The Duluth City Council discussed ten proposed new ordinances at an agenda meeting Thursday July 11th. The proposed new ordinance changes, announced July 9th, have been met with community backlash.

The ordinances cover behaviors like burning, property damage, graffiti, solid waste compliance, and camping on public property. These non-violent offenses, which usually result in a fine, could be charged as misdemeanor offenses instead.

Duluth City Councilors had lots of questions for Duluth Fire Department’s Chief Shawn Krizaj and Police Chief Mike Ceynowa.

“I just want to make it clear — there are a lot of questions and community concern regarding these ten ordinances,” said City Councilwoman Azrin Awal. “I really want to give the option for the public to understand where these ordinances are coming from and have a little bit of transparency.”

Some of the biggest questions were about organizations consulted about the prospective changes.

“We received from providers just within the last half-hour ago. Center City, Minnesota Coalition for Homelessness, Chum, Union Gospel, One Roof, Safe Haven, Damiano, and the Center for Alcohol Treatment, along with ARC, saying they hadn’t really been consulted,” said City Councilman Mike Mayou. “I’m curious who was consulted in this process as you move forward, and how is that feedback accounted for?”

“While we didn’t necessarily consult on the development of these ordinances,” said Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa. “We did have a meeting on Monday with one of the providers in the community to discuss this process and what we were looking at. We met with them because they are our lead partners as we go out to our encampments. They are part of Chief Krizaj’s team in Life Safety, PFM, and Police Department, who does not take a forward-facing role in that activity.”

“This is something that we have worked on for years, when we’ve been going in with our team that works with unhoused individuals. It starts in Life Safety, and then we also have people from both Parks & Rec, property,” said Duluth Fire Department’s Chief Shawn Krizaj. “We have a police officer there. What we’re looking for here is a tool that will actually help us sometimes speed up the cleanup process. We’re not gonna change the process.”

City Councilors also had questions about criminal charges.

“A criminal charge that will go on their criminal record with a 90-day jail time and a $1,000 fee is another option that you’re viewing to get these individuals, to get our neighbors, the services they need,” said City Councilwoman Azrin Awal. “Why are you saying that this is the solution? How would they get the services by being charged and have a criminal record?”

“What we are saying is we’re having an opportunity so that this does not go on to somebody’s public record,” said Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa. “By giving them opportunities towards diversion, by utilizing community service, by looking at ways to give incentives to try to go through a service provider to better their experience.”

The ten ordinances will be first read by City Council at their Monday, July 15 meeting. The package will be read by the council a requisite second time at its meeting on July 29 and a vote will follow. The ordinances would go into effect 30 days following adoption.