City Commission Minutes 01-12-2010

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     CITY OF MUSKEGON
       CITY COMMISSION MEETING
                     JANUARY 12, 2010
    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, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 12,
2010.
   Mayor Warmington opened the meeting with a prayer from Pastor Tim Cross
from the Living Word Church of Muskegon after which the Commission and
public recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:
   Present: Mayor Stephen Warmington, Vice Mayor Stephen Gawron,
Commissioners Sue Wierengo, Steve Wisneski, Chris Carter, Clara Shepherd, and
Lawrence Spataro, City Manager Bryon Mazade, City Attorney John Schrier, and
City Clerk Ann Marie Becker.
2010-03 HONORS AND AWARDS:
      A. Promoting Active Communities.
Cathy Brubaker-Clarke presented to the Mayor and Commission the Silver Level
Award for Promoting Active Communities. The City was awarded this on
November 13, 2009, for taking steps to make it easier for residents to lead
physically active lifestyles.
2010-04 CONSENT AGENDA:
      A. Approval of Minutes. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes for the December 7th Commission
Worksession, and the December 8th Regular Commission Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
      B. Approval of a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate. PLANNING &
         ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: An application for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone
(NEZ) certificate has been received from Clement Coulombe to rehabilitate a
home in the Nelson neighborhood at 517 W. Webster Ave. The home is located
in a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone. The application states that the estimated
cost for rehabilitation will be around $100,000 for the replacement of windows,
installation of wood siding, structural reinforcement, roofing, construction of a
basement, doors, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, insulation, and many updates to
the interior of the home. The applicant has met local and state requirements for
the issuance of the NEZ certificate. Approval or denial by the City Commission is
required within 60 days of the application date and must be forwarded to the
State Tax Commission.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Taxation will be 50% of the State average for the next 12
years.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve issuance of the NEZ certificate.
      C. Liquor License Request – Cindy’s Food Marts, Inc., 812 W. Laketon. CITY
         CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:          The Liquor Control Commission is seeking local
recommendation on a request from Cindy’s Food Marts, Inc. to transfer stock
interest in the 2009 SDM licensed corporation wherein Richard D. Kamp transfers
1/10 share of stock to new stockholder Cindy L. Kamp.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: All departments are recommending approval.
      D. Liquor License Transfer Request – Dave’s House, LLC, 435 & 441 W.
         Western. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:       The Liquor Control Commission is seeking local
recommendation on a request from Dave’s House, LLC to transfer the 2008 Class
C Licensed Business (currently in escrow) with Dance-Entertainment Permit,
located at 435 & 441 W. Western Avenue, from PCJ Enterprise, LLC to Dave’s
House, LLC.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: All departments are recommending approval.
      E. Accept Resignations from Various Boards. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To accept resignations from Dan Rinsema-Sybenga
from the Citizen’s District Council and from Doug Beecham from the Equal
Employment Opportunity Committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:         The Community             Relations   Committee
recommended approval at their January 11th meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Carter, second by Commissioner Shepherd to approve
the Consent Agenda as read.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Wisneski, Carter, Gawron, Shepherd, Spataro, Warmington,
           and Wierengo
            Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2010-05 NEW BUSINESS:
      A. Request to Apply for ADA Grant for Election Precincts. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The State of Michigan is accepting grant applications
from municipalities through January 22, 2010, to make polling places accessible.
The Clerk’s Office has contacted Inclusion Solutions, a company with vast
experience and knowledge in the area, for a proposal.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Total cost to make all polling places accessible in the City
of Muskegon is estimated to be $20,436.55. It is unknown what the match might
be if the City is chosen as a recipient.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Clerk be authorized
to apply and sign for the grant application(s) on behalf of the City of Muskegon.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gawron, second by Commissioner Spataro to authorize
the City Clerk to apply and sign for the grant applications on behalf of the City of
Muskegon for the ADA grant for election precincts.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Carter, Gawron, Shepherd, Spataro, Warmington, Wierengo,
           and Wisneski
            Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
      B. Finance Department Changes. FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Staff is seeking approval to implement two changes
that will allow the Finance Department to operate more efficiently. These
changes include the upgrade of a position and the leasing of space at City Hall
to the City’s contractual accountant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:    $7,200 lease income; budget savings approximately
$48,000.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to proceed with changes.
Motion by Commissioner Spataro, second by Commissioner Wierengo to
approve the recommended changes requested by the Finance Department.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes:     Gawron, Shepherd,    Spataro,   Warmington,   Wierengo,
           Wisneski, and Carter
           Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Various comments were heard from the public.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.


                                         Respectfully submitted,




                                         Ann Marie Becker, MMC
                                         City Clerk

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