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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
September 23, 2025 @ 5:30 PM
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, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 23,
2025. Pastor Adam Dollar from Evanston Avenue Church, opened the meeting
with prayer, after which the Commission and public recited the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Mayor Rebecca St.Clair, Commissioners Jay Kilgo, Willie German,
Jr., Rachel Gorman, and Katrina Kochin, City Manager Jonathan Seyferth, City
Attorney John Schrier, and City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch
Absent: Mayor Ken Johnson and Commissioner Destinee Keener
2025-77 HONORS, AWARDS, AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Resolution Against Racial Profiling Manager's Office
Commissioner Jay Kilgo submitted a resolution reaffirming the City of
Muskegon's commitment to the ideals of the United States Constitution and
reaffirming its moral opposition to racial profiling in law and immigration
enforcement.
Motion by Commissioner Kilgo, second by Commissioner Kochin, to adopt the
Resolution Against Racial Profiling.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Gorman, Kochin, St.Clair, and Kilgo
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2025-78 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report FY
2024 Community & Neighborhood Services
Page 1 of 11
Community and Neighborhood Services to host a hearing for the Consolidated
Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) FY 2024.
The Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) is an
important and necessary communication tool between the City of Muskegon,
the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the public.
Its purpose is to inform and report on the progress the City of Muskegon’s
Community and Neighborhood Services Department has made toward the
goals it set forth in its 2021-2026 Consolidated Plan and respective Action Plan.
The CAPER is available on our website for citizen review and a comment period
of 15 days from September 9–September 25, 2025.
City of Muskegon – 2024 CAPER Highlights
The City of Muskegon’s 2024 CAPER outlines accomplishments under the 2021–
2026 Consolidated Plan, with a focus on CDBG and HOME funds.
Funding & Resources
• CDBG: $1.13M expended (housing repairs, façade, fire station services,
admin).
• HOME: $52,121 expended (admin).
• Program Income generated from HOME: $51,480
• Leverage: Senior millage, DTE programs, Lead Safe Muskegon lead
program, Healthy Homes Production.
Key Accomplishments
• Home Repairs/Rehab: 58 households assisted.
• Fire Station Services: 1,123 households served.
• Eviction Prevention: 22 households stabilized.
• Meals for Seniors: 42 seniors assisted.
• Homebuyer Assistance: 5 families supported.
• Housing Study: Identified 400 substandard units and significant rent
burden; informed zoning changes.
Demographics
• 124 CDBG households (66 White, 48 Black, 2 Native American, 8 Other
and 4 Hispanic).
• 5 HOME households (3 White, 2 Black).
• 70% of beneficiaries were extremely low or low-income.
Other Actions
• Zoning Reforms: Encouraged mixed-use, ADUs, and “tiny homes.”
• Lead Remediation: Integrated into all housing rehab programs.
• Public Housing Support: Backed PHA RAD conversion, tenant
engagement, and affordable lot access.
• Outreach: Public notices, newsletters, social media, 211 resource
integration, resource events.
Challenges
• Lack of measurable impact on Hispanic households.
• Persistent affordable housing shortage.
Page 2 of 11
The Public Hearing opened to hear and consider any comments from the
public. No public comments were made.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No public comments were made.
2025-79 CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
To approve minutes of the September 8, 2025, Commission Worksession
Meeting, and the September 9, 2025, City Commission Meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Sale of 159 E Laketon Planning
Staff is seeking authorization to sell the City-owned vacant lot at 159 E. Laketon
to Arturo Ramirez.
Arturo Ramirez would like to purchase the City-owned buildable lot at 159 E.
Laketon for $8,550 (75% of the True Cash Value of $11,400) plus half of the
closing costs, and the fee to register the deed. The lot will be split into two 62.5'
x 50' lots. Arturo will be constructing a single-family home on each of the
properties.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to sell the City-owned vacant lot at
159 E. Laketon to Arturo Ramirez.
F. Amendment to Engineering Services for Lift Station Improvements
Project Public Works
Staff requests approval to sign an amendment to Fleis & VandenBrink's contract
in the amount of $28,000 adding engineering services for the Beach Street and
Barney Avenue Lift Stations Improvements.
