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City of Muskegon
City Commission Meeting
Minutes
September 12, 2023, 5:30 pm
Muskegon City Hall
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson
Commissioner Rachel Gorman
Commissioner Rebecca St.Clair
Commissioner Eric Hood
Commissioner Michael Ramsey
Commissioner Teresa Emory
Absent: Vice Mayor Willie German, Jr.
Staff Present: City Manager Jonathan Seyferth
City Clerk Ann Meisch
City Attorney John Schrier
Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Young
1. Call To Order
Mayor Johnson called the Muskegon City Commission meeting to order at 5:30
p.m.
2. Prayer
Dr. Rob Renberg, Anchor Point Bible Church, opened the meeting with prayer.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by the Commission and the
public.
4. Roll Call
As recorded above
5. Honors, Awards, and Presentations
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6. Public Comment on Agenda Items
Public comments were received.
7. Consent Agenda
Action No. 2023-95
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner St.Clair
To accept the consent agenda as presented, minus item 7e, 7f, and 7g.
7.a Approval of Minutes - City Clerk
To approve the minutes of the August 22, 2023 Regular Meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the minutes.
7.b Rezoning of 417 Jackson Ave - 2nd Reading - Planning
Staff-initiated request to rezone the property at 417 Jackson Ave from R-1,
Low Density Single-Family Residential to Form Based Code,
Neighborhood Core.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
rezoning at their August 10 meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the request to rezone property
at 417 Jackson Ave from R-1, Low Density Single-Family Residential to
Form Based Code, Neighborhood Core.
7.c Rezoning of 1225 E Laketon Ave - 2nd Reading - Planning
Request to rezone the property at 1225 E Laketon Ave from I-2, General
Industrial to B-4, General Business, by Tread Monkey, LLC.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
rezoning at their August 10 meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the request to rezone the
property at 1225 E Laketon Ave from I-2, General Industrial to B-4,
General Business.
7.d Rezoning of several properties on Myrtle Ave, Allen Ave, and Jay St
in the Angell Neighborhood - 2nd Reading - Planning
Request to rezone the following parcels from R-3, High Density Single
Family Residential to Form Based Code, Neighborhood Core: 139 Myrtle
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Ave; 140/148/158/168/174/186 Allen Ave, 159/169/185 Amity Ave; and
923 Jay St, by Spire Development.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
rezoning at their August 10 meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the request to rezone 139
Myrtle Ave; 140/148/158/168/174/186 Allen Ave, 159/169/185 Amity Ave;
and 923 Jay St from R-3, High Density Single Family Residential to Form
Based Code, Neighborhood Core.
7.h Community Relations Committee Recommendations - City Clerk
To concur with the CRC Recommendations on the following boards and
commissions removals and appointments.
Consider approval of the following CRC Recommendations:
Accept resignation – Michael Johnson, DDA/BRA member with property
interest,
term exp. 01/31/25
Appoint members – Shaundrica Roberts, Citizen’s Police Review Board
Citizen AL,
term exp.01/31/25
Shonie Blake, Planning Commission, Citizen, term
exp. 01/31/26
Mary Louise LaBelle, Civil Service, Citizen, term exp
.01/31/25
Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, CDBG Citizen’s District
Council, Ward 2 Citizen,
term exp. 01/31/24
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To concur with the resignation and
appointment recommendations of the CRC.
7.e Firefighting Turnout Equipment - Public Safety
The Fire Department is seeking approval to purchase firefighting turnout
gear to replace worn and aging equipment.
The Fire Department is seeking approval to purchase thirteen (13) sets of
firefighting turnout gear. Each set is comprised of a coat and pants with
suspenders. The current sets are work and contain PFAS materials that
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are harmful to firefighters. The waterproofing materials in firefighting
turnouts were found to contain PFAS. The turnout gear vendor, MES,
allowed us the same price break the City of Grand Rapids received for
their recent purchase of turnout gear. Budget amount of $66,300. We
received pricing from MES, Edarely, and The Fire Store. MES was lowest
bud and meeting our specifications.
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $41,860.00 - Budgeted
FUND OR ACCOUNT: 101-336-977
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve staff to purchase thirteen (13)
sets of firefighting turnout gear from MES of Sanford Michigan.
Action No. 2023-96(e)
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner St.Clair
To approve staff to purchase thirteen (13) sets of firefighting turnout gear
from MES of Sanford Michigan.
Ayes: (6): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Ramsey, and Commissioner
Emory
Absent (1): Vice Mayor German
MOTION PASSES (6 to 0)
7.f User Agreement - Muskegon YMCA - Parks & Recreation
Staff is requesting the approval of the City of Muskegon's agreement with
the Muskegon YMCA for usage of Parks & Recreation facilities.
The Muskegon YMCA has requested to run various health & wellness
programs at Smith-Ryerson and McGraft Park. These programs will run
intermittently through the end of August 2024.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to enter into an agreement
with our strategic partner, Muskegon YMCA.
Action No. 2023-96(f)
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner Emory
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To authorize staff to enter into an agreement with our strategic partner,
Muskegon YMCA.
Ayes: (6): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Ramsey, and Commissioner
Emory
Absent (1): Vice Mayor German
MOTION PASSES (6 to 0)
7.g Laketon-Lakeshore Trail MNRFT Resolution - Public Works
Staff is seeking a formal resolution of support to apply for a grant from the
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) for the
Laketon/Lakeshore Trail Connector (LLTC) Project.
