[0:48] Hello counselor johnson just want to confirm you can hear
[0:50] us
[0:55] >> yes. I can loud and clear.
[0:58] >> thank you.
[6:44] >> all right. Good evening, everyone. We will open
[6:47] with the finance committee meeting. Good evening. Begin
[6:51] with tourism and tax overview and I hope we get a better
[6:57] understanding how those revenues work and the rule on the
[7:02] financial plan and pivot into an update request the 2027
[7:06] budget including work underway to evaluate the expenses
[7:12] that shape the budget and dates to know. September 10th
[7:18] we have an excellent presentation and then immediately at
[7:23] 9 o'clock meet and that deck for a budget retreat. And
[7:29] with that, turn it over to the finance director salinas.
[7:33] thank you. Thank you for being here.
[7:34] >> this is I believe this we figured out in finance,
[7:38] and I'm usually accompanied by a colleague, but as the
[7:46] committee chair mentioned today we will cover tourism and
[7:52] taxes. That is an important part of our budget, budget
[7:56] and not part of the general fund, but we want to cover a
[8:02] good overview of the tourism tax. And then I will get to
[8:06] a budget update as the next step for the general budget.
[8:11] and then as always time at the end for questions thank
[8:17] you, you should have a presentation in front of you with a
[8:21] slide, I'll note your questions for that. And so I'm
[8:29] going to begin with the overview first of tourism and
[8:34] taxes and start getting into the sources and a little bit
[8:38] of details, a breakdown how we collect them and the
[8:42] numbers we're selecting the percentages in dollars and the
[8:47] research. I broke this down into smarter sections they are
[8:55] complex and almost 9 months now. That is something I am
[9:01] learning the nuances as much as I can if I can share a
[9:09] request if we can't get to it today, I hope the
[9:13] conversation around this, but that on that is really
[9:16] important. So hopefully, at the end, you're not only
[9:22] enlightened by tourism and taxes and give you a little bit
[9:27] of understanding.
[9:29] >> so I'm to define what are the tourism taxes. And
[9:34] there are two components that we collect takes from the
[9:40] customers and from the sales. There is lodging and then
[9:44] food and beverages. And so I want to, want to say tourism
[9:49] and taxes are not sales tax excepting for one smaller
[9:55] component generally paying tax on not on lodging and
[10:00] beverages not tourism taxes.
[10:02] >> so how we collect those. Who gives us permission
[10:07] and what do we collect in taxes?
[10:10] >> so we have authority under the city through
[10:15] charter code ordinances, as well as, laws and statutes
[10:21] into the state of minnesota allowing us to collect. Okay.
[10:28] >> we're going to get into the details. So what do
[10:34] we collect?
[10:35] >> on the lodging side, there are two different
[10:40] taxes we collect on hotels. We collect the 3 percent
[10:46] motels and hotels excise tax, tax a regular tax in the
[10:53] city of duluth that are taxable of one and a half percent.
[10:57] when I pay sales tax that one percent is not exactly with
[11:04] the general fund that is considered a tourism tax on the
[11:09] side. On hotels over thirty units, we collect an
[11:15] additional 2.5 percent and an establishment has more than
[11:19] 30 units, an additional 30 percent. I'll get into the
[11:25] layering starts with the bigger picture into the details.
[11:29] for food and beverages, we collect 2.25 percent that is on
[11:34] top of the sales tax. Before we move on, I want to get
[11:43] into the details and a brief overview on what we can,
[11:47] steps on specifics on the lodging. I'm not going to read
[11:51] them all, but note you'll see those on the food and
[11:56] beverages is the discretion portion. There is very
[12:00] specific lodges around what we can spend on the lodging
[12:03] side that are discretionary. When we look at the food and
[12:08] beverages, we don't have that but on items what we can
[12:13] spend on within the family corridor, etc. So the budget
[12:24] comes every year, we look at it and we know what we can
[12:28] spend and looking to figure out how much. So this graph
[12:33] shows we, we selected for the last 4 increases or years
[12:38] from 2022 to 2025 and have the 2027 projected on 2025.
[12:48] there was a cap in the previous years that is happening
[12:53] one time and it really capped where we've been the last
[12:58] 3 years about 14 point 8 million dollars with that. And
[13:02] looking at that added 2022 averaging 15.6.
[13:07] >> I think another thing to note, we lowered the
[13:12] projection for 2026 to buy the hotel and hotels occupancy
[13:20] rates we're down a little bit. So this is how we collect
[13:26] them and what this 14 point 6 budget looked like.
[13:32] >> where are they coming from?
[13:34] >> so wanted to show you a graph that breakdown. So
[13:41] for food and beverages that is 2.25 percent we're
[13:45] collecting. With all the food and beverages it is
[13:48] $6.8 million and 46 percent of total coming from that.
[13:56] 26 percent from the 3 percent hotel and motel and the one
[14:02] percent sales tax. Again, that piece is on the quantity
[14:07] of units. This final piece 2 point 8 million dollars that
[14:11] is for the establishment over 30 units. This is probably
[14:24] something that might be a self comparison want to put it
[14:28] out here. I think that any questions about what the total
[14:31] is this is only for each of the taxes for the hotels and
[14:36] less than 30 units. So the 8.75 is the city of duluth city
[14:43] tax that is imposed. Again, one percent of which is 75
[14:49] the tourism tax. But then we have adding the 3 percent to
[14:55] the purchase of lodging for one night pay 11.75 on all
[15:04] units. But if we have one more than thirty percent an
[15:10] additional percent. Okay.
[15:16] >> getting a little bit deeper a little bit into the
[15:20] future.
[15:21] >> I have a handout at the end that summarizes all of
[15:24] that I want to hand that out so you will look through it
[15:29] and and makes sense until all the layers are added on, but
[15:35] not part of that presentation. If you see a table that
[15:38] has all this words and numbers but altogether.
[15:44] >> so the 3 percent hotel and motel tax. This was
[15:49] the first ordinance was enacted in 1969. An update for
[15:56] this the first one, was in 1959. And the way that reads
[16:01] on the restrictions this is really important for you all
[16:04] to understand where we can spend the money the hotel and
[16:11] motel tax. We can see the first 5 percent goes to the
[16:14] general fund for for basically administering tourism taxes
[16:21] and then the rest of this is divvied up. 95 percent is
[16:27] left divvied and 65 percent the remaining is for the desk.
[16:33] so supporting maintenance of the arena and the addition
[16:39] for the city of duluth and the other 35 percent before
[16:42] advertising and promotions for the city of duluth, tourism
[16:46] convention centers that the contract in the city of
[16:51] duluth. Not the discretionary, part the contractual part
[16:55] where they operate. And then the graph shows the dollars
[17:01] over the years. I really wanted to highlight the
[17:04] restrictions for each of the components. The one percent
[17:12] sales tax is what we consider the discretionary or one of
[17:18] the discretionary. This is to be used to pay for
[17:22] activities related to tourism, anything that promotes
[17:25] tourism. This is important to highlight that the actual
[17:30] language we look at the ordinances or the resolutions for
[17:34] the statutes, they highlight the desk and spirit mountain
[17:39] that is discretionary. But those who the cities are
[17:44] mentioned in the language. And we'll see it again in the
[17:48] next one.
[17:49] >> for the over 30 units, one and a half percent
[17:58] hotels and motel tax is broken down and you can see a one
[18:02] percent, another one percent in the math. We get to the
[18:06] total of 2 and a half so with one percent is again, a
[18:11] discretionary piece similar to the one in the sales tax
[18:15] and the language included the desk and spirit mountain
[18:19] recreation area. And then the one percent positive
[18:26] capital improvement and and half percent, which some of
[18:30] you see half-and-half in the food and beverages. Which
[18:35] was, that was an actual for the corridor, as well as,
[18:41] athletic venues. This will be a quick one about tourism.
[18:50] >> okay.
[18:51] >> so food and beverages. Again, the same graph
[18:56] shows sales tax and then we'll get paid on top of of
[19:02] tourism tax. Want to show you the breakdown the sales tax
[19:06] and nothing that is for food and beverage, the additional
[19:12] 2.25. What are the restrictions on the two? This one on
[19:19] the food and beverages, first ordinance the original was
[19:24] enacted in 1977. And if I looking at for history I'm
[19:29] happy to take questions off-line if you wanted to
[19:33] understand what is happening with that. But these have the
[19:37] restrictions. Again, the 2 quarter by that the one
[19:41] percent it's for facilities that are basically related to
[19:47] the city. The facilities are or agencies where we run
[19:50] them or are run by a governing body that we appoint those
[19:55] are for the facilities like the zoo. We have some of the
[20:00] facilities and have that. Then have .75 percent of that
[20:08] too, and a quarter for the arena. And this is what I talk
[20:14] about on the previous slides, it is for the corridor and
[20:18] the athletic venues. I know that is a lot of information,
[20:32] but have a few slides to get through. That is putting it
[20:37] altogether multiple categories that we identified as where
[20:42] we can plan. So I think here again, not going to reading
[20:48] through all of them, but ones I want to point out the
[20:53] discretionary, the discretionary budget is pretty big when
[20:58] you look at the whole thing. There we have debt and
[21:02] obligations that the city has priorities we have to borrow
[21:07] into discretionary. So the discretionary, a discretionary
[21:12] gives you, you an example so advertising and projection we
[21:18] assume have $15 million. And in tourism taxes of which
[21:23] maybe 2 and a half are allocated approximately 9 percent
[21:28] of advertising and promotion. $1.4 million for
[21:34] advertising and promotion. You know the concept is one .8
[21:39] and with the contract that is 6 last year and so that is
[21:45] already to 2.4 that we have to borrow from the
[21:49] discretionary funds. So the discretionary pot isn't what
[21:53] we had left over for 2026, was left over for visitors.
[22:01] that looks hefty and supplements from the other
[22:07] obligations for debt and for events that we do as the
[22:13] city. So we are utilizing some of that for our part of the
[22:19] other restricted spending. We use all the restricted
[22:24] spending first with that pulled from that bucket.
[22:28] >> what are the next steps for tourism tax and what
[22:37] have we've done so far? What we've done for july and
[22:41] august is we reviewed historic data and updating the
[22:47] review. Up into recently, have to adjust for july. And
[22:52] then we also this is helping us to determine what the
[22:56] budget, the total dollars will look like. And then we
[23:00] determined the cash reserves available from the full year
[23:05] what does this mean? We don't know what that tourism tax
[23:11] looked like we go back to 2025 what is left over and a one
[23:22] year lag in terms of what the bucket looked like. We have
[23:27] been working on the drafts. And one iteration a review
[23:31] with the administrative. And again, we readjusted the
[23:35] revenues so we'll do one more. And then we will come up
[23:39] with what we bring to council will happen in october and
[23:43] review and approve the resolution. And then also have
[23:47] identified at this time for the funds for duluth and begin
[23:52] the process so -
[23:54] >> so, now I'll get to the budget update and the
[24:03] next steps what we're doing with that.
[24:05] >> this is the much shorter slide than the tourism
[24:11] and tax, but gives us a really good idea where we're at.
[24:16] so we've been talking about the general fund budget over
[24:20] the finance committee meeting. And we have continued and
[24:25] finalized and financials listings. This, of course, data,
[24:32] you know, getting new information want to make sure we
[24:35] have the most updated and using realistic and appropriate
[24:40] revenue assumptions so we're not over shooting or under
[24:44] shooting based on the historical information and any
[24:49] indicators will tell us otherwise. And we explored the
[24:53] opportunity to allot any unused funds that we have from
[24:57] the previous years that are no longer being utilized for
[25:02] the services. Stuff we did think on the revenue side on
[25:08] the express so we'll have no reductions for city services.
