The Duluth City Council considered 12 proposed changes to the public safety ordinance at a meeting on Monday, July 29.

The proposed amendments amend regulations already enacted by either changing the language of specific regulations – redefining terms and/or modernizing the language – or changing the methods of enforcement for violators.

The following regulations were up for consideration

24-027-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTION 30-1 OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO REDEFINE Abandoned Property

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this regulation is to provide a new definition of abandoned property consistent with Minnesota’s statutory definitions.

RESULT: Passed

24-028-O (A)

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 34-5 OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO ESTABLISH NEIGHBORHOOD DISTURBANCE AS AN OFFENSE.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends section 34-5 of chapter 34 to establish the act of disturbing a borough as a misdemeanor.

RESULT: Passed

24-028-O (B)

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 34-14 OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE FOR FALSE REPORTING.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends section 34-14 of chapter 34 to modernize the language.

RESULT: NOT approved

A proposal to repeal §§ 34-14 was proposed at Monday’s meeting and will be considered at the next council meeting.

24-029-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 34-41(b) AND 34-41(c) OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF GRAFFITI AND TO DETECT THE DEFACING AND/OR EMPLOYMENT OF GRAFFITI AS IMPLEMENTS.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends chapters 34-41 to correct typographical errors and remove the definition of chalk from the definition of graffiti stick. In addition, the ordinance establishes graffiti as a misdemeanor offense.

RESULT: Passed

24-030-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 34 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO ADD SECTIONS 34-46 PROHIBITING CAMPING ON CITY PROPERTY.

Purpose: The purpose of this ordinance is to prohibit camping or the establishment of campsites on City property.

(Motion to amend) – Removes allegations of misdemeanors from proposed amendments.

RESULT – APPROVED WITH MODIFICATIONS

24-031-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 35 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO MAKE OFFENSES APPLICABLE TO PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY AND TO MAKE CERTAIN OFFENSES OF COMMITMENT.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Chapter 35 to include both parks and city-owned property and to provide misdemeanor penalties for prohibited conduct.

RESULT – PASSED

24-032-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 44A-2 AND 44A-3, OF CHAPTER 44A OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO ENABLE THE SKYWALK TO TRY AND PROHIBIT SMOKING OR WEAPONS IN THE SKYWALK SYSTEM.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Chapter 44A to include a misdemeanor offense for destroying, damaging, littering, urinating, defecating, or smoking cannabinoid in the skywalk system. The change includes adding the ban on smoking or vaping cannabinoids within the skywalk system.

RESULT – PASSED

24-033-O (A)

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTION 45-1 OF CHAPTER 45 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO PROVIDE A MISDEMOND OFFENSE FOR BLOCKING PASSAGE ON STREETS AND SIDEWALK.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Article I, Section 45-1 of Chapter 45 to provide a misdemeanor offense for obstructing the passage of streets and sidewalks

RESULT – PASSED

24-033-O (B)

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTION 45-6.3 OF CHAPTER 45 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO ESTABLISH A CAPITAL OFFENSE FOR THE UNLAWFUL USE OF AN ATV ON PUBLIC LAND.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Section 45-6.3 of Chapter 45 to provide a misdemeanor offense for unauthorized use of recreational vehicles, ATVs, etc. on public land.

RESULT – PASSED

24-034-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTION 49-8.2 OF CHAPTER 49 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO PROVIDE AN OFFENSE Punishment for the ILLEGAL possession or discharge of an air rifle OR GEL.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Section 49-8.2 of Chapter 49 of the Duluth City Code to clarify the penalties for felony possession and felony discharge involving air weapons as well as address the ongoing concerns regarding the possession and discharge of soft gel guns (also known as orbeez guns) .

RESULT – PASSED

24-035-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, SECTION 21-5 AND SECTION 21-8, OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO UPDATE THE CITY’S OPEN BURNING AND TENT AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES ORDINANCES.

Statement of Purpose: This ordinance amends Chapter 21, Article I, Section 21-5 and Section 21-8 of the Duluth City Code to update references no longer found in state statutes and clarify penalties for unauthorized burning.

RESULT – PASSED

24-036-O

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 34-38 OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO PROHIBIT THE MARKING OR PLACING OF SIGNS ON PRILEY FOUNTAIN.

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this ordinance is to recognize the historic significance and value of the Priley Fountain and to protect it from any action that may result in deterioration or damage to the fountain.

RESULT – PASSED