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] MN Statutes,13D.02. Members may participate by interactive technology Monday, September 8, 2025 6:00 PM Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: 9- Councilor Azrin Awal, Councilor Wendy Durrwachter, Councilor Arik Forsman, Councilor Janet Kennedy, Councilor Deborah DeLuca, Councilor Roz Randorf, Councilor Tara Swenson, Vice President Lynn Nephew and President Terese Tomanek PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 25-029 Meeting Minutes of the Duluth City Council Indexes: Attachments: 2025-08-25 A motion was made by Councilor Awal to approve the Minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilor Forsman. The Minutes were approved unanimously. REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD City of Duluth Page 1 City Council Minutes - Final September 8, 2025 Denise Lavoie, Mike Mayou and Alice Tibbetts spoke about the Transportation Commission. Matt Lewellyn-Otten, Chance Wells, Julia Johnson and Jess Morgan spoke in regard to the LGBTQ+ Commission. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Councilor Kennedy to pass the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randorf. The motion passed unanimously. BY COUNCILOR AWAL (PERSONNEL) 2. 25-0706R RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF DEBORAH DELUCA TO THE DULUTH PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. This Resolution was adopted unanimously. BY COUNCILOR DELUCA (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES) 3. 25-0688R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF 40TH AVE W FROM GRAND AVE TO BELOW THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE CITY OF DULUTH. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo City of Duluth - Cooperative - CP 0091-442363, SP 069-691-034 Map This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 4. 25-0689R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY FOR THE 2026 CHIP SEAL PROJECT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE CITY OF DULUTH. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo City of Duluth - Cooperative - CP 0000-727547 (2026 Chip Seal) This Resolution was adopted unanimously. City of Duluth Page 2 City Council Minutes - Final September 8, 2025 5. 25-0692R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT L30168 FOR GIS TECH SUPPORT FOR GAS LEAKS WITH MAGNOLIA RIVER SERVICES, INC FOR AN ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $10,494.00 Indexes: Attachments: Resolution Cover Memo Exhibit A This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 6. 25-0693R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE ROOF COMMUNITY HOUSING FOR A DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT FOR SHERBURNE STREET/64TH AVE WEST ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo Agreement Location Map This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 7. 25-0694R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO AGREEMENT L30885 WITH MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC. FOR THE 2024 STREET PRESERVATION PROJECT, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT BY $95,695.82 FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $1,085,318.05. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo MSA Professional Services Amendment 2 Outline This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 8. 25-0695R RESOLUTION AMENDING CONTRACT L31040 WITH SHORT ELLIOTT HENDRICKSON FOR THE RAILROAD STREET RECONDITIONING PROJECT, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT BY $246,150 FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $409,405.00 Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo Railroad Street - Design Services Amendment #1 (rev 1) Railroad Street Construction Services - SEH Letter Proposal (with workplan) This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 9. 25-0696R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT L30860 WITH SHORT ELLIOTT HENDRICKSON INC. FOR THE City of Duluth Page 3 City Council Minutes - Final September 8, 2025 CAMPUS CONNECTOR SEGMENTS 4 AND 5 AND COLLEGE STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT BY $162,000.00 FOR A NEW TOTAL OF $588,105.00. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo SEH Amendment 1 Work Scope Summary Location Map College St Location Map St. Marie St. This Resolution was adopted unanimously. BY COUNCILOR KENNEDY (PUBLIC SAFETY) 10. 25-0703R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN AUTO THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,586.66 FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF OVERTIME FOR AN AUTO THEFT INVESTIGATOR AND EQUIPMENT. Indexes: Attachments: Document A - General Grant Agreement Resolution Cover Memo_Auto Theft Grant This Resolution was adopted unanimously. 11. 25-0704R RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN AUTO THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,100 FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH TO HOST THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAPTER (NCRC) ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE. Indexes: Attachments: Document A - NCRC Grant Agreement Resolution Cover Memo_Auto Theft NCRC This Resolution was adopted unanimously. END OF CONSENT AGENDA The following entitled resolutions are also to be considered: BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (FINANCE) 12. 25-0697R RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION City of Duluth Page 4 City Council Minutes - Final September 8, 2025 FOR GENERAL PURPOSES FOR THE YEAR 2026. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to table this Resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randorf. The motion passed unanimously. 13. 25-0698R RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE SPECIAL PARKS FUND LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2026. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to table this Resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randorf. The motion passed unanimously. 14. 25-0700R RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, FOR THE YEAR 2026. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo Exhibit A A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to table this Resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randorf. The motion passed unanimously. 15. 25-0702R RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE SUM TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, DULUTH TRANSIT AUTHORITY, FOR THE YEAR 2026. Indexes: Attachments: Cover Memo Exhibit A A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to table this Resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randorf. The motion passed unanimously. BY COUNCILOR AWAL (PERSONNEL) 16. 25-0701R RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DULUTH SUPERIOR PRIDE AND SUPPORTING THE NQT2SLGBIA+ COMMUNITIES. A motion was made by Councilor Kennedy to table this resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Swenson. The motion failed. A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to amend this resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Awal. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Councilor Forsman to pass this resolution, as amended. City of Duluth Page 5 City Council Minutes - Final September 8, 2025 The motion was seconded by Councilor Awal. The motion passed with a vote of 7-2(Councilor Kennedy and Councilor Swenson) The following entitled ordinances are to be read for the second time: BY VICE PRESIDENT NEPHEW (PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) 17. 25-021-O AN ORDINANCE GRANTING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 709 A CONCURRENT USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A GUARDRAIL NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF E 11TH ST AND N 8TH AVE E. Indexes: Attachments: PLCUP-2505-0002 Cover Memo Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 This Ordinance was adopted unanimously. BY COUNCILOR DELUCA (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES) 18. 25-014-O ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE BY ADDING ARTICLE XXXVIII ESTABLISHING THE DULUTH TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. (REPLACEMENT) A motion was made by Councilor DeLuca to amend this Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilor Awal. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Councilor DeLuca to pass this Ordinance as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilor Durrwachter. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCILOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS COUNCILOR PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS City of Duluth Page 6