Duluth City Council Begins New Year

The Duluth City Council began the new year at its first meeting in January with the administration of oaths to elected officials.

Chief Duluth Municipal Court Judge Charles Barrett III swore in new Post 4 City Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg to his first four-year term and Mayor Nancy Harris and Post 5 Councilman Greg Whitlock to second four-year terms. Kelkenberg was honored with a welcome reception preceding the meeting.

Kelkenberg replaced Doug Mundrick who retired after 20 years of service to the city on the council.

The Jan. 9 meeting was also the first official meeting for new City Manager Tim Shearer.

Mayor Harris expressed appreciation to the citizens who re-elected her and the cooperation of council members and city staff whose teamwork allows things to be accomplished in the city. “I feel like we’re a team,” she said. Harris and Whitlock ran unopposed for re-election.

The mayor will deliver her fifth State of the City Address at on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The event begins with a business expo at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and her speech at noon. Tickets at $25 each are available at www.ourduluth.com.

Councilman Jim Dugan was chosen to serve as mayor pro tempore for a year upon the recommendation of Harris.

The council set meeting dates and times the same as last year. The council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at . Brief work sessions are held at 6:30 p.m. before each regularly scheduled meeting. Full work sessions occur on the fourth Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. with the exception of May 28, June 25 and Dec. 24.

A bid of $49,400 submitted by ISC Inc. (Intercontinental Commercial Services Inc.) was accepted for painting the Duluth Public Safety Center by the council.

The council approved a revised plan for the Community Volunteer League to create a garden courtyard in the parking lot on West Lawrenceville Street between downtown Main Street shops and the Wallace Reid Studio. The courtyard will serve as a respite for shoppers and a waiting spot for restaurant patrons needing tables.

Dusty Graham appeared before the council seeking relief from construction trucks impeding use of residential streets while working on improvements to McClure Bridge Road. Graham also asked the city to replace the Howell Glen Subdivision entrance marker after the project is completed.