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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
January 5, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
AGENDA
☐ CALL TO ORDER:
☐ PRAYER:
☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
☐ ROLL CALL:
☐ HONORS, AWARDS, AND PRESENTATIONS:
A. Oath of Office Ceremony - Judge Pittman City Clerk
☐ PUBLIC HEARINGS:
☐ FEDERAL/STATE/COUNTY OFFICIALS UPDATE:
☐ PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
☐ CONSENT AGENDA:
☐ UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
☐ NEW BUSINESS:
A. Certification of Commissioners/Mayor seating Manager's Office
B. Election of Vice-Mayor City Clerk
C. Setting Commission Meetings City Clerk
D. Setting Worksession Meetings City Clerk
E. 2026 LPC Meeting Calendar Manager's Office
F. Appointment of City Officials City Clerk
G. Designation of City Fund Depositories City Clerk
H. Designation of Firm to Act as Legal Counsel - Parmenter Law City Clerk
I. CRC Appointment Meeting Date City Clerk
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 16
J. Mayor Committee Appointments City Clerk
☐ ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
☐ GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT:
► Reminder: Individuals who would like to address the City Commission shall do the following: ►Fill out a
request to speak form attached to the agenda or located in the back of the room. ► Submit the form to
the City Clerk. ► Be recognized by the Chair. ► Step forward to the microphone. ► State name. ►Limit of
3 minutes to address the Commission.
☐ CLOSED SESSION:
☐ ADJOURNMENT:
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT POLICY FOR ACCESS TO OPEN MEETINGS OF THE CITY OF
MUSKEGON AND ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES OR SUBCOMMITTEES
To give comment on a live-streamed meeting the city will provide a call-in telephone
number to the public to be able to call and give comment. For a public meeting that is
not live-streamed, and which a citizen would like to watch and give comment, they
must contact the City Clerk’s Office with at least a two-business day notice. The
participant will then receive a zoom link which will allow them to watch live and give
comment. Contact information is below. For more details, please visit:
www.shorelinecity.com
The City of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such
as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being
considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities who want to attend the
meeting with twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the City of Muskegon. Individuals with
disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City of Muskegon by
writing or by calling the following:
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC. City Clerk. 933 Terrace St. Muskegon, MI 49440. (231)724-6705.
clerk@shorelinecity.com
Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Certification of Commissioners/Mayor
seating
Submitted by: Jonathan Seyferth, City Manager Department: Manager's Office
Brief Summary:
In accordance with the Muskegon City Charter, Chapter IV Section 2 - the City Commission shall be
the judge of the election and qualification of its own members.
Detailed Summary & Background:
The City Commission is being asked to certify that the mayor and all members of the City Commission have
been duly elected and meet the qualifications for the offices they will hold. The Muskegon City Charter,
Chapter IV, Section 2 notes: "The City Commission shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its
own members, subject to the review of the courts."
This is not an action that the Commission has traditionally taken. However, with the amendment to the City
Charter adding a 12-year lifetime term limit, this action is advisable.
Two members of the Commission have served more than 12 years, as permitted by the new charter
amendment: Mayor Johnson and Commissioner German. The City's position is that both Mayor Johnson and
Commissioner German are eligible to serve the terms for which they were elected, consistent with the State of
Michigan's Home Rule City Act, despite having served 12 or more years on the City Commission.
The Home Rules City Act, Section 117.1(1)d)) states: "The term of a public official shall not be shortened or
extended beyond the period for which the official is elected or appointed, unless he or she resigns or is removed for
cause, if the office is held for a fixed term."
As both Commissioner German and Mayor Johnson were elected to fixed terms (four years) prior to the charter
amendment going into place, they are eligible to serve the whole terms for which they were elected.
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
N/A Yes No N/A X
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
N/A Yes No N/A X
Page 3 of 16
Recommended Motion:
I move that, per Chapter IV, Section 2 of the Muskegon City Charter, the mayor and all members of
the City Commission have been duly elected, as certified by the Muskegon County Board of
Canvasers, and are qualified to serve in the offices for which they were elected.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 4 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Election of Vice-Mayor
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To appoint a Vice-Mayor.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 5 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Setting Commission Meetings
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To set the City Commission Meetings for 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A x
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A x
Recommended Motion:
To set the City Commission Meetings for 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 6 of 16
Item Due Date Agenda Review Worksession Regular Meeting
Monday Tuesday Monday Tuesday
January 5, 2026 January 6, 2026 January 12, 2026 January 13, 2026
January 15, 2026 January 20, 2026 n/a January 27, 2026
February 2, 2026 February 3, 2026 February 9, 2026 February 10, 2026
February 16, 2026 February 17, 2026 n/a February 24, 2026
March 2, 2026 March 3, 2026 March 9, 2026 March 10, 2026
March 16, 2026 March 17, 2026 n/a March 24, 2026
April 6, 2026 April 7, 2026 April 13, 2026 April 14, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *April 28, 2026
May 4, 2026 May 6, 2026-Wed May 11, 2026 May 12, 2026
May 18, 2026 May 19, 2026 n/a May 26, 2026
June 1, 2026 June 2, 2026 June 8, 2026 June 9, 2026
June 15, 2026 June 16, 2026 n/a June 23, 2026
July 6, 2026 July 7, 2026 July 13, 2026 July 14, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *July 28, 2026
August 3, 2026 August 5, 2026-Wed August 10, 2026 August 11, 2026
August 17, 2026 August 18, 2026 n/a August 25, 2026
August 31, 2026 September 1, 2026 Labor Day September 8, 2026
September 14, 2026 September 15, 2026 n/a September 22, 2026
October 5, 2026 October 6, 2026 October 12, 2026 October 13, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *October 27, 2026
November 2, 2026 November 4, 2026-Wed November 9, 2026 November 10, 2026
November 16, 2026 November 17, 2026 n/a November 24, 2026
November 30, 2026 December 1, 2026 December 7, 2026 December 8, 2026
Extra Week before meeting
*The April 28th, July 28th, and October 27th City Commission Meetings have been Cancelled due to
early voting.
