411 West First Street

City of Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota 55802

Minutes

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, March 23, 2026

6:00 PM

Council Chambers

ROLL CALL

All members of the City Council present by roll call. Councilor Tomanek

attending virtually.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Meeting Minutes of the Duluth City Council

Motion to approve the minutes by Vice President Kennedy, seconded by

Councilor Johnson. Minutes approved unanimously by voice vote.

INFORMATIONAL REPORT

Budget Memo

No action taken.

REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (AGENDA ITEMS)

Linda Herron spoke regarding the fleet purchasing items in regards to the

Climate Action Work Plan.

SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)

Roy Hamlin spoke regarding the Vape Shop being constructed next to the Hamlin

Music Academy.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Councilor Johnson,

seconded by Councilor Desotelle. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

BY COUNCILOR DURRWACHTER (PURCHASING & LICENSING)

RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATIONS FOR LAWFUL GAMBLING.

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS LIQUOR

LICENSES.

This Resolution was adopted.

BY COUNCILOR DESOTELLE (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES)

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH GREYSTONE

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE

BRINE SALT MATERIAL SHEDS FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO

EXCEED $131,690.00

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT

L31184 WITH TRUEPANI, INC FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE

REPLACEMENT - FILTER PITCHER AND TEST KIT SERVICES, TO

INCREASE THE AMOUNT BY $220,116.00 FOR SERVICES

THROUGHOUT THE 2026 CONSTRUCTION SEASON FOR A NEW

TOTAL OF $511,016.00.

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO JMF CONSTRUCTION

INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGH PRIORITY LEAD SERVICE

LINE REPLACEMENT PHASE 2 BLANKET PROJECT FOR A TOTAL

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,640,372.00.

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH KORTERRA, INC.

FOR FIVE YEARS FOR SERVICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CITY

OF DULUTH’S UTILITY LOCATING NEEDS FOR THE TOTAL

ESTIMATED AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $54,950.00.

This Resolution was adopted.

BY COUNCILOR TOMANEK (PUBLIC SAFETY)

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY

TO PERFORM POLICE SERVICES PURSUANT TO FISCAL YEAR 2024

OPERATION STONEGARDEN GRANT OPERATIONS ORDER AND

ACCEPTING REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH ST. LOUIS COUNTY IN THE

AMOUNT OF $75,085.

This Resolution was adopted.

BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES)

10.

11.

12.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH

THE MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

REGARDING THE CHESTER BOWL CHALET DEMOLITION AND

REPLACEMENT.

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE AND EXECUTION OF A

HOST SITE AGREEMENT FOR THE SUMMER OF 2026 WITH TRUE

NORTH AMERICORPS FOR PLACEMENT AT THE DULUTH PUBLIC

LIBRARY AT NO COST TO THE CITY.

This Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH TKDA FOR

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE PARK POINT

BEACH HOUSE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR AN

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $58,700.00.

This Resolution was adopted.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

REGULAR AGENDA

BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN (PERSONNEL)

13.

RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS

TO CITY OF DULUTH BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Motion to approve was made by Counselor Forsman, seconded by Councilor

Tomanek. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

14.

RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO

THE PLANNING COMMISSION, DULUTH TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND

SPIRIT MOUTAIN RECREATION AREA AUTHORITY.

Councilor Forsman provided information that interviews for candidates will be

completed before being approved by Council, Administration is expecting this

item to be tabled. Motion to table made by Councilor Forsman, seconded by

Councilor Randorf. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

BY PRESIDENT NEPHEW (PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)

15.

RESOLUTION CALLING PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORCHARDS OF MORGAN PARK TAX

INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT WITHIN PROJECT AREA NO. 1

AND THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF THE TAX INCREMENT

FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO AS PROPOSED BY THE

HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF DULUTH,

MINNESOTA.

Motion to approve made by President Nephew, seconded by Vice President

Kennedy. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

BY COUNCILOR DESOTELLE (PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES)

16.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FIVE FORD

TRANSIT T-250 UTILITY VANS FROM MIDWAY FORD FOR THE

AMOUNT OF $272,552.50 PER MINNESOTA STATE CONTRACT

T-175(5), CONTRACT NO. 265343.

Motion to approve was made by Councilor Desotelle, seconded by Councilor

Clanaugh. Motion to amend the motion to require two of the five vehicles are EV

or Hybrid vehicles made by Councilor Desotelle, seconded by Councilor

Clanaugh. Director Benning provided information that an amendment would not

work as there may be conflicts with the contract for vehicles and recommended

referring the item back to administration. Motion to amend was withdrawn by

Councilor Desotelle. Motion to refer back to Administration was made by

Councilor Desotelle, seconded by Councilor Clanaugh. Motion to refer to

Administration carried unanimously by roll call vote.

17.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THREE FORD

F-250 CREW CAB PICKUPS FROM MIDWAY FORD FOR THE AMOUNT

OF $160,921.11, PER MN STATE CONTRACT T-642(5), CONTRACT

NO. 259180.

Motion to approve made by Councilor Desotelle, seconded by Councilor Johnson.

Motion to refer the item back to Administration made by Councilor Desotelle,

seconded by Councilor Durrwachter. Motion to refer back to Administration

carried unanimously by roll call vote.

BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES)

18.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT THE DULUTH

ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER (DECC) FOR A

FACILITY CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF

$150,000.00.

Motion to approve was made by Councilor Johnson, seconded by Councilor

Tomanek. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

19.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEN-YEAR LIMITED USE PERMIT

AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION (MNDOT), FOR THE CONSTRUCTION,

MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF THE PORTIONS OF THE

LAKEWALK TRAIL LYING WITHIN MNDOT’S RIGHT-OF-WAY OF TRUNK

HIGHWAY 35, SUBJECT TO A RENEWAL TERM UP TO TEN

ADDITIONAL YEARS, AT NO COST TO THE CITY.

Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson, seconded by Councilor

Clanaugh. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

The following entitled ordinances are to be read for the second time:

BY COUNCILOR DURRWACHTER (PURCHASING & LICENSING)

20.

ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 27-18, OF THE DULUTH CITY

CODE TO CHANGE THE MOBILE FOOD TRUCK LICENSING PERIOD.

Motion to approve made by Councilor Durrwachter, seconded by Councilor

Tomanek. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES)

21.

AN ORDINANCE DEDICATING A PERPETUAL EASEMENT TO THE

GENERAL PUBLIC OVER AND ACROSS CITY-OWNED PROPERTY

FOR TRAIL AND OTHER RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

Motion to approve made by Vice President Kennedy, seconded by Councilor

Johnson. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

COUNCILOR/ADMINISTRATION QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

COUNCILOR/ADMINISTRATION PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS