A resolution passed Monday calls for the development of an action plan. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Pedestrians walk past a section of Duluth’s Lakewalk a day after it was damaged by a storm Oct. 10, 2018. (Steve Kuchera / News Tribune)
Duluth officially proclaimed a climate emergency Monday night, by an 8-0 vote of its City Council, with at large councilor Derek Medved absent.
Several citizens addressed the council using an online platform, as the body continues to meet virtually, in an attempt to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Lisa Fitzpatrick helped collect more than 700 signatures on a petition calling on the council to take action and said: “We can and must reduce the emission of greenhouse gases to zero as soon as possible. We are in a race to stop the climate crisis. It’s the race of a lifetime. It’s a race for the future.”
Councilors seek to hear concerns and make local government more inclusive. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Participants in the the 2009 Duluth-Superior Pride parade in Superior display a 37-foot by 74-foot rainbow flag. (News Tribune file photo)
The Duluth City Council unanimously voted Monday night to establish a Nonbinary, Queer, Trans, Two-spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex and Asexual Commission.
Sean Hayes spoke in support of the commission, saying it could prove useful, as Homophobia and transphobia are alive and well here in the Northland.
Evan Adams, too, spoke to the value of the proposed commission, saying: The creation of this commission is needed to address a multitude of disparities.
5th District Councilor Renee Van Nett is expected to become the next Duluth City Council president. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Duluth City Councilor Renee Van Nett listens during Minnesota DFL party caucuses in February 2020 at Lincoln Park Middle School. (Clint Austin / File / News Tribune)
Since its formation in 1956, the Duluth City Council has elected a president each year. And 3rd District Councilor Roz Randorf noted that 52 have been male and 13 female. She also pointed out that zero council presidents have been people of color, including individuals of Indigenous descent.
That s probably about to change, as on Monday Randorf nominated Vice President and 5th District Councilor Renee Van Nett to serve as the Council s next president, come 2021.
A proposed reallocation could come at the expense of Fourth Fest fireworks or Spirit Mountain. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Glensheen Mansion, 3300 London Road. (2004 File / News Tribune)
The Duluth City Council will consider an amendment Monday to Mayor Emily Larson s proposal as to how the city should divvy up tourism tax collections next year.
While Larson had proposed to zero out funding to Glensheen Mansion in 2021, Councilors Terese Tomanek and Derek Medved are recommending the city provide $25,000 in support next year half of what the museum was slated to receive in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Glensheen was one of nine organizations that would not receive any tourism tax funding next year under the mayor s plan, which anticipates collections from the hospitality tax will remain about 25% below what they were in 2019, due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.