[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6508439,"mediaKeyId","5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b","parentId",5610077,"title","Human Rights Commission reports lower complaints, staffing gaps and outreach plans","audioSeconds",309,"startMs",3000,"endMs",312000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b&start=3&end=312","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b/thumbnail_3000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508439/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Human-Rights-Commission-reports-lower-complaints-staffing-gaps-and-outreach-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508439-4905226a87ad9dee11be52453ccd5673/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150092&Signature=kxbcr~iMT-j9H2xhBnsD2CEl6u2XkX~Uz36vB4dwS5UIUUtfM7umztJ7K9iAatVV0CetNLAburdHeH4~fxDQ5HOwTe0Q35xo9dG2879lCuofzXkegfsJ0xXWAeh7EW2zpONJfdH7LdSn~LubWCLsOy5VnRuhBGFtKZM~cpLKavs-P7KxCU4rhRIuwq6CfVrwtIhyGQBeB2Y3wddl2sch9zg0nsuOqPIqmV7edSn3qO~INQlOw~k~uByMkTu0EHaQRUsz5Fc-VdR2NsgQu5cpfM9pyybVHq9FVHGToBjBQSjVuAXbLpue2XeuWPAxetu4K3fi~lhySqqcEcAM5x5Kug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Duluth City","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Duluth Human Rights Commission presented an update to the City Council on its work, complaint volumes and community outreach. Naomi Ostrander, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and commissioner Luis Angel Islas Navarro reviewed the commission’s charge, staffing, complaint intake and community events.

Ostrander said the commission operates under a city ordinance that charges it with promoting cultural diversity and eliminating discrimination. She described the commission’s process for human-rights complaints: initial intake by the Human Rights and Equity Officer, review by a finance committee comprised of the officer and three commissioners, and follow-up by the officer when the committee decides action is needed. Ostrander said the commission has been active in community events and partnerships and that reporting materials and a complaint form are available on the city website.

Commissioners told the council the office experienced a staffing gap after the previous Human Rights Officer left in March 2024; Doctor Marcia Lu was hired in February 2025 and is now on staff. Ostrander thanked Laura Lekkonen for interim support during the vacancy. Ostrander said the commission ideally has nine members but currently has six and is recruiting for the remaining seats.

Ostrander cited comparative complaint counts: “Last year… we had 42 cases,” she said, and later noted this year’s intake figures: “We had 22 cases that were heard by the finance committee. We had 35 that didn't go to the finance committee for various reasons.” She described the most common complaint areas as employment, disability and mental-health resources and said the absence of a Human Rights Officer for a time likely contributed to lower formal filings this year.

The commission listed recent and upcoming initiatives: training and meetings with the State Human Rights Commission; outreach events such as a “color with commission” activity; and a recent session with Duluth Police Department about ICE enforcement and community responses. The commission said it will hear an annual report from ISD 709 at a future meeting on disproportionate student suspension rates and that it plans to organize listening sessions and more community engagement beginning in September.

Councilors asked for meeting times and application information: Ostrander said the commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30–6:30 p.m., and that application materials are on the city website and were also shared via a QR code in the presentation. Council members thanked the commissioners for their work and encouraged recruitment to reach full membership.

No formal action was taken on this presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Duluth City Council on 2025-07-21 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Duluth Human Rights Commission briefed the council on its role, recent activity and staffing. Commissioners reported fewer formal complaints this year, described outreach and listening sessions, and said they are recruiting members and working with the newly hired Human Rights Officer.","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},6508444,"Votes at a glance: Duluth City Council meeting — minutes, consent, easement resolution, and tabling actions",2953,1873000,4826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b&start=1873&end=4826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b/thumbnail_1873000.jpg","/articles/6508444/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Duluth-City-Council-meeting-minutes-consent-easement-resolution-and-tabling-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508444-3f4a945acfec8184a844c461f480b456/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150092&Signature=ehoRNYSUGgFTaaoIpyq6m51Pfkdd3O~yqaTp2wPgmIUpNXFTuIF6AlNjEclvv-XLgfcVBMfePkRtP45FuS1Nry9lHcyl-YMp3mIVbLTFdKHYfTN3m9rC99dkDjHdRvJCECGd2VGLsdtpCdhSfaJTsgNhUkxiEXgZAccVgizB~JmESqvdMnIwQ9AsjFSk5z8ekgExaPEmWgPVwFjFNhRDmC~n8qFYn2iaMZkN3uvaOQqOemxCcB5XzCknz8GD5QiSBgwnngheRPgchUNTEIRQJ64-x8uXlFwI1jhpR7ob2QQAYdVs371aOxfhmNvC6B288WuKTIbXCMkFIpX5f2PnPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Key votes taken during the Duluth City Council meeting:

- Approval of minutes: Moved by Swenson, seconded by Randolph. Vote: 7–0 to approve minutes.

- Consent agenda: Motion moved by Nephew, seconded by Kennedy. Vote: Consent agenda passes 7–0.

- Resolution vacating portion of a utility easement (item 30): Moved by Nephew, seconded by Der Wachter; council discussion addressed a location error in the cover memo and staff made a correction. Vote: passed 7–0.

- Ordinance 20 (first reading amendments to chapter 50 article 3/6 regarding daycare facilities and related code changes): Council moved to table at the request of attorneys so staff could review revisions; motion to table carried 7–0 (moved by Nephew, seconded by Swenson).

