MINUTES

      The regular Commission Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan at 5:30pm, Tuesday, April 10, 2001.

      Mayor Fred J. Nielsen opened the meeting by offering the prayer after which the members of the City Commission and the members of the public joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:     

      Present: Mayor Fred J. Nielsen; Vice Mayor Scott Sieradzki; Commissioner John Aslakson; Jone Wortelboer Benedict; Robert Schweifler; Clara Shepherd; Lawrence Spataro.

2001-36     CONSENT AGENDA:

a.     Approval of Minutes.  CITY CLERK

SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting that was held on Tuesday, March 27, 2001.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Approval of the minutes.

b.     Liquor License Transfer Request - 1301 E. Apple.  CITY CLERK

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  The Liquor Control Commission seeks local recommendation on a request to transfer ownership of the existing 2000 SDM license at 1301 E Apple Ave. from Gurmett Singh and Jaswinder Singh solely to Jaswinder Singh.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  All departments recommend approval.

c.     Liquor License Transfer Request – 1601 Beach.  CITY CLERK

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  The Liquor Control Commission seeks local recommendation on a request to transfer ownership of the existing 2000 Class C-SDM license with Dance-Entertainment Permit,  Official Permit (food), Outdoor Service (2 areas), and two bars from Marquette, Inc., to Beach Street Inn, Inc.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  All departments recommend approval.

e.      Intake Inspection Project.  WATER FILTRATION

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To award a contract to Sea Brex Marine, Inc. of Stevensville, MI to perform a complete inspection of the Water Filtration Plant Intake including complete penetration of the pipeline.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  The low bid received is for $24,000.00. This project is budgeted at 24,000.00.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Endorse the lowest responsible bidder, Sea Brex Marine, Inc., and enter into contract for the inspection of the Water Filtration Plant Intake.

f.        Dumpbox/Underbody and Tarp System purchase.  PUBLIC

WORKS

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  Approval to purchase one Dumpbox, Underbody scraper and Tarp System for 2001 Plow Truck (installed), from Truck and Trailer Specialists for $18,258.00

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  Total Cost $18,258.00.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None, Total for Truck and Equipment 64,240.25, $70,000.00 is budgeted.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Approval to purchase Plow Truck Dump Box, Underbody Scraper and Tarp System from Truck and Trailer Specialties for $18,258.00.

g.     Aggregates Highway Maintenance Materials and Concrete.  PUBLIC WORKS

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  Award bid to supply Calcium Chloride 38% (road brine) and 32% (winter salting) to Liquid Dustlayer, Inc.

Award bid to supply 20AA and 31A bituminous asphalt to Asphalt Paving, Inc.

Award bid to supply polymer modified anionic asphalt emulsion to Koch Materials Company.

Award bid to supply sylvax-patching material to either bidder based on availability.

There are no bids to supply limestone ship blend to DPW.  We will purchase based on cost and availability.

Award bid to supply road slag to Verplank Trucking Company.

Award bid to supply concrete to Consumers Concrete.  High  Grade Concrete does have the lowest bid, but due to extra unloading charges, Consumers will be cheaper.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  $100,972 based on 2000 usage at 2001 quotes.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None, monies appropriated in several budgets.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To award the various materials to the vendors as requested.

i.        City – MDOT Agreement  for M-120 Over the Muskegon River  ENGINEERING

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To approve the contract with Michigan Department of Transportation to replace the M-120 Structure over the Muskegon River; together with the necessary related work.  And to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract.

FINANCIAL IMPACT: While this is an MDOT project, we are required to participate at the rate of 11.25% as stipulated by Act-51 since the project falls within the City’s limits.  The City’s share is estimated at $98,700 but not more that 11.25% of eligible cost.  The total cost of the project is $4,407,900.00

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To approve the resolution.

k.       Consideration of Bids, Windsor, Henry to Barclay.  ENGINEERING

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To award the contract for the construction of Windsor, including the watermain, from Henry to Barclay to Grant Tower since they were the lowest responsible bidder with a bid price of $257,704.00.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  The construction cost of $257,704.00 plus related engineering expenses.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None, this project is in the 2001 budget.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Award the contract to Grant Tower.

Moved by Commissioner Benedict, seconded by Vice Mayor Sieradzki to approve the consent agenda as read with the exception of items d,h,j,l, which were removed.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

PRESENTATION:  “This is your City of Muskegon” brochure.

      Brenda Moore, Planning, presented a brochure on the City of Muskegon services and facts to the Citizens of the Community.

