[{"_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",6505592,"mediaKeyId","5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f","parentId",5610072,"title","Residents press council to protect library funding, school routes and neighborhood accessibility","audioSeconds",358,"startMs",4779000,"endMs",5137000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f&start=4779&end=5137","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f/thumbnail_4779000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505592/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Residents-press-council-to-protect-library-funding-school-routes-and-neighborhood-accessibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505592-1a6f57fa67750f40332b8857a334bf91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172579&Signature=QJMR6bAL0oWdm2u0489jR3xxFeWNkm9lPCgdomdtdjeoKkfQ2eEKxjQj40CcRWkMIO3Yg5lYMksrzgeFQM90dh6Nhf2cgi9OqWBV-zYA3DBWbk2KBgPD8nZ~2mim0z3We2OvGRp3zt2NIvYixBKkMabi3jLV5Dn06zclWoWBpS-rCndeqfy4EyD9t2xL4~N78IPBF-aBGNw1k5M2vqUSa7vW98TJNapDXFd8zRbftlfxVWqLz5Cvt9WvMRjbMYhnRq9B7K923IY9mncu5ONJOGBuBEHg9UcjV2toetoq6X-zFaBjUx28Ai~68Ms3iViZ5iGumlmJEp2~Qo-AsWHhNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Duluth City","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the citizens’ comment period to ask the Duluth City Council to maintain support for core services and to improve neighborhood infrastructure.

Library advocates called for stable or increased funding for the Duluth Public Library. Betty Ramsland, a long-time resident and former library board member, said the library is “a place of belonging” and noted the operating budget had not been materially increased in years; she asked councilors to “consider increasing the budgeted amount needed to run it.” Carly (last name recorded by clerk as Laddell) told the council as a teacher and new library board member that cuts would reduce open hours, programs and public access and implored councilors to “please prioritize the Duluth Public Library as the essential service that it is in the upcoming budget.”

School and transportation safety advocates spoke in favor of a formal Transportation Commission and improved Safe Routes to School infrastructure. Andrea Heil, Safe Routes to School coordinator for Duluth Public Schools, described gaps in school-area signage and walk zones and recommended including school-district representation on any transportation commission.

Residents raised localized infrastructure complaints. David Fitch described multiple concurrent construction projects that blocked access to his block, limited driveway access and created safety concerns, saying the city should better coordinate staging and signage to protect residents, older adults and people with disabilities.

Those public comments were made ahead of council budget discussions; several speakers framed their requests as priorities for the upcoming 2026 budget deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Duluth City Council on 2025-08-11 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple speakers urged the council to preserve or increase funding for the Duluth Public Library, urged action on Safe Routes to School and formation of a Transportation Commission, and raised concerns about poorly coordinated construction blocking access in residential neighborhoods.","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},6505597,"Council leaves proposed Transportation Commission on the table; amendments expected",238,3522000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f&start=3522&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f/thumbnail_3522000.jpg","/articles/6505597/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-leaves-proposed-Transportation-Commission-on-the-table-amendments-expected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505597-49e160d5cc547f4b164ab52625f25a4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172579&Signature=H42dOTTMyXttx3J9seSM5C6I3ZZ3i16oPDsnC9d8ObWc6NOd~4UCahdwWVg5XQ-N3F53Erty7bbzq6rcPfMJnBtal1f5S98iKEvspNQBXai8iz5oBEsR~A2rhJYPYWOHicL3nLMwiFdHxkMwWE~bpntk-NRU3V1~2khF5kCr~l2HFtUqWDBD7i3Zv0COpMaRvzLlEdGurrdLOpPfDbcgiyvdLd4xmfGRQ8iq3D7JgOxAW02F3qU3udNk2Lfwj0HidGxHiyxEGoyGeZ8yoyoyWjrWE0lEA6GCD0WfpzZVXWEidJ0DWB5xg0Z7TlF10mT7iZHz9IrxRYDE0cyQW0k0PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duluth City Council left an ordinance to establish a Transportation Commission on the table and said city staff, advocates and council members are finalizing a slate of amendments before bringing it back for a formal vote.

A council member read the motion to take Ordinance 14 off the table — an ordinance that would add Article 38 to the city code to create a Transportation Commission — and no one moved to take the ordinance off the table. The chair then confirmed the item remained on the table.

Councilor Auel later told colleagues the City and transportation advocates were “coming very close to getting… a slate of amendments” and that a meeting was scheduled to finalize edits. She said the amendments were prepared with input from transportation advocates and city administration and expected to return to the council for reconsideration, but gave no final vote date at the meeting.

Transportation advocates and some councilors have argued a commission would give residents a formal voice on multimodal planning and Safe Routes to School issues; school district staff and public commenters at the meeting urged inclusion of education and school-district representation in any commission.

