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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2017 @ 5:30 P.M.
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
The Regular Commission Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City Hall,
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
Commissioner Willie German, Jr., opened the meeting with prayer, after which
the Commission and public recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:
Present: Mayor Stephen J. Gawron, Vice Mayor Eric Hood, Commissioners
Ken Johnson, Byron Turnquist, Willie German, Jr., Debra Warren, and Dan
Rinsema-Sybenga, Acting City Manager – Public Safety Director, Chief Jeffrey
Lewis, City Attorney John Schrier, and City Clerk Ann Meisch.
INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATION:
Announcement of Recipient of Consumer’s Energy Customer Service Award
Donna Jean’s Sweet Dreams was awarded a check for $1,000 based on the
interaction with several “secret shoppers”. Donna Jean’s was recognized for
excellent customer service.
Muskegon Lake Hawks Lake Hawk’s Coach, Ron Jenkins, introduced several of
the Lake Hawks players and thanked the City Commission for supporting the
program.
2017-84 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes of the October 9, 2017 Worksession
Meeting and the October 10, 2017 Regular Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Extending Sub-recipient Agreements Community & Neighborhood
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Services
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To extend the 2015 Sub-recipient Agreements with Love
INC until December 31, 2017.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: To allow Love INC the opportunity to expend the
remaining dollars from their 2015 grants:
Love INC $4,500 – Wheelchair Ramps
$3,500 – Utility Assistance
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDTAION: To extend the 2015 Sub-recipient Agreements
with Love INC until December 31, 2017.
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Vice Mayor Hood, to
approve the consent agenda as presented.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist,
and Johnson
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2017-85 PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. BID Special Assessment – Resolution Confirming Special Assessment
Roll Planning & Economic Development
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City Commission approved the creation of the BID
special assessment district at the September 26, 2017 meeting and the Special
Assessment Roll is now ready to be confirmed. The assessments will go towards
various downtown expenditures, including snow removal, landscaping,
marketing/promotion/events, streetscape and administration. The BID
assessment includes both a “Class A” and “Class B” district. Staff has prepared
three separate Special Assessment Rolls for the Commission to choose from with
the option of approving it for one, two, or three years.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City will contribute $25,000 per year towards
Downtown Muskegon Now as an administrative fee.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution approving the
confirmation of the special assessment roll for three years and authorize the
Mayor and Clerk to sign.
Planning Manager, Mike Franzak, updated the Commission on incidental
changes with the proposed roll, including the removal of Emory House located
at 446 W. Webster due to the address being a primary residence. Letters in
opposition were received regarding 632 & 629 W. Clay, 8 W. Walton, and the
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parking lot for Waterston Insurance.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED:
Julia Hunter, representing Ginman Tire, is opposed to the special assessment.
Jillian Miller, representing City Hub Cyclery would like to see the services more
evenly applied to those paying the assessment.
Brian Pearson, Attorney representing Reliable Towing, is opposed to the special
assessment.
Maureen Bulkeis, representing Northwestern Mill Supply, is opposed to the
special assessment.
Jon Rooks, representing the Holiday Inn, is in favor of the assessment.
Doug Pollock, representing the Holiday Inn, is in favor of the assessment.
Clyde Whitehouse, representing Hot Rod Harley Davidson, supports the BID and
the assessment but would prefer the assessment be for one year.
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Vice Mayor Hood, to
close the public hearing and approve the resolution approving the confirmation
of the special assessment roll for three years and authorize the Mayor and Clerk
to sign.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Hood, Warren, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, and
Gawron
Nays: German
MOTION PASSES
2017-86 NEW BUSINESS:
A. Concurrence with the Housing Board of Appeals Notice and Order to
Demolish the Following: Public Safety
1386 Ransom Street
312 Jackson Avenue
1772 5th Street
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: This is to request that the City Commission concur with
the findings of the Housing Board of Appeals that the structures are unsafe,
substandard, a public nuisance and that they be demolished within 30 days. It is
further requested that administration be directed to obtain bids for the
demolition of the structures and that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized
and directed to execute a contract for demolition with the lowest responsible
bidder or staff may issue infraction tickets to the owner, agent or responsible
party if they do not demolish the structure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: General Funds
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BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals
decision to demolish.
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Warren, to concur
with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist,
Johnson, and Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
B. Local Officers Compensation Committee Recommendation City
Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City of Muskegon’s Local Officers Compensation
Commission met on October 9, 2017 and is recommending salary increases and
travel budget increases for the Mayor and City Commissioners.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: No action is required unless City Commission
rejects the Committee Recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Local Officer’s Compensation
Commission recommends increasing the Mayor’s salary by $300 to $8,100
and the City Commission’s salary by $200 to $6,500 in addition to increasing the
Mayor’s Training, Education, and Travel budget by $500 and the City
Commission’s Training, Education, and Travel budget by $250.
Motion by Commissioner Warren, second by Vice Mayor Hood, to accept the
recommendation of the Local Officer’s Compensation Commission.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Hood
Nays: Johnson, Gawron
MOTION PASSES
C. Cooling Towers – LC Walker Arena City Manager
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The cooling towers at the LC Walker Arena have
required significant repairs over the past three hockey seasons. Additional
significant repairs are again required to address a large coolant leak. Staff
would rather replace the system, which is more than 20 years old. Three bids
were received, with the lowest coming from Refrigeration Concepts, Inc. of
Comstock Park. RCI was the low bidder and has serviced these units regularly.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $49,260 Expense to the Public Improvement Fund
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BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize City Manager to accept the bid from
Refrigeration Concepts, Inc. in the amount of $49,260 to replace the cooling
towers at the LC Walker Arena.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German to
authorize the City Manager to accept the bid from Refrigeration Concepts, Inc.
in the amount of $49,260 to replace the cooling towers at the LC Walker Arena.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron,
Hood, Warren
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Johnson asked the City Clerk to give an
update regarding the upcoming election. City Clerk, Ann Meisch, reminded the
audience of the date of the election, polling place hours, and absentee ballot
availability.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Public Comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Meisch, MMC, City Clerk
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