2001-37     ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA:

d.      Sheldon Charter Park.  LEISURE SERVICES

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To accept the Quit Claim Deed from Muskegon Public School and to name Sheldon Park as a Charter Park.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Approval

Moved by Vice Mayor Sieradzki, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to accept the Quit Claim Deed from Muskegon Public Schools and to name Sheldon Park as a Charter Park.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

h.      McGraft Park Caretaker Pay Range.  LEISURE SERVICES

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To create a pay scale for the newly created Building Facility Caretaker position, which is an upgrade from the McGraft Caretaker position.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  New rate to be Step 2 Pay Scale - $7 to $8.50/hr. Old rate was $5.50 to $7/hr.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Approval

Moved by Vice Mayor Sieradzki, seconded by Commissioner Schweifler to approve the request to create a pay scale for the newly created Facility Caretaker position.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict,

                  NAYS; None

MOTION  ADOPTED                              

 j.   Request for an Encroachment Agreement in the Area of                                                                                                                 Sherman and McCracken.  ENGINEERING

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  Kaydon Corporation has filed an encroachment agreement form requesting your approval to install three monitoring Wells within the following right-of-ways;

1.            McCracken between Sherman and Letarte

2.            Letarte between McCracken and Torrent

3.            Torrent between Letarte and Sherman

This agreement would permit Kaydon’s representative (Dell Engineering at this time) to sample underground water.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To approve the encroachment agreement subject to the supplemental conditions and compliance with the necessary insurance requirements.

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to approve the encroachment agreement with the Kaydon Corp. to install 3 monitoring wells at 1. McCracken between Sherman and Letarte, 2. Letarte between McCracken and Torrent, 3. Torrent between Letarte and Sherman.

 ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

l.         MDOT Agreement for Barclay Street,  Sherman to Hackley.  ENGINEERING

SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To approve the contract with Michigan Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Barclay Street from Sherman to Hackley and to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  MDOT participation is about $366,628.00 but not to exceed 81.85% of eligible cost.  The estimated total (including engineering) cost of the project is $600,000.00.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None at this time.  The City’s share of the cost will come out of the Major Street Fund as was budgeted.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  That the attached agreement and resolution be approved

Moved by Commissioner Benedict, to set public hearing in 2 weeks at next commission meeting. No second, therefore motion failed for lack of support.

Moved by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Aslakson to approve the MDOT agreement for Barclay, Sherman & Henry Streets and to authorize the Clerk and Mayor to sign the contract.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Aslakson, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro,

                        NAYS; Benedict, Nielsen,

 MOTION ADOPTED

2001-38      PUBLIC HEARINGS:

a.     Continuation of Public Hearing – Millard Avenue.  ENGINEERING

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To continue the public hearing on the proposed special assessment of the Millard from Lake Dunes to West End project, and to create the special assessment district and appoint two City Commissioners to the Board of Assessors if it is determined to proceed with the project.  Per your instruction on March 27th, we have revised the design of the proposed road to reflect a width of 22’ back to back.  The property owners affected by the proposed assessment have been notified and a drawing showing the revisions was mailed.

Furthermore, it is respectfully requested that if the district is created to award the contract to Jackson Merkey who was the lowest responsible bidder with a bid price of $129,888.70.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  Construction cost plus related engineering cost.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To create the special assessment district and assign two City Commissioners  to the Board of Assessors by adopting the resolution.

The Public Hearing opened at 6:23pm to hear and consider any comments from the public.  City Engineer, Mohammed Al-Shatel, explained the item.  Comments were heard from Ronald Pesch, 3351 Millard; Susan Line, 3340 Millard. Both Citizens were opposed.

Moved by Vice Mayor Sieradzki, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to close the public hearing at 6:33pm and to create a special assessment district and appoint two Commissioners to the Board of Assessors.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; None

                        NAYS; Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson,

MOTION FAILED

COMMUNICATIONS:   

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:

2001-39     UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a.     SECOND READING:  Rezoning Request for property at 2572 McCracken.  PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  Request to rezone property located at 2572 McCracken St. (between Sherman Blvd. And Letarte Ave.) from R-1, Single-Family Residential and B-1, Limited Business to entirely B-2, Convenience and Comparison Business, or to entirely B-1, Limited Business.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends rezoning the entire parcel to B-1, due to compliance with the future land use map and Master Land Use Plan, and to make the zoning consistent for the entire parcel.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  The Planning Commission recommended rezoning the entire parcel to B-1 at their 3/15/2001 meeting.  The vote was unanimous.

Moved by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Aslakson to adopt ordinance to rezone the entire parcel to B-1.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Schweifler, Shepherd, Spataro, Aslakson,

                        NAYS; Nielsen, Sieradzki, Benedict,

MOTION ADOPTED

 

2001-40     NEW BUSINESS:

a.     Tall Ships Festival Request.  LEISURE SERVICES

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To waive all City service fees in conjunction with the Tall Ships event at Heritage Landing in August.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  Estimated at $20,000.00.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Approval

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:      Leisure Services Board recommends approval.

