budget-neutral, department can absorb slight impact).
• Resolution 477: Approving a new classification of Workforce Development Supervisor (budget-neutral, created to backfill director duties as workforce development and HR are combined).
• Resolution 460: Authorizing a DITA subrecipient funding agreement with Inland Development Partners for contamination cleanup of Lot D in the amount of $2,134,320.
• Resolution 461: Resolution of support for Union Gospel Mission's request for state multifamily funding and a conditional pre-commitment of $400,000 from HUD for Mission Heights Housing Project.
• Resolution 462: Resolution of support for One Roof Community Housing's request for state multifamily funding and a conditional pre-commitment of $400,000 from HUD for the Decker 2 project.
• Resolution 466: Authorizing a license agreement with Duluth Seaway Port Authority for temporary use of property on Rice's Point for lift station improvements at no cost to the city.
• Resolution 468: Awarding a contract to JMF Construction Inc. for the Fifth Avenue West Down Drink Project in the amount of $282,527.06.
• Resolution 469: Authorizing application to MPFA for a forgivable loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the 2026 high-priority lead service line replacement project.
• Resolution 470: Authorizing application to MPFA for a forgivable loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the 2026 neighborhood lead service line replacement project.
• Resolution 476: Authorizing a ten-year agreement with the GND Development Alliance for use and maintenance of the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center.
• Ordinances (items 21-27): Concurrent use permits for Minnesota Power transformer, AT&T small cell facilities (four locations), and ISD 709 paving.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 450 (Downtown Development Strategy): Director Moses and Director Hobbes presented the strategy, an action plan derived from approximately 10 recent planning efforts (including Imagine Downtown 2035). The strategy focuses on building housing, two priority areas (First Street and 4th/6th Ave East), creating open spaces, and activation/placemaking. Timeline is 2–5 years. Councillor Tomonic expressed concern about the rapid turnaround (document received Tuesday, vote expected next Tuesday). Director Moses acknowledged the pace and said staff had already begun implementing action steps. Councillor Klana asked about balancing revitalization without gentrification; Director Moses emphasized intentional check-ins and proactive recruitment for middle workforce housing. Councillor Destell asked about developer conversations; Director Hobbes noted Boreal Waters Community Foundation is convening stakeholders and the strategy will help communicate city priorities. Councillor Johnson asked about housing cost differences; Director Moses discussed funding challenges, especially with TIF changes. Councillor Destell asked about encouraging local investment in the Boreal Waters fund; Director Hobbes said the city's role is supportive and transparent.
• Resolution 465 (Sofidel loan amendment): Councillor Klana asked about the necessity of supporting ownership change and wage bracket alignment. Director Moses explained the amendment cleans up corporate guarantee and aligns job classifications with Sofidel's existing structure, noting that DEED approved because additional 160 jobs are coming and wage brackets are appropriate for the roles. Councillor Kennedy added that a meeting with Sofidel revealed high-wage jobs and internal training opportunities.
• Resolution 455 (Climbers Coalition agreement): Councillor Tomonic requested adding “at no cost to the city” to avoid liability. Director Birkland agreed to review and provide guidance. The item was pulled from consent.
• Resolution 473 (Park Hill Cemetery land swap): Councillor Destell asked about the map and pond ownership; Director Birkland said the city would have an interest in part of the pond and need to coordinate with landowners. Councillor Durwachter asked about planned use; Director Birkland said it's for trail connectivity (mountain biking and Superior Hiking Trail). The item was pulled from consent.
• Resolution 471 (Irving neighborhood property purchase): Councillor Johnson requested to pull from consent due to abstention.

Key Outcomes

• Items pulled from consent: Resolution 450 (Downtown Strategy), Resolution 471 (Irving property), Resolution 455 (Climbers Coalition), Resolution 473 (Park Hill Cemetery). These will be polled separately.
• Resolution 455: To be reviewed by staff to add “at no cost to the city” language before the Tuesday meeting.
• Resolution 473: Further information needed on the pond and land swap details; pulled for clarification.
• No votes taken during this agenda session; the formal council meeting is scheduled for May 26.
• Councillor Klana congratulated staff and partners on the state bonding success for the Union Gospel Mission project.