Duluth City Council Can’t Respond to Safe Bay Emails

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth City Council says they cannot respond to any emails about Safe Bay appeal.

On Friday, Feb. 23, the temporary permit allowing Safe Bay to operate its program, which provides a safe lot for people to park their cars overnight and a place to shower, was put on hold. The appeal was filed by neighbors of Vineyard Church, where the Safe Bay lot is located, and will prevent operations until the process is resolved, according to the city.

The Safe Bay program staff say that the people who rely on this program are left vulnerable, and community members have been expressing their opinion by emailing the Duluth City Council; however, until the appeal has been officially reviewed, the council informed the public that emails will not receive a response.

“I would just like to make a comment to. We have received many emails, and because we are hearing an appeal and we will be acting as a quasi judicial body, we are not able to respond to those emails in any way giving information,” Councilor Terese Tomanek said at Monday’s council meeting. “But once we have voted, we will be able to respond to those emails. So thank you for everyone who has contacted us. But that is the reason we you have not heard from us.”

The council is scheduled to review the Safe Bay permit on June 7th, however they say that decision could also be appealed, and that could mean another round of closures for Safe Bay.