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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS @ 5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
The Regular Commission Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City Hall,
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 2016.
Mayor Stephen J. Gawron, opened the meeting with prayer, after which the
Commission and public recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:
Present: Mayor Stephen J. Gawron, Vice Mayor Eric Hood, Commissioners Debra
Warren, Willie German, Jr., Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, and Byron Turnquist, City
Manager Franklin Peterson, City Attorney John Schrier, and City Clerk Ann
Meisch.
Absent: Commissioner Ken Johnson (Arrived at 5:40)
2016-73 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes of the September 12, 2016
Worksession and September 13, 2016 Regular City Commission Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
C. Fire Department Pickup Trucks DPW/Equipment
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Authorize staff to purchase two 2017 Ford F 250 4x4
pickup trucks from Gorno Ford, the Mi-Deal State contract holder, for a
purchase price of $30,645 each.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $61,290.00 or $30,645.00 each
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None. The amount is accounted for in the
2016/17 budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to purchase two Ford F 250 4x4
pickups from Gorno Ford.
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D. Approval of Sale of City-owned home at 2324 Park Drive Community
and Neighborhood Services
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve the resolution and instruct the Community
and Neighborhood Services department to complete the sales transaction with
Muhamer Nijaziu for the totally rehabilitated home at 2324 Park Drive: purchase
price $105,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proceeds from the sale will be used to continue the
rehabilitation of affordable homes through the HOME program and provide
funding for our Homebuyer’s Assistance Program.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution and direct the CNS staff to
complete the sale.
E. Rezoning request for the properties located at 307 & 313 W Laketon
Avenue Planning & Economic Development
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Request to rezone the properties at 307 and 313 W.
Laketon Avenue from I-2, General Industrial to B-4, General Business by Juan
Avreola Villa.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the rezoning.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission unanimously
recommended approval of the request at their 9/15/16 meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German, to
approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the exception of Items B and F.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga,
Turnquist, and Johnson
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2016-74 ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
B. Demolition of 1812 Lakeshore Drive – City “Grant” to Share in Costs
Planning & Economic Development Department
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Dick Ghezzi recently purchased the property at 1812
Lakeshore Drive. This building has been a blight in the Lakeside Business District
for several years. Mr. Ghezzi is requesting “grant” assistance from the City in
demolishing the building (similar to the request approved for 1785 Beidler last
year). It is located along a critical commercial corridor, as well as adjacent to
the Lake Express Ferry Terminal. Mr. Ghezzi intends to demolish part of the
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building for a parking lot and will improve the remainder.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Mr. Ghezzi received two quotes. The lowest quote is for
$14,200. It is recommended that the City pay $7,100 or half the amount of the
lowest quoted price, which will be paid from the City’s current budget for
building demolitions.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To accept the cost share with Mr. Ghezzi for half the
amount of the lowest quote, which is $7,100. The payment will be made after
the demolition and parking improvements are completed.
Motion by Commissioner Turnquist, second by Commissioner Warren, to accept
the cost share with Mr. Ghezzi for half the amount of the lowest quote, which is
$7,100. The payment will be made after the demolition and parking
improvements are completed.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist,
Johnson, and Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
F. Adopt a Resolution to Approve a Small Distillery, Thew’s Beverage
Company, LLC at 930 W. Sherman City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Liquor Control Commission is seeking local
recommendation on a request from Thew’s Beverage Company, LLC, for a
Small Distillery License to be located at 930 W. Sherman.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To adopt the resolution approving Thew’s Beverage
Company, LLC at 930 W. Sherman as a small distillery.
Motion by Commissioner Turnquist, second by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga,
to adopt the resolution approving Thew’s Beverage Company, LLC at 930 W.
Sherman as a small distillery.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson,
Gawron, and Hood
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2016-75 PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Request to Conduct a Public Hearing of the Community &
Neighborhood Services Department Consolidated Annual Performance
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Evaluation Report (CAPER 2015) Community and Neighborhood
Services Department
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To conduct a public hearing of the 2015-2016 CAPER
projects funded through CDBG and HOME allocations to the City of Muskegon
Community and Neighborhood Services department.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To submit the 2015-2016 CAPER, including any public
comments received during the 30-day comment period ending September 27,
2016.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Vice-Mayor Hood, to
close the public hearing and submit the 2015-2016 CAPER, including any public
comments received during the 30-day comment period ending September 27,
2016.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron,
Hood, and Warren
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
B. BID Special Assessment – Resolution Approving District Planning &
Economic Development Department
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)
Board is requesting that the special assessment district for downtown properties
be renewed. The previous BID district was only approved for one year. Since
the BID assessment is still very new, it is proposed that it be extended for another
one-year term to allow us to gauge its impact before committing to a longer
term. The assessments will continue to go towards various downtown
expenditures, including snow removal on sidewalks, spring/fall cleanup and
landscaping, events, directional signs, and marketing/advertising. The BID
assessment includes both a “Class A” and a “Class B” district.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total estimated cost of services within the BID is
$150,000 of which approximately 75% ($111,924) will be paid by the special
assessment to property owners.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the resolution approving the special
assessment district and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED
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Dave Alexander with Downtown Muskegon Now spoke about the assessment.
The following objections were recorded/received by the Planning & Economic
Development Office:
Joyce Thebo – 100 W. Western Avenue – 24-205-555-0001-00 - opposed
William Carlston - Hairitage Properties, LLC – opposed
Tammy Jager – First & Clay - opposed
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Commissioner Johnson,
to close the public hearing and approve the resolution approving the special
assessment district and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron, Hood, and
Warren
Nays: German
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Public Comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC, City Clerk
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