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  
Thursday, July 23, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Council Chambers  
Special Meeting  
ROLL CALL  
Present: Clanaugh, Desotelle, Durrwachter, Tomanek, Johnson, Randorf,  
Kennedy, Nephew  
Councilor Forsman arrived at 6:15.  
During Closed Session, Forsman joined remotely via Teams.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
President Nephew motioned to suspend the rules to allow for a Public Comment  
Period of no more than 20 minutes, seconded by Councilor Tomanek. Motion to  
amend the suspension of the rules to allow for 45 minutes of Public Comment  
was made by President Nephew, seconded by Vice President Kennedy. The  
motion as amended carried unanimously by roll call vote (9-0).  
President Nephew opened Public Comment stating the rules of Public Comment  
from Council will apply, directing the Deputy Clerk to allow for sign-ups. Director  
Ben Van Tassel was asked to provide an update on the Land Use Study for Lester  
Park. Following the update from Director Van Tassel, the following spoke  
regarding the petitions for Lester Park: Michael Bernstein, Hadrian DeMaioribus,  
Corinne Freedman Ellis, Mikayla Haynes, Andrew St. Croix, David Sihafroth,  
Kristin Phillips, Jeff Cook-Lundgren, Laura Erickson, Tom Ruthe, Chris Rubesch,  
JT Haines, Brandon Parker, and Mabel Smebakken.  
The following entitled resolutions are to be considered:  
BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES)  
26-0679R  
1.  
RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE SUBJECT OF TWO SEPARATE  
INITIATIVE PETITIONS CONTAINING PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
GOVERNING THE LAND USE AND ZONING OF TWO SPECIFIC  
PARCELS OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN OR NEAR THE FORMER  
LESTER PARK GOLF COURSE ARE PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW  
AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT.  
Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson, seconded by Councilor Forsman.  
During discussion, a 5-minute recess was called by President Nephew at 7:38 PM,  
meeting resumed at 7:43 PM. A motion to table the resolution was made by  
Councilor Forsman, seconded by Councilor Desotelle. The motion to table  
carried unanimously by roll call vote (9-0).  
BY COUNCILOR DURRWACHTER (PURCHASING & LICENSING)  
26-0681R  
2.  
RESOLUTION SUBMITTING THE LESTER PARK INITIATIVE  
ORDINANCES TO THE VOTERS AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE  
HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, AND DIRECTING CERTIFICATION TO  
THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY AUDITOR  
Motion to table was made by Councilor Durrwachter, seconded by Councilor  
Clanaugh. Motion to table carried unanimously by roll call vote (9-0).  
The following entitled ordinances are to be read for the first time:  
BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON (RECREATION, LIBRARIES & AUTHORITIES)  
26-033-O  
3.  
AN ORDINANCE PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION THAT  
REQUIRES THE CITY TO REZONE AS PARK AND OPEN SPACE (P-1)  
THE 37.5-ACRE PARCEL KNOWN AS THE LAKE 9 PARCEL OF THE  
FORMER LESTER PARK GOLF COURSE, AND FURTHER  
PROHIBITING ANY REZONING OF THIS PARCEL THAT AUTHORIZES  
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, HOSPITALITY,  
OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT UNLESS APPROVED BY A  
MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS AT A CITY ELECTION.  
This Ordinance was read for the first time.  
26-034-O  
4.  
AN ORDINANCE PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION THAT WOULD  
PRECLUDE THE CITY OF DULUTH FROM REZONING THE 230-ACRE  
PARCEL LOCATED IN OR NEAR THE LESTER PARK GOLF COURSE  
FROM A PARK, OPEN SPACE, OR CONSERVATION DESIGNATION  
TO A CLASSIFICATION THAT AUTHORIZES PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL,  
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, HOSPITALITY, OR MIXED-USE  
DEVELOPMENT UNLESS THE REZONING IS APPROVED BY A  
MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS VOTING ON THE QUESTION AT A  
REGULAR OR SPECIAL CITY ELECTION.  
This Ordinance was read for the first time.  
After Ordinance 26-034-O was read in by the Deputy Clerk, President Nephew  
made a motion to enter into a Closed Session under MN Statute 13D.05, subd.  
3b., Conferring with legal counsel in connection with litigation brought by M.  
Bernstein, seconded by Councilor Johnson. Motion to enter into Closed Session  
carried unanimously by roll call vote (9-0) at 8:12 PM. Closed Session began at  
8:20 PM. Council returned to Open Session at 9:56 PM. No action was taken  
during Closed Session.  
ADJOURN  
Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Randorf, seconded by Councilor Tomanek.  
Motion to adjourn carried unanimously by roll call vote (9-0).