City Commission Worksession Minutes 03-11-2013

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                                       City of Muskegon
                                 City Commission Worksession
                                        March 11, 2013
                                  City Commission Chambers
                                            5:30 PM

                                          MINUTES

2013-19
Present: Commissioners Gawron, Spataro, German, Markowski, Hood, Turnquist, and
Wierengo.
Absent: None.

Signal Warrants Study.
Mohammed Al-Shatel, City Engineer, presented the results of the traffic signals warrants’ study
from URS. The sight distance at each intersection has been reviewed for all signals. In locations
with sight distance restrictions, documentation has been made regarding the necessary changes
needed if the signal were to be removed. Some of the conditional recommendations require
some on-street parking be removed.

The City Commission agreed that five signals be removed. The approximate cost for removal is
$2,000 each. The annual cost for maintenance of each signal is around $2,000.

The following areas are being recommended:

Muskegon Avenue/7th Street
Muskegon Avenue/Jefferson Street
Muskegon Avenue/Pine Street
Muskegon Avenue/Spring Street
Webster Avenue/7th Street

By consensus, the City Commission removed the staff recommendation to remove the traffic
signal at Irwin Avenue/Wood Street.

Staff will bring Traffic Control Orders for the five areas to a Commission Meeting for
consideration by the City Commission.

CJ’s on the Beach.
The City now has possession of the building/former restaurant at Pere Marquette. The
Commission needs to decide what to do with the building.

The City Manager has received ten inquiries on the property at this time.

Some Commissioners recommended an inspection of the property before a determination is
made. Staff suggested that an inspection wait until after RFP’s are received stating the proposed
use of the building is a determinant of the inspection.

Mayor Gawron suggested putting out a Request for Proposals out to see the interest.

An RFP will be prepared by staff asap.
City of Muskegon Vision Statement.
Under the direction of Mayor Gawron, Commissioners Turnquist and Spataro were appointed to
review the City’s Vision, Value, and Mission Statements.

Each statement was evaluated and it was decided that the Value Statement and Mission
Statement represent the City’s current values and goals.

It was decided that while the Vision Statement, “Muskegon, the Premier Shoreline City of West
Michigan” be changed to the following:

       The premier, vibrant, affordable, and ethnically diverse Shoreline City where
       citizens feel safe, enjoy their neighborhoods, and access their city government.

Some Commissioners stated their desire to shorten the statement and will bring ideas to the next
Worksession Meeting.

Senior Transit.
Two companies responded to the RFP for a qualified public, private or not-for-profit agency to
provide door-to-door weekday transportation services for senior citizen residents of the City.
They are MATS and Wakefield Leasing Corporation.

The committee recommended paying $40,000 for a one year contract with Wakefield Leasing
Corp. Clients would be charged $3.50 one-way per ride. This would allow for up to 8,000 rides
per year within the area of the all of the City of Muskegon, out to Seminole, East Apple to
Sheridan, East Sherman to Wal-Mart.

Wakefield Leasing would monitor the number of rides.

Any Other Business.
Public comments were accepted.

Adjournment.
Motion by Commissioner Hood, seconded by Commissioner Wierengo to adjourn at 7:04
p.m.

                                                                           MOTION PASSES



                                                            ____________________________
                                                             Ann Marie Cummings, MMC
                                                                  City Clerk

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