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Councilors debate adding "freight" to new Duluth Transportation Commission ordinance
Summary
Councilors discussed an ordinance establishing a Duluth Transportation Commission; Councilor DeLuca proposed adding “freight” to a list of transportation categories to ensure truck and rail needs are considered alongside bikes and pedestrians.
The Duluth City Council discussed an ordinance (read as Ordinance 21 / item 13) to add Article 38 to chapter 2 of the Duluth city code and establish a Transportation Commission. Much of the discussion centered on whether the commission’s scope should explicitly include freight needs.
Councilor DeLuca said freight should be named in the ordinance because failing to plan for freight can create conflicts with bike lanes or other street designs. “If you don't include it in your plans, then, you know, the truck is driving where the where you want your bike lane to be,” DeLuca said. He proposed an amendment to add “freight” after “commercial” in the ordinance’s list of vehicle types (section A2192a) and was advised to coordinate with Councilor Awol and the city attorney before bringing a formal amendment.
CAO Staling said the commission’s focus was intended to be policy areas where the city has control and that freight may fall partly under regional or state control; attorney Loehr and others suggested consulting Councilor Awol, who has worked on the ordinance. Councilor Kennedy urged clarity on how any addition would affect work plans and relationships with existing bodies such as the Port Authority, noting that freight includes rail and trucking as well as shipping.
Councilors said a redlined draft could be provided by Monday for review; the transcript shows active discussion and a proposed amendment but does not record a final vote on the ordinance in the excerpt provided.
