Stormwater administrator asks Duluth City Council to consider code changes, fee scenarios

Alyssa Gilhooly, Stormwater Program Administrator for the City of Duluth, presented proposed revisions to Chapter 15 of the Duluth Municipal Code that would permit the city to write off certain uncollectible stormwater charges and asked the Mayor and Council to consider potential amendments to the stormwater fee schedule. The council directed staff to draft an ordinance amending the code and to prepare calculation scenarios showing options for a fee increase structure to be discussed at a future work session.

The request focused on two steps: (1) a code change to authorize writing off amounts that staff determines are uncollectible, and (2) fee schedule adjustments to ensure the stormwater program remains funded. Gilhooly said staff will run scenarios that show how different fee structures would affect program revenue; specific fee amounts were not presented during the session.

City staff emphasized that the ordinance and fee scenarios will return to council for review and possible placement on a public meeting agenda. No final action or vote on the ordinance or fee changes was taken at the April 27 work session; the item was advanced as a staff assignment to produce draft language and financial analyses for council consideration.

The council did not set a timeline for the ordinance’s introduction or a public hearing date. The stormwater discussion was recorded as a staff presentation and direction to prepare a formal ordinance and accompanying fiscal scenarios.