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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
March 10, 2025 @ 5:30 PM
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson, Vice Mayor Rebecca St. Clair (arrived at 5:43
p.m.), Commissioners Willie German, Jr., Rachel Gorman, Katrina Kochin, and
Jay Kilgo, City Manager Jonathan Seyferth, and City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch
Absent: Commissioner Destinee Keener
2025-19 NEW BUSINESS
A. Social Media Use Policy and Guidelines Community Engagement
Deborah Sweet, Community Engagement Manager, explained that the City of
Muskegon does not currently have a social media policy. This is a new policy to
outline use and guidelines for City employees and officials.
B. Act 425 Shared Jurisdiction Agreement with Fruitport Township
Economic Development
Jake Eckholm, Development Services Director, explained that a portion of the
former West Shore Correctional Facility site that we have been infilling as an
addition to the Port City Industrial Park sits in Fruitport Township. We are
proposing a legal agreement that is available for cities per Act 425 which will
allow both parties to collect a portion of their millage rates, thereby making
development of the site in the City's interest.
For several years we have focused on attracting businesses to the areas of the
industrial park expansion that were already in our corporate limits. Now that we
have programmed all of that property it is time to get the remaining 28 acres of
the site under our jurisdictional control. The Act 425 Agreement is the most
common avenue for two municipal bodies to work out a deal for shared taxes
and jurisdictional authority without having to go through the expensive and
often contentious annexation process.
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The agreement sets the terms, which allows for Fruitport to collect 3.5 mills, and
the City of Muskegon to collect the balance of our 12.85 mills less the Fruitport
share. It also dictates that we split the burden of any tax abatement on the site,
and allows the City to assess its local income tax. This item will be on the March
11, 2025, City Commission Meeting.
C. Beach Shuttle Service Recommendation Manager's Office
Jonathan Seyferth, City Manager, shared the recommendation for the
proposed beach shuttle service.
Staff has investigated options for transit service to and among our
beaches. Proposals were made by Muskegon Area Transit and Pioneer
Resources. Details can be found in the packet.
The first is a beach circulator option where transit service will circulate among
Harbour Towne, Margaret Drake Eliot, Pere Marquette, Beachwood, and Kruse
Parks.
The second option is a downtown to beach connector providing connection
from Downtown and Lakeside to Pere Marquette Park. Each end of the route is
further serviced by transit through the beach circulator and regular MATS
operations/routes.
Staff recommends contracting with MATS for the beach circulator and with
Pioneer Resources for the downtown to beach connector. Costs for the service
will be borne by beach parking revenue. Staff also recommends conducting
surveys during the summer service to understand how it is received and what
changes should be considered for the future.
During the buy one, get one beach pass sale, 2071 passes were sold, and 2061
were provided free of charge.
D. Western Market Operations Update Economic Development
Jocelyn Hines, Development Analyst, and Contessa Alexander, Development
Analyst presented the update. As of 2025, the Economic Development
Department has taken over operations of the Western Market.
The Economic Development Department has assumed responsibility for
operating the Western Market Chalets. We extend our appreciation to the City
Clerk’s Office for their previous efforts in making the Market a success.
As of February 27, 2025, we have received applications from eight (8) returning
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vendors and seven (7) new vendors. The Market will continue to serve as a
business incubator space, and we are implementing new initiatives to support
vendor success.
Key Updates & Initiatives:
• Business Development Support:
o Partnering with Northern Initiatives to provide a business skills
assessment for each vendor.
o Engaging a consultant to facilitate three (3) business workshops to
enhance vendor success.
• 2025 Market Season Schedule
o May 24 – August 30: Thursdays 11am-5pm, Fridays 11am-5pm, and
Saturdays 10am-4pm
o June 1, 8, 15, & 22: Sundays 11am-4pm
o August 31 – September 30: Fridays 11am-5pm, and Saturdays
10am-4pm
o October 1 – October 31: Saturdays 10am-4pm
• Vendor Rental Fees for 2025:
o 90 sq. ft. – $1,450 (3+ years: $1,750)
o 120 sq. ft. – $1,925 (3+ years: $2,325)
o 150 sq. ft. – $2,350 (3+ years: $2,825)
Fee Structure Updates:
In 2024, we introduced common area maintenance (CAM) fees to offset the
increasing costs of maintaining public spaces, utilities, and restroom facilities. At
the March 11, 2025 Commission meeting, we will request an update to the
Western Market user fees to:
• Include CAM fees
• Eliminate air conditioning and additional electricity fees
This presentation serves as an informational update to keep the City
Commission informed of the operational transition, vendor support initiatives,
and proposed fee adjustments. No immediate action is required, but we
welcome any questions or feedback from the Commission.
E. Definition of Family & Single Room Occupancy Planning
Mike Franzak, Planning Director, explained that the zoning ordinance defines a
family as anyone related by blood or marriage plus two other unrelated
people. This definition has remained largely unchanged for nearly 100 years
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and has created many non-conforming situations, most of which go unnoticed.
Staff would like to discuss amending this definition to align more with today's
evolving living situations. This would also be a good time to discuss a Single-
Room Occupancy ordinance, which allows multiple people to rent single
rooms within a house and share amenities within the home.
F. SeeClickFix Community Engagement
Deborah Sweet, Community Engagement Manager, explained that staff has
implemented SeeClickFix, a 311 tool by CivicPlus; and after months of data
preparation, system integration, and staff training, we are now reviewing
progress and planning a multi-year contract proposal between now and May.
What is SeeClickFix?
A 311 solution by CivicPlus® that enables residents to report issues, request
services, share feedback, and engage with local government.
Helps local governments streamline workflows, increase transparency, and
enhance accountability. Encourages collaboration between residents and
government to maintain a clean, safe, and well-functioning community.
Background & Implementation Progress:
• CivicPlus is an existing vendor for the City, providing tools like agenda
management for City Commission and Municode.
• The City Manager signed a one-year contract in June 2024 for just under
$25,000 to implement SeeClickFix.
• A cross-departmental team has worked to:
o Compile and categorize service request data.
o Identify request types and integrate GIS files.
o Develop a marketing campaign and public engagement strategy.
o Align the system with other workflow management tools.
o Train managers and frontline staff.
o Finalize a launch plan to ensure a smooth rollout.
Today’s Purpose:
• Demonstrate the work completed so far.
• Showcase key features and functionality of SeeClickFix.
• Provide an updated launch timeline.
Next Steps:
• Staff will return with a formal proposal for a multi-year contract to
continue using the tool later this month.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission Worksession Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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