View the PDF version Google Docs PDF Viewer
Muskegon City Hall
933 Terrace St,
Muskegon, MI 49440
CONNECT MUSKEGON
city of muskegon 2024 SPRING NewsLETTER
Pere Marquette Beach during Burning Foot Beer Festival
mkgcity.com/ muskegon-mi.gov/explore-muskegon/
Mayor’s Message meetthemayor
Beach Parking Information parking-transportation/parkingpass/
Hello, and happy spring! Paid parking is in effect at Pere Marquette Beach, Margaret Drake Elliot Park, Kruse Park and
Harbour Towne Beach from May 15th to September 15th. Seasonal passes are free to City
It’s that time of year for spring-cleaning. Be sure of Muskegon residents and limited to two passes per household. $20 seasonal passes are
to take advantage of the City’s “Dumpster Days” available to non-city residents and residents who want more than two.
around town throughout April and May. Thanks to our
neighborhood associations across the city for their Locations to Purchase Seasonal Pass Stickers
partnership in holding Dumpster Days. To learn more
about this service, go to mkgcity.com/dumpsterdays • Muskegon Police Department – City Hall 980 Jefferson St
or call (231) 724-6702. • Muskegon Treasurers Office – City Hall 933 Terrace St
Meanwhile, please consider getting involved with • Muskegon Department of Public Works – 1350 E. Keating Ave
your local neighborhood association. Whether serving • The Deck – 1601 Beach St
as a board member, volunteering for events, or just
• Muskegon County Visitors Center – 610 West Western Ave
being a good neighbor, YOU can make a difference.
As neighbors, we can work together to fix problems,
complete community projects, and hold events for Passes can also be purchased from several kiosks in the paid parking area. If a seasonal pass
fun and fellowship, among many other things. is purchased at the kiosk, it is required that it be turned in for a sticker decal. All decals must
be affixed to the driver side lower window. You have 14 days from purchase of a paper season
With your collaboration, let’s cultivate community! pass to trade in for a sticker.
Locations to Turn in Seasonal Passes Bought at a Kiosk for a Sticker
• Muskegon Police Department – City Hall 980 Jefferson St
• Muskegon Treasurer’s Office – City Hall 933 Terrace St
Kenneth D. Johnson, • Muskegon Department of Public Works – 1350 E. Keating Ave
City of Muskegon Mayor
• The Deck – 1601 Beach St
• Ghezzi’s – 2017 Lakeshore Dr
• Ice Cream Shack at Pere Marquette
• Any parking enforcement officer
Daily passes are available at kiosks for $7 Monday - Thursday and $10 Friday – Sunday.
If no daily/seasonal pass is visible, a $30 parking ticket will be issued. If a ticket is issued
for not having a beach pass, you can trade in the ticket and pay only $20 for a seasonal pass
within 14 days of the ticket being issued.
Community members at Taste of Muskegon Muskegon Farmers Market bustling with visitors on a summer morning
muskegon-mi.gov/ visitmuskegon.org/ muskegonfarmersmarket.com/
events/month/ events/
Upcoming Events Muskegon Farmers Market 2024
The City of Muskegon has many meetings and events throughout the The outdoor Market opens for the year on Saturday, May 4, 2024, and is
year. Utilize the city’s online calendar to stay informed on public meetings open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8 AM-2 PM. Vendors offer
and events pertaining to our local government. If you’re interested in a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and artisanal products.
county-wide events, make sure to check out the Visit Muskegon community Come enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, support local farmers, and take
calendar for fun activities all year round. advantage of our food benefit programs.
The market proudly supports SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks. When
2024 McGraft Park Summer Concert Series you use your Bridge Card, Double Up matches your fruit and vegetable
purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day. That means you and your
Each summer the City of Muskegon Public Works team coordinates free family get twice the fresh fruits and veggies. If you have a Bridge Card,
concerts at the McGraft Park Bandshell (2204 Wickham Dr). These concerts you’re automatically eligible for Double Up.
are made possible by a gift left in 1986 by Edith McGraft. Edith left a trust for
McGraft Park with “the purpose of improving, developing, and beautifying The Farmers Market hosts a Flea Market every Wednesday and Thursday
McGraft Park.” Each of the concerts is brought to you by the Edith McGraft from 8 AM – 2 PM beginning May 8, 2024.
