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Duluth Council approves $1.55M paving award, parking changes and contract renewals
Summary
At its April 13 meeting the Duluth City Council approved a $1.55 million LMIG paving contract funded by state LMIG and 2023 SPLOST funds, amended parking regulations, approved a third Republic Services rate amendment, moved city health plans to Anthem and authorized a four‑year RedSpeed contract extension; the FY25 audit received a clean opinion.
The Duluth City Council on April 13, 2026 approved a slate of routine and project‑specific actions, including a $1,552,924.45 award for the 2026 LMIG paving project, parking ordinance amendments and several contract renewals and budget adjustments.
The vote came during the council’s regular meeting at Duluth City Hall. Mayor Greg Whitlock called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.; Councilmembers Park, Thomas, Doss and Graeder were present and the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
The most consequential item was the award of the 2026 LMIG Paving Project to Allied Paving in an amount not to exceed $1,552,924.45. Audrey Turner, Director of Public Works, told the council the project included a base bid and six alternates covering multiple local streets. Funding will come from Georgia Department of Transportation LMIG funds and 2023 SPLOST Transportation dollars; council approved ordinance BA‑FY26‑39 to appropriate an additional $58,365 and $1,194,346 in unallocated SPLOST Transportation funds to specific paved‑streets budget lines.
On the consent agenda the council approved a third amendment to the city’s contract with Republic Services, acknowledging a 2.5% rate increase for solid waste services effective May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2027. The City previously executed the contract April 10, 2023 and amended it in February and May 2025.
Council also approved ordinance O2026‑18 to amend Duluth Code Sec. 8‑67. The ordinance creates a three‑hour customer parking zone in front of the Main Street City Hall entrance and adds overnight parking restrictions on city‑controlled spaces inside the Marriott/DDA parking deck and at Ridgeway Road and Hill Street. The council adopted an intergovernmental agreement with the Duluth Downtown Development Authority to allow consolidated parking enforcement inside the specified parking deck.
On employee insurance, the Employees Benefits and Audit Review Committee and staff recommended moving the city’s health, dental and vision plans to Anthem. Ashley Gilder of MSI Benefits reported Anthem offered a $55,000 administrative credit for the first month; the change produces an overall premium increase of 18.4% from current coverage. The council approved the recommended contracts. The city will continue its FSA with AdminAmerica and life and disability coverage with The Standard.
The council accepted the FY25 audit presented by Josh Carroll of Mauldin & Jenkins. The auditor issued an unqualified (clean) opinion, stating the city’s financial statements, including those of the Downtown Development Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency, were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Council authorized a City Attorney‑approved contract extension with RedSpeed Georgia, LLC, to continue the school‑zone enforcement camera program for an initial four‑year term with an option to renew for another four years.
During ceremonial matters Chief Carruth presented a Cpl. Bahamundi Community Service Award to Master Patrol Officer Dave Nichols and a Meritorious Service Award to Master Patrol Officer Zachary Hill. In public comment, Jyot Singh announced his candidacy for State House District 97 and David Carrazzo urged consistent enforcement of the overnight parking ordinance and suggested the police provide a first‑time warning as a community gesture.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of April 13, 2026 agenda — mover: Councilmember Graeder; second: Councilmember Doss; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • Approval of March 9 & March 23, 2026 minutes — mover: Councilmember Thomas; second: Councilmember Park; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • Consent agenda (Republic Services rate amendment, stormwater budget amendment BA‑FY26‑38, Joint SRT MOU, parking ordinance O2026‑18, IGA with DDA) — mover: Councilmember Thomas; second: Councilmember Graeder; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • LMIG paving award to Allied Paving not to exceed $1,552,924.45 and ordinance BA‑FY26‑39 (SPLOST appropriations) — mover: Councilmember Doss; second: Councilmember Park; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • Employee benefits/insurance renewals (move to Anthem; FSA, life/disability renewals) — mover: Councilmember Park; second: Councilmember Thomas; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • FY25 Audit acceptance (Mauldin & Jenkins) — mover: Councilmember Graeder; second: Councilmember Doss; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • Authorization to execute a City Attorney‑approved contract with RedSpeed Georgia, LLC (four‑year initial term, option to renew) — mover: Councilmember Doss; second: Councilmember Thomas; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved. • Adjournment at 6:46 p.m. — mover: Councilmember Thomas; second: Councilmember Graeder; vote: Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder — approved.
The council’s next steps include execution of awarded contracts and implementation of the approved budget amendments; staff will proceed with procurement and contract signing as authorized by the council. The meeting minutes were attested by Mayor Greg Whitlock and Assistant City Manager/City Sr. Clerk Teresa Lynn.