[25:13] and we are again continuing to look at the expenditures
[25:17] and look at them up to september 10th, maybe a week before
[25:24] that. And if we are using again historic averages not
[25:30] worst case scenario. So what does that mean? It is
[25:32] important for potentially budgeting for the worst-case all
[25:39] the time so that if we have issues with the budget, we
[25:44] wanted to make sure that is tightened up. And then the
[25:48] payroll budget what we did there a historical vacancy and
[25:55] sometimes were inflated at the time when someone starts
[26:00] the position there are basic savings to make sure we use
[26:05] an approach and recognized those tightened up, up the
[26:10] budget. So as financial committee chair randorf mentioned,
[26:21] the budget presentation that is happening on
[26:24] september 10th. And then have the budget retreat, the next
[26:28] day we will have all the departments presenting budget mr.
[26:34] harold is putting together a template for each of the
[26:37] departments so making sure everyone is following what
[26:41] you'll be looking at and the public is looking at is
[26:44] consistent and we're able to understand apples to apples
[26:48] even though we know all departments do a different
[26:53] presentation in terms of the highlights. And on monday
[26:56] september 4, the resolution prepared and understand that
[27:05] if anything is tabled so not vote until the 28; is that
[27:12] correct?
[27:13] >> so, now is the fun part, your questions.
[27:19] >> thank you, director salinas.
[27:20] >> open up for counselor questions the first
[27:26] councilor in the queue is councilor tomanek.
[27:29] >> thank you, chair randorf. Are they paying into the
[27:37] vacation unit fund?
[27:38] >> well the people that or I want to make sure we
[27:43] clarify the consumer is paying. But, yes. And they pay
[27:48] the same percentage for the less than 30 units.
[27:53] >> what is the justification for over thirty and
[27:56] less than thirty?
[27:57] >> corporate is the justification.
[28:01] >> this is something that happened before my time.
[28:04] I believe that was, I don't want to say what year, but the
[28:10] justification at that time was because of moving. And I
[28:14] think they believe they'll not get that from the tourism
[28:21] tax as they go to fruition. There was an understanding
[28:24] from council. In fact at the time that makes for that so
[28:29] the body is the one who determined that.
[28:32] >> thank you.
[28:33] >> uh-huh.
[28:34] >> thank you councilor tomanek. Next it is councilor
[28:40] clanaugh.
[28:41] >> thank you, chair randorf. The 29 this thing is a
[28:45] mom and pop. I'm curious that was not - what would be the
[28:52] tax collected for not having this exemption?
[28:57] >> councilor clanaugh, I don't have that information
[29:00] not something we looked at. And this is currently in the
[29:05] - occurring. We can go certainly take a look at that.
[29:08] >> thank you councilor clanaugh. Next in the queue
[29:13] is councilor durrwachter.
[29:14] >> thank you, chair randorf for the presentation. My
[29:20] question is I'm wondering if you can clarify a little bit
[29:25] more for me why the desk and spirit mountain fund is also
[29:32] called discretionary? A lot is actually discretionary.
[29:37] >> if I can go back to the actual slide. The way the
[29:42] language is written for any company or anyone that is
[29:48] promoting tourism and identifies the deck and spirit
[29:52] mountain. So if you can find the language for that one.
[29:56] >> that was helpful. Thank you.
[29:57] >> thank you.
[30:00] >> councilor durrwachter.
[30:03] >> thank you, councilor durrwachter.
[30:04] >> next in the queue is councilor tomanek.
[30:06] >> thank you, chair randorf. Will you tell us how
[30:10] much the is percentage that will go to the deck for the
[30:14] 10 years?
[30:15] >> councilor tomanek. I don't have the exact number
[30:18] from that, but the amount of the funds that year is that
[30:21] the amount is over. That money gets added and can change,
[30:27] but I'll get that exact for you.
[30:30] >> you said the readjust is in july in round
[30:35] numbers. How much that will be?
[30:37] >> I don't have that exact figure was for the one
[30:41] month.
[30:42] >> great. Thank you.
[30:43] >> thank you councilor tomanek. And next is councilor
[30:47] clanaugh.
[30:48] >> thank you, chair randorf. And director it is
[30:52] referenced for the sales tax and some of that goes for
[30:57] tourism. I am curious do we have a standard definition
[31:03] what it means?
[31:04] >> do we have a consensus with no equity and details?
[31:14] >> and historically have not but currently on a
[31:18] policy to make sure we have that and what you're speaking
[31:22] of to make sure that is what we're going forward have the
[31:25] definitions correct. And everyone understand how that is
[31:29] allocated for what the restrictions are and the
[31:32] definition.
[31:33] >> thank you. And you're welcome. Thank you.
[31:35] councilor clanaugh next in the queue is councilor
[31:37] durrwachter.
[31:38] >> thank you, chair randorf.
[31:41] >> and director salinas, give us a simple list of as
[31:49] one of the slides mentioned, there are areas that had
[31:54] reductions for the core city services. Any sort of list
[31:59] of what those reductions would be or will you be
[32:04] presenting on the retreat?
[32:06] >> we'll be, councilor durrwachter. Yes. That
[32:11] information will be presented.
[32:14] >> thank you. Councilor durrwachter next.
[32:16] >> thank you, chair randorf. Two quick questions.
[32:20] you said this was to 2025, was the bumper. And then the
[32:27] other question if we had had changes to the future like
[32:32] the money needs to go in other places requires a statute
[32:37] to change that language or half and half before we change
[32:41] the ordinances?
[32:42] >> can you be more specific, councilor durrwachter
[32:45] on the second part?
[32:46] >> yeah. So after all I said all of the restricted or
[32:53] rule understates that are the charters probably not a lot
[33:00] of changes. I'll say you're looking at something and want
[33:04] to say well the definitions didn't we want more? That has
[33:09] to go through the state first; right? To get permission
[33:13] under the state level before we make changes within our
[33:17] ordinance?
[33:18] >> yes. That's correct.
[33:20] >> thank you, thank you. As far as the bench, that
[33:22] was the correction related to 2 years for reports not been
[33:28] properly documented and so they have 4 corrections that is
[33:31] what that is for?
[33:33] >> haven't in 2026 --
[33:38] (laughter).
[33:40] >> just checking.
[33:41] >> thank you, councilor durrwachter. And councilor
[33:45] clanaugh.
[33:46] >> director salinas on slide 20, talked about in
[33:53] terms of payroll vacancies. We know the payroll benefits
[33:56] are a chunk of the budget and the lions share, but
[34:01] operational costs. I'm thinking of so - the sustainability
[34:07] position has been vacant for a long time. So there was
[34:11] savings in terms of of payroll and also operational costs.
[34:15] and so then the programming sort of isn't advanced. Are
[34:23] there mechanisms in our budgeting to make up for
[34:28] situations like that to get a program that was
[34:31] understaffed and now back to where it is meant to be?
[34:37] >> councilor clanaugh, the vacancy savings are not
[34:41] what we planned for. The vacancies that is just the --
[34:45] how the operations work so the sustained position, I think
[34:50] I'll defer to the administrator for that.
[34:53] >> thank you.
[34:58] [off mic.]
[35:05] >> there we go. Thank you for that question.
[35:09] >> regarding the sustainability officers, the duty,
[35:13] yes. That position has a vacancy. It was serving that but
[35:20] to keep the sustainability work going and where there are
[35:25] operational savings, there is potentially. But within the
[35:28] things I'll say in sustainability, we try to work that
[35:32] into the budget in all departments we look to do projects
[35:37] and the departments have work that make them work smarter
[35:43] and is a better part of the department's budget.
[35:46] >> not just a sustainability budget.
[35:50] >> sure, thank you.
[35:53] >> thank you, councilor clanaugh. Any further
[35:55] questions from the councilors?
[35:57] >> last call for questions. And seeing none, ask my
[36:04] last question. And director and the councilors we walk
[36:08] away with one or two things to think of different ways
[36:14] before the 2027 -- before the next presentation and the
[36:17] retreat is there. Anything in the process you want to
[36:21] figure out differently or made aware of
[36:25] councilor randorf? I don't know how to speak to that.
[36:32] >> I think the one thing I want to say we've been
[36:38] very conscience. Before when we were looking at the
[36:45] vacancies, we're not doing this doing away with the
[36:51] points. I will come in with the knowledge. We have done
[36:56] a thorough job and very precise when we go through this
[37:04] process.
[37:05] >> and all of us have well been missing -- I think
[37:09] that is going to be maybe reflected and also not been part
[37:15] of the retreat before I think that may, I might have
[37:17] additional information after this one.
[37:20] >> so thank you.
[37:21] >> and thank you so much for the presentation. We
[37:25] can call you anytime we have finance or budget questions.
[37:29] but thanks for tonight. And councilors we will close the
[37:34] finance meeting and come back for the regular council
[37:42] meeting. Thank you.
[37:43] [meeting adjourned]
[51:44] >> I'd like to welcome everyone to the city council
[51:47] meeting. Clerk call the roll.
[51:51] >> thank you.
[51:53] >> thank you, president nephew.
[51:54] >> councilor clanaugh.
[51:56] >> councilor desotelle here.
[51:59] >> councilor durrwachter here.
[52:02] >> counselor forsman here.
[52:04] >> vice president kennedy.
[52:07] >> president nephew and councilor johnson here.
[52:13] >> stand for the pledge
[52:16] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of
[52:17] america and to the republic for which it stands, one
[52:18] nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice
[52:21] for all.
[52:22] >> I'd like to welcome you to the city of olathe,
[52:23] city council regular meeting this evening at 7:00pm.,
[52:34] tuesday, august 30, 2025. Tonight's council will conduct
[52:37] the official business and an opportunity for public
[52:43] comment. Before we move on if you wish to speak, sign up
[52:47] with the clerk. We have two public comments, public
[52:53] comment periods. The first is agenda items and the second
[52:58] for non-agenda items. And the city council meeting will
[53:02] be conducted in the importance -- and rules of order.
[53:05] those rules are established to make sure our meetings are
[53:08] fair, efficient and in order for a process for decision
[53:13] making. If I signed you up, you have 3 minutes to speak,
[53:18] there is a timer on the lectern to remind you. Please
[53:24] finish your comments within 3 minutes and first item move
[53:31] on to the minutes.
[53:34] >> approval of the august 10, 2026, city of duluth,
[53:35] city council meeting minutes. Anyone have any questions on
[53:37] the minutes.
[53:38] >> seeing none, we'll move on to roll call vote from
[53:40] the administration.
[53:41] >> administrator.
[53:42] >> president nephew, no reports from the
[53:46] administration.
[53:47] >> all right. Then have a public hearing. Tonight a
[53:54] public hearing for appeals on ordinance for --
[53:59] >> public hearing(s)/appeals - an ordinance amending
[54:00] chapter ii,section 4, of the duluth home rule charter,
[54:01] 1912. I will open up the public hearing
[54:05] (gavel)
[54:06] anyone have any comments, please come up and speak.
[54:13] >> no speakers for the public hearing.
[54:15] >> okay. Thank you.
[54:17] >> I will call for speakers from the public hearing
[54:20] one more time?
[54:21] >> and a third time. And the public hearing is now
[54:27] closed on the ordinances amending charter 2 of the duluth
[54:33] charter 1912. Other members of public comment for the
[54:37] agenda items. Clerk call the first speaker.
[54:40] >> the first speaker is jessica.
[54:44] >> welcome, if you need to adjust the lectern --
[54:56] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[54:57] >> jessica. And my name is jessica a resident of
[55:01] the parkland community and club. I'm a board member for
[55:05] the community led organization established to build the
[55:09] resilience of the park plan. We can sustain a plan for
[55:14] water and wildlife and infrastructure and people for
[55:17] generations to come. Many parkland residents have watched
[55:23] many years for the - while lot of sharing the neighborhood
[55:31] with visitors and the rentals we are worried about the
[55:37] next impacts it can have on the housing affordability and
[55:46] community cohesion.
[55:48] >> over the past several months, the community
[55:54] working group for vacation rentals in duluth we conducted
[55:57] an online survey with part time and full-time residents
[56:05] based on this and the resources from other communities
[56:08] across the country. We wrote a report for duluth and
[56:13] shared with city council. While the approach for the ones
[56:18] in the ordinance amending the duluth regulations for the -
[56:24] is somewhat different than the approach we recommended, it
[56:28] is deeply aligned. We believe the proposed approach will
[56:33] support the industry and helps our visitors and neighbors
[56:38] and helped with the availability - affordability. And we
[56:46] hope the city had continue to have - excuse me - commit
[56:52] positions for staff and reservoirs for giving us support
[56:57] and hope the city will track the ordinance and making
[57:02] adjustments if necessary to make sure the goals are met.
