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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 10, 2009
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS @ 5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
The Regular Commission Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City
Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November
10, 2009.
Vice Mayor Gawron opened the meeting with a prayer from Commissioner
Spataro after which the Commission and public recited the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:
Present: Vice Mayor Stephen Gawron, Commissioners Chris Carter,
Lawrence Spataro, Sue Wierengo, Steve Wisneski, City Manager Bryon Mazade,
City Attorney John Schrier, and City Clerk Ann Marie Becker.
Absent: Mayor Stephen Warmington and Commissioner Clara Shepherd
(both excused).
2009-94 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve the minutes of the Regular Commission
Meeting that was held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Clean Indoor Air Regulation Policy. CIVIL SERVICE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Pursuant to the Muskegon County Clean Indoor Air
Regulation, the City is required to adopt a policy prohibiting smoking in all
enclosed worksites and public places as specified in Sections 1005-1007 of the
Regulation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Minimal.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None. Required signage purchased from 2009
budget allocation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff respectfully requests City Commission approval
of the Clean Indoor Air Regulation Policy proposal.
C. Water Rate Adjustments. FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City intends to hold residential/commercial water
commodity charges at current levels for 2010. However, staff is recommending
the following minor changes to the City’s water rate schedule to facilitate
operational issues, including implementation of monthly utility billing:
• Set the delinquent payment penalty to 0% for the period from
December 1, 2009 until April 1, 2010 to allow citizens to become
familiar with the monthly billing cycle;
• Establish credits of $0.75 (each) for participation in the City’s eBill
and/or Autopay programs. Customers participating in both
programs will save $18/year;
• Put into resolution form the longstanding practice of billing non-
resident water users not covered by separate agreement at two
times the City’s water rate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed water rate adjustments will facilitate
implementation of monthly billing and facilitate the streamlining of operations
by encouraging participation in cost-effective billing and payment programs.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adoption of the fee adjustment resolution.
D. Consideration of 2010 COLA for Retirees. FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: It is time to consider whether an annual cost of living
adjustment (COLA) should be awarded to City retirees. Under the City’s COLA
program, permanent cost of living increases are made to pensioners retired five
years or more. COLA payments are capped at 75% of the CPI and are payable
only when investment performance exceeds estimates and the COLA is
deemed affordable. In 2009, a 0.50% COLA was granted.
The collapse of the financial markets in late 2008 took a big toll on the City’s
pension funds as noted in the most recent actuarial valuation:
“The dramatic price declines across the world financial markets in
2008 led to volatility unlike any experienced in decades. 2009 has
continued to be only somewhat less volatile….If the December 31,
2008 valuation results were based on market value on that date
instead of 10-year smoothed funding value: i) the funded percent
of your entire municipality would be 72% (instead of 100%); and ii)
your total employer contribution requirement for the fiscal year
starting January 1, 2010 would be $4,427,460 (instead of $1,084,944).
If the investment markets do not turn around, employer contribution
requirements can be expected to rise. MERS is doing everything it
can to make sure that if this proves to be the case, the increases
are incremental as opposed to steep.”
Given the unprecedented economic and investment environment we are in
and the severe market losses suffered by the City’s pension funds, staff is
recommending no retiree COLA be awarded for the year beginning January 1,
2010.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Commission action affirming staff’s
recommendation that no COLA increase be granted to City retirees in 2010.
E. Control System Annual Software Support. WATER FILTRATION
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Renewal of the annual customer support for the
Wonderware control system software at the Water Filtration Plant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: A one-time cost of $9,946.76.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None. This item is budgeted.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests authorization to renew the annual
software customer support agreement at a cost of $9,946.76 for 2010.
F. Request to Deny Acceptance of Three Vacant Lots that were not Sold
During the Tax Sale for 2009. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The County of Muskegon held two delinquent tax
auctions during 2009. There were three properties left after the last auction.
According to the State’s new tax laws, the City must state that they are not
interested in obtaining them, otherwise the City will automatically receive them.