Park Trust Fund unless otherwise noted. These concerts are a great time to
bring your family and friends to a free outdoor event in the summer. Come 2024 Food Truck Rallies at the Farmers Market
early, with your chairs and blankets, to claim your seat and expect to see Come down for dinner, live music, and community!
over a hundred neighbors and friends.
• June 5, 2024, 5PM – 8 PM
• 7/9 – Legal Rehab, Acoustic Rock & Blues • July 10, 2024, 5PM – 8PM
• 7/18 – West Side Soul Surfers, Horn based Rock, Soul, & R&B
(sponsored by Joseph & Norma Horan Fund)
• 7/23 – The Cold Leather Seats, Indie/Country
Chicken Ordinance Update
• 7/30 – Silverado, 50’s/60’s Rock & Country
• 8/8 – Drew Nelson, Americana/Folk Over the past several months, city staff and elected
officials have been working to update the City
• 8/13 – Post Fontaine, Soft Rock
Ordinance regarding chickens. The old ordinance
muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/
(Free Glenside Neighborhood Ice Cream Social) allowed for residences to have one chicken or development-services/planning/
• 8/20 – Síomha, Irish/Folk rooster as a pet. The updated ordinance allows
most property owners to have up to six female chickens (no roosters).
(sponsored by Michigan Irish Music Festival) If you’re interested in learning more or getting chickens, begin the process
by contacting the Planning Department. Phone: (231) 724-6702
Questions: City of Muskegon, Parks & Recreation, (231) 724-4100
Painted tressel art
Public Works trimming trees City workers laying asphalt
muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/ muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/public-works/
public-works/sanitation/ highway/major-road-sewer-projects/
Yard Waste Pickup 2024 Road & Utility Construction Projects
Yard waste will be picked up curbside on your garbage day from the first The City has several major road and utility projects scheduled for the 2024
week of April through November 30th, weather permitting. Yard waste must construction season. If you have questions or are looking for updates regarding
be in paper yard waste bags, cardboard boxes, or rigid 35-gallons (or less) the following projects, visit the link or call Public Works at 231-724-4100.
garbage cans. Brush must be 4ft or less in length and 4 inches or less in
diameter. It must be in a container as previously stated or tied in bundles • Morton Ave – Lincoln to Denmark Reconstruction
weighing 35 lbs or less. Absolutely no plastic bags are allowed. Please set • Lead Service Line Replacements (Campbell Field, Apple Ave,
the yard waste container(s) at least three feet away from your garbage can. Oakview)
• Edgewater Street Reconstruction – Lakeshore to Thompson
Garbage Pickup Holiday Schedule
• Millard Ave Reconstruction – Lake Dunes to the West End
Republic Services provides weekly residential trash, monthly recycling, and • Southern Ave Reconstruction – Lakeshore to Seaway
seasonal yard waste removal for the City of Muskegon. Please have your
• Bluffton Area Reconstruction – Wilcox, Thompson, Edgewater,
items to the terrace by 6 am and remove carts after pick-up. For service
Plum, Cherry, Walnut, and the alley between Cherry and Walnut
requests or concerns call the Department of Public Works at (231) 724-4100.
• Late summer expected construction of 2nd Street, Muskegon to
If a holiday falls on a weekday, garbage services will be delayed by one day. Houston and New St, Calvin to Evanston
Holidays include: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Neighborhood Associations
Passport Acceptance Agency The City of Muskegon has 15 historic
neighborhoods, from Bluffton on the west
Visit the City Clerk’s Office to apply for a new passport. Information can be to Marquette on the east. Residents from
found at www.travel.state.gov or City Clerk Passport Page. Applications are each neighborhood are communicating and muskegon-mi.gov/explore-
available at City Hall Monday - Thursday 8 AM – 4 PM. creating places to gather to help keep their muskegon/neighborhoods/
neighborhoods clean, fun, and safe. Most of
the 15 neighborhoods have volunteer associations and many have their
Muskegon Public School Update non-profit status. We are fortunate to have block-to-block leadership from
residents who serve as liaisons from the neighborhoods to city hall. This
MPS is proud to announce our dedication and celebration of the new
partnership helps create new connections, partnerships and opportunities for
Charles Hackley Middle School on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 5:15 PM -
residents to access local services.