[57:06] we applaud the city council for the permits to allow for
[57:10] the pace for a better system and thank the city staff for
[57:15] their thoughtful approach to the vacation rentals. We
[57:19] believe the ordinance recommended by the city staff is a
[57:22] balance and we strongly encourage the city council to
[57:28] approve it.
[57:29] >> next speaker.
[57:31] >> pat sterner.
[57:34] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[57:40] >> pat sterner.
[57:41] >> good evening city of duluth and councilors, my
[57:45] name is pat. I'm a park point resident and for minnesota.
[57:52] and thank you for the opportunity to provide the comment
[57:56] on the proposed ordinance 38- zero amending the charters
[58:04] to regulate short-term rentals and rentals and essentially
[58:12] for what the colleague said and cited by a job underscore
[58:18] the importance of this ordinance in managing the
[58:23] permitting process to make sure that vacation rentals will
[58:28] bring an economic value to the city and the cities goals
[58:34] of maintaining housing tracks and target affordability.
[58:41] we appreciate the process if the owner is taking time to
[58:47] have our community in mind to consider ideas and concerns,
[58:51] to address led by the working group. For our part the
[58:55] community club and the .50 noticed a survey that included
[59:03] the short-term rentals and received a very good response
[59:07] from the comments throughout the process. We appreciate
[59:10] the seriousness of this ordinance and focusing on the
[59:14] training and enforcement those elements will help the
[59:19] management of short-term rentals especially with more than
[59:23] 6 hundred permitted and non-permitted to be reviewed for
[59:29] value. And we urge the county council for a check in
[59:34] point and staff feedback about how implementation is going
[59:39] and especially the process for commenting and monitoring
[59:44] this type of review for the potential amendment for
[59:51] enhancement of effectiveness of work. Again, as noted by
[59:57] jeff the community strongly supports the ordinance as
[1:00:01] written to the entire staff and while we acknowledge no
[1:00:07] work can be perfect without this ordinance, we will
[1:00:10] continue to as a community and city to struggle. We look
[1:00:17] forward to continuing to work in partnerships with the
[1:00:20] city staff and city council for a successful passage and
[1:00:26] implementation of this ordinance. Thank you.
[1:00:30] >> our next speaker is chris coal.
[1:00:35] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:00:39] >> my name is chris coal.l while the court denies
[1:00:47] this following lester park, we urge the other protection
[1:00:52] of the public resources. This conclusion session stated
[1:00:56] the voice of the people are the heart of democracy.
[1:01:00] citizens should continue to hold their elected officials
[1:01:07] accountable and they can attend meetings for the updated
[1:01:10] plans that are present and can attend the city council
[1:01:13] meetings for other available means for their voices to be
[1:01:19] heard. I'm here for the promotion that the thousand of
[1:01:23] voices are heard in the council. The final version of the
[1:01:30] land use study responds to the public people by protecting
[1:01:33] more open space than the original versions, but the
[1:01:37] planners only mission is an expensive process for the
[1:01:43] infrastructure. And expenses might defer developers. So at
[1:01:48] the planning commission that meeting on the 13th following
[1:01:51] the commission following comments by the commissioners,
[1:01:54] the city of duluth has too much green space. Commissioners
[1:01:59] struggled to amend the commissioners asked pretty much had
[1:02:04] consequences that of it would be and remember in the end
[1:02:08] this amendment was passed by 3 of the commissioners and
[1:02:13] that amendment to lower that why the amendment cancels all
[1:02:19] the intent conclusions and directions of the planners. If
[1:02:24] adopted will, by this council or any subsequent council to
[1:02:30] dispose of any profit that the l g y has and give it away
[1:02:34] to developers. And for more than 70 acres to be retired
[1:02:39] for commercial space including a private golf course. The
[1:02:45] amendment covers any protection honoring thousands of
[1:02:50] people sought for open space to develop. Since those
[1:02:56] commission meetings minutes have not been published few
[1:03:00] people had a chance to read the amendment, understand it
[1:03:03] and undercuts the plan. My purpose in speaking to make
[1:03:09] sure a public record is made and the consequences adopting
[1:03:13] the plan in its current form adopts this without the
[1:03:19] amendment.
[1:03:20] >> thank you.
[1:03:21] >> our next speaker is james hansen.
[1:03:24] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:03:35] >> hi, I'm james hansen. I'm a member of the
[1:03:42] national resource commission. On the recent meetings have
[1:03:46] heard reports from the city staff and asked questions on
[1:03:51] duluth's natural aids program. And the cedar creek fish
[1:04:01] kill another item we have spent a lot of time discussing
[1:04:04] with the city staff, new land use study of lester park the
[1:04:10] golf course area. There is 4 natural areas designated in
[1:04:15] duluth. We have a new management with enforcement the
[1:04:21] heart area of the st. Louis river natural area and the
[1:04:28] river natural area. And adjacent to the cluster area is
[1:04:34] the park golf course. And a unique opportunity to expand
[1:04:40] own some of that natural habitat and restore to the
[1:04:46] wetlands that originally were there. And what I know
[1:04:49] there is a demand for housing in duluth. And the land use
[1:04:57] study does acknowledge that that lower third can
[1:05:00] potentially be developed to help alleviate the housing
[1:05:06] crunch. The opportunity to at least with the opportunity
[1:05:11] connected to the west hampton expand that natural area for
[1:05:17] 1100 acres, you know, nearly 14 hundred add and and that
[1:05:26] tourism unique location to the beach and the lakewalk
[1:05:32] trail and the hiking trail and the shore. There is a
[1:05:36] unique opportunity to expand on that economic machine for
[1:05:42] the city of duluth. Such as city-owned campgrounds on the
[1:05:51] west end to my understanding income generated for the city
[1:05:55] something of that nature can happen and might alleviate
[1:06:02] with the short-term rentals. With more challenging
[1:06:06] opportunity for folks that visit the state while seven
[1:06:11] hundred to 900 units will generate $500,000 million for
[1:06:18] the parkland. But an income with the parking the current
[1:06:27] half cent generates more than we gain from property tax in
[1:06:34] the city. Thank you.
[1:06:36] >> thank you. And our next speaker is hayden.
[1:06:40] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:06:50] >> my name is hayden, I live in district one. And I
[1:06:56] was here in the city council chamber in december of 2025,
[1:06:59] that when something happens instead of commissioning a
[1:07:04] land use study, we are impacted while the city council
[1:07:09] conveyed all the land and began the process and at the
[1:07:13] results of the land use study. I - I don't need to tell
[1:07:17] you that is in the court more than it should be look like
[1:07:22] trying to put the wheat in the bag before the lights were
[1:07:27] on. I, I was here in december 2025, when a convoluted
[1:07:33] resolution made the agenda that predicated the intention
[1:07:37] of lester park with the lester park golf course to the
[1:07:40] developer. This office is political skipping. That is
[1:07:45] clear that the city bundling was for the simple majority
[1:07:51] for the state of duress, we shoot the dog the argument and
[1:07:58] the resolution condemned itself. And now that duress comes
[1:08:07] back as counselors they placed on the minutes today to
[1:08:12] piece together what the materiality is. The actions of a
[1:08:19] mayor and city council distrust can damage the reputation
[1:08:23] with the residents. This was done one in 6 voters. As I
[1:08:28] said, a petition for the corrupt process watching unfold
[1:08:32] that, that was in front of us by the city council and the
[1:08:35] mayor. This goes beyond lester park when the corrupt
[1:08:41] processes happen to to corrupt. There is a rock that
[1:08:53] leaves nothing safe for the right start to righting a
[1:09:00] wrong and the super majority will be established by the
[1:09:04] city. And this breaches the trust. And during a time of
[1:09:09] natural or national curruptness and environmental collapse
[1:09:15] most are talked about. And the city of duluth will not
[1:09:18] forget the politicians back up in their home, don't try to
[1:09:23] make things right.
[1:09:25] >> thank you.
[1:09:27] >> our next speaker is ansel.
[1:09:35] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:09:36] >> good evening, I live in the district. First, I
[1:09:42] want to thank the city staff and councilors for taking
[1:09:45] time to engage the communities about the lester park golf
[1:09:51] course project. And also thank the councilors that added
[1:09:55] the motion to tonight's resolution added by the planning
[1:09:59] commission or for for redesignating the city for the
[1:10:03] protected park land that people in city of duluth are
[1:10:10] passionate about. The conservation and political shortage
[1:10:15] of the housing both locally and nationally, no one takes
[1:10:21] that lightly. It needed to be restated that the contention
[1:10:26] in the process it is not from the discussion. And
[1:10:30] unfortunately, many of the media and the discussion in and
[1:10:35] around that housing versus conservation and completely
[1:10:40] ignored around the process and the push back came from the
[1:10:46] decision to convey the parkland before the land use study
[1:10:53] was complete. And one note changed the hands for the
[1:10:56] protection was forgotten and however unlikely the entire
[1:11:02] property is still for a simple majority vote and against
[1:11:07] the acknowledging desire of the one to focus. This
[1:11:12] property didn't need to be in the protected status for the
[1:11:17] land use study. We could have let this play out for the
[1:11:22] protection. This unnecessary step eroded the public trust
[1:11:28] and the discussions around what we should build, those
[1:11:33] were from the planning commission recommendation for the
[1:11:37] entire property for not just the lower 60 acres in the
[1:11:42] land use study that was spoken that people are concerned
[1:11:45] about. And their rights were described away. I'm asking
[1:11:52] to restore the protection and to accept the land use study
[1:11:58] recommendations of pursuing the development. The people of
[1:12:02] the duluth want to focus on the data solutions not
[1:12:07] watchdog in the public eye. Thank you.
[1:12:11] >> next speaker.
[1:12:12] >> denise.
[1:12:17] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:12:24] need to adjust the lectern, you can.
[1:12:28] >> can you hear me?
[1:12:29] >> yes.
[1:12:34] >> denise. I'd like to make comments on two agenda
[1:12:39] items. First one is 2607235. That is a personnel matter
[1:12:48] and and I'd like to gently and respectfully urge you to
[1:12:53] vote no on that particular person being put on that
[1:13:02] commission. And here for 2 weeks, I heard questioning
[1:13:07] particularly to the councils that asked very pointed and
[1:13:12] specific questions and ask them and that person virtually
[1:13:22] led many to believe that you would filling an open seat
[1:13:30] just to fill an open seat. I think perhaps needs a little
[1:13:36] bit more and maybe to come back with their time and try
[1:13:41] and get on the commission then. But I think now is not the
[1:13:46] right time for this person. And that's how this person
[1:13:50] will not vote for that person.
[1:13:52] >> the the other thing is 26 zero 7 for the lester
[1:14:03] park. I agree with all the people that came. I also was
[1:14:07] at the planning commission meeting. It has come here with
[1:14:15] barely a quorum, only 5 people there and tabled, only got
[1:14:21] 3 votes. I would like to know more, and definitely no more
[1:14:31] than the 37 originally was proposed to do them and whose
[1:14:38] mission is economic. I'd like to see the land whoever
[1:14:45] person developed and hoping that is on in the lower half
[1:14:48] or the lower third, the base. I'd like to see a portion of
[1:14:54] that go to a nonprofit or either a state or governmental
[1:15:00] or county governmental equity whose sole position is
[1:15:10] trying to get nine hundred new housing units with
[1:15:14] 10 percent of what the city has accepted. That is an
[1:15:20] incredible amount and told that 33 percent goes to the
[1:15:24] city of duluth and 200 or below to the poverty level.
[1:15:28] 33 percent will be at 200 percent poverty or below. And
[1:15:36] finally affordable housing, $986. Not going to happen in
[1:15:46] the economic. Please, please break it up. So that someone
[1:15:52] is interested in housing, housing, everyone in the city
[1:15:56] has a stake. Thank you very much.