Fleis & VandenBrink is currently designing improvements for our Industrial Park
Lift Station and Sherman Boulevard Lift Station to be bid later this year for
construction in the first half of 2026. During the design process, discussion of
other lift stations within the City prompted staff to have Fleis & VandenBrink
evaluate the Beach Street and Barney Avenue lift stations. As a result of these
evaluations, staff would like to have improvements completed at these two Lift
Stations as well. Due to the similar work currently being completed by Fleis &
VandenBrink, are looking to add this work to their current contract. This will
allow the work to be bid as a single project for all four stations, saving time,
administrative effort and dollars during the construction phase next
summer. Additional lift station work was anticipated in the capital
improvement plan; this work and the construction are budgeted.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve staff to sign an amendment to
Fleis & VandenBrink's contract in the amount of $28,000 adding engineering
services for the Beach Street and Barney Avenue Lift Stations Improvements.
Page 3 of 11
G. Engineering Services Contract for the Rehabilitation of West Western
Avenue Public Works
Staff seeks permission to enter into a contract with Land & Resource
Engineering (LRE) in the amount of $82,420 for the Rehabilitation of West
Western Avenue.
The portion of Western Avenue that is west of Shoreline Drive, which we'll call
West Western Avenue for clarity, has watched the land uses it serves change
drastically in the last 10 years. A marked shift from industry to mixed use
developments has made it clear that the street no longer serves the same
function. The proposed rehabilitation project includes reducing the amount of
pavement (not the number of travel lanes) to right-size the street and
discourage speeding, improving pedestrian spaces along the corridor, and
increasing the amount of greenspace. On-street parking will be evaluated as
a part of the design effort, but staff anticipates some (but not all) spaces will be
found to be unnecessary and will be removed. Some areas of the pavement
are still in good condition, so one goal of the project is to save as much
pavement as is practical. The street will receive a completely new top layer of
asphalt for safety and waterproofing. The project is budgeted and planned for
construction in 2026.
The City's Engineering Department is busy designing the rehabilitation of
Lakeshore Drive and other projects, but the current plan is for City Engineering
staff to oversee the construction next summer. Accordingly, staff solicited
proposals from interested engineering firms for only the design work this
winter. The scores from the RFP process are shown below, and staff
recommends award to Land and Resource Engineering (LRE), the top scoring
firm. The scores are based on a combination of the firms' qualifications,
approach to the project, location and pricing, and scoring is performed
independently by multiple staff from DPW and Engineering and then
compared.
Firm Name Score
Land and Resource Engineering 81
(LRE)
Prein & Newhof 78
ENG., Inc. 77
Progressive 70
Hubbell, Roth & Clark (HRC) 69
Fleis & VandenBrink 67
ROWE 63
Holland Engineering 60
Williams & Works 59
Page 4 of 11
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve staff to enter into a contract with
Land & Resource Engineering (LRE) in the amount of $82,420 for the
Rehabilitation of West Western Avenue.
I. Purchase of Water and Construction Trucks Public Works
Staff requests approval of the purchase of three (3) water department trucks
and two (2) construction trucks from Gorno Ford for a total of $337,604.
The water trucks are used by our Water Department to move equipment and
staff to and from job sites. Two of the trucks these are replacing are 2011's and
the third was involved in an accident earlier this year and totaled by insurance.
The water trucks are $63,976 each.
The construction trucks are used by both our Highway and Water Departments
for moving staff and equipment to job sites. Both trucks being replaced by the
new trucks are 2007's. The construction trucks are $72,838 each.
Updating these vehicles provides more reliable transportation for our staff and
reduces emissions produced by our fleet. The vehicles will be purchased from
Gorno Ford which is a MiDeal partner. MiDeal is a negotiated state purchasing
contract that local governments can use to purchase vehicles and equipment
at a discounted rate without conducting their own bidding process. These
purchases are within the equipment funds budget for this fiscal year.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the purchase of three (3) Water
Department trucks and two (2) construction trucks from Gorno Ford totaling
$337,604.
J. Brownfield Plan Development & Reimbursement Agreement, 351 Phase
II, LLC Economic Development
City staff is seeking approval of the Development and Reimbursement
Agreement (D&RA) for 351 Phase II Redevelopment Project of the brownfield
plan amendment. The City Commission previously approved the Brownfield
Plan Amendment for this project on May 13, 2025.
The developer, 351 Phase II LLC, has submitted a D&RA in connection with the
Lakeview Lofts II project, a mixed-use development located on 0.5 acres
adjacent to Lakeview Lofts I. The project consists of the construction of a new
five-story building that will include approximately 3,112 square feet of first-floor
retail space and 64 new residential units comprised of studio and one-bedroom
apartments.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will
reimburse the developer for eligible activities and costs through tax increment
revenues for a period of up to 30 years. Reimbursement shall not exceed
$6,540,560.
The project qualifies for housing development activities as 50 percent of the
residential units will be designated for households with incomes at or below 120
percent of the area median income.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the 351 Phase II, LLC Brownfield
Page 5 of 11
Development and Reimbursement Agreement and authorize the Mayor and
City Clerk to sign.
