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City of Muskegon
City Commission Worksession
October 12, 2009
City Commission Chambers
5:30 PM
MINUTES
2009-82
Present: Commissioners Warmington, Shepherd, Gawron, and Spataro.
Absent: Commissioners Carter, Wierengo, and Wisneski.
Appraisal Services.
In an effort to avoid a lengthy and costly property tax appeal, the new owner/developer of the
Shoreline Inn properties has approached the City with the concept of mutually selecting an
independent appraiser to set the value for the property. The property owner and city would share
appraisal costs and agree to the independently determined value. Staff believes this is a cost-
effective approach and will save attorney fees, interest charges and other costs associated with a
lengthy appeal. Moreover, if a traditional appeal were pursued, the city would still have to hire
an appraiser due to the complexity of the properties.
Staff recommends approval not to exceed $12,500.
This item has been placed on the October 13, 2009 Commission meeting for consideration.
Sewer Rate Adjustment.
City staff is recommending a 25% retail rate increase to be effective January 1, 2010. The
request is based on the recent announcement that Sappi Paper has announced it is permanently
closing the Muskegon mill operation and the state has announced closing of the Muskegon
Correction facility. Muskegon County has announced it will raise wholesale sewer rates to
municipal customers by an initial 15%.
This item has been placed on the October 13, 2009 Commission meeting for consideration.
Charter Amendments.
The following proposed charter amendments have been placed on the November 3, 2009 ballot
for consideration by the electors.
1. Charter amendment providing for changing the dates for submission of the budget
and adoption of budget by City Commission shall be established by ordinance.
2. Charter amendment allowing City Commission to change fiscal year by ordinance.
3. Charter amendment to eliminate the Charter-provided date by which the annual
appropriation resolution needs to be adopted.
4. Charter amendment to provide that the composition, sessions and regulations of
Board of Review would be as provided by law.
5. Charter amendment to eliminate primaries for Mayor and City Commission.
6. Charter amendment to repeal the provisions dealing with Civil Service.
A link has been placed on the City website explaining each proposed amendment and a brochure
has been created for distribution.
P ersonnel Code.
The City Manager distributed a potential personnel code if Civil Service is eliminated. A link
will be placed on the City website.
Walgreens Liquor License.
Mayor Warmington will attend the appeal process for the Walgreens liquor license in Lansing on
November 3, 2009.
Temporary Liquor Licenses.
Tony Kleibecker, Public Safety Director, and Cathy Brubaker-Clarke, Planning and Economic
Development Director, stated the amount of temporary liquor licenses has increased dramatically
this year. The demand on staff time has made it difficult for staffing. Several suggestions were
made to help the situation including raising the fee for temporary liquor licenses.
Staff will put a list of proposed changes to present at a future meeting.
Smith Ryerson Park Improvements.
This is a request to authorize staff to negotiate with the lowest based bid, Lakewood
Construction, of Holland, Michigan on the Smith Ryerson Park Improvements project.
This item has been placed on the October 13, 2009 Commission meeting for consideration.
Many Commissioners stated they thought it better to re-bid the project based on inconsistencies
within the bid and the total amount of all bids was higher than the budgeted amount.
Equalization Office Move.
General consent was given by the City Commission to allow Equalization to move to the
Muskegon County building.
Mona Lake Watershed Presentation.
The Mona Lake Watershed Council is seeking permission to use part of the City’s property for
low impact storm water management to keep storm water from blasting downstream through the
Peerless Plating site.
Motion by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Vice Mayor Gawron to authorize a letter of
support and refer future agreements to staff.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: Gawron, Shepherd, Spataro, and Warmington.
Nays: None.
MOTION PASSES
Any Other Business.
Audience members were invited to participate.
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd to adjourn at 7:00
p.m.
MOTION PASSES
________________________
Ann Marie Becker, MMC
City Clerk