[1:15:58] >> thank you.
[1:16:00] >> our next speaker is -
[1:16:02] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code. If
[1:16:12] you need to adjust the podium so --
[1:16:16] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:16:17] >> my name is meg and I'm at -- I'd like to comment
[1:16:24] today on the resolution to reclassify the area for the
[1:16:29] lester park and procedural registry regarding that and
[1:16:34] building that the land use study conducted reasonably
[1:16:38] well. I was frustrated to hear the planning commission to
[1:16:44] disregard this and for the infrastructure and water and
[1:16:50] sewer is practical in the way of long term and housing.
[1:16:55] I'd like to thank the councilor for the amendment on the
[1:17:00] commissions recommendations and revise the land use study.
[1:17:04] that study favors the developments on the 33 acres
[1:17:08] property in the upper two .7 acres of open space and to
[1:17:14] thank the councilor last week. And especially councilor
[1:17:26] randorf directions the city to remain in ownership and in
[1:17:32] the protected park lane it really aims to be in the spirit
[1:17:38] of the land use study. I strongly urge you to follow up
[1:17:43] with the resolution with both of the amendments and to be
[1:17:51] passing those amendments shows the council means what it
[1:17:54] says to the people. Which is not something that 34 of us
[1:17:59] have been happy throughout the process, a reason between
[1:18:05] housing development and making public land. I encourage
[1:18:10] the city council to meet with the planning commission to
[1:18:13] use the land use study and adopt it without making future
[1:18:20] decisions and development and open space and park. Thank
[1:18:21] you.
[1:18:26] >> thank you. And our next speaker is alec.
[1:18:34] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:18:36] >> I'm alec in the central park plaza side, been a
[1:18:42] long process. Thank you for your continued working at
[1:18:47] least going through this a little while and I hope it goes
[1:18:54] along with the land use study recommendation, and 33 acres
[1:18:57] for mixed-use housing, and 7 acres for parking and
[1:19:02] consider before making a recommendation use for the zoning
[1:19:05] process. And what the super majority deserves and point
[1:19:13] out ,again, the limited trust in the process. Trust is
[1:19:16] hard-earned. And it will take much pause, but it takes
[1:19:22] open communication to be built teenagers and adults have
[1:19:29] to have trust. We called this last time. This cycle is
[1:19:36] simple completion to communicate the consistent action
[1:19:41] creating trust establishes, relationships. This cycle was
[1:19:48] broken down into the steps of lester park in the process
[1:19:50] and can be rebuilt. To that end, the motion to amend -
[1:19:58] proposed rejecting the planning commission changes are
[1:20:02] piecing as the intent for the city to retain ownership of
[1:20:06] the acres designated as parkland. Thank you for that.
[1:20:09] >> part of the process of redeeming and to be clear
[1:20:14] communicate and consist and create more trust. Thank you
[1:20:18] for you time and your service.
[1:20:20] >> thank you. And our next speaker is jill crawford
[1:20:26] nichols.
[1:20:27] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:20:35] >> good evening, jill.
[1:20:37] >> I'm in district 4 and have a big agenda but here
[1:20:42] to speak on the study and representing chapter of the
[1:20:49] mountain legacy and referring to the bike. We have been
[1:20:53] engaged in the issues since the beginning in 2019, and
[1:20:59] opposed the sale of the public parkland and come before
[1:21:04] the commission on numerous occasions. And recently,
[1:21:09] oppose this lester park golf course. Before the completion
[1:21:12] of the land use study. So tonight, I'm pleased to be here
[1:21:16] to speak in support of the land use study finding we
[1:21:20] wanted to recognize the good work and particularly their
[1:21:25] effort that open and offer a constant opportunity for the
[1:21:33] public and the recommendation is supported by their
[1:21:36] community and supports the many, many public comments that
[1:21:39] were made in december and november of this past year. And
[1:21:44] protecting the acres of the upper golf course right
[1:21:50] decision. And also thank the councilors for offering to
[1:21:54] remove the action of august 13th, which will have effected
[1:22:00] the recommendation. And therefore wasting 200 thousand -
[1:22:06] thousands of taxpayer money. And one concern in the
[1:22:10] amendments refers to as the 200 acres at open space,
[1:22:16] however, open space is not a designation. Therefore, we
[1:22:22] encourage you to have the current designation for the 200
[1:22:27] and 7 acres and remove those acres from the data. And in
[1:22:32] addition to this, we strongly encourage the councilors to
[1:22:37] take and address steps for the 6 hundred or 200 and
[1:22:40] 7 acres to have protection by a member of our own
[1:22:45] commission. Thank you, on behalf of 1 hundred and 20.
[1:22:52] >> our final agenda speaker is lisa patrick.
[1:23:04] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:23:10] >> lisa fitzpatrick. I live near lester park and
[1:23:16] lester park golf course. I want to thank councilor
[1:23:21] durrwachter for the study in saying keep parkland. I
[1:23:26] agree with pretty much everyone talking about the 200 and
[1:23:32] 7 acres of parkland. I appreciate the zoning administer's
[1:23:42] and president nephew having written the -- I forgot the
[1:23:50] word to do that. And I would, I also want to say I was one
[1:23:55] of those who went with the petition around duluth and
[1:24:01] people in west duluth were signing it. I was in central
[1:24:07] hillside and I went to -- with flags of a certain party
[1:24:16] that I know was not in agreement. We talked about people
[1:24:22] having a voice and what happens to our land. And I had
[1:24:28] conversations with them people. And, of course, mostly in
[1:24:33] lester park but, having said that, I agree with everyone
[1:24:39] and let's go forward in good faith. Thank you.
[1:24:40] >> thank you.
[1:24:48] >> president nephew. Move on to non-agenda items.
[1:24:50] the first speaker is ali.
[1:24:52] >> welcome.
[1:24:55] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:24:56] >> ali.
[1:24:59] >> signing and - (unintelligible).
[1:25:08] >> from the crane clearing here, we are great lake
[1:25:17] superior and here to talk the lakewalk I posted close to
[1:25:24] be close to it. And have my daughter have access to it
[1:25:27] where we belong. And the closure of the lake sees it
[1:25:32] harmful to the city of duluth. And I think my daughter's
[1:25:35] development and facilitating the connection and brought
[1:25:40] her to the lakewalk when she was a baby. I bring her
[1:25:46] there still and want her to know herself to this lake and
[1:25:51] want other duluth's to have opportunity and for children
[1:25:57] as human beings and for their development is vital. We
[1:26:02] are fortunate to live next to this place. It is harmful
[1:26:12] in this space and not going the another way. Further this
[1:26:18] project will be proper to the public and the - nothing is
[1:26:27] impeding, of course. I think nothing of notice from
[1:26:29] recruitment. I too want to take care of other services
[1:26:33] that is the community of people that want to serve notice
[1:26:38] and on the -- in regard to the land use both to the public
[1:26:43] who is already deeply familiar and scared away, dying to
[1:26:50] come around a curve where birds were gone and beginning to
[1:26:56] do anything with the trees. And they trimmed away trees
[1:27:03] for the public and changing, as well as, for the - I wish
[1:27:08] I could -- we could put up for the trees and I e-mailed
[1:27:14] city hall both for further work to be done on the lakewalk
[1:27:21] and cause hardship to families. And after planning having
[1:27:27] seen concerns about the shoreline near my home is a
[1:27:31] magical cove of boulders and lining the shore appreciated
[1:27:38] by many. Those gathered deserve to be undisturbed and
[1:27:45] desire the land. And I'm weary of a project I think at
[1:27:53] the expense of nature that is curated by nature. My
[1:27:56] daughter wanted me to express for her it is fun climbing
[1:28:01] on the rocks and seeing light, water. The rocks are warm
[1:28:05] and like the sound of wind and waves. Can you not move
[1:28:10] the rocks?
[1:28:11] >> I think public input even from the time it's to
[1:28:18] the streetscape water like is vital and -- thank you.
[1:28:19] >> thank you.
[1:28:26] >> your final speaker is lauren.
[1:28:30] >> welcome. Please state your name and zip code.
[1:28:34] >> good evening, council. I just want to start by
[1:28:42] saying I've seen the public comment is impressive tonight
[1:28:46] in the community. And I'm off, taking off, again -- sorry
[1:28:51] about that. As a candidate to address a most serious
[1:29:02] problem. And resident in the state of minnesota a major
[1:29:08] general fund caused by an action. Those payments coming
[1:29:12] out of the budget were originally intended to spare the
[1:29:16] cost of the $108 million from the taxpayer and fell far
[1:29:24] short of reaching that goal. As now has been moved to the
[1:29:29] taxpayers and less promised. But at the height of scheme 7
[1:29:37] hundred million was coming out of the general fund.
[1:29:42] polling to many that was as factor plan. So it is
[1:29:49] understandable that the current superintendant wanted to
[1:29:55] fully erase that burden. During the committee of the whole
[1:30:01] in in july of 2023, the bond broker passed the referendum
[1:30:08] on the ballot quote asking the taxpayer to support this.
[1:30:14] he also said if he gets stuck in the revenue and the taxes
[1:30:20] will cost him, he pointed out will not be successful. He
[1:30:29] was looking at the height of the cost for the taxpayers
[1:30:31] not a single one said I'm a representative of the public,
[1:30:36] but the taxes are what will it cost.
[1:30:39] >> they have every right to know. Nearly all the
[1:30:44] plans was recommended was paid in 2028 and see a
[1:30:52] significant drop in 2029 with the meeting with the
[1:30:58] superintendent in from 2023, will prevent this from taking
[1:31:04] a relief from lower taxes. He was now going to step us
[1:31:10] down. The citizens of duluth are not for going into debt
[1:31:15] and agreeing to pay 28 more for the red plan. By voting
[1:31:21] for that referendum, no one was asked if they're okay with
[1:31:28] that. I think we should be seeing the clear semantics and
[1:31:38] during the school district push for the referendum.
[1:31:43] >> thank you. And president nephew that concludes
[1:31:47] the list of speakers for the public comment.
[1:31:49] >> thank you very much. And next move on to the
[1:31:52] consent agenda. I would like to remind the public
[1:31:57] commissioner johnson is on line tonight with a role call
[1:32:02] vote.
[1:32:04] >> motion to approve the consent agenda.
[1:32:07] >> seconded by councilor randorf. Not seeing any
[1:32:14] questions.
[1:32:15] >> clerk, call the roll.
[1:32:16] >> councilor clanaugh, yes.
[1:32:17] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[1:32:20] >> councilor desotelle, yes. And councilor tomanek,
[1:32:23] yes. And councilor randorf, yes.
[1:32:25] >> vice president kennedy, yes. And president nephew
[1:32:30] and counselor forsman.
[1:32:31] >> the consent agenda passes 9 to zero. And move on
[1:32:35] to item 23.
[1:32:47] >> resolutions tabled
[1:32:48] 24. 26-0723
[1:32:49] by councilor forsman (personnel)
[1:32:50] resolution confirming the appointment of brianna gunderson
[1:32:51] to the duluth entertainment and convention center
[1:32:52] authority. And we is a motion and seconded by councilor
[1:32:53] tomanek and next to discussion or I'm trying to remember
[1:32:57] the process a vice president kennedy weigh like to read
[1:33:02] the amendment.
[1:33:03] >> all right. Vice president kennedy, go ahead.
[1:33:07] >> do you want me to read the whole thing or just
[1:33:14] the statement of the public purpose?
[1:33:17] >>> we are reading the resolution 26. I want to
[1:33:28] highlight a strike through after the less -- so I'll read
[1:33:34] that part and go down to the statement of purpose and the
[1:33:39] special meeting. So, now therefore, the city adopts this
[1:33:45] planning commission and concludes that the duluth land use
[1:33:49] plan is hereby amended by adding it to the lester park
[1:33:55] golf course study plan. And what was strictly as amended
[1:33:59] by the additional recommendation which will be the
[1:34:05] planning commission vote argument. And then today want me
[1:34:09] to read the full statement of purpose for the special
[1:34:13] meet?
[1:34:14] >> to the end.
