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CITY OF MUSKEGON JANUARY - DECEMBER 2023
ANNUAL
REPORT
2023
CITY OF MUSKEGON
INFORMATION AND UPDATES
KITCHEN 242 TOUR PD AT ENGAGEMENT EVENT
CITY MANAGER
Dear Community Members,
As we reflect on another
year, it is my pleasure to
share with you how we
made great strides on
our four long-term goals
for the City of Muskegon.
These goals serve as our
roadmap, guiding our
efforts to build a thriving
and inclusive community for all.
I am very proud of the team we have RIBBON CUTTING OF BEACHWOOD
IT DEPARTMENT WORKING ON TECH UPGRADES
PARK FITNESS TRAIL
1
throughout the city. Team members work hard to provide
excellent service to all members of the community.
By 2027, we envision Muskegon as a destination community,
renowned for its exceptional quality of life. We are committed
to enhancing our amenities and investing in the traits that STAFF AT THE ATHENA ON THE
positively impact residents' well-being while also attracting LAKESHORE AWARDS
2
visitors from near and far.
Our second goal revolves around economic development,
housing, and business growth. We aim to create an
environment that attracts new residents and retains existing
ones by addressing employment gaps, fostering a diverse
business landscape, and expanding access to high-quality
housing options for all throughout the city.
3
In pursuit of our third goal, we prioritize strengthening the
bond between our local government and the community it STAFF OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM
serves. We strive to foster mutual respect and trust through STAFF AND COMMISSION AT DPW HAYBALE DECORATORS STAFF UGLY SWEATER CONTEST AFTER 2023 GOAL SETTING
increased communication with residents, workers, business PRIDE PARADE
owners, and visitors, providing opportunities for input and
4
engagement.
Finally, our fourth goal focuses on bolstering our financial
infrastructure for long-term sustainability. We are dedicated PUBLIC SAFETY
POP-UP PARTY
to maximizing the city's revenues by reclaiming investments in
housing, supporting startup projects, and exploring new
revenue streams recommended by our staff.
As we work towards these goals together, let us remain
steadfast in our commitment to building a brighter future for
Muskegon. Your support and collaboration are integral to our
success. On behalf of all team members employed by the City
of Muskegon, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you
and this remarkable community.
STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS WALKING IN
HACKLEY LIBRARY PUBLIC
Sincerely, PARKS THE MFD 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE
WORKS VISIT EVENT PARKSPARTY
PARTY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT
Jonathan Seyferth
City Manager
MUSKEGON FIRE HONOR GUARD DURING 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE STAFF AND COMMISSIONER AT LIVABILITY LAB
The Parks & Recreation Department cares for 36 In alignment with our
parks and even more green spaces throughout the commitment to
city. environmental
stewardship, we are a
In 2023, the city reinstituted the Parks & certified “Tree City.” We
Recreation Department and started a Parks & planted over 200 trees
Recreation Advisory Committee. This group is across the city,
helping advise the City Commission on ways to contributing to a greener
invest our federal American Rescue Plan Act and more sustainable
funds toward park improvements. urban landscape.
Accessibility improvements, including the Additionally, the rollout of
installation of Mobi-Mat at Harbour Towne Beach recreation programs,
LAKESHORE ART FESTIVAL 2023 and the purchase of beach wheelchairs aimed to including a new senior
make our recreational amenities more inclusive program called WAVES,
and accessible. Wellness Activities,
Destination Community & Quality of Life
Vitality, and Enrichment
In 2023, the City of Muskegon made significant PD had 60,190 calls of service, 28,926 police reports
taken, 7,202 traffic stops, 4,143 arrests, 3,850 traffic VISITOR STORY for Seniors highlighted
strides towards achieving its Destination & Quality of our dedication to
citations, and more than 8,179 combined hours of
Life goal by implementing various initiatives and enhancing the quality
training.
improvements. of life for residents
Our 27 firefighters completed 84,119 training hours, of all ages.
We joined the Government Alliance on Race and responded to 5,828 emergency calls, and installed
Equity (GARE), a national network of nearly 400 smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Infrastructure upgrades were prioritized, with
governments working to achieve racial equity and significant investments in the city's water and sewer
advance opportunities for all. Joining the GARE MFD completed 64 fire investigations in 2023, which systems. Our Water Plant personnel work around the
network signified our commitment to fostering is more than a 50% increase to investigations clock to ensure the water’s safety through rigorous
equity and inclusivity within the community. completed in 2022. testing and analysis.
