View the PDF version Google Docs PDF Viewer
CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
February 9, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
The City Commission Worksession Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at
City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Monday,
February 9, 2026.
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson, Vice Mayor Destinee Keener, Commissioners
Willie German, Jr., Kiley Jackson, Katrina Kochin, and Rebecca St.Clair, City
Manager Jonathan Seyferth, and City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch
Absent: Commissioner Jay Kilgo
2026-09 NEW BUSINESS
A. Intend to Bond Conversation - Sewer System Manager's Office
The City's Bond Counsel, Pat McGow from Miller Canfield, and Warren Cramer,
our Municipal Financial Consultant at MFCI, joined us virtually to talk about the
Notice of Intent resolution for the City's sewer system that will be on our
February 24, 2026, meeting. This is a resolution the City adopts from time to time
that sets the stage for sewer improvement bonds.
For several years, the City has taken advantage of Michigan's Department of
Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Clean Water State Revolving Fund
(CWSRF) (this is for sewer projects). We recently completed this on the
waterside, but it has been a few years since we last completed an intent to
bond for the sewer fund. Please note that this does not affect the general fund
and is only a notice of intent to bond. When we come back with a specific
bond amount, the Commission will know the amount, which projects it applies
to, and how it will affect the debt service fee.
B. Beach Warning System Update - Proposal DPW- Parks
Page 1 of 4
Staff requests authorization to contract with SwimSmart Technology based on
their proposal for upgraded electronic beach safety signage and notification
systems.
The City of Muskegon has utilized electronic beach safety signage at Pere
Marquette Beach for several years as part of its layered water safety and
public notification strategy. As the existing equipment approaches the end of
its expected service life and maintenance needs increase, staff has been
exploring options to improve reliability, expand public communication, and
modernize beach safety operations in a cost-predictable manner.
This proposal presents a partnership with SwimSmart Technology to upgrade
and expand electronic beach safety signage and associated software using a
Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) model. The system relies on automated updates
driven by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather
advisories to provide real-time hazard communication, automate public and
inter-agency notifications, and improve data collection and reporting. The
HaaS model reduces long-term maintenance uncertainty by bundling
hardware, software, support, and upgrades into a single annual cost. Costs
may be paid annually or bundled into a four-year lump-sum payment, which
aligns with the City’s budgeted beach safety improvements identified in the
2024 Parks Master Plan Capital Improvement Plan.
The pilot includes options ranging from migration of the City’s existing signage
into the new service model to a full expansion of seven strategically located
beach safety signs, with optional cameras, weather sensors, and public-facing
web tools. Participation as a pilot community provides discounted pricing and
included software features in exchange for feedback during system
development.
The proposed signs are standalone units that resemble the existing stop-light
style warning systems currently located at the Pere Marquette concession
stand and Mack Kite building. Proposed locations include near Margaret Drake
Elliot Park (as you round the ovals area), an additional sign between the two
existing signs, one sign at each end of Lake Michigan Park (south of the
filtration plant), and a sign at Kruse Park. A location map is in the proposal.
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Karczewski and Jacob from SwimSmart
Technology gave an overview. This will be on the February 10, 2026, City
Commission Meeting.
C. Legal Services RFP, Timeline & Process Manager's Office
Page 2 of 4
It's been about 10 years since the City has gone out to bid for legal services.
The purpose of this discussion is to determine the City Commission's desire to
either extend Parmenter Law's current agreement or to go out for a formal
bidding process.
The spring of 2015 was the last time we did a formal RFP. Prior to that, the most
recent RFP for legal services appears to be from 2004 (the timeline for that RFP
process follows the 2025 RFP). In general, the RFP process takes about three
months, and the City Commission can structure the process as it sees fit. The
objective today is to discuss how detailed you'd like the RFP process to be, or if
you'd simply like to extend Parmenter’s current agreement for a specific period
of time (this is also an approach the Commission has taken in the past).
The City invests about $450,000 in legal services annually. Most cities our size
contract for legal services rather than maintain in-house legal services.
Contracting with a law firm provides the City with access to a broader bench
of legal professionals with expertise across various areas of the law. Even if the
City had in-house legal services, we would still need to contract out for many
matters. Please note that this is for our general legal counsel. The City also
contracts with other firms for bonding and insurance claims.
City Manager Jonathan Seyferth explained the item and mentioned the quote
for legal services from Parmenter Law. Attorney Brennen Gorman from
Parmenter Law answered questions. City Manager Jonathan Seyferth will work
with Attorney Brennen Gorman to come up with a new agreement and bring it
to a future meeting for consideration.
D. Parking Enforcement Overview & Beach Shuttle Service
Conversation Manager's Office
Senior staff will provide the City Commission with an overview of parking
enforcement in the City, including beach parking. This will include an overview
of program costs and revenues. There will also be an overview of the shuttle
service offered to connect neighborhoods to the beach in 2025, along with
information on how it is expected to change in 2026.
Citywide parking enforcement, beach parking, and related topics are a bit
nebulous. There is a lot of overlap and interconnection between all the
programs and we want to provide the Commission with a refresher on these
inter-related topics.
City Manager Jonathan Seyferth, Economic Development Director Jake
Eckholm, Director of Public Works Dan VanderHeide, Deputy City Manager
Page 3 of 4
LeighAnn Mikesell, and Public Safety Director Tim Kozal gave a parking
presentation and answered questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Commission Worksession Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
Page 4 of 4
Sign up for City of Muskegon Emails