[1:34:15] >> so we're at the very end. And I'll read the
[1:34:21] special meeting on august 13, 2026, the applications held
[1:34:27] a planning hearing on the lecturing and the future land
[1:34:35] use map reviewed this. Staff's attachment 3 and discussed
[1:34:38] and deliberated the matter. The planning commission
[1:34:42] considered a motion to recommend the city council
[1:34:45] recommend to the city council the lester park golf course
[1:34:50] future land use amendment and vision plan and future land
[1:34:54] use amendment as amended and additional recommendation.
[1:34:58] they had a vote which passed 5 yeahs and no abstentions
[1:35:07] and added to this motion to amend the planning commission
[1:35:11] additional recommendation. So this will be our amendment.
[1:35:16] and so basically, the intention to go back and follow the
[1:35:20] recommendations of the land use study. And in the queue
[1:35:26] counselor forsman.
[1:35:27] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:35:29] >> thank you, excuse me - drink a drink -
[1:35:33] >> thank you, both for offering this amendment
[1:35:39] appreciate it coming from the act that that -- and back to
[1:35:45] december we took up the land use study. It was clear
[1:35:49] normally what the results a followup of the public
[1:35:53] process. Here we are. I know we all have different ideas
[1:35:57] in the lester park golf course future looked like for some
[1:36:01] people it looked like any development and for others more
[1:36:06] like the land use. But to honor my work for december to
[1:36:12] honor the results of that study and what was originally
[1:36:15] put forward to the planning commission finding, before we
[1:36:20] take a vote, I want to address the sustainability in this
[1:36:24] room and on line our. Planning commissioners who are
[1:36:29] unpaid put in long hours and a lot of research and bring
[1:36:33] recommendations on some of the most local decisions this
[1:36:37] council decisions as an elected official to debate the
[1:36:42] recommendations and make decisions. We agree with the
[1:36:45] planning commission and sometimes we don't. That is how
[1:36:48] the process works, that's okay. What is not acceptable
[1:36:52] and I hope fellow councilors will say not attacking the
[1:36:58] volunteer public servants simply because you disagree with
[1:37:03] them. I saw family members the day after but - I can tell
[1:37:11] you first-hand how much that hurt him. And in this case
[1:37:15] nick is a dedicated long time community member but on the
[1:37:20] port of the chester board and a model citizen. And when
[1:37:25] people overact in discussions with or without expansions
[1:37:32] gives the people and staff volunteers that serve our city
[1:37:36] wants to not serve. That is a loss so debate is welcome
[1:37:41] attacking the character of volunteers that step forward to
[1:37:45] serve is not. Let's do a little bit better when it comes
[1:37:50] to discuss versus tearing down people especially those not
[1:37:54] elected officials.
[1:37:56] >> thank you, councilor forsman. And councilor
[1:38:01] desotelle.
[1:38:02] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:38:03] >>. Thank you very much for adding that amendment,
[1:38:07] president nephew and vice president kennedy. And the
[1:38:10] planning commission meeting watched had happened. The land
[1:38:13] use study was processed and that is confusing in the
[1:38:17] language for the amendment. That remember when that that
[1:38:20] was passed 3/or 5 out of 9 commissioners were present and
[1:38:28] turned out the other 4 commissioners were there. And on
[1:38:36] the one hand, saying the zone is this way.
[1:38:38] >> wondering the zone is this way. This didn't work
[1:38:42] so I appreciate the amendment. And I think at that time
[1:38:44] we need to move forward and accept that.
[1:38:47] >> thank you councilor desotelle. And to go back
[1:38:56] quickly a question for the motion to amend. I believe
[1:39:00] there was moved and I will second that. I felt a formal
[1:39:05] second and mayor that is taken care of now. And councilor
[1:39:11] clanaugh.
[1:39:12] >> thank you, president nephew. And we're all capable
[1:39:13] myself included of having ideas often with the best of
[1:39:19] intentions. And my estimation the planning commission is
[1:39:24] with their motivation their amendment of something that is
[1:39:28] going off-base. I want to thank the people tonight for
[1:39:35] looking at this idea and putting it to rest. And
[1:39:38] counselor forsman for reminding us. And attacking
[1:39:43] character of one another. Working with our citizens.
[1:39:49] >> thank you.
[1:39:53] >> commissioner johnson.
[1:39:54] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:39:56] >> I also want to echo express my appreciation for
[1:40:00] the amendment and will be chiming in. Our planning
[1:40:05] commission does a great deal of work and we need to honor
[1:40:11] respect this work in our disagreements with ideas they do
[1:40:19] have the process they go through. And are facing the most
[1:40:25] challenging kind of discussions in some respect to the how
[1:40:32] we move forward in regards to that. So I appreciate the
[1:40:36] report I appreciate the communication and looking forward
[1:40:43] to continue to have our golf course or moved in inland
[1:40:50] area.
[1:40:51] >> all right. Thank you councilor johnson.
[1:40:54] >> not seeing any further comments. Thank you, vice
[1:41:00] president kennedy for reading this amendment. We need to
[1:41:05] go back to counselor forsman. Go back to what we promised
[1:41:11] for the land use study and we are doing that tonight that
[1:41:14] is the intention. But your planning commissioners they do
[1:41:18] an enormous amount of work and agree with the statements
[1:41:25] he is a astonishing citizen. With that, call the motion
[1:41:31] the amended version of lester park golf course study by
[1:41:38] councilor kennedy.
[1:41:42] >> clerk, call the roll. On the amendment.
[1:41:45] >> councilor clanaugh, yes.
[1:41:46] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[1:41:47] >> councilor desotelle, no.
[1:41:50] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[1:41:52] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[1:41:55] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[1:41:56] >> president nephew, yes. And counselor forsman,
[1:41:57] aye.
[1:42:02] >> all right. The resolution 7 61 as amended by
[1:42:07] myself and vice president kennedy passes 9 to zero and
[1:42:14] councilor randorf read in our amendment.
[1:42:16] >> thank you
[1:42:17] >> thank you, president nephew. The purpose of this
[1:42:18] motion to amend to implement the adopted lester park golf
[1:42:23] course study by the process to remove 200 and 7 acres
[1:42:28] identified as open space for the agreement and retain the
[1:42:33] city ownership and to the following entitled ordinances
[1:42:49] residential rural 1 (rr-1) to park & open space (p-1).
[1:42:50] this is actually simple. They acted in the agreement we
[1:42:55] voted on how we will address the property once the land
[1:42:59] use study is done? The next step the land use study is
[1:43:04] complete it identifies approximately 200 and 7 acres as
[1:43:09] p-1 open space. And in section 11 and 2 g the development
[1:43:17] agreement addresses the process for removing the property
[1:43:20] in the arrangement that will not be transferred to them.
[1:43:25] and so this is that process we're following the process
[1:43:30] and in the development agreement and in it it council
[1:43:34] requests the city administrator 2 f and g to remove the
[1:43:40] 200 and 7 acres. And I have of them as p-1 open space and
[1:43:47] additional steps we think, there are appropriate zoning
[1:43:54] processes to follow. This we know that and it is
[1:43:57] suggesting all completed tonight and simply asking us to
[1:44:01] acknowledge the outcome. The land use study we approved
[1:44:05] and initiate that process established for us any
[1:44:09] development agreement to implement that that is an
[1:44:13] important step to classify and important for transparency
[1:44:16] and affordability. And we ask for the study we resolved
[1:44:19] the study and the development tells us what to do next and
[1:44:24] identify the property. This amendment simply starts that
[1:44:28] process. I encourage my follow councilors to vote. Thank
[1:44:29] you.
[1:44:32] >> and motion and second and seconded by councilor
[1:44:39] desotelle
[1:44:40] (laughter).
[1:44:41] >> and counselor forsman.
[1:44:42] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:44:46] >> president nephew. Is it okay if we were to ask
[1:44:51] questions of our attorney that better clarifies, not
[1:44:54] having an opportunity during the open session.
[1:44:57] >> I'll allow for that and not had the opportunity
[1:45:02] for (multiple voices).
[1:45:03] >> sure.
[1:45:04] >> sorry, attorney.
[1:45:05] >> I want to help maybe start getting our arms around
[1:45:13] this itself. In the development agreement last december, I
[1:45:18] think that a pause was cited in the amendment that defined
[1:45:23] read a requirement the council has to take up a change in
[1:45:30] the property boundary if we're going to not convey
[1:45:34] something that is in addition to that. So a requirement
[1:45:37] if we're going to shrink the footprint of the whole
[1:45:41] property something other than that that. For deda to close
[1:45:46] based on the land use study. Is that; correct?
[1:45:49] >> president nephew and councilor forsman. That's;
[1:45:57] correct. Clear in the process the land use study
[1:45:59] indicated that any thought that land will not be feasible
[1:46:02] for developments and deda will not say that is
[1:46:10] developable. And now into the action the amendment to the
[1:46:13] development agreement this raises that costs of 200 and 7
[1:46:19] acres in the actual acreage.
[1:46:21] >> another question that we will have taken an
[1:46:26] agreement that comes about for the council the 200 and 7
[1:46:30] acres another step for the closing down evident of that
[1:46:35] property if this continues forward.
[1:46:37] >> president nephew and counselor forsman. This is
[1:46:39] correct. Keep in mind that closing date is 2027 have an
[1:46:47] amount of time to do the initial steps.
[1:46:50] >> I had two last questions, I'm sure others have.
[1:46:55] this is helpful and accurate to say we're not adding new
[1:46:59] protections to that 200 and 7 acres as part of the
[1:47:03] redevelopment agreement, but that basically just keeps in
[1:47:07] mind that clause in f that we have to do this by
[1:47:11] resolution if we're to shrink that footprint not like
[1:47:16] we're - any reading of the agreement if we cancel that
[1:47:20] can't have anything rezoned. And this acreage can be
[1:47:26] conveyed as the land use study adopted in the future. I
[1:47:31] maybe, I'm going circular. I guess my question can you
[1:47:37] confirm we're not adding any new protections as part of
[1:47:41] the amendment with the 200 and 7 acres, but expecting this
[1:47:47] in the next month's to take the acreage and resolution for
[1:47:52] the compliance?
[1:47:53] >> president nephew and counselor forsman.
[1:47:55] >> my understanding the motion to amend by councilor
[1:48:03] randorf means we are agreeing with the plan study that
[1:48:08] recommendations up to two hundred and 7 approximately
[1:48:11] acres will be open space and those action items will be
[1:48:16] operated and developed as p-1 but a few acres are not
[1:48:22] we're quite sure have to make sure they're all in that
[1:48:28] agreement.
[1:48:29] >> if those acres stay p-1 and can't because of
[1:48:34] development agreement.
[1:48:36] >> counselor forsman, that's correct.
[1:48:38] >> thank you. That's what I was trying to get at.
[1:48:42] >> councilor clanaugh.
[1:48:44] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:48:46] >> thank you, councilor randorf for proposing to
[1:48:48] address the concerns that many have concerns about
[1:48:52] tonight. We heard about the concerns and thanks for
[1:48:55] proposing this laying this to rest and put a horse in
[1:49:02] front of the cart. A given the unfortunate decision that
[1:49:09] come out of the planning commission and those
[1:49:13] possibilities that that vote -
[1:49:15] >> all right. And councilor durrwachter.
[1:49:19] >> tomb.
[1:49:20] >> and well thank you.
[1:49:24] >> thank you, president nephew. And vice president
[1:49:26] kennedy for approving this meantime I support and also I
[1:49:31] want to thank councilor randorf for bringing this really
[1:49:33] important resolution before - forward it furthers us on in
[1:49:40] protecting the 200 and 7 acres that the good work has
[1:49:45] determined our inevitable open space. We previously do
[1:49:49] because the city staff and back in 1245 study. I
[1:49:57] appreciate that. We're disclosing to permanently
[1:50:03] protecting that land 8 to one parkland vote in the future.
[1:50:09] thank you very much.
[1:50:10] >> vice president kennedy and.
[1:50:14] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:50:15] >> this is a question for the attorney.
