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Duluth council amends standing rules to change meeting start time and restores reports of boards and commissions; public speakers urge removing pledge recitals
Summary
The council voted unanimously to amend standing rules to change meeting start time and updated order of business, restoring a reports-of-boards-and-commissions item after an amendment. During public comment speakers urged changes to the pledge recitation in standing rule 6(a).
The Duluth City Council voted unanimously to amend its standing rules to change the start time of regular council meetings and update notice language and the order of business. Councilor Mayo moved the resolution and Councilor Forsman seconded; after a separate motion by Mayo to amend the order of business to restore “reports of boards and commissions” the council approved the amendment 9–0 and then approved the amended resolution 9–0.
The amendment restored item No. 7, “reports of boards and commissions,” to the regular order of business. Councilors said they wanted to retain that placement so council members and the public would continue to see meeting minutes and updates from city boards listed on the council agenda.
During the opportunity for citizens to be heard, two speakers addressed the council on separate matters. Chance Wells introduced himself as a Duluth organizer for OutFront Minnesota and asked to meet individually with council members about LGBTQIA2S+ issues in their districts. Brandon Parker, a resident of District 4, urged the council to consider removing the pledge of allegiance requirement from council standing rule 6(a). Parker provided a historical and constitutional critique—citing the pledge’s origins and the later insertion of “under God”—and suggested alternative civic practices such as local acknowledgments or cultural songs. He identified himself as a military veteran and said his proposal aimed to make the chamber more inclusive.
Council President Tomanek asked Clerk Johnson to update the public on how the new start time would be communicated; Clerk Johnson said the city website and other council-schedule references would be updated and the public information officer would issue a press release. President Tomanek also reminded the council the next full meeting in two weeks would start at 6:00 p.m.
Other routine business noted in the meeting excerpt: the consent agenda passed 9–0 earlier in the meeting. The transcript includes references to several commission vacancies and recruitment notices. No formal vote on removing the pledge from standing rules occurred in the excerpt; councilors discussed the issue during public comment and thanked the speakers for raising concerns.
What’s next: the council will implement the start-time change by updating online schedules and issuing public notice; any change to standing rule 6(a) regarding the pledge would require a separate formal amendment and vote.