Councilors emphasized that the ordinance would remain tabled while staff and advocates negotiate edits and that a formal reintroduction of the ordinance would follow once those amendments were complete.","Councilors left the ordinance to create a Duluth Transportation Commission on the table and said staff and advocates are finalizing amendments; a timeline for returning the item to the council was discussed but not finalized.",{"_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},6505601,"Council approves ordinance to expand neighborhood childcare options",155,5953000,6108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f&start=5953&end=6108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f/thumbnail_5953000.jpg","/articles/6505601/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-ordinance-to-expand-neighborhood-childcare-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505601-536826bf74c7e7ec597977192b09c4bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172579&Signature=TlzhCT7mbKOiHIdV5U5ogPPb9etdOCBDO2rrNNRzne-Q4KkAf4SFc7ezzVckNj46VNBhmBr3qhvq7-GY9awYT6PcTsJSvd5SWX79vLLD2PJmdl2p4I2X~FxGE3Ok8OaxDkWpiEGA~ZgimLTUUoB~X8V4jXutc5Nzg80xo~E2wRPwHIT7foUL65uEy75atc4DYratFK9IQUJDcSyD-j-rxpCJUKIaIvM4lBLVPfNKICMyqe6Cam9~C0WuqOIhwhtDvLUx82dGaEEU3hbzUV-Fxcc~FuFpBf~xvLFT1KnwY6~DZnBLBgcJG~NKjL3iHASW1kAxfHZN3ADzZG4Cy8y14w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duluth City Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 50 of the city code to clarify daycare definitions and expand where licensed child care facilities can operate, with an 8–0 vote.

Vice President Nephew, who sponsored the change, said the ordinance will open zoning in more neighborhoods “and hopefully create some more community day care or childcare facilities in the neighborhoods.” He urged colleagues to support the measure as one of the limited tools the city can use to support childcare providers.

Councilor Swenson, who worked on edits to the ordinance and solicited feedback from local providers, said the changes reflected that outreach and would make it easier to bring new childcare operations into residential areas.

The ordinance was read for a second time during the meeting and passed on roll call. The clerk recorded votes of yes from all eight councilors present; no abstentions or dissents were recorded.

Council discussion focused on the policy’s limited but practical scope: to remove zoning barriers where appropriate and rely on licensing and building standards to ensure safety and neighborhood compatibility. The ordinance amends specific definitions and sections in Chapter 50 related to daycare facilities, though the council did not read the complete amended language aloud during the vote.

Councilors and staff said the change is intended to create more small-scale, neighborhood childcare opportunities rather than large commercial centers.","The council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 50 to ease zoning barriers for daycare facilities, a move supporters said will help expand neighborhood childcare capacity.",{"_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},6505605,"Duluth council appoints Deborah DeLuca to fill Second District vacancy",4011,256000,4267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f&start=256&end=4267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610072-d5beaab6f01e0c5fefb3db7a6ca93a3f/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6505605/Duluth/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Duluth-council-appoints-Deborah-DeLuca-to-fill-Second-District-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505605-18f2d00fe98fa26ea9dd8e06c06059f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172579&Signature=gZKsV56QCuz3LMKXydw~F6dKgTlgOCEW2VwlSMfq2r9yK5Zz2m-ew2SzqKk~Do0yKdHhWAKpPYviEhZBTKSWrW7Cj23yDR0zD3UtAuAvyPlSeAEI6su9wm9yPI~DGodOYA-~JTigfBV7BZw7MAGRhAkVKajPjXe7Q-gDYlBi~ezwgogtYdpOq4-q8gdP75xbtLv-ZAA4NhwJQ6ARpPRibAkGXvFz95XfpKckGcVF2Ig6khrkgy4dpJe7ZT-JIWJ~4SjdY3-jd~M7jQjkWD6i2QGbFTDVfVSssmrYvJc3-ZwzGwQiue2aUD~OOhPne7FKCfDIivVGOt1Xzi3P9mZcrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duluth City Council unanimously appointed Deborah DeLuca to fill the City Council Second District vacancy, voting to adopt Resolution 0649 during the council meeting after interviewing three finalists.

The council interviewed candidates Craig Bursch, Deborah DeLuca and Janet Nelson in a personnel session earlier in the meeting. After the interviews the council moved to amend and then adopt Resolution 0649, inserting DeLuca’s name. The roll-call vote was recorded as all present voting yes.

Councilors cited the candidates’ experience and readiness to step into a short-term council role while noting the coming 2026 budget work. Councilor comments during the interviews stressed attention to core city services, housing and transportation matters; candidates answered questions about the budget, tenant protections, housing density and the crisis response team.

Several members of the public criticized the council’s timetable and process for filling the vacancy. Eleanor Dolan, speaking during citizens’ comments, said, “There was no public comment period,” and argued the rapid turnaround between interviews and the council’s vote left constituents without a meaningful opportunity to weigh in. The chair and clerk explained the personnel interview step and the subsequent council roll call process used to fill the seat.

The council’s procedural record shows the selection was finalized during the same meeting as the interviews. City staff and the clerk confirmed the appointment must be moved out of the consent agenda and formally amended into the resolution before the council’s vote.

The appointee will serve the remainder of the vacated term; the council did not set or announce any further administrative dates tied to the appointment during the meeting.","After interviews with three finalists, the Duluth City Council voted unanimously to appoint Deborah DeLuca to the Second District seat. The appointment followed closed interviews and a roll-call vote; some public speakers criticized the speed of the selection process and lack of a prior public comment opportunity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council to protect library funding, school routes and neighborhood accessibility

Council leaves proposed Transportation Commission on the table; amendments expected

Council approves ordinance to expand neighborhood childcare options

Duluth council appoints Deborah DeLuca to fill Second District vacancy