[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6493071,"mediaKeyId","5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3","parentId",5734506,"title","Council establishes Duluth Transportation Commission to advise on streets, transit and safety","audioSeconds",3060,"startMs",2374000,"endMs",5434000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3&start=2374&end=5434","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493071/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-establishes-Duluth-Transportation-Commission-to-advise-on-streets-transit-and-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493071-94c50b34770c32296191ca43949f16ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398798&Signature=b9ZUUrjfexpRUtt6rSOIUrByOHt-8Caxq~zW0wGCNE7AMMGB~TSgAkUl1Q75cx5fRembkZJKDQZGN9KesYLqNhXDrcfyKvY0JlOJH6I~ix59bU-IGopenmtlRuCVWmDRtpWUAcgGAf8BU-dTsYNfODAPCCGyfsHRNBtgN~M8R-S7Eyrpeb-LF2jZs3TxafrcV6xfJ8bmFtVIr7WM~86SYxyrK~Wg8IoFQjMyllwQD70VIgXxERaExZbVChpTw6uCVD3WH2R9NZi93bgbXbL9liJyRHiqMfOJ2LCyZt5J7YH6s3ZUv04zVyRjsfapp86c1Rai2VJpxbdo2CcdKRmQEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Duluth","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","Duluth City Council voted unanimously to create a Duluth Transportation Commission charged with advising the city on multimodal transportation decisions, after months of discussion and public testimony urging a comprehensive, long-term approach to streets, transit and non-automobile modes.

Public commenters during the council’s citizen comment period had urged the council to form a transportation advisory body. Denise Lavoie, a regular transit rider, told council a comprehensive approach to bicycles, pedestrians and transit was needed as the city grows. Alice Tibbets of Vibrant Streets Duluth and others highlighted recurring safety concerns on streets such as Superior Street, the Lake Walk, and conflicts between sidewalk cyclists and motorized e-bikes.

Councilor DeLuca moved the ordinance to add Article 38 to Chapter 2 of the city code, with a single amendment adopted in the chamber: the commission’s charge will expressly consider freight needs (amendment inserted the word \"freight\" into the enumerated list). Council discussion thanked community advocates and city staff; Councilor Awol said the new body would give residents a regular forum to weigh in on street and sidewalk projects, bus stops, and safety planning.

Duluth Transit Authority general manager Chris Belden had presented to the council earlier in the meeting about transit service and funding; councilors and advocates said that the transportation commission would help coordinate transit, development, sidewalk and bicycle planning in a more transparent, community-driven way. The ordinance notes the commission will consider the needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users, bicyclists, commercial, freight and emergency vehicles and the city’s unique topography.

Why it matters: The commission provides a formal, recurring avenue for residents and stakeholders to advise on multimodal transportation planning, project vetting for federal funding, bus-stop and shelter improvements, and safety measures across Duluth’s neighborhoods.

What’s next: The ordinance sets a start date in the next calendar year to allow staff and the council time to finalize membership, staffing and work plans. Implementing the commission will require staff support, appointments to fill seats, and a charge and calendar for initial work on the city’s priority corridors and federal grant applications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Duluth - City Council on 2025-09-08 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After public comments urging a citywide transportation panel, the council adopted an ordinance creating the Duluth Transportation Commission; the ordinance passed 9–0 with a small amendment adding 'freight' to the commission's scope.","taxTitle","Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota","taxId",3769,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493076,"Duluth City Council adopts resolution supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities after extended debate",2545,2629000,5174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3&start=2629&end=5174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3/thumbnail_2629000.jpg","/articles/6493076/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Duluth-City-Council-adopts-resolution-supporting-2SLGBTQ-communities-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493076-5da1278d18c751b3670f250ca6afd79d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398798&Signature=CU0NcEgzV7n8NAQgViIUXeiBG3f~zl0NmHkuoENSq7uE48A6WJfcSVJR63nItWFXI6fLd0Q3dYuLE3Y0IyWANu4R2nXM1~~LTtnssVjcxlpoVWNa6asp~ZKYqXWhJEzVWjepOhKz9SqnpuPLVO-PbK-rvhdIeVTLhOKyLufSgm8j7vxR4acecwiwDbs4GfvzfXxaQl5oeIcvWkpkV-z1EixlmaqtMedIt08rTbxE11oJdRDovioFSQqzDl5~OhdZj3oGlp76WX9cop1HjeRA78jSv4iPCtmLMTOT8VgEYZ1zI6JCClolJPszdhe4k4nQd-1zMyNNiMD~6nSwcbsbeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Duluth City Council approved a resolution recognizing Duluth-Superior Pride and signaling support for 2SLGBTQ+ residents, passing 7–2 after public testimony and internal debate about timing and the role of commissions.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Awol and seconded, includes commitments to update and maintain a community resource directory, explore a trans and queer welcoming hub within five years, and examine inclusive code language and nondiscrimination practices. The resolution text directs the NQ (nonbinary/queer/trans) commission or its successor and the Human Rights Commission to help maintain the resource directory and support community connections.

