City Council

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes - Final City Council MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Duluth City Council is to develop effective public policy rooted in citizen involvement that results in excellent municipal services and creates a thriving community prepared for the challenges of the future. TOOLS OF CIVILITY: The Duluth City Council promotes the use and adherence of the tools of civility in conducting the business of the council. The tools of civility provide increased opportunities for civil discourse leading to positive resolutions for the issues that face our city. We know that when we have civility, we get civic engagement, and because we can’t make each other civil and we can only work on ourselves, we state that today I will: pay attention, listen, be inclusive, not gossip, show respect, seek common ground, repair damaged relationships, use constructive language, and take responsibility. [Approved by the council on May 14, 2018] Monday, December 9, 2024 7:00 PM Council Chamber ROLL CALL Present: 9- Councilor Azrin Awal, Councilor Wendy Durrwachter, Councilor Arik Forsman, Councilor Janet Kennedy, Councilor Mike Mayou, Councilor Lynn Nephew, Councilor Tara Swenson, Vice President Terese Tomanek and President Roz Randorf PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 24-054 Meeting Minutes of the Duluth City Council Indexes: Attachments: 2024-11-25, Minutes This Minutes was approved. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1) Blatnik Bridge Construction Project 2) Truth in Taxation 3) Proposed Capital Improvement Plan Amendment REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FROM OTHER OFFICERS City of Duluth Page 1 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 REPORTS OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES REPORTS OF COUNCIL OPEN ISSUES OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD CONSENT AGENDA BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (FINANCE) 2. 24-0946R RESOLUTION APPROVING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND STATING INTENT TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 475.521. This Resolution was adopted. 3. 24-0947R RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA, STATING THE INTENT TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOTES, SERIES 2025, IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $3,900,000 AND APPROVING THE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LIST ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOTES. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 4. 24-0953R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025, OPERATION BUDGET OF THE DULUTH TRANSIT AUTHORITY. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 5. 24-0954R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025 BUDGETS OF THE DULUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A City of Duluth Page 2 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 This Resolution was adopted. 6. 24-0955R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025, OPERATION BUDGET OF THE DULUTH AIRPORT AUTHORITY. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 7. 24-0956R RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ANNUAL BONDING PLAN FOR 2025. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR DURRWACHTER (PURCHASING & LICENSING) 8. 24-0934R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF AN ON SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO GREYSOLON BALLROOM BY BLACK WOODS, LLC Indexes: Attachments: Attachment A This Resolution was adopted. 9. 24-0935R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF A MICRO-DISTILLERY COCKTAIL ROOM LICENSE AND MICRO-DISTILLERY OFF-SALE LICENSE TO DULUTH WHISKEY PROJECT, LLC Indexes: Attachments: Attachment A This Resolution was adopted. 10. 24-0936R RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF AN ON SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO DULUTH ES HOTEL ASSOCIATES, LLC Indexes: Attachments: Attachment A This Resolution was adopted. BY VICE PRESIDENT TOMANEK (PERSONNEL) City of Duluth Page 3 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 11. 24-0945R RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE INSPECTOR. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 12. 24-0975R RESOLUTION ELECTING MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE DULUTH/NORTH SHORE SANITARY DISTRICT PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 442A.14, SUBDIVISION 7. This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR NEPHEW (PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) 13. 24-0969R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS WITH AND ACCEPT A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $33,571.20 FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ACTING THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO PROVIDE WEEKLY REQUIRED RECEPTION AND CAREERLAB DUTIES FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. Indexes: Attachments: 91472 Contract-Joint Powers City Duluth This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR KENNEDY (INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS) 14. 24-0880R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DULUTH CIVIC CENTER PLAZA. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit 1-SLC Resolution This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR MAYOU (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES) 15. 24-0942R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ANNUAL RENEWALS TO AN AGREEMENT WITH INTERGRAPH CORPORATION, HEXAGON’S City of Duluth Page 4 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 ASSET LIFECYCLE INTELLIGENCE DIVISION (“HEXAGON”), FOR SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AN ANNUAL ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $90,000. This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR SWENSON (PUBLIC SAFETY) 16. 24-0937R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DULUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE CLASS A UNIFORMS. This Resolution was adopted. 17. 24-0976R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A CONSOLIDATED VIDEO SOLUTION FOR POLICE BODY CAMERAS, VEHICLE CAMERAS AND INTERVIEW ROOM CAMERAS INCLUDING EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, STORAGE, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FROM AXON ENTERPRISES FOR A SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING IN 2025 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,035,622.00 This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR AWAL (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES) 18. 