City of Duluth

The meeting agenda included several key items for discussion and approval. Under Consent Agenda items, the Council was set to authorize the certification of the millage rate (6.551 mills) and consider ordinances related to budget amendments for the Pine Needle Pedestrian Connector Project ($300,000 for a Program Manager) and public safety building improvements (resurfacing and UPS system replacement totaling over $146,000). The agenda also included numerous ordinances for board and commission appointments, including the Alcohol Review Board, Ethics Board, Downtown Development Authority, Public Art Commission, Employee Benefit/Audit Review Committee, Parks & Recreation Board, Parsons Alley Design Review, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. New Business involved considering an Intergovernmental Agreement extension with Gwinnett County School District regarding Coleman Middle School parking. Department Heads were scheduled to present budget amendments for Public Safety building maintenance and the replacement of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system.

The meeting included approvals for the agenda and minutes from the previous session. New business focused on two budget ordinance amendments. The first amendment, BA-FY26-04, requested an addition of $25,000 in Series 2021 Bond funds for furniture and trash cans for the completed Train Viewing Platform. The second amendment, BA-FY26-05, sought approval for $1,368,720 in Series 2021 Bond funds to cover professional services related to property acquisition, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments, surveys, and demolition plan development. An update was also provided by the Executive Director regarding the walkway next to the Thrive building.

The agenda for the meeting included several key items. Ceremonial matters involved the presentation of a proclamation for John Barfield. The consent agenda encompassed numerous proposed ordinances, including the authorization for certification of the millage rate and ordinances to appoint members to various boards and commissions such as the Alcohol Review Board, Ethics Board, Downtown Development Authority, and Planning Commission. New business featured an Intergovernmental Agreement regarding Coleman Parking. Matters from Department Heads included two separate ordinances proposing budget amendments related to the Public Safety Building.

Key discussion items included public comments regarding traffic calming concerns in the Castlemaine neighborhood and an update on the traffic calming program, where the Council agreed to include a $50,000 budget item in the 2027 fiscal year for data collection studies. Further updates were provided on the 2017/2023 SPLOST funds and the results of a logo survey for the Duluth 150 initiative, resulting in the selection of an updated Clock Tower design. The Council discussed proposed reappointments for several boards and commissions and reviewed the process for certifying the 2026 tax millage rate, authorizing an Estimated Roll-Back Rate to be voted on at the next meeting. Matters from the Mayor and Council included a legislative update concerning potential issues related to Permitting and Property Taxes, and a notification regarding the scheduled replacement of the City Hall HVAC system.

Key discussions during the meeting included a report on the Red Clay Theatre operations for January, noting 12 shows and 1,111 attendees, with four shows canceled due to a winter storm. An update on the downtown businesses and the completion of the train observation platform was provided. The Authority also addressed updates on alleyway improvements. Under new business, the City's plan to recognize concluding DDA members' service was announced, and updates on the Downtown City Parking Ordinance, approved by City Council, were presented. The Authority then approved parking deck usage guidelines to restrict unauthorized overnight parking. Furthermore, updates were given regarding drainage inspection and maintenance plans for the parking deck, and the bid award for the Red Clay Theater renovations to BG Construction Group, estimated at approximately $1,256,600, funded by DDA, SPLOST, and City General funds.