DULUTH — Councilors pumped the brakes on the city’s proposed purchase of eight vehicles Monday night, asking staff to consider buying electric-powered vehicles instead of conventional ones that burn fossil fuels.
Two resolutions, seeking authorization for the acquisition of three pickups and five vans, were returned to the city administration.
As part of a
the city aims to reach carbon neutrality in its energy emissions by 2050, and 2nd District Councilor Diane Desotelle noted that Duluth has established a $1.8 million sustainability fund to help it reach that goal. About half of that sum already has been allocated for “a long list of projects that’s supposed to be implemented by parks and facilities maintenance.”
She pointed out that the city currently has just six electric-powered vehicles in its fleet. Desotelle rattled through some of the rationale she has heard for the slow transition to electric vehicles, including their limited range on a charge and decreased performance in cold weather. She contends that both concerns seem exaggerated and noted that all-wheel-drive electric vehicles now on the market can handle Duluth’s harsh weather and steep terrain.
“I understand change is hard. And there are some very minor trade-offs, such as charging time, which can be done overnight, over lunch, during other breaks or even in transition, between jobs,” Desotelle said.
She also cited fuel savings, especially at a time when gas prices are once again on the rise, and decreased maintenance costs for electric vehicles.
“This is a win-win to me. At the same time, we will be reducing our carbon output, as our plans call for, and saving the city a lot of money,” Desotelle said.
“These vehicles are purchased every 10 years. So now, these vehicles are ready for a turnover. And now it’s time to move to EVs or hybrids. There are options available that meet the needs for our service providers, more often than not,” she said.
Desotelle suggested the city commit to purchasing at least two electric vehicles as part of the eight-vehicle request it has made.
Joining in their support for Desotelle’s request were councilors Wendy Durrwachter and David Clanaugh, representing Duluth’s 1st and 5th districts, respectively.
“I think it’s particularly important that we stay strong with our climate plans, especially in light of what we all know we’re dealing with, in terms of our federal government and the latest adventurism and fossil fuel disruption that we are experiencing,” Clanaugh said, referring to the present moment as “a great opportunity” to advance the city’s goal of reduced greenhouse emissions.
Jim Benning, Duluth’s director of public works and utilities, said that while the idea is laudable, the city currently lacks the needed charging infrastructure to support the addition of more electric vehicles to its fleet.
Durrwachter noted that the city is in the process of recruiting a
and suggested any future new hire ideally would be involved in examining the options for additional electric vehicle purchases.
City staff will now review its request for replacement vehicles and report back to the council on the prospect of including electric vehicles in its purchase plans.
If passed, the initial resolutions would have authorized the purchase of five Transit T250 utility vans for $272,552.50 and three F250 crew cab pickup trucks for $160,921.11.
About the Duluth City Council
The Duluth City Council’s regular meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m., with agenda meetings at 5:15 p.m. each Thursday preceding a regular meeting, unless otherwise scheduled, at City Hall, Room 330. Meetings are also livestreamed and recorded for later viewing at duluthmn.gov/city-council/city-council-meetings-events/council-meeting-media.
Wendy Durrwachter
District 1: Wendy Durrwachter
Represents: Duluth city precincts 1-7
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-730-5700, Ext. 3, wdurrwachter@duluthmn.gov
Diane Desotelle
District 2: Diane Desotelle
Represents: Duluth city precincts 8-13
Term expires: Jan. 7, 2030
Contact: 218-730-5355, ddesotelle@duluthmn.gov
Roz Randorf.
Represents: Duluth city precincts 14-19
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-443-8364/218-730-5353, rrandorf@duluthmn.gov
David Clanaugh.
Contributed / David Clanaugh
District 4: David Clanaugh
Represents: Duluth city precincts 21-27
Term expires: Jan. 7, 2030
Contact: 218-730-5356, dclanaugh@duluthmn.gov
Janet Kennedy.
Clint Austin / 2024 file / Duluth Media Group
District 5: Janet Kennedy, vice president
Represents: Duluth city precincts 28-35
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-341-6113/218-730-5357, jkennedy@duluthmn.gov
Jordon Johnson.
Contributed / Jordon Johnson
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 7, 2030
Contact: 218-730-5359, jjohnson@duluthmn.gov
Arik Forsman
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-730-5352, aforsman@duluthmn.gov
Lynn Marie Nephew
At large: Lynn Marie Nephew, president
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-730-5354, lnephew@duluthmn.gov
Terese Tomanek.
Contributed / Terese Tomanek
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 7, 2030
Contact: 218-216-9126, ttomanek@duluthmn.gov
Peter Passi covers city and county government for the Duluth News Tribune. He joined the paper in April 2000, initially as a business reporter but has worked a number of beats through the years.