M. CORRECTION: PA 210 Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate - 1700 Oak
Avenue Economic Development
CITY STAFF IS SEEKING APPROVAL OF A DATE CORRECTION TO THE RESOLUTION
APPROVING THE CERTIFICATE.
Pursuant to Public Act 210 of 2005, as amended, Muskegon Central Park, LLC
has requested the issuance of a Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate at 1700
Oak Avenue.
Muskegon Central Park, LLC is requesting a Commercial Rehabilitation
Certificate for the property located at 1700 Oak Avenue. This site is the former
General Hospital, which is now planned for redevelopment into six (6) three-
story multifamily buildings, totaling 144 dwelling units ranging from one (1) to
three (3) bedrooms.
A Commercial Rehabilitation District for this site was established following a
public hearing held by the City Commission on July 22, 2025, allowing taxing
jurisdictions the opportunity to provide input. Establishment of the district is a
required step prior to the consideration of a certificate under Public Act 210 of
2005. In addition to the PA 210 incentive, this project also received approval for
a Brownfield Plan Amendment on February 25, 2025. If approved, the
Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate will freeze the taxable value of the
existing building (in this case, the vacant hospital structure), and exempt the
new real property investment from local property taxes for the duration of the
certificate. The school operating tax and State Education Tax (SET) will continue
to be levied. Land and personal property are not eligible for exemption under
this act. The estimated capital investment exceeds $21 million and is expected
to create approximately 100 construction jobs, and generate three (3) new
permanent jobs following project completion.
The City’s internal tax committee has reviewed the application and is
recommending an abatement duration of ten (10) years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the Commercial Rehabilitation
Certificate for 1700 Oak Avenue for a duration of ten (10) years, and authorize
the Mayor and City Clerk to sign amended resolution.
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Kilgo, to adopt the
Consent Agenda as presented minus items C, D, E, H, K, and L.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gorman, Kochin, St.Clair, Kilgo, and German
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2025-80 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
Page 6 of 11
C. Sale of 452 Adams Planning
Staff is seeking authorization to sell the City-owned vacant lot at 452 Adams to
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC would like to purchase
the City-owned buildable lot at 452 Adams for $3,000 (75% of the True Cash
Value of $4,000) plus half of the closing costs, and the fee to register the deed.
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC will be constructing a
duplex on the property.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to sell the City-owned vacant lot at
452 Adams to West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Kilgo, to authorize
staff to sell the City-owned vacant lot at 452 Adams to West Michigan
Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kochin, St.Clair, Kilgo, German, and Gorman
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
D. Sale of 460 Adams Planning
Staff is seeking authorization to sell the City-owned vacant lot at 460 Adams to
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC would like to purchase
the City-owned buildable lot at 460 Adams for $3,000 (75% of the True Cash
Value of $4,000) plus half of the closing costs, and the fee to register the deed.
West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC will be constructing a
duplex on the property.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to sell the City-owned vacant lot at
460 Adams to West Michigan Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Kochin, to
Authorize staff to sell the City-owned vacant lot at 460 Adams to West Michigan
Construction Exchange Company, LLC.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: St.Clair, Kilgo, German, Gorman, and Kochin
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
E. Police Department Employment Retainer Bonus Public Safety
Page 7 of 11
In recognition of the City of Muskegon Police Officer’s tremendous work
performed amidst extraordinary circumstances and to ensure the Muskegon
Police Department continues to retain compassionate, professional, ethical
and community-focused officers for the enhancement of quality of life for all
residents and visitors, the City of Muskegon is proposing to give current officers
a one-time $5,000 Employment Retainer Bonus.
The Muskegon Police Department, like many departments nationwide, has
experienced staffing shortages. Despite these challenges, our officers and
command staff have continued to provide exceptional service to the
community.
To recognize their dedication, the City of Muskegon proposes providing a one-
time Employment Retainer Bonus of $5,000 to all current sworn officers and
command staff (66 employees total). The bonus will be distributed in two
installments of $2,500 each:
• The first installment will be paid during the second pay period in October
2025.
• The second installment will be paid during the second pay period in June
2026.
Funding for this initiative will come from the Police Department’s salary budget,
which currently allocates for 71 sworn officers.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the one-time $5,000 Employment
Retainer Bonus for all eligible sworn officers of the Muskegon Police
Department.
