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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
March 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, March
9, 2026.
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson, Commissioners Kiley Jackson, Katrina Kochin,
Rebecca St.Clair, Jay Kilgo, and Willie German, Jr., City Manager Jonathan
Seyferth, and City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch
Absent: Vice Mayor Destinee Keener
2026-16 NEW BUSINESS
A. Muskegon Lighthouse Restoration Progress - Save Our Light Capital
Campaign City Clerk
City Clerk Ann Meisch introduced Kim Lange and Don Kalisz who gave an
update on the Muskegon Lighthouse Restoration progress.
B. Beach Shuttle Service Recommendation Manager's Office
Staff is seeking direction on the beach shuttle service proposal for the 2026
beach season. Deputy City Manager LeighAnn Mikesell gave an update on
what our plans are for the shuttle service.
Staff conducted a 2025 season follow-up meeting with Muskegon Area Transit
System (MATS) and Pioneer Resources where Pioneer expressed that the work
did not align well with their service model, and they declined to participate in
the 2026 season. This winter, staff has been working with MATS to develop an
updated transit service proposal for service to and among our
beaches. Details of the proposal are in the packet. Both the beach circulator
and downtown to beach connector services are provided by MATS, allowing
all users to use online services to track buses and see route maps and
schedules. In addition, all buses will be equipped with bike racks.
The beach circulator option, known as the Tan Line, will connect users to beach
parks including Harbour Towne, Margaret Drake Eliot, Pere Marquette,
Beachwood, and Kruse Parks.
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The downtown to beach connector, known as the Town Line, provides service
from downtown and Lakeside high tourist destinations to Pere Marquette Park.
Adjustments were made to each of the routes based on feedback through
surveys, data on ridership, and other input given during the pilot season in
2025. It should be noted that service times have been modified to better align
with MATS staffing availability.
The proposed transit cost is $48,800 which is less than the total cost of $70,200
paid last year. Costs for the service will be expensed to the Parking
Department. There will be some minor additional costs for marketing
materials. Due to new ADA requirements, some stops will require
upgrades. MATS has funding for the work and will coordinate with the City to
accomplish it.
Staff also recommends continuing to conduct surveys during the summer
service to understand how the changes are received and what further
modifications should be considered for the future.
Once Commissioners agree on the service proposal, a formal contract will be
developed and follow the approval process per the purchasing policy.
C. Discussion of Utility Bill Auto-Pay Program Treasury
City Treasurer Sarah Wilson explained that the City received notice that the
current provider for the credit card portion of our utility bill auto-pay program
will be ending its service on April 30, 2026. We would like to discuss with the
Commission the options for moving forward with the program. We will review
the program as it currently exists, and look at the best option to move forward.
We researched other options to replace this service provider and found two
viable options; however, it needs to be noted that the costs are significantly
higher than what we are currently paying. We will review the program as it
exists, discuss the options that were found and the costs associated with those,
and why the staff believes it is best to discontinue the credit card auto-pay
option moving forward.
Commission agreed to discontinue the credit card auto-pay option moving
forward.
D. Presentation on Muskegon Infill Housing Program - Progress and Next
Steps Economic Development
Director of Development Services Jacob Eckholm has composed an updated
presentation on the community's performance in the housing space relative to
our 23-27 Housing Needs Assessment, with recommendations for next steps.
For the past several years, the City of Muskegon has been a recognized
national leader in local government housing policy, investment, and delivery of
new housing units. Tonight, we wish to cover four topics related to housing as
an economic and community development tool, and to get feedback on
some ideas from the Commission as to next steps for our infill housing
program. Discussion was held and Commission thanked Director of
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Development Services Jacob Eckholm and his staff for the great work that has
been done.
E. Parks Acquisition Opportunities Public Works
Director of Public Works Dan VanderHeide presented information about
opportunities for acquisition in the parks system.
Staff has been working to define two potential opportunities for property to
add to the parks system. Specifically, the City has one application pending
with the MDNR Trust Fund for acquisition of property associated with the
Hartshorn site, as well as encouraging feedback on a potential additional
application to the MDNR Trust Fund for acquisition associated with the Sappi
site. Dan VanderHeide presented specific costs about each opportunity as
well as some context to help with the discussion. The timeline associated with
the Sappi opportunity would require a commitment by the City at the March
24, 2026, regular meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments received.
ADJOURNMENT
The Worksession Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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