Over 180 lots were adopted by neighborhood Fire Department Calls by Type in 2023
The Water Filtration Plant achieved remarkable
associations. That’s over $70,000 awarded to Live Fire 308 milestones, treating 4.2 billion gallons of water last
clean up and maintain green spaces.
Explosion 399 year.
The Farmers Market had one of its best winter Daniel Beals, Park Visitor
Medical 3898
markets in 2023. Attendance for the winter In June 2023, the plant produced 577 million gallons
market had dropped for the past few years but Hazard 432 “This past weekend my wife and I, who both grew of drinking water, the second-highest amount of
there has been a resurgence and attendance for up in Muskegon and now live out of state, were water produced in the last 30 years. That’s enough
Service 632
the winter market has since increased able to visit our families for a couple of days. We water to cover 1,300 football fields with one foot of
“
significantly. False Alarm 420 carved out time at the beach, specifically after water.
“
stumbling across [the article about the MobiChair].
Other 16
FOSTERING EQUITY AND 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 In 2021 we adopted our son, who has severe ENOUGH WATER WAS
INCLUSIVITY WITHIN THE
disabilities. When he came into our home a year TREATED IN ONE MONTH
STAFF STORY prior, as a newborn -- doctors told us he wouldn't
TO COVER 1,300
COMMUNITY live to be a year old. Now he is three years old and
First responder personnel continue to serve our Steve Hammond, Muskegon Fire Marshal
we are so grateful he is part of our life. We try to
expose him to as many different experiences as we FOOTBALL FIELDS WITH
community each day in a variety of ways.
In February 2023, an MFD crew installed fire alarms
can -- and initiatives like the MobiChair and
handicap-accessible playgrounds make a
ONE FOOT OF WATER!
More than 70 sworn officers are working daily to at a home in the Steele Neighborhood. Ten months
significant difference in the lives of families and Through these collective efforts, the City of Muskegon
serve an 18-square-mile area. Nine new law later on December 30, 2023, our crews responded
children who can use them. We had an amazing continues to progress towards its vision of becoming a
enforcement personnel, including a new Police to the same house with the report of smoke from
couple of hours and never imagined we would be destination community where residents enjoy a high
Community Coordinator, joined the Public Safety the basement. Crews arrived on the scene and
able to get him into Lake Michigan like that. quality of life, access to essential services, and a strong
Division in 2023. verified everyone was out of the home and sense of belonging and inclusivity.
accounted for. The homeowner reported that she
16 We are already looking forward to our next visit!
In 2023 the Police Department launched drones was alerted to the fire because of the smoke
into their operations. The drones have been able Thank you for investing in inclusivity -- it makes
alarms installed by the Muskegon Fire Department
to help with crime scene investigations, fire communities better for everyone.”
in February.
investigations, missing person cases, and water
emergencies.
NEW BUILD HOME ON A FORMER VACANT LOT ON 5TH AVE
AND MONROE. THIS SINGLE-FAMILY OWNER-OCCUPIED
HOME IS PART OF THE CITY’S INFILL HOUSING PROGRAM.
2023 Business Visits by Corridor
Ottawa
2
Other
7
Hackley
5
Lakeside
7
“ IT’S SHOWING US THAT THE PROGRAM IS WORKING, BECAUSE …
YOU CAN SEE FEWER AND FEWER VACANT CITY LOTS IN THESE
CORE NEIGHBORHOODS AND MORE AND MORE ATTAINABLE
HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED BEING INFILLED.
IT’S GRATIFYING TO SEE.” -Jake Eckholm, Director of Development Services
Industrial Park Laketon
14 7
East Apple
6
Sherman Henry
3
1
Third St
Pine Downtown
ASSORTMENT OF FRESH PRODUCE AT THE MUSKEGON FARMERS MARKET
2 1
15
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, AND BUSINESS
In 2023, we continued to make progress to create an Last year the Building Department, had more than 16k
environment that attracts new residents and building and rental inspections processed- that’s
businesses, fills existing employment gaps, and roughly 80 a day! The construction value of permits
expands access to a variety of high-quality housing equated to $318 million. In December 2023 alone, the
options. construction value of permit activity was $182 million.