[1:50:17] >> one of the ones councilor randorf stated of those
[1:50:23] protections or any of the action would be put forward
[1:50:27] until we have voted on the land use study. Are we too far
[1:50:35] ahead? Don't we vote for the land use study and then go
[1:50:39] back - I'm feeling we're a little bit ahead.
[1:50:44] >> president nephew and vice president kennedy this
[1:50:47] body will decide to approve the land use study. And it is
[1:50:53] fine with the councils to make the motion to amend that
[1:50:58] before us tonight. We cannot get to far there is a long
[1:51:03] process yet to come but in reviewing both the motions to
[1:51:08] amend and rectify them and we feel that's appropriate to
[1:51:12] make a decision tonight.
[1:51:13] >> amy martin.
[1:51:18] >> thank you, president nephew. And thank you,
[1:51:21] councilor randorf for this amendment I think that was that
[1:51:25] appropriate because there's a lot of perplexities and
[1:51:28] having the decision the resolution remind us those land
[1:51:32] will - as attorney said when I start preserving and the
[1:51:39] legal studies acreage moving them around hoping surveys
[1:51:45] are not up to if we want to mocking make sure we the get
[1:51:50] did you p-1 right and on that note I want to clarify this
[1:51:56] as we move forward with making sure that these lands stay
[1:52:00] p-1 that is open space not protected by a super that
[1:52:05] majority vote will be in the designated areas as parkland
[1:52:11] and I the clean power will be there to support the
[1:52:15] community and working with several folks to make sure and
[1:52:18] staff to really look at the left hand or land and which
[1:52:22] ones do we want to make sure the park land is protected
[1:52:26] from the state statute that gives good you protection
[1:52:31] right now and abated by the work done so moved.
[1:52:36] >> so far so excited we're getting back to this and
[1:52:41] fine-tune where is the lines are and look at the develop o
[1:52:46] development and top.
[1:52:48] >> counselor forsman.
[1:52:52] >> thank you, president nephew. One more question and
[1:52:56] follow-up from vice president kennedy on the sequence.
[1:52:59] just to confirm attorney you're interpretation of this
[1:53:05] amendment satisfies the requirement that specifically
[1:53:10] saying we'll have to do the additional resolution?
[1:53:14] >> but needs to come back with the development
[1:53:19] agreement?
[1:53:20] >> president nephew and counselor forsman that's
[1:53:23] acre or; correct. Thank you. And councilor tomanek.
[1:53:27] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:53:28] >> I have some concerns about how this was brought
[1:53:31] up, first of all, thank you to councilor randorf for doing
[1:53:35] the knowledge or, but I received the amendment as
[1:53:39] 4 o'clock today, I resolved changes to the amendment
[1:53:42] 7-minute before the meeting started in your not how I
[1:53:47] work. I appreciate the work you put into the hearing that
[1:53:51] didn't add extra protection we'll be accomplishing this in
[1:54:00] a couple of months I'm not sure I support it.
[1:54:04] >> I have one more question if anyone else in the
[1:54:09] queue does councilmember amendment move the process feast
[1:54:14] for closing or that's my only question and like expedite
[1:54:21] and did our staff have enough time to do work along the
[1:54:26] way.
[1:54:27] >> president nephew. The motion to amend supported
[1:54:30] by councilor randorf didn't speed up the process align one
[1:54:35] of the goals will be to the motion to amend cads adds the
[1:54:44] clarification but it is the same timing.
[1:54:47] >> thank you.
[1:54:50] >> councilor randorf.
[1:54:51] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:54:52] >> I wanted to address the idea of protections we
[1:54:54] are working on that and working with councilor durrwachter
[1:54:57] it is true this property is p-1 so zoning is not offering
[1:55:05] protection. We have to others clarifications that are for
[1:55:10] the resolution and neither of those that will take you
[1:55:15] where the future, at at future time on this property not
[1:55:21] used for anything but to be pursue opportunity is just
[1:55:28] saying already done p-1 and parking and open space is a
[1:55:33] natural designation. And still some nice protections
[1:55:37] things you can't put on it and we are restricted on the
[1:55:42] types activities so a decent level of protection the clear
[1:55:47] reason that is important wasn't to quickly pit something
[1:55:53] throw and not in any way sloppy we worked on for week and
[1:55:59] talking about with the attorney and meaningful working
[1:56:02] prior to the amendment even prior to what we're seeing
[1:56:08] forward today. But it is really important I think for the
[1:56:12] public to be tracking. Many times we know a motion or a
[1:56:18] something coming next probation officer and people
[1:56:21] tracking it not as clearly as we are and it is important
[1:56:25] we're not only adopting if land use substituted did you we
[1:56:30] hear you lowell high school and taking that last 10 and
[1:56:36] we're going to put that back and as p-1 and park and open
[1:56:42] space and that was so important for me it's what I've been
[1:56:47] hearing from my communities and other cities I - I
[1:56:52] encourage us to put on the timing and put aside any other
[1:56:57] complexities and please forgive me for the late addition
[1:57:02] and please forgive me for the types of that are a direct
[1:57:08] ask I thought that was a great catch by counselor forsman
[1:57:15] so that flexibilities doesn't include that convention but
[1:57:21] this as solid amendment fiasco with that process and clear
[1:57:25] for the public. And I encourage everyone to approve it.
[1:57:26] thank you.
[1:57:34] >> councilor johnson.
[1:57:35] >> intentional.
[1:57:36] >> appreciate all the comments that are added and
[1:57:42] also councilor randorf for making that slight in the
[1:57:47] amount of at the last minute that was a concern I think
[1:57:51] had initial needed amending but for myself we're still in
[1:57:59] the process moving towards trying to not do again ged get
[1:58:04] ahead of ourselves and riding out the process and being
[1:58:10] clear about the processing process I appreciate the
[1:58:13] dialogue take place and have been clarified some of it
[1:58:17] questions that were brought forward it is helpful. Thank
[1:58:18] you.
[1:58:23] >> councilor forsman.
[1:58:24] >> thank you, president nephew.
[1:58:25] >> I have one more question for councilor randorf
[1:58:27] you said it I was going to hesitate on one of my petitions
[1:58:32] he knew what you're trying to do in the plans was the word
[1:58:38] couple. I learned a lesson last year when we did the code
[1:58:44] on the lester park golf course we took up the idea of
[1:58:49] 1500 acres protection took on a life of its own but I
[1:58:56] recall that was actually an idea I had to try to put
[1:59:00] different things together but in a way that balanced
[1:59:03] development with protection. You just confirm that was the
[1:59:08] case and a lot of people with miss con assembles we're
[1:59:12] holding lester park golf course hostage which was a
[1:59:18] reverse highway to do protection development. Thank you
[1:59:21] very much. For letting me respond to that.
[1:59:23] >> councilor forsman the minimal of 15 acres a
[1:59:31] strips was so important. It was important for steps and it
[1:59:36] was important because we took look at 1500 acres of park
[1:59:40] not preserves and imagine we have millions of dollars and
[1:59:45] had it zoned p-1, but no deed. We had no additional
[1:59:52] protection at any time someone can come in there and
[1:59:57] change the land public speaker pristine park it is deep
[2:00:01] with wildlife and watersheds and have and we said we're to
[2:00:11] also 95 of this make sure we do that. I still stand behind
[2:00:16] the recommendation and that was an may I thing we saw
[2:00:21] people come through and that is a legacy that double will
[2:00:25] be able to cherish for years to come we will cherish our
[2:00:31] parkland that was I'm proud of that a couple of items
[2:00:37] putting that that tonight or together and thank you,
[2:00:40] counselor forsman and another in the same lane making sure
[2:00:45] that we're protecting those values to you thank you,
[2:00:49] again. And thank you.
[2:00:50] >> councilor tomanek.
[2:00:52] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:00:54] >> I have a question about putting this 200 and 6
[2:00:58] architectural into parkland.
[2:00:59] >> I don't know if it is for councilor randorf if we
[2:01:05] voted will that prohibit any changes to the land that
[2:01:09] might not be able to the community I'm thinking of the had
[2:01:15] a chance to see that and people people with disabilities
[2:01:18] are able to go out and for the first time in their life
[2:01:24] golf. Will it limit new developments of trails or so limit
[2:01:28] the development of our learning center or just golf? Put
[2:01:34] your hand over your heart. It all both parkland but to
[2:01:36] keep any kind of development from happening?
[2:01:39] >> councilor randorf.
[2:01:43] >> I answer that question that was answered thursday
[2:01:47] night as well plus direction of packs depth not be for but
[2:01:56] a partnership with the city and the park they had an -
[2:02:03] trails all the things that are that are louder in a park
[2:02:08] and p-1 zone absolutely will be but the caveat not for
[2:02:16] commercial use ambassador in partnership with the parks
[2:02:20] development and a shared amendment where we provide the
[2:02:24] service centers.
[2:02:25] >> great. Thank you.
[2:02:29] >> councilor desotelle.
[2:02:30] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:02:31] >> one of the other commission meetings I had the
[2:02:33] joy of meeting with the parks commission I want to bring
[2:02:38] up a motion and I--I don't know if this is timing bringing
[2:02:43] it before but one of the things the park commission talked
[2:02:46] about is planning for this park right away.
[2:02:51] >> I hope we think about as we move forward with the
[2:02:55] contractual the plans the 671 acres installed we think
[2:02:59] about where that might go into parks if we get the plan
[2:03:05] done the park is 3 levels of types of uses. Talked about
[2:03:11] kind of the play bylaw heart infrastructure that is the
[2:03:14] stuff that costs a lot of money but still part of parks
[2:03:19] that a lot of the nonprofits help to take care of trail
[2:03:24] and we can bike and walk and sky and some of the resources
[2:03:30] but the trails need to be maintained I think the natural
[2:03:34] areas the ones you want to tiptoe gently on and all the
[2:03:39] lands are very, very important to the city we are so
[2:03:42] fortunate to have 25 percent of our open space and I can
[2:03:48] tell you that studies have been done that the cities don't
[2:03:51] have this don't have the better water quality and the
[2:03:55] habitat and the happiness indexes future that humans need
[2:04:02] so need 25 percent n my head to maintain that while
[2:04:06] wearing gently working on the national lands working
[2:04:12] carefully on the trades and working with the engineers and
[2:04:14] really putting the money into those parks, open spaces.
[2:04:18] we need it based on hockey and those kinds of things
[2:04:24] places we gather as community. When we go round those
[2:04:29] lower 60 some acres we tie that into those spaces and put
[2:04:35] them together at as community hopefully that helps with an
[2:04:42] understanding where I'm going with the parks.
[2:04:44] >> councilor clanaugh.
[2:04:46] >> thank you, president nephew. And councilor
[2:04:48] desotelle I appreciate that. And the idea of the
[2:04:53] procedures from the 6 is acres investment imposed in a
[2:05:01] awareness that is what we steward and moving forward.
[2:05:12] >> councilor forsman.
[2:05:14] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:05:15] >> agree with almost everything you said councilor
[2:05:20] desotelle we'd like to go on record with the 37 and a half
[2:05:26] acres the sales had go to the gulf of mexico's that is a
[2:05:30] future dissolution and debate but on the record what was
[2:05:35] said.
[2:05:36] >> thank you, councilor forsman seeing no one in the
[2:05:42] queue take a motion to amend to a vote.
[2:05:48] >> clerk, call the roll. By councilor randorf.
[2:05:53] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:05:55] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:05:56] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[2:05:57] >> counselor forsman, yes.
[2:05:58] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[2:06:01] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[2:06:02] >> councilor desotelle, yes. And councilor johnson.
[2:06:06] >> aye.
[2:06:07] >> the motion to amend presented by councilor
[2:06:11] randorf for 61 passes 9 to zero. And next move on to --
[2:06:17] oh, sorry. As amended by councilor randorf.
[2:06:24] >> do you want to vote?
[2:06:25] >> no. And so now we'll vote thank you for the
[2:06:31] reminder resolution 7 61 amended by myself and vice
[2:06:37] president kennedy. And the motion to amend presented by
[2:06:40] councilor randorf, I see. Thank you for city staff for
[2:06:52] listening.
