Duluth City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Duluth City Council met on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of business including financial resolutions, public comments on surveillance technology and the Lester Park initiative, a committee-of-the-whole discussion on the Fourth Street reconstruction project, and votes on several ordinances and appointments. The council approved the consent agenda unanimously, passed multiple ordinances, and tabled several personnel appointments pending further review.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 26-0706R: Authorizing issuance and sale of a $1,534,500 Taxable Grant Anticipation Revenue Note, Series 2026A.
• Resolution 26-0707R: Authorizing issuance and sale of a $5,666,728 Taxable Grant Anticipation Revenue Note, Series 2026B.
• Resolution 26-0726R: Approving issuance of a liquor license.
• Resolution 26-0727R: Approving applications for lawful gambling.
• Resolution 26-0701R: Authorizing a no-cost lease agreement with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for office space at Lake Superior College (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028).
• Resolution 26-0697R: Authorizing application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a forgivable loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for lead service line replacements as part of the N 40th Ave W Reconstruction Project.
• Resolution 26-0711R: Amending contract with LHB, Inc. for engineering and design services for the Lead Service Line Replacement – Denfeld Project, increasing the amount by $25,666.50 for a new total of $388,256.50.
• Resolution 26-0720R: Authorizing a permit from St. Louis County for temporary use of property abutting St. Marie St. in the Chester Park-UMD neighborhood, at no cost to the city.
• Resolution 26-0698R: Authorizing a three-year lease agreement with the Duluth Area Family Y.M.C.A. for operation and management of the upper level of the Woodland Community Center.
• Resolution 26-0712R: Authorizing an increase to the annual contract for OEM parts, supplies, and labor for 2026 from Boyer Trucks-Superior for $20,000, new amount not to exceed $85,000.
• Resolution 26-0715R: Accepting a Federal Recreational Trail Program grant of $150,000 to construct a portion of the Cross City Trail.
• Resolution 26-0716R: Accepting a Regional Trail Program grant of $300,000 to construct a portion of the Cross City Trail.

All consent items were approved unanimously by voice vote (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise Voie de Vie (55805) spoke in support of agenda item 26-0681R, the Lester Park Initiative, urging the council to send the initiative to voters in a November 2026 special election. She noted a disconnect between some planning commissioners and the public and called for a citywide vote.
• Dan Grandmaison (55811) addressed two concerns: (1) the size of city buses relative to ridership, suggesting smaller buses would save money; (2) illegal advertising signs on utility poles, and offered to volunteer to contact violators and seek removal.
• Brandon Parker (4th district) opposed contracts with Flock Safety and SkyDio drones, calling them unconstitutional surveillance technology. He called for a resolution to audit and void the contracts and for an ordinance to prevent future warrantless surveillance.
• Ellen Gott (55811) criticized the Flock contract, arguing the city pays Flock for data that Flock uses to train its AI. She debunked common defenses, noting that data is not securely deleted after 30 days, that Flock can share data with third parties, and that police misuse has been documented.
• Andrew St. Croix expressed opposition to Flock cameras and AI-based surveillance, citing misuse and lack of public input. He also questioned the council’s reasoning on the Lester Park litigation versus the Chief's raise.
• Loren Martell (55805) spoke about the Duluth School District's “Red Plan,” calling it a corporate scam that burdened taxpayers despite promises of savings.
• Elizabeth Gaylord (55805) requested cancellation or non-renewal of contracts with Flock Safety and SkyDio, and a moratorium on similar contracts. She cited reports of police using Flock to track an abortion patient and a Wisconsin officer allegedly checking on an ex-girlfriend.

Discussion Items

• Committee of the Whole – Fourth Street Reconstruction Project: Senior Engineer Alex Pop presented the proposed reconstruction of Fourth Street from Mesaba Avenue to Sixth Avenue East. The road was last resurfaced in 2017 and last reconstructed in 1977. The proposed layout includes two 10-foot travel lanes, a 9-foot parking zone on the uphill side, a shared-use path (8 feet wide) on the downhill side, wider boulevards for trees and snow storage, and 5-foot sidewalks. This requires removing parking from one side (net loss of approximately 100 spaces). The design is based on community input, including a ranking at a Juneteenth event, and aligns with the city’s bike plan. Parking utilization studies showed available capacity on adjacent streets. The project is scheduled for design through 2027 with construction in 2028-2029, split at Lake Avenue, using federal funding. Councilors raised concerns about snow removal, accessibility for people with disabilities, impacts on residents and businesses, and pedestrian safety. Councilor Randorf noted 30% of households in the corridor lack vehicles. Councilor Forsman asked for additional parking utilization data on Third Street. Councilor Desotelle suggested coordinated snow removal and safer pedestrian crossings. The project will come back for formal resolutions and ordinances at the next meeting.

• Personnel Appointments (Tabled):

  • Brianna Gunderson – interviewed for the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) Authority. She is General Manager of the Holiday Inn & Suites in downtown Duluth and has hospitality industry experience. The council tabled her appointment to the next meeting (motion by Forsman, seconded by Tomanek, 9-0).
  • Ginka Tarnowski – appointment to the Sanitary Sewer Board of the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. Tabled to next meeting (motion by Forsman, seconded by Clanaugh, 9-0).
  • Luke Medis – appointment to the Building Appeal Board. Initially moved to approve, but a motion to table was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Tomanek, and passed 9-0 after discussion about the board’s quorum issues and the pending ordinance to reduce membership.

• Resolution 26-0714R: Authorizing removal of a national emergency use provision encumbering certain city property managed by the Duluth Airport Authority. Passed 8-0-1 (Councilor Forsman abstained due to his employment with Minnesota Power).

• Tabled Resolution 26-0681R (Lester Park Initiative): Remained on the table. Councilor Durrwachter explained the council had previously passed a resolution opposing the initiative, and this item was tabled pending a judge’s ruling expected before August 11, 2026. The judge’s decision could affect whether the initiative goes on the November 3, 2026 special election ballot.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 9-0.
• Resolution 26-0714R (Airport Authority): Passed 8-0-1 (Forsman abstaining).
• Personnel Resolutions (26-0723R, 26-0724R, 26-0725R): All tabled to next meeting.
• Ordinance 26-037-O (Building Appeal Board membership reduction): Read for the first time.
• Ordinance 26-035-O (Minnesota Power franchise): Passed on second reading 8-0-1 (Forsman abstaining).
• Ordinance 26-023-O (Repealing code sections): Passed on second reading 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-026-O (Vitta Pizza outdoor seating permit): Passed 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-027-O (Duluth Coffee Company outdoor seating permit): Passed 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-030-O (AT&T small cell wireless facility): Passed 8-0-1 (Forsman abstaining).
• Tabled Ordinances (26-033-O and 26-034-O, Lester Park initiative petitions): No action taken; remain tabled.
• Councilor Clanaugh thanked the city attorney for an opinion clarifying that voting on the initiative does not violate the oath of office, and urged collegiality in future debates.
• Councilor Desotelle asked about the deadline for the judge’s ruling (August 11) and whether a special meeting would be needed; the city attorney responded that the council has already taken action and will notify if the court rules contrary to the city’s position.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 PM.