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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 2012
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS @ 5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
The Regular Commission Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City Hall,
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
Mayor Gawron opened the meeting with a prayer from Reverend Bill Freeman
from the Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation after which the Commission
and public recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL FOR THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:
Present: Mayor Stephen Gawron, Vice Mayor Lawrence Spataro,
Commissioners Sue Wierengo, Byron Turnquist, Lea Markowski, Eric Hood, and
Willie German, City Manager Bryon Mazade, City Attorney John Schrier, and
Deputy City Clerk Linda Potter.
2012-83 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes of the October 23rd City
Commission Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Poverty Exemption Guidelines for Board of Review. FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Due to recent court decisions and policy changes by
the State Tax Commission, the County Equalization Department has requested
the City amend its Board of Review Poverty Exemption Guidelines.
The Resolution to Adopt Poverty Exemption Income Guidelines and Asset Test
has been prepared to meet these new standards.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The revised guidelines provide clarification to the Board of
Review in the granting of poverty-based tax exemptions.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the poverty guideline resolution as
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requested by the County Equalization Department.
C. SCADA Computer Upgrade Proposal for Water Filtration Plant. PUBLIC
WORKS
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Tetra
Tech 710 Avis Drive, Ann Arbor, MI for SCADA programming and the purchase of
Dell computers for a total cost of $44,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $44,000.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None at this time but future budget re-forecasting
may be considered.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Tetra
Tech for SCADA programming and to purchase Dell replacement computer
equipment for a total expense of $44,000.
D. Deficit Elimination Plan for Home Rehabilitation Fund and State Grants
Fund. FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: At June 30, 2012, the City of Muskegon Home
Rehabilitation Fund had a deficit balance of $182,501 and the State Grants
Fund had a deficit unassigned balance of $8,781. Act 275 of the Public Acts of
1980 requires that the City file a Deficit Elimination Plan with the Michigan
Department of Treasury. Staff is requesting adoption of the Home Rehabilitation
Fund and State Grants Fund Deficit Elimination Plan Resolutions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: As presented by the Deficit Elimination Plan, the Home
Rehabilitation Fund and State Grants Fund will no longer have a deficit by June
30, 2014.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adoption of the Deficit Elimination Plan Resolutions.
E. Union Contract Agreement – Service Employees International Union
(SEIU), Local 517M (Clerical). CITY MANAGER
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve an agreement with SEIU, Local 517M
(Clerical) to extend their union contract for one year (through December 31,
2013) under the same terms (no salary increase) and conditions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the agreement to extend the union
contract with SEIU, Local 517M and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute it.
F. Union Contract Agreement – Service Employees International Union
(SEIU), Local 517M Unit 2. CITY MANAGER
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve an agreement with SEIU, Local 517M, Unit 2
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to extend their union contract for one year (through December 31, 2013) under
the same terms (no salary increase) and conditions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the agreement to extend the union
contract with SEIU, Local 517M and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute it.
Motion by Commissioner Wierengo, second by Commissioner German to
accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Markowski, Gawron, Hood, Spataro, German, Wierengo, and
Turnquist
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2012-84 PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Request for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate – Graphics
House. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Pursuant to Public Act 198 of 1974, as amended,
Graphics House Sports Promotions, Inc., has requested the issuance of an
Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate. The company will be investing
$154,722 in real property and $111,437 in personal property. The investment is
expected to create three jobs. This qualifies them for a tax abatement of six
years on personal property and 12 years on real property.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City will capture certain additional property taxes
generated by the expansion.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the resolution granting an Industrial
Facilities Exemption Certificate for a term of six years for personal property and
twelve years for real property.
The Public Hearing opened to hear and consider any comments from the
public. Mr. Brent McKinnon, 444 Irwin, representing Graphics House, explained
the request.
Motion by Vice Mayor Spataro, second by Commissioner Wierengo to close the
Public Hearing and approve the request for an Industrial Facilities Exemption
Certificate for a term of six years for personal property and twelve years for real
property for Graphics House.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Hood, Spataro, German, Wierengo, Turnquist, Markowski, and
Gawron
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Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2012-85 NEW BUSINESS:
A. Transmittal of 6/30/12 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
FINANCE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City’s June 30, 2012 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR) has previously been distributed to City Commissioners
via both email and hard copy. The CAFR is also available on the City’s website
at www.shorelinecity.com. At this time the CAFR is being formally transmitted to
the Commission in accordance with state law. The CAFR has been prepared in
accordance with GASB accounting standards. The CAFR also includes the
single-audit of federal grants received by the City.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The CAFR report summarizes the City’s financial activities for
the year and includes the independent auditor’s unqualified opinion on the
City’s financial statements.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Acceptance of the CAFR for the period ended June
30, 2012.
Motion by Vice Mayor Spataro, second by Commissioner Hood to accept the
CAFR for the period ended June 30, 2012.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: German, Wierengo, Turnquist, Markowski, Gawron, Hood, and
Spataro
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Public comments received.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Marie Cummings, MMC
City Clerk
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