[2:06:54] >> they put a lot of time and effort into the future
[2:06:58] that involves this properties so thank you to them and
[2:07:02] thank you to a those for the good work on the land use
[2:07:07] study and thank you to the group that helped to provide
[2:07:10] direction I forgot what their name was and people that
[2:07:16] engaged with the process and had a chance to meet a lot of
[2:07:20] folks at the openhouse and I have a variety of the
[2:07:26] opinions and support tonight. Thank you.
[2:07:32] >> councilor durrwachter.
[2:07:33] >>
[2:07:38] >> thank you, president nephew. And thank you to the
[2:07:39] city staff stereo their countless hours working on that at
[2:07:44] night and thanks for the good work as well and I do want
[2:07:51] to point out in the land use study that we approved back
[2:07:57] in october had very special sorry specific components.
[2:08:04] under heading a the general land use study components
[2:08:10] there are 8 bullet points 8 items that the council was
[2:08:19] directing was requesting from the city staff to direct and
[2:08:24] make to achieve and one of them was the falls of county
[2:08:29] demographics in the school district and the other is short
[2:08:37] term or short term and long term infrastructure options.
[2:08:41] and to the day we don't know what the infrastructure will
[2:08:46] cost to create the streets curbs and water and
[2:08:51] infrastructure. I understand that the 63 acres may likely
[2:08:58] come forward with an additional reservoirs it is unclear
[2:09:06] what that costs the city and taxpayers I know currently
[2:09:09] the city was doing on behalf of the reservoirs costing
[2:09:17] $20 million for lodge overdue infrastructure and rehab and
[2:09:22] in addition to I know that our school district is built
[2:09:27] our schools are overflowing so city staff works to bring
[2:09:34] forward housing developments that are much needed I hope
[2:09:39] the city the members the community members of the city
[2:09:44] will receive concrete answers on what the infrastructure
[2:09:49] will cost our taxpayer and how the school system can
[2:09:54] handle additional students. Thank you.
[2:10:00] >> councilor johnson.
[2:10:01] >> thank you, president nephew. And I just want to
[2:10:05] echo kind of my appreciation for all the city staff. You
[2:10:10] are attorneys who directed many of the amendments and also
[2:10:15] our consultants and thinking around the balance of harmony
[2:10:20] of the land use study coming before us and also kind of
[2:10:26] scheduling the possibility there in the housing and
[2:10:31] natural resources and distribution in that area. So I
[2:10:36] just thank you, to all those who participated in the
[2:10:39] process and being part that have it and making 12 come
[2:10:43] forward tonight. Thank you. Councilor johnson and
[2:10:49] councilor clanaugh and councilor johnson. We need to have
[2:10:52] you on screen. You're facing - and councilor clanaugh.
[2:10:57] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:10:58] >> thank you to everyone mentioned by the council
[2:11:01] colleagues. Thank you, especially in the citizenry for
[2:11:09] your tenacious relationship, the common good. And thank
[2:11:13] you, for helping, holding us accountable to clarify a
[2:11:18] process that has been turbulent and count on you to do the
[2:11:24] same as we move forward and councilor tomanek.
[2:11:31] >> thank you, president nephew. I have a question
[2:11:33] about how we have take into consideration the amount of
[2:11:37] money that parks will need to maintain this park?
[2:11:40] >> parks are already in previous slim but very, very
[2:11:46] slim in their budget and not able to pass a ref dump and
[2:11:56] as far as taking care of this more, more land and
[2:12:00] unfortunately machine will answer that not a question for
[2:12:03] tonight but a consideration.
[2:12:04] >> all right. Thank you councilor tomanek.
[2:12:08] >> seeing none, with companions on that resolution
[2:12:12] 751 call a voice vote but like to extend my gratitude to
[2:12:21] staff and for myself counselor this is a important one.
[2:12:27] and was challenging we really stepped up to the task and
[2:12:31] got here and also I think that is a good process so thank
[2:12:38] you for that as well and the community for everyone that
[2:12:40] signed up and participated in the process. Thank you.
[2:12:43] >> for that, well.
[2:12:45] >> and --
[2:12:48] >> councilor clanaugh, yes. And councilor desotelle,
[2:12:49] aye.
[2:12:52] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:12:53] >> counselor forsman, yes.
[2:12:55] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[2:12:57] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[2:12:58] >> president nephew, yes.
[2:13:00] >> councilor johnson, yes.
[2:13:02] >> resolution 7 61 as amended by vote of myself and
[2:13:09] vice president kennedy. And then also another amendment
[2:13:12] by councilor randorf passes 9 to zero and next move on to
[2:13:23] counselor forsman.
[2:13:29] >> resolutions tabled
[2:13:30] 24. 26-0723
[2:13:31] by councilor forsman (personnel)
[2:13:32] resolution confirming the appointment of brianna gunderson
[2:13:33] to the duluth entertainment and convention center
[2:13:34] authority. Plaque motion to remove this in the table.
[2:13:35] >> and motion and seconded by councilor randorf.
[2:13:37] >> all in favor, say "aye."
[2:13:38] >> aye.
[2:13:39] >> I'm sorry; correct discussion and we need to call
[2:13:43] the roll a discussion.
[2:13:44] >> no discussion.
[2:13:45] >> motion.
[2:13:46] >>
[2:13:48] >> clerk, call the roll. Councilor clanaugh, yes.
[2:13:49] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:13:52] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:13:53] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[2:13:55] >> counselor forsman, yes.
[2:13:58] >> councilor randorf, aye.
[2:14:01] >> vice president kennedy.
[2:14:03] >> president nephew.
[2:14:06] >> councilor johnson resolution 72 that is removed 9
[2:14:11] to zero.
[2:14:12] >> thank you, president tomanek move approval.
[2:14:16] >> moved by councilor forsman and second. Any
[2:14:22] questions? On the rise 723 seeing none.
[2:14:26] >> clerk, call the roll. And councilor clanaugh, yes.
[2:14:28] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:14:31] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:14:33] >> counselor forsman, yes.
[2:14:34] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[2:14:36] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[2:14:37] >> president nephew, yes.
[2:14:38] >> councilor johnson, aye.
[2:14:43] >> resolution 723 passes with a vote 9 to zero and
[2:14:50] counselor forsman.
[2:14:55] >> 25. 26-0724 resolution confirming the appointment
[2:14:56] of ginka tarnowski to the sanitary sewer board of the
[2:15:00] western lake superior sanitary district. I move to approve
[2:15:01] to remove that from the table.
[2:15:04] >> by counselor forsman and e-cigarettes and.
[2:15:08] >> clerk, call the roll. Councilor clanaugh and, yes.
[2:15:10] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:15:12] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:15:13] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[2:15:15] >> councilor forsman, yes.
[2:15:16] >> councilor johnson sorry.
[2:15:19] >> aye.
[2:15:22] >> vice president kennedy and president nephew, aye.
[2:15:28] >> and resolution 724 is removed from the table.
[2:15:32] >> counselor forsman motion by counselor forsman do
[2:15:36] I hear a second? And by councilor randorf any discussion
[2:15:39] on the resolution 724?
[2:15:42] >> seeing none.
[2:15:44] >> clerk, call the roll. Councilor clanaugh, yes. And
[2:15:47] councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:15:48] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:15:50] >> counselor forsman, yes.
[2:15:53] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[2:15:55] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[2:15:56] >> president nephew, yes.
[2:15:58] >> councilor johnson, aye.
[2:16:00] >> resolution 724 passes 9 to zero and counselor
[2:16:05] forsman.
[2:16:06] >> one more.
[2:16:08] >> 25. 26-0724 resolution confirming the appointment
[2:16:09] of ginka tarnowski to the sanitary sewer board of the
[2:16:12] western lake superior sanitary district. Removal to remove
[2:16:13] from the table.
[2:16:14] >> second and seconded by councilor tomanek and I
[2:16:19] heard - it is motions to remove from the table and
[2:16:24] discussion on it.
[2:16:25] >>
[2:16:26] >> clerk, call the roll.
[2:16:27] >> councilor clanaugh, yes.
[2:16:28] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:16:29] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:16:31] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[2:16:32] >> counselor forsman, aye.
[2:16:36] >> councilor randorf, yes.
[2:16:37] >> vice president kennedy, yes.
[2:16:38] >> president nephew, yes.
[2:16:42] >> councilor johnson resolution is removed from the
[2:16:45] table a counselor forsman motion by counselor forsman do I
[2:16:49] hear a second?
[2:16:50] >> seconded by councilor randorf.
[2:16:51] >> councilor durrwachter and.
[2:16:54] >> thank you, president nephew.. Does the interviews
[2:16:59] -
[2:17:00] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:17:06] >> councilmember essex no, we did not.
[2:17:09] >> but I believe we had the applicants materials
[2:17:13] that are (unintelligible) and here for review. Thank you.
[2:17:16] >> I do have follow-up.
[2:17:18] >> I know thereby specific requirements for the board
[2:17:23] of appeals and justifications does that person I guess my
[2:17:27] question which specification does this person have?
[2:17:32] >> I have a friendly if you like me to read them.
[2:17:39] >> thank you, president nephew. And councilor
[2:17:45] durrwachter I'd like have to look to see right now I can
[2:17:50] tell with that is the two removed the finance and the
[2:17:55] maintenance supplies I--I don't know any specifics on
[2:17:59] those.
[2:18:00] >> not included in the resolution. I'll have the
[2:18:04] application but I'm not sure and I don't remember.
[2:18:09] >> are you looking for counselor forsman.
[2:18:14] >> so -
[2:18:17] [off mic.]
[2:18:22] >> I personally would like to put this back on the
[2:18:27] table until we have this information if you like?
[2:18:30] >> we can that board is very tight in terms of - and
[2:18:37] been on the table for the last minute I prefer to have the
[2:18:41] questions I can get an answer for you I guess.
[2:18:46] >> counselor forsman.
[2:18:50] >> maybe I respect that choice and other
[2:18:54] alternatives. We have the ability to look for correction
[2:18:59] at the next meeting if we find out. Did you -
[2:19:04] (unintelligible) and this gentleman meets the requirements
[2:19:07] as outlined in the building code.
[2:19:10] >> yes. I am.
[2:19:11] >> okay.
[2:19:14] >> all right. Thank you.
[2:19:15] >> so we are making a motion to table.
[2:19:20] >> I motion to table.
[2:19:22] >> we have motion to table resolution 725. Do I have
[2:19:23] a second?
[2:19:28] >> yes and e-cigarettes by councilor clanaugh and.
[2:19:32] >> clerk, call the roll.
[2:19:33] >> councilor clanaugh, yes.
[2:19:36] >> councilor desotelle, yes. E, aye.
[2:19:39] >>
[2:19:40] >> councilor durrwachter, yes.
[2:19:41] >> counselor forsman no and councilor randorf, no.
[2:19:48] >> vice president kennedy, no.
[2:19:50] >> president nephew, no. And councilor johnson no
[2:19:55] and motion to table resolution 725 failed and vice
[2:20:02] president kennedy.
[2:20:03] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:20:04] >> I do want to direct council to item number it
[2:20:09] thirty I believe moving forward.
[2:20:12] >> building.
[2:20:16] >> do you solemnly swear or affirm the responses and
[2:20:17] statements made will be the whole truth and nothing but
[2:20:18] the truth? Is actually an ordinance to decrease the number
[2:20:20] so I think that is really for that we vote to that but I
[2:20:24] said to direct you to that. I believe the staff has been
[2:20:29] working to understand that a little bit better who it
[2:20:34] needs to be on the board I guess the person to be
[2:20:37] considered as part of this ordinance is done as well.
[2:20:41] >> thank you.
[2:20:44] >> seeing none, on resolution 725.
[2:20:48] >> clerk, call the roll.
[2:20:49] >> councilor clanaugh, no.
[2:20:50] >> councilor desotelle, aye.
[2:20:55] >> councilor durrwachter, no.
[2:20:56] >> councilor tomanek, aye.
[2:20:58] >> councilor kennedy, aye.
