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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
April 13, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
The City Commission Worksession Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at
City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April
13, 2026.
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson, Vice Mayor Destinee Keener, Commissioners
Katrina Kochin, Rebecca St.Clair, Jay Kilgo, Willie German, Jr., and Kiley
Jackson, City Manager Jonathan Seyferth, and City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch
2026-24 NEW BUSINESS
A. Muskegon Violence Prevention Update Public Safety
Public Safety Director Tim Kozal introduced Lauren Melfrum, Marquette and
Yadira who presented the background and accomplishments of the Muskegon
Violence Prevention program.
Muskegon Violence Prevention (MVP) is a youth-led violence prevention group
made up of high school-age youth from Muskegon County. They serve as the
Youth Advisory Board for the University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention
Center.
Our Vision: We imagine a community where everyone belongs and can be
themselves without judgment or fear.
Our Mission: MVP centers youth voice in gun violence prevention with a focus
on education and community building.
B. CDBG/HOME Presentation Community & Neighborhood Services
Community and Neighborhood Services Director Sharonda Carson gave a
presentation on the CDBG and HOME funds for the creation of the 2026
Consolidated Plan.
Community and Neighborhood Services (CNS) is developing the 2026–2030
Regional Consolidated Plan in partnership with the City of Norton Shores and
the City of Muskegon Heights. As entitlement communities, the three
jurisdictions collaborate to prepare a shared Regional Consolidated Plan that
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establishes housing, community development, and economic development
priorities for the five-year planning period. The plan will guide the use of
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnerships Program (HOME) funds and will help ensure that federal resources
are directed toward the highest priority needs identified across the region.
As part of the planning process, the three communities are conducting a
regional needs assessment and community survey to gather input on housing
needs, neighborhood conditions, public services, and community
development priorities. Outreach efforts have included consultation with
municipal staff, local service providers, housing agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and residents from each jurisdiction. Public input collected
through surveys, meetings, and stakeholder discussions will be used to help
establish regional goals, identify priority activities, and ensure that the 2026–
2030 Regional Consolidated Plan reflects the most pressing needs of low- and
moderate-income residents throughout Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, and
Norton Shores.
C. Municipal Climate Action Plan Update Manager's Office
Director of Government Relations Pete Wills, in celebration of Earth Day 2026
(April 22nd), provided a brief progress update on the City's organizational—
Climate Action Plan (CAP) adopted by the City Commission in June 2025.
In April 2023, the City Commission declared its commitment to climate action
initiatives and to combat the impact of climate change on our community. The
City is committed to reducing the risks of climate change by implementing
actions that save money, improve productivity, and lower greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, specifically of City-owned assets and infrastructure. The
objective is to reduce the GHG emissions from City-owned buildings, facilities,
vehicles, waste and land through deliberative budget, policy, and
administrative actions. Understanding which facilities are the highest
contributors to the City’s organizational GHG emissions can inform investments
in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and operational improvements to
maximize emissions reductions.
Adopted by the Commission in June 2025, the CAP serves as a roadmap for
achieving net-zero GHG emissions from municipal operations by 2040. The Plan
positions Muskegon to secure funding and adopt emerging solutions in
sustainability. The CAP’s content is organized into 5 focus areas, 18 objectives,
and 97 actions. The CAP’s Focus Areas include – Buildings and Facilities;
Transportation; Waste; Land Use & Resilience; Implementation.
Staff continues to advance key priorities though strategic partnerships, external
funding opportunities, energy performance contracting, and energy
benchmarking programs.
PUBLIC COMMENT
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Public comments received.
2026-25 CLOSED SESSION
A. Attorney/Client Confidential Communication Manager's Office
Motion by Commissioner St.Clair, second by Vice Mayor Keener, to go into
Closed Session to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by
State or Federal statute being an attorney client communication.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Johnson, Kilgo, Keener, German, Jackson, Kochin, and
St.Clair
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion by Commissioner German, second by Commissioner Kilgo, to come out
of Closed Session.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Jackson, Kochin, St.Clair, Johnson, Kilgo, Keener, and
German
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion by Commissioner Kilgo, second by Commissioner German, to authorize
City Manager to retain a qualified Bankruptcy Attorney.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Jackson, Kochin, St.Clair, Johnson, Kilgo, and
Keener
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
ADJOURNMENT
The City Commission meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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