Duluth — Mayor and Council Regular Meeting, January 12, 2026
These minutes are unofficial. Duluth posts minutes before the council formally approves them, so this reflects the current public record and may be revised. The official version replaces it once approved.
These unofficial draft minutes document the January 12, 2026 meeting of the Duluth Mayor and Council. Key actions included swearing in newly elected council members, appointing Marline Thomas as Mayor Pro Tem, and adopting the 2026 meeting dates, legal organ, and Open Records officers. The Council also approved budget amendments for Duluth's 150th Anniversary and City Hall parking lot resurfacing, accepted a stormwater donation, and authorized a letter of commitment for a Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grant.
Topics
- procedural
- appointments
- zoning
- contracts
- grants
- finance
- stormwater
- splost
- transportation
- sustainability
Actions
Approval of January 12, 2026 Council Agenda
approved · Vote: 4-0 · Motion: Councilmember Doss · Second: Councilmember Thomas
A motion was made by Councilmember Doss, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, to approve the January 12, 2026 Council Agenda as presented.
Approval of December 6 and 8, 2025 meeting minutes
approved · Vote: 4-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Cummings
A motion was made by Councilmember Thomas, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, to approve the December 6 and 8, 2025 meeting minutes as presented.
R2026-01 — Resolution to set and publicize regularly scheduled Mayor and Council meetings for 2026
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item approves resolution R2026-01 to set and publicize regularly scheduled Mayor and Council meetings for 2026 in accordance with Georgia law.
O2026-01 — Ordinance establishing the 2026 reimbursement rates for travel/per diem
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item adopts ordinance O2026-01 establishing the 2026 reimbursement rates accordingly.
R2026-02 — Resolution naming the 'Gwinnett Daily Post' as the City's Legal Organ for 2026
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item approves resolution R2026-02 naming the “Gwinnett Daily Post” aka The Times Journal Inc., as the City’s Legal Organ for 2026.
R2026-03 — Resolution regarding check signing, investments and depositories
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item approves resolution R2026-03 regarding check signing, investments and depositories as per the Financial Policy.
R2026-04 — Designation of Open Records Officers and approval of resolution R2026-04
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item as per Open Records Act O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(b) designates the Assistant City Manager/City Clerk or his/her designee as the Open Records Officers to receive written requests on behalf of the City, and approves resolution R2026-04 listing the 2026 designees.
Amendment to settlement and release agreement with Vision Outdoor Media, LLC
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item authorizes the Mayor to execute the amendment to the settlement and release agreement originally approved on September 9, 2024 with Vision Outdoor Media, LLC.
BA-FY26-23 — Budget amendment to add $100,000 to the Public Information/Marketing - Downtown/Main Street - Special Events line item for Duluth's 150th Anniversary Concert
approved · Vote: 5-0 · $100,000 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item authorizes ordinance BA-FY26-23 to add General Funds of $100,000 to the Public Information/Marketing - Downtown/Main Street - Special Events line item.
BA-FY26-24 — Budget amendment to accept $3,500 Walmart donation for street sweeping program
approved · Vote: 5-0 · $3,500 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item authorizes ordinance BA-FY26-24 to amend the FY26 budget by adding $3,500 to Stormwater Utility - Donations line item and to the Stormwater Utility - Stormwater Collection & Disposal - Site Improvements line item.
Appointment of Marline Thomas as 2026 Mayor Pro tem
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
Approval of this item accepts Mayor Whitlock’s recommendation to appoint Marline Thomas as 2026 Mayor Pro tem.
O2026-03 — Ordinance adopting the Official Zoning Map
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Doss · Second: Councilmember Cummings
A motion was made by Councilmember Doss, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, to approve ordinance O2026-03 adopting the Official Zoning Map as presented.
Support of Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grant application and authorization of letter of commitment
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Park · Second: Councilmember Thomas
A motion was made by Councilmember Park, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, to approve Council's support of this grant application and authorize the City Manager or Mayor to sign a letter of commitment for the Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grant as presented.
BA-FY26-25 — Budget amendment to add $60,390 in SPLOST Parking funds for City Hall parking lot resurfacing
approved · Vote: 5-0 · $60,390 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Cummings
Staff requested approval of a budget amendment BA-FY26-25 to add $60,390 in unallocated 2014 and 2023 SPLOST Parking funds to City Hall Design/Building - General Government Buildings - Site Improvements line item, including associated transfers.
Adjourn to Executive Session
approved · Vote: 5-0 · Motion: Councilmember Thomas · Second: Councilmember Graeder
A motion was made by Councilmember Thomas, seconded by Councilmember Graeder, to adjourn to executive session at 6:54pm.
Sources
Everything above is extracted from the city's own published record:
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