24-0922R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ATV DEDICATED ACCOUNT FOR UP TO $200,000 TO SUPPORT A STUDY OF POTENTIAL ATV ROUTES IN FAR WESTERN DULUTH Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 19. 24-0944R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT WITH PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS, INC. FOR ADDITIONAL BUCKTHORN REMOVAL IN SUPPORT OF RESTORATION IN HARTLEY NATURAL AREA IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,375.00 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $76,095.00. This Resolution was adopted. 20. 24-0949R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT C24636 WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF City of Duluth Page 5 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 NATURAL RESOURCES LAKE SUPERIOR COASTAL PROGRAM GRANT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FROM THE PARK HILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION FOR RECREATION AND PRESERVATION. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 21. 24-0950R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT C24635 WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE LAKE SUPERIOR COASTAL PROGRAM GRANT SUPPORTING REPLACEMENT OF A BEACH DUNE-CROSSING BOARDWALK ON MINNESOTA POINT. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. 22. 24-0959R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MULTI -PURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITY PROJECTS GRANT PROGRAM FOR $500,000 TO SUPPORT INSTALLATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT AT MORGAN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER. This Resolution was adopted. 23. 24-0960R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A SNOWMOBILE TRAIL GRANTS-IN-AID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT FOR FY 2025 WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $17,245.10 Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted. END OF CONSENT AGENDA The following entitled resolutions are also to be considered: BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (FINANCE) City of Duluth Page 6 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 24. 24-0918R RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTING THE ESTIMATED 2025 HOTEL-MOTEL AND FOOD AND BEVERAGE TOURISM TAXES. Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A A motion was made to amend this Resolution. Amendment called to move $25,000 from the Northern Film Institute to the Midwest Film Office, this motion passed. A motion was made that this Resolution be adopted as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Councilor Mayou abstained due to employee conflict. Yea: 8- Councilor Awal, Councilor Durrwachter, Councilor Forsman, Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Nephew, Councilor Swenson, Vice President Tomanek and President Randorf Abstain: 1- Councilor Mayou 25. 24-0925R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TWO-YEAR (2025-2026) PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MADDEN MEDIA FOR TOURISM MARKETING SERVICES Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit A A motion was made that this Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yea: 8- Councilor Awal, Councilor Forsman, Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Mayou, Councilor Nephew, Councilor Swenson, Vice President Tomanek and President Randorf Nay: 1- Councilor Durrwachter BY COUNCILOR NEPHEW (PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) 26. 24-0973R RESOLUTION REVERSING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO DENY AN INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR A VACATION DWELLING UNIT AT 809 W 4TH ST . Indexes: Attachments: Combined Attachments A motion was made that this Resolution be failed. The motion failed by the following vote: Yea: 4- Councilor Durrwachter, Councilor Nephew, Councilor Swenson and Vice President Tomanek City of Duluth Page 7 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 Nay: 5- Councilor Awal, Councilor Forsman, Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Mayou and President Randorf 27. 24-0974R RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO DENY AN INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR A VACATION DWELLING UNIT AT 809 W 4TH ST. Indexes: Attachments: Combined Attachments This Resolution was adopted. BY COUNCILOR MAYOU (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES) 28. 24-0872R RESOLUTION APPROVING A STATE PROJECT WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATE LIMITS TO REPLACE THE BLATNIK BRIDGE. Indexes: Attachments: 20240628 map of permanent acquisitions- SAL_SP 6981-26_Blatnik 1B_SIGNED Layout SP 6981-26-Blatnik Bridge Municipal Consent Submittal Letter_Signed This Resolution was adopted. The following entitled ordinances are to be read for the first time: BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (FINANCE) 29. 24-062-O AN ORDINANCE DETERMINING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR GENERAL PURPOSES FOR THE YEAR 2025. This Ordinance was read for the first time. 30. 24-065-O AN ORDINANCE DETERMING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE SPECIAL PARKS FUND LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2025. This Ordinance was read for the first time. 31. 24-069-O AN ORDINANCE DETERMINING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, DULUTH TRANSIT AUTHORITY, FOR THE YEAR 2025. City of Duluth Page 8 City Council Minutes - Final December 9, 2024 Indexes: Attachments: Exhibit B Exhibit A This Ordinance was read for the first time. 32. 24-071-O AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPROPRIATING MONIES FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC UTILITIES, AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. This Ordinance was read for the first time. The following entitled ordinances are to be read for the second time: BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (FINANCE) 33. 24-060-O AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF A $8,116,359 GENERAL OBLIGATION WATER UTILITY REVENUE NOTE OF THE CITY OF DULUTH FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL WATER UTILITY UPON TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE PROVIDED BY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLEDGING REVENUES FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF. This Ordinance was adopted. BY COUNCILOR MAYOU (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES) 34. 24-055-O AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 48-28 AND ADDING NEW SECTION 48-28.1 TO THE DULUTH CITY CODE [REPLACEMENT]. This Ordinance was tabled. COUNCILOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS COUNCILOR PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS City of Duluth Page 9