- Ordinance 14 (second reading — establishing the Duluth Transportation Commission): Motion to table the ordinance to allow staff and stakeholders to reconcile edits passed on a roll call, 5–2 (yes: Councilor Al, Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Swenson, Vice President Nephew, President Tomanek; no: Councilor Dirwachter, Councilor Randolph). Motion mover: Councilor Awol; second: Councilor Kennedy. Outcome: tabled.

Several other ordinances were read for first reading (Ordinances 17–20 and related zoning and code amendments). Those items remain at first read and were not acted on for final adoption during this meeting.","Council approved minutes and the consent agenda unanimously; a resolution vacating a utility easement passed. Two ordinances were tabled: Ordinance 20 (first-read tabling) and Ordinance 14 (Transportation Commission) was tabled on second read by 5–2.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":80,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508449,"Duluth council delays creation of Transportation Commission after public pleas and staff edits requested",1628,3198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b&start=3198&end=4826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610077-300a09349206b404f3f37bf938de147b/thumbnail_3198000.jpg","/articles/6508449/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Duluth-council-delays-creation-of-Transportation-Commission-after-public-pleas-and-staff-edits-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508449-cbc3ec98134e232a0e0466fed878ce4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150092&Signature=GP75lCo3sGgU5h4A6nZpsdUCLtVftTJy6XC5RdXmQuJN-jduRzcvW2hUPkt4niKKfbKxIsFWLf0EsXZt4x7DBYNIs1N5kt7FaFO4pCo0e5uS5OwuNGzsK3oT3eCxQpRLQ1TU2Yd7X8GT2~EivQCsgy3qxJi54gzD2ehKiD1RAOvGwEPuL3NuANttL4swf11smib5r9uH~hOz4-cG7u5hiaiwFqehY~rFArdMB219u9WauvLINiqvrB~NLeooHvswBdxDzMq5y-c6MCP~ayIMdlG~ZT3q0zt0qdtkEnh2CCSPBHj75bn0al4wadhlyerLWc6p7yGJ5vBSlS1qu7k7DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Duluth City Council on second reading voted to table an ordinance that would establish a Duluth Transportation Commission after extensive public testimony urging the body to move quickly on pedestrian, bicycle and street-safety work.

Supporters from neighborhood groups, transportation advocates and relatives of traffic victims urged the council to approve the commission at the meeting. Brandon Parker, a bicycle and pedestrian advocate, said, “We can live up to that value by empowering a commission to research and work with the community and stakeholders to build proactive recommendations” for safer streets. Former Councilor Mike Mayo and members of Vibrant Streets Duluth and other neighborhood organizations also described recent crashes and the need for a standing citizen body to advise the council and administration.

Council members pressing for caution said they wanted staff and the city attorney to finalize a small set of edits and confirm staffing plans so the new commission will be able to operate effectively. Councilor Awol, who sponsored the ordinance, acknowledged the urgency in testimony: “This commission really, the stories that we heard today were highlight the urgency of this.” Administrator Matt Staling read a letter from Mayor Emily Reiner into the record stating he and the administration support a transportation commission but asked the council to allow staff time to reconcile the commission's language with a broader review of the city’s boards and commissions.

The vote to table passed on a roll call, 5–2. Councilors voting to table were Councilor Al, Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Swenson, Vice President Nephew and President Tomanek; Councilors Dirwachter and Randolph voted no. Council members who supported tabling said the planning department is already stretched—staff currently support nine separate boards—and that clarifying staffing and scope now would reduce later delays and increase the chance the commission will be effective.

Councilors who opposed the tabling urged the body to act immediately; they said the ordinance is on its second read and that the city has had years of discussion and public input. Several speakers and council members noted major upcoming projects—Central Entrance work, the London Road and Sixth Avenue East reconstructions, the Cross City Trail completion and the Campus Connector Trail—that would benefit from commission input.

Administration and advocates committed to accelerate work on a consolidated draft. Administrator Staling told the council a working draft was likely to require additional coordination and that staff would move with “a sense of urgency”; Councilor Awol asked advocates to hold the council accountable for rapid follow-up. A motion to table the ordinance was made by Councilor Awol, seconded by Councilor Kennedy, and carried on the 5–2 roll call.

The council did not adopt the Transportation Commission ordinance at this meeting. Council and administration agreed to resume work immediately on the precise language and staffing plan; the administration indicated it will return a final draft for council consideration as soon as edits are reconciled and stakeholder concerns addressed.

Votes at this meeting related to the ordinance included a procedural roll-call on the motion to table (5 in favor, 2 opposed). The council also discussed, but did not change, a broader plan to review and realign all boards and commissions so that staffing capacity matches any additions.

The ordinance remains on the council’s agenda and will return for action after staff and advocates reconcile edits and confirm staffing and administrative support.","After hours of public testimony urging a new Transportation Commission to address road safety and multimodal planning, Duluth City Council voted 5–2 to table the ordinance creating the commission so staff and advocates can finalize technical edits and staffing details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Human Rights Commission reports lower complaints, staffing gaps and outreach plans

Votes at a glance: Duluth City Council meeting — minutes, consent, easement resolution, and tabling actions

Duluth council delays creation of Transportation Commission after public pleas and staff edits requested