From the list that was provided, all three parcels are vacant non buildable lots.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To deny acceptance of the three vacant lots and
authorize both the Mayor and the Clerk to sign said resolution.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Land Reutilization Committee
recommended not to accept the properties at their meeting of October 27,
2009.
G. Request for Encroachment Agreement for 1983 Lakeshore Drive –
Marine Tap Room, Inc. ENGINEERING
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Marine Tap Room, Inc. has submitted an encroachment
agreement form requesting your permission to place a sign on their property
which will extend over public sidewalk.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the encroachment agreement with the
supplemental conditions.
H. Engineering Services to Muskegon Heights. ENGINEERING
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Authorize staff to negotiate an engineering services
agreement with Muskegon Heights to survey, design and provide construction
oversight for the reconstruction of Getty Street.
Furthermore, should the City Manager and Attorney find the agreement
acceptable; the Manager be authorized to execute said agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to negotiate and execute the
agreement.
I. Revocation of Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for RC
Productions. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Pursuant to Public Act 198 of 1974, as amended, the
City of Muskegon requests that the Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate
(number 99-700) for RC Productions at 1756 Lakeshore Drive be revoked. The
industrial activity for which the certificate was granted is no longer in production
at this location.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The business will now be charged the full tax rate.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends revocation of the IFT.
J. Appointment to the District Library Board. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To appoint Clayton Hardiman to the District Library
Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Community Relations Committee
recommended this appointment at their November 9th meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Carter, second by Commissioner Wierengo to approve
the Consent Agenda as read.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gawron, Spataro, Wierengo, Wisneski, and Carter
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2009-95 NEW BUSINESS:
A. Laketon Township Intergovernmental Sewer System Maintenance
Agreement. PUBLIC WORKS
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Approve the agreement between Laketon Township
and the City of Muskegon DPW to enter into a Sewer System Operation and
Maintenance Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the agreement and authorize the Mayor
and Clerk to sign.
Motion by Commissioner Carter, second by Commissioner Spataro to approve
the Laketon Township Intergovernmental Sewer System Maintenance
Agreement.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Spataro, Wierengo, Wisneski, Carter, and Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
PLANNING &
B. Madison Street Fire Station Purchase Request.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Jon Ritz, of Ritz Properties, is offering a bid of $10,000 for
the fire station that is for sale at 1774 Madison Street. The building would be
used to start a new business, Muskegon Handiman Services, LLC. The company
would offer small scale handyman services and would employee up to three
people. Ritz Properties was approved for a special use permit for the property
during the October Planning Commission meeting, contingent upon purchase
of the building.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Purchase price of $10,000; $635 annually from income tax
of three jobs; $620 annually from property taxes.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the sale of the building.
Motion by Commissioner Spataro, second by Commissioner Wierengo to
approve the sale of the Madison Street Fire Station as requested.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Spataro, Wierengo, Wisneski, Carter, and Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
C. Acquisition of Property for a Right Turn Radius through Eminent Domain
Portion of 1813 S. Getty Street. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City had sent a letter to Samei Btk, owner of 1813 S.
Getty on July 14, 2009, with an offer of $500 to purchase a small corner of the
parking area of the property. He declined the offer. The County Equalization
Department has placed a value on the portion that the City would need to
obtain and that amount is $758.44. Staff sent a second letter on October 23,
2009 with an offer of $758.44. The owner has not accepted nor made a counter
offer. It is necessary to begin eminent domain proceedings in order to acquire
the property.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The sum of $1,000 will need to be placed with the County
Treasurer’s Office to show that the funds are segregated.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: To allow payment of $1,000 from the Public
Improvement Fund.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution and to authorize both the
Mayor and the Clerk to sign said resolution and Declaration of Taking with the
City Engineer to sign the Affidavit of Deposit.
Motion by Commissioner Spataro, second by Commissioner Carter to approve
the acquisition of property for a right turn radius through Eminent Domain for a
portion of 1813 S. Getty Street.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Wierengo, Wisneski, Carter, Gawron, and Spataro
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Marie Becker, MMC
City Clerk
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