The City Commission has been focused on improving Our Department of Community and Neighborhood
the quality of life in our community to a level that Services assisted hundreds of residents with home
would result in people staying and desiring to move repairs, housing preservation, third-party community
back to this area. As a result, we prioritized both programming, lead and hazard abatement, homebuyer's
affordable and market-rate housing to attract more down payment assistance, and façade improvements.
community members. Through these programs, community members were
beneficiaries of over $3M. Twenty-five families received
Our pioneering infill housing program was developed lead abatement services totaling $1.1 M.
to reverse decades of urban disinvestment by creating
new residential housing on city-owned vacant lots. The Kitchen 242 at the Farmers Market was near capacity
goal is to improve density, reduce vacant lot for all of 2023 and continues to graduate successful
maintenance costs, eliminate blight, and maintain the businesses. 490 Bakery, who worked out of the
affordability of housing types. kitchen for several years, graduated to a brick-and-
mortar shop within the city in 2023. The kitchen
In 2023, the city built 56 new housing units, a total continues to benefit many small businesses and
of 170 units since 2019. people wishing to start a small business.
2023 City of Muskegon Housing Sales by Price and The Western Market Chalets have existed since 2017
Bedroom Number to support aspiring small business owners. The
popularity of renting these spaces each year has not
2 Bed 3 Bed
waned and continues to receive considerable
20
attention from communities around the country
seeking to model our success.
15
City staff visited nearly 75 businesses offering ways to
CITY STAFF MEMBER, TIM HARVEY, INSIDE A
10 partner to maintain our critical workforce and support
CITY REHAB HOUSE ON TERRACE STREET AND
A PHOTO OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. small businesses ( 2023 Business Visits by Corridor
chart above).
5
Through the engagement of many residents, we
0 completed the city’s Master Land Use Plan to help
$150k or less $151-175k $176-200k $201-225K
guide future planning efforts for the next decade.
ENGAGEMENT EVENT
In October 2023 we sent the first print newsletter in
over 10 years via direct mail. Every address in the
city, over 27,000, can now expect a newsletter twice
a year covering large projects, hot topics, and more.
We are especially proud of the community
engagement efforts from Public Safety. Police and
Fire hosted 15 neighborhood “Pop-Up Parties” in
2023. The parties were aimed to bring a fun and
COMMUNITY CONNECTION positive public safety presence to neighborhoods.
A goal of the City Commission is to increase TASTE OF MUSKEGON WINNERS There was live music at every event, along with
opportunities to connect with residents. We want to games and snacks. Over 500 neighbors attended the
partner to build a community where we are all proud to events and we’re already looking forward to the
Helping prepare our youth with the knowledge and 2024 season.
call Muskegon, home.
skills to contribute to the local economy is one of the
keys to a successful, healthy community. The City We implemented new internal policies to ensure the
The newly created Community Engagement Department
Commission understands that our local school leaders city’s online website calendar is accurate for all
launched communication and engagement tools to
are critical partners in ensuring this preparation public meetings 24/7. Anyone can subscribe to the
increase awareness, collaboration, and transparency
becomes a reality. They meet regularly throughout calendar or sign up for an automated email about
within the community. Here are a few highlights:
the year with the Muskegon Public School Board to upcoming meetings and events.
collaborate and develop strategies designed to put
We sent seven monthly e-newsletters called
area students on a path to success.
“Connect Muskegon” since July 2023. The
newsletters are packed with timely information and
The City Clerk’s Office held three elections for the
reminders for community members.
community and rolled out a new online program for
community members to apply for citizen boards and
We launched the “Connect Muskegon Community
committees.
Engagement Hub” in March 2023. This platform is a Front cover of the October 2023 Fall Print Newsletter which was
one-stop shop to follow major projects and receive mailed to each home in the city.
City staff and volunteers successfully hosted many
updates via email. We’ve had more than 16 projects
community events including Taste of Muskegon,
go live since March and have received a lot of
Lakeshore Art Festival, McGraft Park Concert Series,
residents' “thank yous” for this tool.
Haybale Decorating Competition, Cookie Crawl, and
Hackley Park Holiday Tree Lighting. Taste of
Muskegon broke another record for most tickets sold
for the second year in a row.
“
COFFEE WITH COPS EVENT AT ALDEA COFFEE
OUR TEAM HOSTED 300 HOURS OF
ENGAGEMENT EVENTS FOR THE
COMMUNITY. I’M SO HAPPY THAT
PEOPLE KEEP SHOWING UP AND
GIVING INPUT. WE LOVE TO HEAR
YOUR IDEAS AND IMPLEMENT THEM.