Staff is seeking funds through two programs to provide the base funding
for construction of a new non-motorized trail named the Laketon-
Lakeshore Trail Connector (LLTC). The trail would be constructed in the
road right-of-way along Sanford Street and Terrace Street between
Laketon Avenue and Shoreline Drive linking the Laketon Trail and the
Lakeshore Trail.
Grant funding is being pursued through two programs:
• MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – Staff has been
engaging with MDOT staff and has received encouragement that
this project could see funding from this program.
• Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) – Staff has had
preliminary conversation with MDNR staff encouraging an
application for $300,000 from this program.
If successful, the funding for about 75% of the construction cost could be
secured from grant funding. Funds are targeted in the 2025 state fiscal
year based on advice from grant staff at MDOT and MDNR.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution of support for the
MNRTF grant application for the Laketon-Lakeshore Trail Connector.
Action No. 2023-96(g)
Motion by: Commissioner St.Clair
Second by: Commissioner Ramsey
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To approve the resolution of support for the MNRTF grant application for
the Laketon-Lakeshore Trail Connector.
Ayes: (6): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Ramsey, and Commissioner
Emory
Absent (1): Vice Mayor German
MOTION PASSES (6 to 0)
8. Public Hearings
8.a Approval of the Lakeside Business Improvement District Special
Assessment - Economic Development
The Lakeside Business Improvement District is requesting a special
assessment for three more years starting in January of 2024.
Funds from the Lakeside BID assessment in 2021-2023 has allowed for
the BID to cover items that keep the integrity of the business district.
Funds have been used to cover snow removal, Christmas decorations,
landscaping and maintenance, Lakeside events, and advertisements in
the Visitors Guide.
In order to continue these services, the Lakeside BID has requested a
final three-year assessment at a 20% reduction for 2024-2026, continuing
with the current district boundaries. Class A properties will have a per
parcel rate of $0.04 per square foot of lot size for a Commercial Property,
not to exceed $1,600, and $0.02 per square foot of lot size for an
Industrial, Automotive or Utility Property, not to exceed $1,600. The
special assessments will be in the winter tax bills. After the additional
three years is complete, the BID will transition into the CIA.
City staff has provided a Special Assessment Packet that outlines the
overview of the request, a letter from the City of Muskegon Assessor, the
budget recommendation and explanation, and the properties included in
the assessment.
City staff has introduced the special assessment at the City Commission
meeting on August 7th, 2023. The Public Hearing was scheduled on
August 22, but after comments regarding short term rentals, city staff has
updated the special assessment documents, tax rolls and have resent
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public hearing notices and letters to commercial properties including the
short-term rentals in the district.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To close the public hearing and approve
the resolution of the Establishment of the Lakeside BID Special
Assessment District for 2024-2026 as presented and authorize the Mayor
and City Clerk to sign and appoint two commissioners to review the
special assessment tax rolls.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED: No comments were received.
Action No. 2023-97
Motion by: Commissioner Hood
Second by: Commissioner Ramsey
To close the public hearing and approve the resolution of the
Establishment of the Lakeside BID Special Assessment District for 2024-
2026 as presented and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and
appoint two commissioners to review the special assessment tax rolls.
Mayor appoints Commissioner Emory and Commissioner Ramsey.
Ayes: (6): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Ramsey, and Commissioner
Emory
Absent (1): Vice Mayor German
MOTION PASSES (6 to 0)
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business
10.a City ARPA Community Grant - Pioneer Resources, Inc. -Manager's
Office - REMOVED PER STAFF REQUEST
*A Conflict of Interest Letter was signed by Commissioner Rachel Gorman
related to this item. The Conflict of Interest statement was posted to the
City's website and City's Facebook page on August 10, 2023.
https://muskegon-mi.gov/notice-of-conflict-of-interest/
10.b Master Plan Adoption - Planning
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Request to approve the resolution adopting the new master plan. The plan
can be viewed here. The Planning Commission unanimously
recommended approval of the plan at their August 31 special meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution for the adoption
of the Master Plan and Future Land Use Map as presented.
Planning Manager Mike Franzak provided information about the work that
went into creating this Master Plan and Future Land Use Map. Jamie
Pesch, Planner II, provided an brief presentation of the proposed Master
Plan & Future Land Use Map.
Action No. 2023-98(b)
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner Hood
To approve the resolution for the adoption of the Master Plan and Future
Land Use Map as presented.
Ayes: (6): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Ramsey, and Commissioner
Emory
Absent (1): Vice Mayor German
MOTION PASSES (6 to 0)
11. Any Other Business
Commissioner Ramsey raised the issue of mute swans on Muskegon Lake, other
municipalities have asked him about it. This topic has been raised and other
municipalities have passed resolutions, we will be addressing the issue soon.
Mayor Johnson encouraged citizens to review the City's Master Plan document
on the city's website or in the City Clerk's Office.
Commissioner St.Clair acknowledged the IT department for their efforts in
making an interactive map available. The map shows residents what Ward they
reside in and informs as to which elected officials represent them. The tool was
implemented by the City's IT department along with Muskegon County GIS.
Mayor Johnson let everyone know that park parties are continuing to help get
feedback on what residents want to see done at the parks.
12. Public Comment on Non-Agenda items
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Public comments were received.
13. Closed Session
14. Adjournment
The City Commission meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by: Commissioner St.Clair
Second by: Commissioner Hood
To adjourn.
_________________________
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC - City Clerk
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