Duluth City Council Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Duluth City Council met on July 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured extensive public comment on the Lester Park ballot initiative, a 19-item consent agenda approved unanimously, and key votes on tabled resolutions. The central debate concerned Resolution 26-0679R, which found that two citizen initiative petitions governing land use at the former Lester Park Golf Course were preempted by state law and should not be placed on the ballot. After deliberation, the council approved that resolution 7–2, then tabled the companion resolution and two initiative ordinances pending a court decision.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (9–0) all 19 consent items, including:
  • Resolution 26-0647R: Development agreement for redevelopment of the Historic Duluth Armory Arts and Music Center.
  • Resolution 26-0655R: Purchase of 11,750 tons of road salt for the 2026–27 winter season at $839,063.
  • Resolution 26-0674R: City share of $2,502,524.32 for reconstruction of 40th Avenue W.
  • Resolution 26-0665R: Lakewalk and Coastal Improvement Project contract to Rachel Contracting, LLC for $9,884,980.33.
  • Resolutions accepting grants for the Lakewalk project, Norton Park improvements, Hartley Nature Center education programs, and more.
• Item 21 (26-0662R) – Chester Bowl Chalet electrical service contract with Minnesota Power for $109,373 was approved 8–0 (Councilor Forsman abstaining due to employment with Minnesota Power).

Public Comments & Testimony

First Public Comment Period (Agenda Items)

• Lester Park Ballot Initiative: Thirteen speakers addressed the council.
  • Gika Tarnowski (District 5) expressed support for parks but argued the city cannot afford maintenance on new parkland without a fiscal note; also criticized a recent fentanyl operation as "triage."
  • Libby Bent (District 2) urged the council to place the initiative on the ballot, stating the legal question should be resolved by a court, not the council.
  • Ryan Jones-Casey (55805) asked the council to follow the city charter and let the courts decide preemption.
  • Alexandra Panovich (55805) recounted her efforts to bring a national homebuilder to Duluth and expressed concerns about trust in government.
  • Eleanor Dolan (55806) called blocking the ballot initiative "fascism" and also opposed the HIDTA grant, alleging ICE collaboration.
  • Nik Bayuk (Duluth Planning Commission and Lester Park working group) urged the council to follow the city attorney’s advice that the initiative is preempted, stating planning law should not be subject to referendum.
  • Matt Baumgartner (Chamber of Commerce) defended the professionalism of city staff and urged respectful discourse.
  • Courtney Stein (55812) said the council should not stop a vote; the legislature should ask questions.
  • Michael Bernstein (55812) cited legal precedent (Denny v. Duluth) and argued the petitions are not manifestly invalid; he urged placing them on the ballot.
  • Hadrian DeMaioribus (Precinct 1) expressed anger over petition certification errors and called for responsibility.
  • Tim Allen (55804) supported a compromise that could include housing, golf, and green space.
  • Sharla Gardner (former councilor, District 3) thanked Councilor Durrwachter for raising questions and urged the council to follow the charter; she opposed the preemption resolution.
  • Laura Erickson (55804) quoted the city charter and argued the public should vote on zoning.
  • Tom McNamara (55810) criticized the city’s lack of engagement with large homebuilders and said poor optics are hurting economic development.
• Other agenda comment: Speaker on the HIDTA grant and ICE collaboration (Eleanor Dolan, above).

Second Public Comment Period (Non-Agenda Items)

• Roy Hamlin (55811) complained about a vape shop opening next to his daughter’s music academy.
• Zac Tuominen (USW Local 94608) spoke on behalf of 850+ healthcare workers at Essentia Health, stating contract negotiations are stalled over wages, PTO, and safety protections; he asked the council to publicly support workers.
• Pat Sterner (Park Point resident) raised concerns about short-term rentals disproportionately impacting Park Point and urged a balanced policy.
• Loren Martell (55805) criticized recent raises for the police chief ($19,000) and school superintendent ($26,000) as tone-deaf when many residents are struggling.

Discussion Items

• Lester Park Ballot Initiative (Resolutions 26-0679R and 26-0681R, Ordinances 26-033-O and 26-034-O): The council debated whether the initiative petitions were preempted by state law. Councilors Johnson, Forsman, Desotelle, Randorf, Kennedy, and Nephew spoke in favor of the preemption resolution, citing legal advice, the Municipal Planning Act, and the need for a consistent planning process. Councilors Clanaugh and Durrwachter opposed, arguing the charter requires placing certified initiatives on the ballot and that the legal question should be resolved by courts, not the council. Councilor Durrwachter read a statement clarifying she was not attacking staff but noting the chain of command under the strong-mayor form of government. Vice President Kennedy expressed feeling disrespected as a woman of color during the debate.
• After passing Resolution 26-0679R (7–2), the council discussed Resolution 26-0681R (submitting initiative to voters). The city attorney advised that the first resolution effectively resolved the matter, but several councilors noted the possibility of a court ruling before the August 11 ballot deadline. A motion to table Resolution 26-0681R was passed unanimously (9–0).
• Ordinances on First Reading: Four ordinances were read for the first time and referred for future action:
  • Minnesota Power electric franchise renewal (26-035-O).
  • Vitta Pizza concurrent use permit for outdoor seating (26-026-O).
  • Duluth Coffee Company concurrent use permit for outdoor seating (26-027-O).
  • AT&T small cell wireless facility permit (26-030-O).
• Ordinance on Second Reading: Ordinance 26-025-O dedicating property to Downer Park was approved unanimously (9–0).
• Tabling of Initiative Ordinances: Ordinances 26-033-O and 26-034-O (Lester Park initiative ordinances) were tabled unanimously (9–0) pending a court decision.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 26-0679R (preemption of Lester Park initiative) Adopted 7–2. Ayes: Councilors Desotelle, Tomanek, Forsman, Johnson, Randorf, Kennedy, Nephew. Nays: Clanaugh, Durrwachter. The resolution finds the initiative ordinances preempted by state law and declines to place them on the ballot.
• Resolution 26-0681R (submitting initiative to voters) Tabled 9–0 after the preemption resolution passed.
• Ordinances 26-033-O and 26-034-O (Lester Park initiative) Tabled 9–0.
• Appointments to Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority (Lynne Williams) and Sanitary Sewer Board (Scott Soderberg) Confirmed unanimously (9–0) after being removed from the table.
• Downer Park dedication (Ordinance 26-025-O) Adopted 9–0.
• First-reading ordinances (Minnesota Power franchise, Vitta Pizza, Duluth Coffee, AT&T) were read and will return for second reading and vote.
• The council directed staff to monitor the court case regarding the initiative; if the court finds preemption was incorrect, the tabled resolutions and ordinances could be revisited before the August 11 ballot deadline.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM.