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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2020 @ 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, October 27, 2020, Pastor
Wally Reames, Central Assembly, opened the meeting with a 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, Commissioners Ken Johnson, Dan
Rinsema-Sybenga, Willie German, Jr., Teresa Emory, and Michael Ramsey, City
Manager Frank Peterson, City Attorney John Schrier, and City Clerk Ann Meisch.
Absent: Vice Mayor Eric Hood
HONORS, AWARDS, AND PRESENTATIONS:
A. Jake Eckholm 2020 MEDA Emerging Star Award Planning & Economic
Development
Economic Developer, Jake Eckholm, is being recognized for his Michigan
Economic Development Association Emerging Star Ward for Outstanding Early-
Career to Economic Development.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: No public comments were received.
2020-78 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes City Clerk
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve the minutes of the October 12,2020
Worksession Meeting and the October 13, 2020 Regular City Commission
meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the minutes.
B. Marina T-Dock Removal DPW/Marina
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Request for approval of the Contract with T.R. Ghezzi,
LLC, to remove and dispose of the center floating dock, (T-Dock) at Hartshorn
Marina. The dock is currently beyond repair due to the age and current
condition of the dock. Staff is recommending removal of the dock to prevent
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further damage or liability.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the Contract with T.R. Ghezzi, LLC.
C. Sale - 1457 7th Street City Manager
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: City staff is seeking authorization to sell the city-owned
home at 1457 7th Street to Gerald Harvey.
The City acquired this home via tax sale. Finance Department estimates total
costs associated with the renovation to be approximately $83,000. The home
was listed at $86,000. The offer submitted was $88,000 with a $2,000 seller
concession toward required closing costs. The City is expected to net $81,000.
This property will be included in the infill housing program. Brownfield
reimbursement of the approximately $2,000 seller concession will be recovered
in 2-3 years. Note that there are some outstanding invoices related to the
construction, including fence installation, which could impact the city’s net
proceeds.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To authorize the City Manager to complete the
sale of 1457 7th Street, as described in the purchase agreement.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German, to accept
the consent agenda as presented.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Ramsey, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson,
Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2020-79 PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Lakeside BID Special Assessment Public Hearing and Resolution
Economic Development
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Lakeside BID Board has voted to petition the City
Commission to establish a Special Assessment District inclusive of all commercial
parcels in the BID in order to raise funds for public maintenance and
improvements. Tonight, a duly posted and noticed public hearing will take
place to hear comment on the Special Assessment District.
The Lakeside Business Improvement District Board has recommended a special
assessment amount to fund BID Imrpvements in the Lakeside Corridor for a
period of 3 years, with potential to renew the assessment at the end of the term
depending on the amount of TIF capture by their desired Corridor Improvement
Authority. The attachments to this cover sheet reflect the costs per square foot
of every address in the BID, as well as a map outlining the BID District approved
by the Commission last year. Also attached is a resolution creating the special
assessment district as a tax authority entity. An additional public hearing will be
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called to establish the assessment and add it to the tax rolls on November 24,
2020 at the Regular City Commission meeting. The total anticipated capture of
this assessment is $24,011.03, which will be used by the BID Board to provide for
winter maintenance of sidewalks, plowing , landscaping maintenance, and
marketing materials for the district.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To close the public hearing and approve the
Resolution of Establishment of the Lakeside BID Special Assessment District as
presented.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED: No public comments were received.
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Commissioner Ramsey,
to close the public hearing and approve the Resolution of Establishment of the
Lakeside BID Special Assessment District as presented and assign
Commissioners Emory and Johnson to sign the roll.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Ramsey, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson,
Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
B. Lakeside Corridor Improvement Authority Pre-Ratification Public Hearing
Economic Development
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Lakeside BID Board has petitioned the City to allow
for the creation of a Corridor Improvement Authority and corresponding Tax
Increment Financing Plan. A public hearing to take comments concerning the
creation of the Authority and its boundaries must take place, and has been duly
posted, published, and noticed.
The Lakeside Business Improvement District Board has requested a Corridor
Improvement Authority to generate TIF revenues and eventually phase out their
Business Improvement District special assessment. This public hearing is required
by state stature so that the Commission may take comments on the boundaries
and establishment of the Authority. The public within the proposed boundaries
and the impacted tax authorities were mailed notice of this hearing, and it was
publicly posted in conspicuous locations withing the proposed boundary. The
notice was also published twice in a newspaper of record, pursuant to state law.
Not less than 60 days following this hearing, the City Commission may adopt an
ordinance formally establishing the Authority, and mey them appoint a board
after due filing of that ordinance with the Michigan Department of Treasury.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To close the public hearing and accept
comments.
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENCED:
Dr. Patricia Roy – 855 Scenic Drive – sent an email in support of this.
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Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German, to close
the public hearing and accept comments.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Ramsey, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson,
Gawron
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2020-80 NEW BUSINESS:
A. Corona Virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) – CDBG
COVID 19 Funding Budget CNS
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve the budget for CARES Act funding received
by the City of Muskegon totaling $794,564. The eligible for the money are: Child
Care, Utilities, Businesses, Food Assistance, Parks, and Youth Programs.
AMOUNT BUDGETED: $794,564
FUND/ACCOUNT: CARES Act Covid 19 2020, Total Allocation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve activities and budget for the CARES
Act – CDBG COVID 19.
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Commissioner Johnson,
to approve activities and budget for the CARES Act – CDBG COVID19.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson, Gawron, Ramsey, and
German
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
B. MSA – SCBA (Self Contained Breath Apparatus) Replacement Public
Safety
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Fire Department is requesting to replace their aging
ISI SCBA’s (self-contained breath apparatus). We have a revised quote that
shows if we give them a verbal/written approval (by October 30) we will be able
to secure the price listed of $232,000 (for total replacement). The equipment
would be purchased and in service by June of 2021. Through a county wide
purchase plan we are being offered the above price. If we don’t act on this
offer our sole price would be $283,000.00 to replace.
The current ISI (SCBA’s) will become “end of life” within 18 months, and our
ability to service the equipment ends in April of 2021. Support from authorized
dealers becomes questionable, the “free battery” program ends – the
estimated cost for batteries is approximately $1,000.00 annually.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the purchase of new MSA SCBA equipment
at the reduced rate.
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Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Commissioner Johnson,
to approve activities and budget for the CARES Act – CDBG COVID19.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Emory, Johnson, Gawron, Ramsey, German, and Rinsema-
Sybenga
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner German asked the clerk about safety
precautions surrounding the election.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: No comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC – City Clerk
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