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