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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 28, 2018 @ 5:30 P.M.
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
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, August 28, 2018. Pastor
Leroy Lockhart, New Birth Ministries, 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
Ken Johnson, Byron Turnquist, Willie German, Jr., Debra Warren, and Dan
Rinsema-Sybenga, City Manager Frank Peterson, City Attorney John Schrier, and
City Clerk Ann Meisch.
INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATION:
A. Breast Feeding Awareness Month A resolution recognizing the benefits
of breast feeding was presented by the Mayor.
2018-61 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes of the August 13, 2018 Worksession
and the August 14, 2018 regular meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Gaming License Request from West Michigan’s Finest City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: West Michigan’s Finest is requesting a resolution
recognizing them as a non-profit organization operating in the City for the
purpose of obtaining a Gaming License.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
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C. Gaming License Request from Family Promise of the Lakeshore City
Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Family Promise of the Lakeshore is requesting a
resolution recognizing them as a non-profit organization operating in the City for
the purpose of obtaining a Gaming License.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
D. Division Street Outfall Green Infrastructure Project – Resolution of Authority
to Sign Agreement with CSX Transportation Department of Public Works
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Approve the resolution of authority to sign an
agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. to facilitate the green infrastructure
project at the City’s Division Street outfall to Muskegon Lake.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution of authority to sign the
agreement with CSX Railroad.
E. Launch Ramp Ordinance Change – 2nd Reading Department of Public
Works
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To amend Chapter 58 Parks and Recreation ordinance
to clarify daily and annual launch ramp permit parameters, vessel and trailer size
restrictions, and commercial use of City of Muskegon launch ramps.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the modified language for the
ordinance.
Motion by Commissioner Warren, second by Commissioner German, to approve
the consent agenda as presented, except item F.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Johnson, Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga,
and Turnquist
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2018-62 ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
F. New Position: Arena Director City Manager
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Arena Director will be responsible for the overall
management of the L.C. Walker Arena including planning, developing,
scheduling and marketing profitable programs of interest, providing leadership
and direction to all staff and building relationships/addressing needs with all
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different user groups of the Ice Arena. The Director prepares contracts for the
utilization of facilities and makes necessary arrangements to prepare for events;
plans and implements programs and events; directs the operational repairs of
the arena, ice plant, and ice surface; and orders necessary supplies and
materials, and supervises support staff. This position will report directly to the City
Manager.
We are requesting that the City Commission authorize staff to open a new
position for Arena Director. The position was previously filled via a management
contract. Staff feels the position would best meet the Arena’s needs as a regular
full time employee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to Hire and appoint
an Arena Director as part of the city staff.
Motion by Commissioner Turnquist, second by Commissioner Warren, to
authorize the City Manager to Hire and appoint an arena Director as part of the
city staff.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Johnson, Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga,
and Turnquist
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2018-63 NEW BUSINESS:
A. Concurrence with the Housing Board of Appeals Notice and Order to
Demolish Public Safety
1967 Reynolds Street
1932 Reynolds Street
1679 Park Street
1303 6th Street
1144 3rd Street
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: This is to request that the City Commission concur with
the findings of the Housing Board of Appeals that the structures are unsafe,
substandard, a public nuisance and that they be demolished within 30 days. It is
further requested that administration be directed to obtain bids for the
demolition of the structures and that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized
and directed to execute a contract for demolition with the lowest responsible
bidder or staff may issue infraction tickets to the owner, agent or responsible
party if they do not demolish the structure.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT: None or General Funds
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals
decision to demolish.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German, to concur
with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish all structures on the
property at 1967 Reynolds, 1932 Reynolds, 1679 Park Street, and 1303 6th Street.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist,
Johnson, Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Vice Mayor Hood, to
concur with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish all structures on
the property at 1144 3rd Street.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson,
Gawron, and Hood
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
B. Rezoning request for 235, 239, 240, 250, and 254 Monroe Avenue from R-3,
High-Density Single-Family Residential to Form Based Code, Urban
Residential Planning & Economic Development
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Staff initiated request to rezone the properties to allow
for more housing options. These properties will be the location of the next phase
of Midtown Square homes. The Urban Residential zoning designation allows for
row houses, which would fit in nicely between he business district and the
detached homes in the neighborhood.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the rezonings.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The initial request included the rezoning of
several other parcels as well. A motion to rezone the properties at 235-254
Monroe Avenue to Form Based Code, Urban Residential was approved 8-1, with
one member absent.
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Johnson, to
approve the rezonings for 235, 239, 240, 250 & 254 Monroe Avenue from R-3,
High-Density Single-Family Residential to Form Based Code, Urban Residential
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ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron,
Hood, and Warren
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2018-64 CLOSED SESSION:
A. Property Acquisition
Motion by Vice Mayor Hood, second by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, to go
into closed session to discuss property acquisition.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, and
Rinsema-Sybenga
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Vice Mayor Hood, to
come out of closed session.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Johnson, Gawron, Hood, Warren, German, Rinsema-Sybenga,
and Johnson.
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, City Clerk, MMC
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