Page 7 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Setting Worksession Meetings
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To set Worksession Meetings for 5:30 p.m. on Mondays preceding the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
To set Worksession Meetings for 5:30 p.m. on Mondays preceding the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 8 of 16
Item Due Date Agenda Review Worksession Regular Meeting
Monday Tuesday Monday Tuesday
January 5, 2026 January 6, 2026 January 12, 2026 January 13, 2026
January 15, 2026 January 20, 2026 n/a January 27, 2026
February 2, 2026 February 3, 2026 February 9, 2026 February 10, 2026
February 16, 2026 February 17, 2026 n/a February 24, 2026
March 2, 2026 March 3, 2026 March 9, 2026 March 10, 2026
March 16, 2026 March 17, 2026 n/a March 24, 2026
April 6, 2026 April 7, 2026 April 13, 2026 April 14, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *April 28, 2026
May 4, 2026 May 6, 2026-Wed May 11, 2026 May 12, 2026
May 18, 2026 May 19, 2026 n/a May 26, 2026
June 1, 2026 June 2, 2026 June 8, 2026 June 9, 2026
June 15, 2026 June 16, 2026 n/a June 23, 2026
July 6, 2026 July 7, 2026 July 13, 2026 July 14, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *July 28, 2026
August 3, 2026 August 5, 2026-Wed August 10, 2026 August 11, 2026
August 17, 2026 August 18, 2026 n/a August 25, 2026
August 31, 2026 September 1, 2026 Labor Day September 8, 2026
September 14, 2026 September 15, 2026 n/a September 22, 2026
October 5, 2026 October 6, 2026 October 12, 2026 October 13, 2026
n/a n/a n/a *October 27, 2026
November 2, 2026 November 4, 2026-Wed November 9, 2026 November 10, 2026
November 16, 2026 November 17, 2026 n/a November 24, 2026
November 30, 2026 December 1, 2026 December 7, 2026 December 8, 2026
Extra Week before meeting
*The April 28th, July 28th, and October 27th City Commission Meetings have been Cancelled due to
early voting.
Page 9 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: 2026 LPC Meeting Calendar
Submitted by: Kimberly Young, Administrative Department: Manager's Office
Assistant to the City Manager
Brief Summary:
To set meeting dates for the Legislative Policy Committee for 2026.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Meetings are to be held on the fourth Wednesday of the second month of each quarter. For 2026,
the proposed meeting dates are as follows:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 - City Hall will be closed November 25, Thanksgiving Holiday
Goal/Action Item:
Administrative Action
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
N/A Yes No N/A x
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
N/A Yes No N/A x
Recommended Motion:
To set the meeting schedule as presented.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Page 10 of 16
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 11 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Appointment of City Officials
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To appoint Jonathan Seyferth as City Manager, Ann Marie Meisch as City Clerk, Sarah Wilson as City
Treasurer, Kenneth Grant as City Auditor, County Equalization Director Donna VanderVries as City
Assessor and County Equalization Deputy Director Dan VanderKooi as Deputy Assessor.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A x
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A x
Recommended Motion:
To appoint Jonathan Seyferth as City Manager, Ann Marie Meisch as City Clerk, Sarah Wilson as City
Treasurer, Kenneth Grant as City Auditor, County Equalization Director Donna VanderVries as City
Assessor and County Equalization Deputy Director Dan VanderKooi as Deputy Assessor.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 12 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Designation of City Fund Depositories
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To designate Fifth Third Bank (Main Depository), Huntington Bank, and Michigan Class as City
depositories.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
To designate Fifth Third Bank (Main Depository), Huntington Bank, and Michigan Class as City
depositories.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 13 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Designation of Firm to Act as Legal Counsel
- Parmenter Law
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To designate Parmenter Law to act as Legal Counsel.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
To designate Parmenter Law to act as Legal Counsel.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 14 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: CRC Appointment Meeting Date
Submitted by: Ann Meisch, City Clerk Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
Create a Special CRC Meeting for Board Appointments.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
Set a Special CRC Meeting for board appointments.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 15 of 16
Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Title: Mayor Committee Appointments
Submitted by: Department: City Clerk
Brief Summary:
To appoint Commissioners to various boards and committees.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Goal/Action Item:
Is this a repeat item?:
Explain what change has been made to justify bringing it back to Commission:
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
Yes No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
Yes No N/A
Recommended Motion:
To make appointments to various boards and committees.
Approvals: Name the Policy/Ordinance Followed:
Immediate Division
Head
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
Page 16 of 16
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