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CITY OF MUSKEGON
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY/BROWNFIELD
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEETING
December 9, 2025 @ 10:30 AM
CONFERENCE ROOM 204
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
M. Bottomley called the meeting to order at 10:35 and roll was taken.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Martha Bottomley, Kiel Reid, Sherri Black, Michael Kleaveland,
Heidi Sytsema, James Curtis, Brad Hastings, Jonathan Seyferth
Member(s) Absent: Kaja Thornton
Member(s) Excused: Bob Tarrant, Joann Dornbos, Andrew Boyd, Jeanette
Moore
Staff Present: J. Hines, J. Eckholm, W. Webster
Others Present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
I. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
K. Reid made a motion to approve the minutes from 12/2/25 (Special
Meeting) and supported by B. Hastings. All in favor
B. Hastings made a motion to approve the minutes from 11/10/25 and
supported by S. Black. All in favor
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PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No public comments were received
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NEW BUSINESS
I. DDA Agenda Item: Acceptance of Financial Report for November 30,
2025 Economic Development
City staff is requesting approval of the financial report for the period ending
November 30, 2025. The current projected fund balance is $460, 986.12, with no
unexpected changes to the budget. Some of November expenses were
purchasing of snowflakes, Lakeshore Art Festival expenses and staffing
expenses..
Motion by K. Reid, second by H. Sytsema, to move to approve the November
30, 2025 financial report as presented..
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: K. Reid, M. Kleaveland, H. Sytsema, J. Curtis, M. Bottomley, B.
Hastings, S. Black, J. Seyferth
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
II. BRA AGENDA ITEM: Brownfield Plan Amendment #2 for Betten Economic
Development
In 2008, the BRA and the City of Muskegon approved a brownfield plan
amendment for 2410, 2474, 2477, & 2501 South Henry Street. This brownfield tax
capture was used to reimburse any eligible activities for the Betten project with
additional interest at 6.5% until reimbursement was complete. The total capture
was around $16 million for a 16-year period which ends December 31, 2025.
The Brownfield Plan was experiencing low performance so the City loaned the
BRA $1.66 million to pay off the Betten brownfield and to reduce the interest
burden and accelerate the reimbursement commitment. The BRA would then
repay the City over several years at an interest rate of 3.25 through tax
increments on the property. Because this plan ends this year, it has not
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performed enough to be able to pay the City the whole $1.6 million, coming
about $613,000 short.
A few things to note:
• Table 3 – Row 19. Per the original agreement, the BRA should have been
receiving $10,000 per annum. I have made sure to model this for the full
cycle.
• Table 3 – Simple Interest Expenses: It started at 6.5%, was reduced to 3.5%,
and then I have it coming back to 5% to bring it back to the standard
that is being used with every other property. This should be included with
the BRA amendment.
• Timeline: I am showing the following:
o The last amended plan had this completing December 31, 2025.
o Once amended, this should be complete in 2031.
o The 5 year capture will end in 2036.
o I recommended adding 14 years to the plan to bring this to a full 30
year term regardless, to ensure enough time even if this doesn’t
perform as I forecasted it.
• Financials
o Presently the Brownfield is underperforming by $613k.
o Once amended, it will break even in 2031.
o The 5 year capture is forecasted at $778k
o This is a total swing of $1,391,000, taking the brownfield from being
in the red to being in the black.
o
Motion by B. Hastings, second by H. Sytsema, to move to approve the resolution
for Brownfield Plan Amendment #2 for Betten Brownfield and further request staff
to set a public hearing before the Muskegon City Commission to consider
adoption of the amended plan..
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: K. Reid, M. Kleaveland, H. Sytsema, J. Curtis, M. Bottomley, B.
Hastings, S. Black, J. Seyferth
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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I. Harbor 31 Hotel ADA Compliance Economic Development
Staff spoke with the developer of Harbor 31 Hotel to make sure there was an
understanding of the ADA and City's requirements for ADA-compliant rooms.
The site plan is being modified to include all the required ADA-compliant rooms.
- Discussion Only. B. Hastings requested any future designs and design changes
should be shared with the DDA
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
J. Hines brought up a few vacancy opportunities. Encouraged the board to
spread the word.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:58
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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