Council approves several routine measures, calls public hearing on Orchards of Morgan Park TIF and sends vehicle purchases back for review

Following a Committee of the Whole, the Duluth City Council conducted its regular session and took multiple votes across routine items and several council requests for additional information.

Key votes and procedural outcomes:

- Resolution 231 (appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions) — Approved by roll-call vote (9–0).

- Resolution 232 (appointments to the Planning Commission, Duluth Transit Authority and Spirit Mountain Authority) — Motion to table passed (9–0) to allow candidate interviews.

- Resolution 201 — Council approved calling a public hearing on establishing the Orchards Of Morgan Park tax increment financing (TIF) district and related TIF plan as proposed by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority; the hearing will proceed as part of the public process.

- Resolution 192 — Council approved a $150,000 agreement for a Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center facilities-condition assessment; councilors noted county cost‑sharing for the study.

- Resolution 193 — Council authorized a 10-year limited use permit with MnDOT for the Lake Walk trail in MnDOT right-of-way, with renewal terms up to 10 additional years at no cost to the city.

- Ordinance 6 — Second reading passed to change the mobile food truck licensing period (9–0).

- Ordinance 8 — Council adopted a perpetual public easement dedicating city property for trail and recreational purposes (9–0).

- Resolutions 184 and 185 (vehicle purchases) — After a debate over EV/hybrid inclusion and infrastructure constraints, the council voted to refer both procurement resolutions back to administration for further study (9–0 on referral motions). No contracts were awarded.

The meeting closed with councilor remarks and recognition of Director Benning’s long service; the body adjourned at the meeting’s end.