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ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE BY ADDING ARTICLE XXXVIII ESTABLISHING THE DULUTH TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. (REPLACEMENT)
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BY COUNCILOR MAYOU AND COUNCILOR AWAL:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That Chapter 2 of the Duluth City Code is hereby amended by adding a new Article XXXVIII as follows:
Article XXXVIII. Duluth Transportation Commission.
Sec. 2-192 Creation of commission. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a transportation commission. This commission will serve to advise, provide consultation, and make policy recommendations to the mayor, city administration, and city council on matters related to planning and scoping of transportation infrastructure in order to address the safety and accessibility needs for users of all ages and abilities. The Commission shall consider the needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users, bicyclists, commercial, frieght and emergency vehicles operating within the city and within the context of Duluth’s unique history, structure and geology.
(b) The commission shall have nine members. At least seven members shall be residents of the city of Duluth. Members should broadly represent the city and may include, but are not limited to, a transportation advocate, a representative of the disability community, a planning commissioner, a parking commissioner, and a representative of the Duluth public schools. Members shall be appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council. Of the first nine appointments, three shall be for three years, three shall be for two years, and three shall be for one year. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a term of three years.
(c) The commission may invite as appropriate, subject matter experts, city staff, and technical advisors, to attend commission meetings and to provide information. These subject matter experts may include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) Members of the Duluth transit authority;
(2) City public works and utility staff;
(3) City sustainability and resiliency staff;
(4) City planning and economic development staff;
(5) City public safety staff;
(6) Transportation advocacy groups; and
(7) Area business representatives.
Sec. 2-193. Officers; meetings; conduct of business.
The commission shall meet within sixty days after all of its members are confirmed for appointment to elect its officers, which shall consist of a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary. Thereafter the commission shall hold a minimum of 10 regular meetings over the course of the calendar year. The commission may adopt reasonable bylaws, rules, and regulations for the conduct of its commission business. These bylaws shall in no way limit the scope of this organizing ordinance.
Sec. 2-194. Duties.
(a) The commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Advise on comprehensive plan updates and implementation and long-range planning efforts.
(2) Advise on policy development.
(3) Provide input on major transportation system projects and investments.
(4) Public forum for emerging transportation planning issues
(5) Make recommendations for future consideration of study areas, grant opportunities, and priority setting.
(6) Support city advocacy efforts at the state and national level for funding and policy changes that align with city of Duluth legislative priorities.
(7) Provide letters of support related to transportation grant applications.
(b) The following shall be deemed outside the scope of the commission duties:
(1) Advising on the technical details of project budget and engineering drawings and specifications.
(2) Determining project timing or year of construction.
(3) Approving or amending street improvement plan budget or specific capital projects.
(4) Binding the city to future projects, funding, or design decisions.
(5) Prescriptive design decisions.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect January 2, 2026.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a Duluth transportation commission to advise the mayor, city administration, and city council on transportation policy priorities, investments, and emerging issues as outlined in the commission’s duties.