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CITY OF MUSKEGON
HOUSING BOARD OF APPEALS
MEETING
February 5, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
CITY OF MUSKEGON, ROOM 204
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The Housing Board of Appeals meeting was called to order at about 5:45 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: Johna Willis, Kim Burr, Demario Phillips, Walt Kubanek
Staff Present: Steve Stout, Hilarey Travieso, Kim Young, Gabbie Pulos
Absent/Excused: Willie German, Jr., Kemmie Sargent, Director Kozal
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approve Minutes Public Safety- Inspections
Motion by Kim Burr, second by Demario Phillips, to not approve minutes of the
October 2, 2025, corrections needed.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Willis, Burr, Phillips, Kubanek
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
AMEND AGENDA & ELECT CHAIR
A. Amend Agenda & Elect Chair Public Safety
Motion by Burr, second by Phillips, to amend the agenda and to elect Johna
Willis as chair.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Burr, Phillips, Kubanek, Willis
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Nays: None
MOTION PASSED
PUBLIC COMMENT
Steve Frantz acknowledged the passing of Ed Simmons, a moment of silence
was observed.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Case B - EN2304310 - 978 Pine Street Public Safety- Inspections
Property owner, Leon Yarbrough, was not present.
On or around 11-13-23, a structure fire occurred at this commercial building. The
fire damaged adjoining buildings on both sides of the building. There was heavy
fire damage to 978 Pine St. The roof was completely damaged. The second
floor suffered fire, smoke damage, and water damage. The roof is now open
and inclement weather goes straight to the basement. A Fire Inspection notice
was sent on 11-14-23 to the owner. Scott Kiaunus (last building Inspector) has
had limited contact with the owner. The owner says that he is going to fix the
building. The owner got an engineer’s report and got a demo permit that has
now expired. This has gone to the HBA previously. The case had been tabled. |
have spoken to the owner’s neighbor, Clare Standburg. Clare owns one of the
buildings adjacent to 978 Pine. Clare has damage to his building from the fire.
He has fixed his building since the fire.
Public Comments Received as follows:
Tom DePung addressed the board stating concerns regarding the length of
time it is taking to address this property. He stated the board ups are falling
down and continuing to get worse, and further damage is happening to
neighboring buildings.
Clare Strandberg, owner of 974 and 976 Pine St, addressed the board stating
concerns about damage to the brick on the second story of his building. He is
more concerned about damage to the first floor when the demolition takes
place as his insurance has already compensated him for prior claims related to
this property.
Motion by Burr, second by Phillips, to declare 978 Pine Street as substandard, a
public nuisance, and dangerous building.
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ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Phillips, Kubanek, Willis, Burr
Nays: None
MOTION PASSED
B. Case C - EN2304311 - 984 Pine Street Public Safety- Inspections
Property owner, Blackfoot Investment Company LLC, was not present.
On November 13, 2023, the Muskegon Fire Department responded to a
structure fire. The home was fully engulfed in flames. Despite aggressive
suppression efforts, the building sustained fire, smoke, and water damage.
Originally interconnected with five adjoining structures. The property lost its
entire roof to direct fire exposure. It suffered major destruction of the main floor
and accumulated several feet of water in the basement.
The fire is believed to have originated from the unpermitted heat treatment on
the roof. Due to the scale of the damage and lack of response from the owner,
staff consulted with structural engineers already working at a neighboring site. It
was determined that any future demolition would require additional
engineering to prevent destabilizing the adjoining buildings.
In January 2024, contact was made with the owner. Staff was granted access
to perform an All-Trades Fire Inspection. At that time, the structure was
determined to be unsafe for an interior inspection, as only the exterior walls
remained. The owner also disclosed that the building was uninsurable prior to
the fire due to its deteriorated condition. Based on staff observations and the
engineering input, the structure was deemed a total loss.
Staff advised that immediate action was necessary to avoid city-initiated
demolition, particularly since the structure had already resulted in a four-month
road closure. A partial demolition permit was issued on January 315 2024,
allowing removal of the remaining second story on the neighboring property to
reopen the street. That work was completed and inspected by February 27,
2024. However, no demolition work has been completed on this structure to
date. All subsequent discussions have focused solely on remediation of the
neighboring building.
Recommendation: Due to prolonged inaction and repeated failure to meet
agreed timelines, staff recommend proceeding with demolition of the
structures.
Motion by Burr, second by Phillips, to declare 984 Pine Street as substandard, a
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public nuisance, and dangerous building.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kubanek, Willis, Burr, Phillips
Nays: None
MOTION PASSED
NEW BUSINESS
A. Case A - EN2205110 - 1171 7th Street Public Safety- Inspections
Property owners, Andre and Shalonda Hicks, were not present.
On 12-9-2022, a Dangerous Building complaint was filed for this location (1171
7th St). We originally received a complaint that there are certain unsatisfactory
conditions at 1171 7th St. The house is in an advanced state of disrepair. This has
gotten worse since the original date of the report. The house does not appear
to have utilities. The rear portion of the house/shed has collapsed.
The owner was given a date of 12-23-22 to provide a plan of abatement. On 2-
9-23, the homeowner was sent a letter stating that the home was substandard
and dangerous and constitutes a nuisance in violation of the City Ordinance.
We were to have contact with the homeowner by 2-23-23, who was to provide
a plan of abatement to resolve the issues. We requested to conduct a Trades
Inspection also to come up with a complete list of problems. After that, the
homeowner would obtain permits to resolve the issues. On 2-10-23, the
homeowner was sent a Dangerous Building Inspection Report. In this report the
deficiencies are listed. The roof structure has significant damage. There are
existing holes continuing to deteriorate the roof as well as the interior of the
home. The roof structure, roof decking and shingles will need to be replaced.
There is excessive humidity, which has begun to rot the plaster on the walls and
ceiling. The studs will need to be removed to evaluate the water damage. A
water dam on the roof has caused water to enter the wall on the east side of
the home and has visibly rotted 10’ of interior and exterior wall. Roof leaks
caused basement window frames to rot. Will need to replace windows and
headers in the lower level. The Foundation blocks have started to crack due to
the water damage. This is separating the wall from the floor joists. This will require
a certified foundation expert to evaluate the damage and provide a plan of
action to fix the foundation. There is a second large hole in the roof that has
caused significant damage to the floor. The floor will need to be removed and
damagedfloor joists will also need to be replaced. As well as the damage to
the west wall. This has been going on for many years with no plan of action and
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no repairs have taken place.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To table this item to the May 7, 2026, meeting to
allow the property owners an opportunity to apply for permits and begin
rehabilitation.
Motion by Burr, second by Phillips, to table this item to the May 7, 2024, meeting
to allow the property owners an opportunity to apply for permits and begin
rehabilitation.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kubanek, Willis, Burr, Phillips
Nays: None
MOTION PASSED
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A. 2026 Meeting Dates Public Safety- Inspections
Motion by Phillips, second by Kubanek, to set the Housing Board of Appeals
meetings dates as presented.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Kubanek, Willis, Burr, Phillips
Nays: None
MOTION PASSED
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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