Public commenters urged council passage during the public-comment period. Speakers included Mike Mayo of Vibrant Streets Duluth, Matt Llewellynaughton (director of organizing at OutFront Minnesota), Chance Wells, Julia Johnson, Jess Morgan and others who described threats and harassment faced by queer and trans residents and pressed the council to send a clear message of inclusion.

Council discussion ranged from full endorsement to calls for procedural caution. Councilor Kennedy and others urged delaying action until the city finishes work reorganizing boards and commissions, arguing the city should move toward a committee model for protected-class advisory bodies before embedding duties in a commission-based resolution. Supporters argued the resolution was an appropriate and timely public affirmation and included specific, actionable items rather than symbolic language alone.

Counselors moved procedural steps during debate: a motion to table the resolution failed on a recorded roll call (5–4). Councilor Forsman offered an amendment to insert the words “or successor” where the resolution referenced the NQ commission so duties would transfer if the council changes the commission structure; that amendment passed unanimously (9–0). A motion to “call the question” (end debate) passed 8–1, and the final vote to adopt the resolution was 7–2 in favor.

Why it matters: Council passage signals municipal-level solidarity with queer and trans residents during a period of heightened national debate over LGBTQ+ rights. The resolution names concrete next steps — maintaining a resource directory and exploring a local welcoming hub — and directs city advisory bodies to support implementation.

What’s next: The resolution tasks the NQ commission or its successor and the Human Rights Commission with maintaining an up-to-date community resource directory and working with community groups; council members and staff flagged the need to identify funding and staff support for those activities.","After public testimony and council debate, the city council voted 7–2 to adopt a resolution affirming support for 2SLGBTQ+ residents and committing to actions including a community resource directory and exploring a welcoming hub; a motion to table failed and an amendment clarifying commission language was added.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493083,"Duluth Transit Authority requests higher levy to avoid service cuts; council tables decision",1428,1838000,3266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3&start=1838&end=3266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3/thumbnail_1838000.jpg","/articles/6493083/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Duluth-Transit-Authority-requests-higher-levy-to-avoid-service-cuts-council-tables-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493083-5944f4dd5709ab7ec00e463c58737807/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398798&Signature=dEgK4zyYVTSqVdaV2k84wwjmTLHQhZGMGPzZIvwBKQqF8qKbwT27gtYp7aGDbMN0MwZvLYV0rzldjIiS-G5Q0FK8q7gIiFZlpxxe3xv8B7IhzXRHz~0BdQoDClShU0x4gnNyLxVSSrjmUGKbjjicecqlb7CGAOIdz2Zwa5dvfyjaGoKLr~qIi2DFLof7vJs7VfARI0n7pylAwFFjJMfudPrbxuaFjTyVsbVODnQL~OOBPONfIeNIq5SB-LPn9Lj-45UHXBL83y26KSG~5CW1l03817FTMjUHwfwUqy2d3tGwI4YTwJEw8KV46LYszzZMF2nyCgkOyo~ZvipZt1db5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chris Belden, general manager of the Duluth Transit Authority, told city council that DTA is requesting a larger 2026 property tax levy to shore up operations and meet local matching requirements for capital grants.

Belden and James Barg, DTA finance director, outlined DTA operations, ridership trends and a proposed 2026 budget. Belden said the DTA operates 15 routes, paratransit (Bridal) service for qualifying riders, and about 190 employees. He emphasized the agency’s history, ridership performance and federal performance funding it has recently won through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

DTA presented a proposed 2026 budget of about $27 million, a 5 percent increase over 2025, and described capital and operating pressures including vehicle replacements, detours, payroll mandates, inflation, and higher state/local match requirements for some state and federal grants. Belden said the DTA’s voter-approved levy limit exceeds $7.7 million but the agency was seeking a combined need (operations and capital local match) of about $3,318,438. He said DTA planned to use about $1.2 million of COVID-relief funds this year to smooth the levy impact and that the remaining COVID-relief balance was “somewhere in the ballpark of $1,500,000 or so,” subject to accounting and year-to-date expenditures.

Belden warned that failing to secure additional local funding could force the DTA to consider discontinuing the warming center free rides and shuttles, the Port Town trolley, raising fares or reducing weekend service — steps he said could risk a “transit death spiral” of declining ridership and revenue.

Councilors asked for details about COVID relief balances and federal performance funds. Councilor Randolph asked how much remained in COVID-relief funds; Belden said about $1.5 million remains and confirmed DTA planned to use $1.2 million this year. Councilor Andrew pressed DTA staff to show where recent federal performance funding appears in the budget; Belden said that additional performance funding appeared in non-operating revenues and required a local match.

When the council later considered the formal DTA levy resolution (Resolution 702), Councilor Forsman moved to table the levy to give council members more time to review budget materials alongside other levies. The motion to table passed 9 to 0.

Why it matters: The DTA levy request would increase the local share of transit funding and help meet required local matches for capital grants; changes in federal and state funding, pandemic relief drawdown and higher match percentages create near-term fiscal pressure on transit service in Duluth.

