The Duluth City Council heard more than a dozen public commenters, considered multiple ordinance items and passed several measures at its meeting. Public comment featured sharp criticism of council priorities from Eleanor Dolan and Brandon Parker, concerns about library staffing and transparency from Asher Estrin, and repeated appeals to retain a full‑time sustainability officer (testimony from Dr. Brett Cease, Linda Herron and Beth Tamminen). Dr. Cease told the council that the prior sustainability officer had helped secure "over $50,000,000 in outside grants and funding," and speakers urged the council to restore that capacity to pursue grant opportunities and the city’s Climate Action Work Plan.

On regulatory and legislative business, the council first convened a special canvassing board and approved Resolution 863, declaring the results of the municipal general election held Nov. 4, 2025. The motion was seconded by Councilor Randolph and approved by voice vote.

Later the council took Resolution 808 (an interim moratorium on certain short-term rental permits and related approvals) off the table, moved and seconded the measure and approved it by roll call 8-0. The clerk read related ordinance language (citing Minn. Stat. 462.355, subd. 44) used to support a time-limited moratorium while a citywide study completes.

The council also moved and approved Ordinance 28 (interim ordinance tied to Minn. Stat. 462.355) after a motion by Councilor Forsman and second by Councilor Swenson; the transcript records the vote on that item as "6-0" at the time it was read. Later in the meeting the council approved an amended Ordinance 27 to incorporate existing protected-class advisory commissions as committees under the Duluth Human Rights Commission; the ordinance and its amendment passed 8-0 after clarified timelines and administrative responsibilities were read into the motion.

Public commenters urged stronger enforcement and transparency: Mike Casey asked the council to "pass the moratorium tonight and not postpone this any further" in reference to vacation-dwelling units (VDUs), arguing that some operators had bypassed permitting rules. Several speakers, including Asher Estrin, accused the mayor and some council members of misleading or inconsistent staffing and budget practices; the council did not respond in detail during the public‑comment period.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 863 (canvass declaring municipal election results, 11/04/2025): approved (voice).
- Resolution 808 (moratorium on certain short-term rental permits): approved 8-0.
- Ordinance 28 (interim ordinance per Minn. Stat. 462.355 subd.44): moved by Councilor Forsman, seconded by Councilor Swenson; transcript shows recorded vote as 6-0 at time of reading.
- Ordinance 27 (incorporating protected-class advisory commissions as committees of the Human Rights Commission, as amended): approved 8-0.

The meeting closed after a brief council comment and adjournment. Several public speakers asked for follow-up from staff on budgets, enforcement and staff‑level decisions; the council did not record additional formal directions in the transcript beyond votes taken.