Duluth council approves housing appointments and a $276,750 site‑improvements contract

The Duluth City Council approved several administrative and capital items during its regular meeting, including appointments to the Housing Trust Fund Committee and a construction contract for Perch Lake Landing site improvements.

After pulling item 4 from the consent agenda for additional questions about candidate pools and representation, councilors debated whether to table the appointment vote. Following discussion and a roll‑call, the council confirmed the appointments by a 6–2–1 vote; one councilor explained the abstention as a lack of information to inform their decision.

The council also approved Resolution 101, authorizing a contract with MJ Companies LLC for Perch Lake Landing site improvements for an amount not to exceed $276,750. Councilor Johnson moved the resolution, which passed 9–0.

Other consent‑agenda measures authorizing workforce training subrecipient agreements (Resolutions 84 and 85) were passed by voice votes (each recorded 9–0). The clerk noted that Resolution 61 (limits for gift acceptance by the city administrator) remains on the table pending additional staff information.

Council members urged more outreach and diversity in future committee recruitment and said they would coordinate with administration on representation for housing‑policy committees. One councilor asked staff to clarify candidate‑pool information before future appointments.

Next steps: Staff will follow up on requested candidate‑pool details for the Housing Trust Fund Committee; Public Works is assigned to execute the MJ Companies contract and return notices once the agreement is in place.