What’s next: Councilors tabled the DTA levy resolution to the next meeting for more review of budget details and funding sources. DTA representatives said they would provide follow-up information about COVID-relief balances, federal performance funds and capital match obligations.","DTA General Manager Chris Belden told Duluth City Council the authority needs a larger local levy to replace dwindling federal relief and meet rising local match requirements; the council tabled the DTA levy resolution to allow more time for review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493087,"Duluth HRA seeks levy to support housing, security and development programs",5094,450000,5544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3&start=450&end=5544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734506-ec935a6883aca6723831fccb15893fe3/thumbnail_450000.jpg","/articles/6493087/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Duluth-HRA-seeks-levy-to-support-housing-security-and-development-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493087-8ea5cebd328c97f6d49106a45149d0bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398798&Signature=iCd-WQfwYK5RwKX31Q-NQ7iJDEaRpaDxA9zaBwStusfbum4Aqk20pp~Bwf77W0o3a377gcAmix9pCDHmhyDdh4FvUgxAK7zdeR0EQDy4FSgnNi0fHAbWe0X82bFrt0mmUeVqRalT94fjsKZ10yLHUO0FV5Rbup797~dZty2Q-wAIxfQXUfMJwEo7jCck1TItzvs8YegDkmhgOemtfEerpvmAVVCDRimFKXWrYOcFEgd8Vu~eYjSuz5FLyT~Q~IeGFZ~dp8WfxigG9sE~rE5OWrzUyH-ej1-YcS~g-tW1nJcNqrd89AOgaf3t3D3SyCaEn7hOvOT7sBWY5iIA8MPtEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jill Keppers, executive director of the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority, presented the HRA's proposed 2026 tax levy to the City Council, describing how levy funds would support a wide range of housing programs and operations.

Keppers told council the HRA operates three main departments — rent subsidy, owned housing, and rehab and real estate — and a growing finance and central-office staff. She said the authority houses roughly 3,300 households daily, administers about $16 million in rental assistance paid to local landlords, and manages capital improvement funding and state rehab resources that support local construction work.

The HRA requested roughly $2.07 million in levy revenue in 2026, Keppers said, noting the request keeps the levy rate the same as last year so the authority can continue to capture revenue to support Mission Heights. Keppers gave itemized uses for levy dollars, including $490,000 to support owned housing and rent subsidy program shortfalls and Harbor Highlands phase 1; $300,000 for a high-rise security contract; $132,633 for warming center and community center operations; $60,000 for Harbor Highlands Community Center operations; and roughly $1.1 million for affordable housing programs and development. She also listed funding for workforce homeownership, construction training, single-family home improvement programs, a landlord mitigation fund, and support for two community police officer positions.

Keppers said HRA has transitioned most public housing into Section 8-type subsidy platforms and now administers 2,137 Housing Choice Vouchers (35 of which she said are set aside for nonelderly, nondisabled households). She also said the HRA manages 120 owned rental units and operates local resource centers and community buildings.

Councilors asked several operational and budget questions. Councilor Randolph asked how the requested levy compared with last year; Keppers said the HRA went to its maximum levy last year to support Mission Heights and this year's levy maintains that rate, capturing an additional $85,966. She gave an example: for a $275,000 home the levy effect would rise from $40.10 to $41.84 annually, an increase of $1.74 per year. Acting finance director Joe Bailey provided one figure for the housing trust fund balance in response to a council budget question: “approximately 1,800,000.0 in cash and 3,000,000 in outstanding loans,” he said.

Vice President Nephew and other councilors pressed Keppers about Mission Heights tax credit scoring, noting the project scored highly and that feasibility of the engagement center could affect funding. Keppers said the House bonding committee will do a site visit in October and that the engagement center match and local support matter to Minnesota Housing’s final decision.

When the council later considered formal levy resolutions, it moved to table Resolution 700 — the HRA special taxing district levy — to the next council meeting so members could review the finance presentation and related materials. The motion to table was moved by Councilor Forsman and seconded; the tabling motion passed 9 to 0.

Keppers invited councilors to the HRA finance committee meeting in July (her recurring budget review) and offered to provide more detail on any line items. She also described the HRA’s construction-training program and other development efforts, including the warming center rehab opened in 2022 and partnership plans with Union Gospel Mission.

Why it matters: The HRA’s levy request represents a discretionary funding source the authority uses for locally directed development, gap financing and services that are not program-restricted. Keppers emphasized the levy’s flexibility compared with HUD-restricted program funds and how it enables local development and support services that leverage federal and state grants.

Looking ahead: The council tabled the formal HRA levy resolution for two weeks so members could review the budget materials and consider the levy alongside other city levies.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A at the Duluth City Council meeting, statements by Jill Keppers (executive director, Duluth HRA), Acting Finance Director Joe Bailey, and councilors during the meeting.","The Housing and Redevelopment Authority presented a 2026 tax levy request to Duluth city council, asking to maintain last year’s levy level to fund projects including Mission Heights, security contracts, emergency repairs and workforce homeownership; council later tabled the formal levy resolution for two weeks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council establishes Duluth Transportation Commission to advise on streets, transit and safety

Duluth City Council adopts resolution supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities after extended debate

Duluth Transit Authority requests higher levy to avoid service cuts; council tables decision

Duluth HRA seeks levy to support housing, security and development programs