[2:21:00] >> --
[2:21:01] >> councilor randorf, yes. A vice president kennedy,
[2:21:04] yes.
[2:21:05] >> president nephew, aye.
[2:21:08] >> councilor johnson, aye.
[2:21:09] >> and resolution 725 passes 7 to two. And next
[2:21:14] going on to ordinances to be -- the following entitled
[2:21:22] residential rural 1 (rr-1) to park & open space (p-1).
[2:21:23] clerk.
[2:21:24] >>
[2:21:41] >> 28. 26-038 an ordinance amending chapters 29 and
[2:21:42] 29a of the duluth city code to regulate short term rental
[2:21:54] licensing and permitting
[2:21:55] >> 29. 26-036 by vice president kennedy (committee of
[2:21:56] the whole)
[2:21:57] an ordinance amending chapter ii, section 4, of the duluth
[2:21:58] home rule charter, 1912, as amended, pertaining vacancies
[2:22:07] of mayor and councilor.
[2:22:08] >> thank you and I would like to address ordinance 38
[2:22:13] and members of parkland community I discussed I know
[2:22:20] councilor tomanek had concerns and we're going to be
[2:22:23] drafting a new resolution to do that and check in and hold
[2:22:28] on with the evaluation and also director van tassel that
[2:22:38] one should be coming at at new meeting we'll not be voting
[2:22:43] on that tonight but that is work to be kind of to come and
[2:22:49] with that, we'll move on for the I'm sorry vice president
[2:22:54] kennedy.
[2:22:55] >> thank you on that comment that you had made
[2:22:59] regarding short-term rentals a question for. Attorney lear
[2:23:04] but also be the first reading?
[2:23:07] >> will be a continued resolution and will be
[2:23:10] changes to the ordinance.
[2:23:13] >> okay. Thank you.
[2:23:15] all right. Next we will move on to.
[2:23:19] >> the following entitled ordinances are to be read
[2:23:31] appeal board to seven members.
[2:23:32] >> so moved do I have a second?
[2:23:35] and seconded by counselor forsman and councilor
[2:23:38] durrwachter.
[2:23:39] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:23:40] >> we are being asked for a ordinances that will
[2:23:44] reduce of members of the public members required on the
[2:23:49] board of appeals from 9 members to 7 the argument for
[2:23:52] people to serve on the board that means it is difficult to
[2:23:57] meet quorum and other boards are 7 members. And the
[2:24:02] residents for this board are specifying and in chapter ten
[2:24:06] of the city code. And once specific requirement for having
[2:24:12] and finance background and another one is maybe to have a
[2:24:17] background as rentals architect and the other one a
[2:24:21] registered engineer and building construction designer and
[2:24:26] other qualification they need to have conduct business in
[2:24:33] residential or commercial building construction and the
[2:24:35] next one is voting materials by a then two of them are
[2:24:41] subsequent sensory and there are two members of this
[2:24:46] board, as well as, one of the fire chief that is for
[2:24:49] voting rights and the other is the building official
[2:24:54] actions as cfo not have voting rights but as secretary. On
[2:25:01] this board we specifics encourage only 8 voting members at
[2:25:08] that time and let's thinks the reduction of medical
[2:25:12] examiner by 6 members will get to vote to continue with
[2:25:15] the list requirement specific expertise and justifiable
[2:25:23] and pertinent level of segment we slashed this
[2:25:29] administration over the 2 years and not filling vacations.
[2:25:36] this week is the first time I heard the manipulates pursue
[2:25:40] filling any vacancies at all and nothing has been
[2:25:45] fountains more on the social media bridge we're seeking
[2:25:49] applicants for this role I personally know several
[2:25:54] qualified people want to be on the boards it is difficult
[2:25:57] to understand the dramatic conclusion to recuse the
[2:26:02] members and tattoo have a - to the point a former expert
[2:26:12] like in the changes to a bull in a china shop seems the
[2:26:17] community should be alarmed the mayor is teaming the
[2:26:21] reduce of number of periods of time expert should the
[2:26:26] board of appeals become necessary in the near future.
[2:26:32] additionally, many of the most contentious issues the
[2:26:36] council has experienced brought speakers to the council
[2:26:41] chambers to requiring an overflow room standard for the
[2:26:48] zoning change and proposal.
[2:26:49] >> recent proposal changes combined with the
[2:26:55] questioning for this by speakers have greatly eroded the
[2:27:01] public's trust. And in december is a premature lester
[2:27:06] park before the results of land use study links together
[2:27:09] with unrelated topics has eroded the trust and the judge
[2:27:18] ordered the clerk to count and validate an ordinance that
[2:27:23] erodes the public's trust and our neighbors in herman town
[2:27:28] is really from the event rezoned land in the radar to
[2:27:35] bring the majority on either of the politically --
[2:27:39] political isle don't want, and including and tax break for
[2:27:44] a million dollar company. I think the public's trust of
[2:27:51] the public officials is at an all time low and analysis.
[2:27:55] the number of members on all the 22 regional authority
[2:28:00] commissioners and half of existing boards contain 9 member
[2:28:04] or more. And in fact, one, two of them require 11 members.
[2:28:10] and it is difficult to understand why this particular
[2:28:13] board building appeals board is the board that was singled
[2:28:19] out for a change in reduction of hours. And reducing the
[2:28:25] members of the board makes it easier to control. Why
[2:28:30] would this mayoral administration allocate to change the
[2:28:36] board of appeals at this time? Why would that that
[2:28:39] administration go up before the board in 12 of the 22
[2:28:43] boards have the same dilemma and the public utilities
[2:28:48] commission? For instance has a hard time and I happened
[2:28:53] to know and qualified who is sitting in the queue has been
[2:28:58] sitting in the queue for 3 months awaiting to be put on
[2:29:02] the agenda to approve for him to join. The planning
[2:29:07] commission barely had a quorum at the last meeting yet
[2:29:10] have a board of 9 members. It is difficult to meet a
[2:29:15] quorum who no matter whether our board members will have
[2:29:19] vacancies the public arts commission has a decision to the
[2:29:26] vacancy to pursue a concerted effort to utilities. The
[2:29:33] media at the modifications fingerprints to search for
[2:29:37] applicants for all boards of authorities and commission
[2:29:40] meetings the best applicants are selected to serve the
[2:29:46] community. For those reasons. I can't vote for this
[2:29:49] ordinance. And I urge my fellow councilors to vote no.
[2:29:53] >> councilor clanaugh.
[2:29:57] >> I'm sorry administration -- administrator go
[2:30:03] ahead.
[2:30:04] >> thank you, president nephew. And councilor
[2:30:05] durrwachter I want to point that out this was actually a
[2:30:08] recommendation from the building and pelosi board I'll and
[2:30:15] is a on 34 board commissions we have a position on the
[2:30:20] website to take an application and that will be for
[2:30:25] whoever is work or work to and come to you with interviews
[2:30:29] addressed authority seeks other intensify processes. I
[2:30:34] will say that is a robust time commitment and we do it in
[2:30:38] the most efficient way potential and along are everything
[2:30:44] else this was in line with other commissions and was
[2:30:47] recommended by the building board.
[2:30:51] >> thank you, councilor clanaugh
[2:30:52] >> tinge for the listening and welcome luke medis
[2:31:11] with the growing focus on the housing need it be important
[2:31:17] for that permitting and construction our complex process
[2:31:21] needs to be met and this board relies on the expertise for
[2:31:26] appeals that is for a successful completion of projects
[2:31:30] while protecting the public interest by redistricting the
[2:31:35] projects for problematic aspects. And the board advise
[2:31:39] and support of enterprises for the experience as they
[2:31:45] operate in our city. Is it in the public interest to
[2:31:50] reduce of membership of this board and eliminate areas of
[2:31:55] finance and building materials?
[2:31:57] >> I would propose it is isn't and not propose those
[2:32:05] I appreciate the challenging time for the board members
[2:32:09] and the consistency and I wonder wherewith we support the
[2:32:15] board members for example, does the city have's perform
[2:32:20] groups in which to have builders association
[2:32:25] infrastructure and one additionally, can be done to boost
[2:32:31] this outreach and collect the membership roles for other
[2:32:35] boards and commissions? And how does the city promote the
[2:32:40] boards and commissions, as well as, robust participation
[2:32:47] I'm poodles by the boards struggles to have membership.
[2:32:52] like many boards and commissions benefits in addition to
[2:32:56] the this comes through the public service. Two benefits
[2:33:01] come to mind with that board the opportunity for knowledge
[2:33:04] development and for professional networking. Each appeal
[2:33:09] has a case board members analysis given situations for
[2:33:14] their filters and have a solution. Anyone participating on
[2:33:19] the board has opportunities to develop little finding of
[2:33:25] what constituents a project, as well as, learn about what
[2:33:29] weaknesses the projects and in addition to this
[2:33:32] professional development aspect the building board of
[2:33:35] appeals provides an excellent opportunity to network and
[2:33:38] expand portfolio of the context and seems the robust
[2:33:45] promotion will support others to building creativity and
[2:33:49] professionals financial and other related people with
[2:33:53] results in the surplus for inner fentanyl vacancies arises
[2:34:03] perhaps we can boost it finding ways for others and staff
[2:34:08] to work with each other and inviting public participation
[2:34:11] on this. Councilor desotelle.
[2:34:19] >> I was hoping to ask a question here being a newer
[2:34:24] counselor and image the previous counselor had worked on
[2:34:30] commission and numbers I'm wording that is part of the
[2:34:33] recommendations that came out with work that she did last
[2:34:37] year?
[2:34:38] >> president nephew and councilor desotelle I'm not
[2:34:43] sure if it carve out in the previous work or not I believe
[2:34:48] this is surplus more recently.
[2:34:51] >> okay.
[2:34:53] >> vice president kennedy.
[2:34:54] >> thank you, president nephew.
[2:34:56] >> I guess I can answer some of the questions I was
[2:35:01] also part of the board commissions and part of
[2:35:05] recommendations is that we should lower the number of
[2:35:09] several of the boards and commissions and take a more
[2:35:14] deliberate approach to that I'm guessing one of the boards
[2:35:18] that all are well and needs to be as far as a smaller
[2:35:23] number to get at aquarium and have a lot of people we
[2:35:27] don't have a lot of people
[2:35:29] serving well, if the roles not in the communities and not
[2:35:33] in the boards and complies. There are lots of people
[2:35:37] wiling and
[2:35:39] performing able to do this so we see that as as change in
[2:35:44] some of the generation now and hopefully they're hearing
[2:35:49] this point to step up and don't serve on boards and
[2:35:53] commission we don't have a lot of boards on the nonprofits
[2:35:59] people in front of a change and volunteerism first years
[2:36:05] ago but all the boards and commissions will have a
[2:36:08] potential for all of them to decrease the numbers.
[2:36:13] >> and.
[2:36:14] >> thank you, president nephew. To amy martin
[2:36:17] question a discussion about significant board positioned
[2:36:21] that the municipalities probably not one we're looking as
[2:36:27] down sizing but the column has gained the discussion and
[2:36:31] with our choices eliminating the commissions today but I
[2:36:36] am willing to center that conversation I think we, you
[2:36:41] know, councilor did good work on and we're not scratching
[2:36:46] the surface changing how we our boards and commissions.
[2:36:52] >> thank you, councilor forsman and with that, we'll
[2:36:56] take this for a roll call and.
[2:37:00] >> clerk, call the roll.
[2:37:01] >> councilor clanaugh, no.
[2:37:02] >> councilor desotelle, yes.
[2:37:04] >> councilor durrwachter, no.
[2:37:06] >> councilor tomanek, yes.
[2:37:07] >> counselor forsman, yes. And councilor randorf,
[2:37:14] yes.
[2:37:15] >> vice president kennedy yes and councilor johnson.
[2:37:18] >> ordinance 37 passes 7 to two and with that, we're
[2:37:23] on to councilor/administration and questions and comments.
[2:37:34] seeing none, motion to adjourn.
[2:37:36] >> motion.
[2:37:37] >> moved by counselor forsman and second - have a
[2:37:46] great night.