Moved by Vice Mayor Sieradzki, seconded by Commissioner Schweifler to waive the City service fees for the Tall Ships event.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

b.     Transmittal of 2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.  FINANCE

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  The City’s 2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) has previously been distributed to City Commissioners.  At this time the CAFR is being formally transmitted to the Commission in accordance with state law.  Should the Commission wish to do so, staff and the independent auditors are prepared  to conduct a special work session to focus on the CAFR as well as City finances in general.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  None. The CAFR report summarizes the City's financial activities for 2000 and includes the independent auditor's unqualified opinion on the City's financial statements.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Acceptance of the 2000 CAFR.

Moved by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Schweifler to accept the 2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as written..

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

c.     Approving Cutting Edge Construction as one of the three contractors for the City’s Vinyl Siding Program.  COMMUNITY & NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To approve for Community and Neighborhood Services to add Cutting Edge Construction of Muskegon as one of the City’s contractors to install siding through its housing rehabilitation program.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  The contract with Cutting Edge will be the same as with the other two contractors $75.00 a square and will be taken from CDBG budget.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None required

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To approve CNS request.

Moved by Commissioner Benedict, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to approve the addition of Cutting Edge as one of the City's contractors to install siding through its housing rehabilitation program.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Shepherd, (Schweifler, out of the room)

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

d.     High Service Pump #2 Rebuild.  WATER FILTRATION

 SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  To rebuild High Service Pump #2 (12 million gallon per day) prior to the summer season peak water demand.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  Cost of the pump rebuild is $20,100.00.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  This is an unplanned expense and will require an internal budget transfer from another line item.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  To endorse Peerless-Midwest, Inc. as the contractor to rebuild high service pump #2 at a cost of $20,100.00.

Moved by Commissioner Benedict, seconded by Commissioner Aslakson to approve the rebuild of pump #2 by Peerless-Midwest at a cost of $20,100.00.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

e.     Concurrence with the Housing Board of Appeals Notice and Order to Demolish the following:

SUMMARY OF REQUEST:  This is to request that the City Commission concur with the findings of the Housing Board of Appeals that the structures listed below are unsafe, substandard, a public nuisance and that they be demolished within thirty (30) days.  It is further requested that administration be directed to obtain bids for the demolitions of these structures and that the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute contracts for demolition with the lowest responsible bidders. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  CDBG     

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED:  None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Concur with Housing Board of Appeals to demolish.

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to concur with Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish the structure at 1712 Pine St.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Aslakson, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Spataro,

                        NAYS; Benedict, Sieradzki,

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to concur with Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish the following structures at 1750 Pine (Garage Only), 247 Amity, 462 White.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Benedict, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to postpone decision on the demolition of 15 E Muskegon Ave. until the next meeting in 2 weeks. 

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Shepherd, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to concur with Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish the structure at 273 Merrill. 

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to concur with Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish house and garage at 1309 Sixth St.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Shepherd, Spataro, Aslakson, Nielsen, Schweifler,

                        NAYS; Sieradzki, Benedict,

MOTION ADOPTED

2001-41     ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

a.     Notification Process for Special Assessments, (Commissioner Benedict)

Moved by Commissioner Spataro to refer to staff for a report on the potential expense of mailing options.  No support, therefore, motion withdrawn.

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Benedict to refer to staff to study costs to convert the Special Assessment mailings to certified mail, return receipt requested and report back to Commission in two weeks.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

 

b.     Investigation into Price of Gasoline in West Michigan, (Mayor Nielsen)

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to request that staff draft a resolution to send to the County in support of their investigation of the gasoline prices.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

2001-42     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Various comments were heard from the general public.

2001-43     CLOSED SESSION:  To discuss Pending Litigation.

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Schweifler to go to closed session at 8:52pm.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Benedict, Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Sieradzki, Spataro, Aslakson,

                        NAYS; None

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to return from  closed session at 9:22pm.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Nielsen, Schweifler, Shepherd, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict,

                        NAYS; None

                       

MOTION ADOPTED

Moved by Commissioner Aslakson, seconded by Commissioner Spataro to release the retainer and allow Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority to settle.

ROLL VOTE:  AYES; Schweifler, Shepherd, Spataro, Aslakson, Benedict, Nielsen, (Vice Mayor Sieradzki absent)

                        NAYS; None

                         EXCUSED; Sieradzki

MOTION ADOPTED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The Regular Commission Meeting for the City of Muskegon was adjourned at 9:23pm.

 

                                                                              Respectfully submitted;

 

 

 

                                                                              Gail Kundinger, CMC/AAE

                                                                              City Clerk

GK/da