Motion by Commissioner Kochin, second by Commissioner Kilgo, to approve
the one-time $5,000 Employment Retainer Bonus for all eligible sworn officers of
the Muskegon Police Department.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kilgo, German, Gorman, Kochin, and St.Clair
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
H. Engineering Services Contract for the Henry Corridor Signal
Improvements Project Public Works
Staff seeks approval to enter into a contract with ROWE Professional Services
Company in the amount of $126,616 for design and construction engineering
services on the Henry Corridor Signal Improvements Project.
Repairs to the traffic signals at the intersections of Henry and Sherman, Henry
and Hackley, and Henry and Laketon have been increasing. These are three
of the oldest signals in the City's system, and they handle a combined 85,000
vehicles per day. The signals are in need of replacement and
Page 8 of 11
modernization. Staff requested federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) funding through the MPO (the local committee that distributes federal
transportation funds), and was successful in receiving $250,000. The project
budget is $500,000, with the remainder coming from the City's major streets
fund. Traffic signal design is complex and not something the City has
experience with, so staff solicited proposals from interested engineering firms for
design and construction engineering services, and recommends award to
ROWE Professional Services Company (ROWE) as the highest scored firm. The
scores are based on a combination of the firms' qualifications, project
approach, location and pricing. The proposals are independently scored by
multiple staff from DPW and Engineering and then compared. The scores are
shown below. The project will be constructed in 2027.
Firm Name Score
ROWE 83
Spalding DeDecker 70
Hubbell, Roth & Clark (HRC) 70
DLZ 69
Fleis & VandenBrink 64
Progressive 64
Prein & Newhof 64
Spicer Group 50
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve staff to enter into a contract with
ROWE Professional Services Company in the amount of $126,616 for design and
construction engineering services on the Henry Corridor Signal Improvements
Project.
Motion by Commissioner Kochin, second by Commissioner German, to
approve staff to enter into a contract with ROWE Professional Services
Company in the amount of $126,616 for design and construction engineering
services on the Henry Corridor Signal Improvements Project.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kilgo, German, Gorman, Kochin, and St.Clair
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
K. Fire Marshal Truck Purchase Public Works
Staff seeks approval of the purchase of a new Fire Marshal truck from Gorno
Ford for $59,690.
The Battalion Chief truck was totaled in an accident in late August. Due to this,
the Fire Marshal truck was moved to the Battalion Chief truck and the Fire
Marshal is driving any vehicle available. Due to the unexpected loss of an
emergency response vehicle, a replacement truck was purchased with
Page 9 of 11
emergency approval from the City Manager. The vehicle was budgeted to be
replaced this year before the accident occurred. We are now retroactively
seeking commission approval for this purchase. The total purchase price is
$59,690. This vehicle was purchased from Gorno Ford which is a MiDeal dealer.
MiDeal is negotiated statewide purchasing contract that local governments
can use in place of their own bidding process.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the purchase of a new Fire
Marshal truck from Gorno Ford for $59,690.
Motion by Commissioner Kilgo, second by Commissioner Kochin, to move to
approve the purchase of a new Fire Marshal truck from Gorno Ford for $59,690.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Gorman, Kochin, St.Clair, and Kilgo
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
L. Brownfield Plan Development and Reimbursement Agreement -
Muskegon-Central Park, LLC Economic Development
City staff is seeking approval of the Development and Reimbursement
Agreement (D&RA) for Muskegon-Central Park, LLC brownfield plan
amendment.
City staff is requesting approval of the Development and Reimbursement
Agreement (D&RA) for the Muskegon-Central Park, LLC redevelopment
project. The City Commission previously approved the Brownfield Plan
Amendment for this project on February 25, 2025.
The developer, Muskegon-Central Park, LLC, has submitted a D&RA for the
redevelopment of the former General Hospital site, a 13.89-acre property
proposed for multi-family residential use. The project consists of the construction
of six new three-story buildings, which will provide a total of 144 housing units.
Of these, 30 units will be income-qualified with rent rates targeted to
households at 69 to 78 percent of Muskegon County’s Area Median Income
(AMI). Each building will contain 24 one- and two-bedroom units, ranging in size
from 663 to 1,307 square feet.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will
reimburse the developer for eligible activities and costs through tax increment
revenues for a period of up to 23 years.
The project qualifies for housing development activities as 30 of the residential
units will be designated for households with incomes below 120 percent of the
Area Median Income.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the Muskegon-Central Park, LLC
Brownfield Development and Reimbursement Agreement and authorize the
Mayor and City Clerk to sign.
Page 10 of 11
Motion by Commissioner Kochin, second by Commissioner Kilgo, to approve
the Muskegon-Central Park, LLC Brownfield Development and Reimbursement
Agreement and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Gorman, Kochin, St.Clair, and Kilgo
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments received.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Commission meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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