Duluth City Council Candidate Kelly Kelkenberg Q&A

Duluth Patch asked candidates for the Post 4 seat on the Duluth City Council a series of questions relating to city government. Post 4 is the only contested race in the Nov. 8 Duluth Municipal Election. Doug Mundrick, who currently occupies Post 4 on the council, is not seeking re-election.

Early voting in the election continues at through Friday, Nov. 4. Polls open on Election Day at 7 a.m. at Duluth City Hall and remain open until 7 p.m.

Name: Kelvin J. “Kelly” Kelkenberg

How long lived in city: 12 years 

Occupation: Emergency manager with Federal Emergency Management Agency Atlanta Regional offices. Responsible for the business support functions to include providing information technology services, acquisitions, finance, human resources, security, safety, and facilities for over 1,700 full and part-time employees of the region  providing emergency disaster response support to the eight Southeastern states.

What experience in your background do you think has best prepared you for serving on the Duluth City Council?

Business experience (10 years as a small business owner), military service (Colonel USAF Retired), my current occupation, plus several ongoing community involvement activities such as Duluth Fall Festival Committee, Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals, Duluth Planning Commission (current member), Advanced Budget Committee, Engage Gwinnett Citizens Budget Committee, and Duluth L.E.A.D. Academy.

Tell Duluth Patch readers about your vision for Duluth and how you would accomplish it?

My vision is that Duluth will be widely known as a great place to open a business and as an incubator for business development. Also, that future residents will have ample opportunity to work, live, and play within the city limits.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Duluth, and how would you approach it?

Finances. Duluth households have been affected by the impact of the country’s financial down turn so, too, are governments. This is especially true for local government. The city must build its tax base while restricting nice-to-have projects to control costs as residents have had to do for several years.

Do you have any suggestions for increasing city revenue and/or reducing expenses?

I serve on the city’s Advanced Budget Committee evaluating finances three to five years from now by looking at all options. Annexation is a potential major tax base builder. Focus on redevelopment by working with the Gwinnett school board to have the Tax Allocation District approved. Identify life-cycle funding for new projects to ensure future sustainability.

Answer a question of your own creation on an issue you think is important to the City of Duluth. What are the most important traits and capabilities for a city council member?

• Ability to make informed and measured decisions as demonstrated in their professional career.
• Previous experience and involvement with city’s decision-making process.
• Leadership experience.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment to reach consensus.
• A positive attitude.