City staff from all departments worked to host nearly
300 hours of engagement events. Major
contributors in 2023 were the Parks & Recreation
Survey events, Master Land-Use Plan events, and
HAYBALE DECORATING CONTEST WINNERS - PARKS & RECREATION
Road & Utility Construction/ Redesign events. FAMILY FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION MASTER PLAN SURVEY EVENT
HACKLEY PARK CHRISTMAS TREE
CIVIL SERVICE OPEN HOUSE
“
The City of Muskegon’s vision to be a national
1021 JEFFERSON MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
destination for waterfront living and commerce
ADOPTED A continues at a successful pace. While focusing on the
downtown and the waterfront is important, stopping
CLIMATE ACTION
the disinvestment of the past and rebuilding and
revitalizing once-thriving neighborhoods is our more
immediate objective. Our focus is on increasing housing
RESOLUTION density and improving affordability, social integration,
and walkability. These will remain qualities necessary
for a more vibrant community and are reflected
through gains in property tax growth.
FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
OLD SAPPI SITE PREPARING FOR REDEVELOPMENT Due to the continued growth of new developments and
An additional key to a healthy, vibrant community is the City staff have supported hundreds of residents by
housing around the city, property values have
financial condition. Strong planning measures are in connecting them with the Mid-Michigan
increased. With property values increasing, so does our
place, and we are maximizing the financial resources Community Action Agency (MMCAA). MMCAA is a
property tax income.
available to support City services and projects. non-profit organization that supports low-income
Commission oversight and staff management of the residents to pay water and sewer bills among other
This increased revenue ensures that amenities such as
City’s financial affairs comply with all legal support.
trash, parks, and public safety continue to be offered.
requirements and financial policies set by the City
Commission. Income tax revenues have continued to climb over Property Tax Growth 2018-2023
the past three years. This indicates that the number
Each year, the city’s required of jobs and/or income is increasing around the city.
annual audit is recognized for
Income Tax Growth 2021-2023 WESTERN AVE AT THIRD ST DOWNTOWN
excellence in financial reporting
and is recognized by the
If you’re interested in diving
Government Finance Officers
into the city’s annual financial
Association.
report, scan the QR code. The
city runs on a fiscal calendar 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023*
We’ve enhanced the Capital Improvement Planning $7.2M $7.4M $7.6M $7.9M $8.9M $8.9M
July 1 - June 30. Each year the
process by transitioning to a 5-year improvement
city has an audit, prepares an
schedule which allows for better financial planning.
annual financial report, and
publishes a budget. They’re all
We’ve adopted a Climate Action Resolution and
available to you online. mkgcity.com/finance
established a staff workgroup. This group helps plan *2023 Property Tax is an estimate. Pending settlement with the Muskegon County.
2021 2022 2023
and implement policies that would reduce our $9.6M $10M $12.1M
organization’s greenhouse gas footprint and
promote sustainability in the services provided to
the public. Staff implemented an ongoing study of sewer and
water rates. This model will allow staff to
proactively respond to fluctuations in operations
and plan for capital improvement.
Twenty-five different non-profit, small business,
and neighborhood associations were awarded
funds as part of the City’s ARPA Community Grant
program. A pillar of this program is to build a
strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making
investments that support long-term growth and
CIVIL SERVICE OPEN HOUSE opportunity.
2023 STATS
4.2B 15
GALLONS OF
WATER TREATED
PUBLIC SAFETY
POPUP PARTIES
446 LINES REPLACED 1347 PROCESSED
LEAD SERVICE PASSPORTS
128 EVENTS
THE CITY
IN
180 VACANT
ADOPTED
LOTS
MORE THAN BOARD AND MORE THAN
100 COMMITTEE
MEMBERS 200 TREES PLANTED
11K 60K SERVICE
HOURS
FOSTERING SPENT
EQUITY CALLS OF
AND INCLUSIVITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
ON ROAD BY THE
MAINTENANCE POLICE DEPT
TRAINING
55K VISITORS TO THE
FARMERS MARKET 92K HOURS FOR
PUBLIC SAFETY
STAY CONNECTED!
Don’t miss an event or public Visit the link below.to contact Stay informed on all projects
meeting. Subscribe to the someone at the City or sign-up on the City‘s Communi City‘s
city’s online calendar now. for our newsletters. Community.
mkgcity.com/events mkgcity.com/contact mkgcity.com/connectmuskegon