7:30 PM. We would like to thank our community, The Big Red Nation, for
their generous support of our 2020 bonds, which made this 21st Century
At their core, Muskegon neighborhoods create a sense of belonging and aim to
learning environment possible!
reflect a common purpose. Once a month, all 15 associations gather to discuss
Rendering of the new Muskegon Middle School common issues and interact with city officials in the longstanding Neighborhood
Association of Muskegon meeting. Neighborhood associations across the city
are looking to recruit more volunteer members. If you are interested in getting
involved in your neighborhood, reach out now!
Woman painting in Monet Gardens Downtown city mural
muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/ muskegon-mi.civilspace.io/en/projects/
city-managers-office/community- rebranding-the-city-of-muskegon
engagement/annual-report/
ANNUAL REPORT CITY Branding Survey
Interested in how your tax dollars are spent and how projects are A goal of the City Commission is to increase opportunities to
moving along at the city? Head online to read our 2023 annual report. connect with residents. We want to partner with you each day
to build a community where we are all proud to call Muskegon
home. You expect to be provided with city services and place
trust in us that you will be informed of the delivery of these
City Income Tax Information FAQ services. In the past year, it has been apparent that many
residents have not felt a consistent “connection” or “feeling”
Who needs to file taxes with the City of Muskegon
shared by all of our neighbors. As a result, city staff is working to
by April 30 each year?
create a brand.
• Residents, including renters muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/finance-
administrative/income-tax/ The City Commission approved a contract with Kindred
• Part-year residents
Marketing, a City of Muskegon marketing agency, to complete
• Businesses the following items: community input process, written
brand story, development of logo and logo variations, brand
• Individuals who work in the City of Muskegon
guidelines, creation of stationery items, and the campaign
and live outside of the city launch including a campaign video. This is a summary of the
deliverables; you can read the full request for proposals online.
What percentage is taxed?
Since October 2023, Kindred and the city have been
• 1% of taxable income for residents (including renters), part-year
undergoing public engagement to get input from residents
residents, and businesses
on our new brand. The survey inside the newsletter is another
• 1/2% of in City wages for individuals who work in the City of attempt to learn your “feelings” and get connected to more
Muskegon and live outside of the city. community members. If you’re interested in getting involved,
contact us at [email protected]. We’re
If your employer does not withhold the city income tax for you, it rolling out the new brand this summer!
is your responsibility to make estimated payments. You can make
payments monthly or quarterly. By making payments you avoid
penalties and interest. Estimated booklets are available for your
convenience. SHORT-TERM RENTAL Updates
Do you have more questions? The City Commission approved updates to the Short-Term Rentals
The Income Tax Department is here to help. (STR) rules at the 3/12/24 commission meeting. The updates
include stricter enforcement for STR properties that violate city
Muskegon City Hall ordinances, increasing the STR registration fee from $250 to $500,
Phone: 231-724-6770 and requiring the new “Good Neighbor Guide” to be posted in
Fax: 231-724-6768 each STR. In addition, the Commission approved a temporary
Email: [email protected] 180-day pause (with a possible additional 180-day extension) on
new STRs in residential zones. Learn more at mkgcity.com/str
proud to be your city commissioners!
Ken Johnson
Mayor
Current term expires 12/31/2025
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca St Clair
Vice Mayor, At-Large Commissioner
Current term expires 12/31/2025
Email: [email protected] Municipal renovation in McLaughlin Neighborhood
michigan.gov/vote
Rachel Gorman 2024 Election Dates
At-Large Commissioner • Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Special Election
Current term expires 12/31/2025
• Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Primary Election
Email: [email protected]
• Tuesday, November 5, 2024, General Election
Jay kilgo
Ward 1 Commissioner Visit Michigan.gov/vote
Current term expires 12/31/2027 to learn more about
Email: [email protected]
• Your Voter Information
• Voting from Home
Willie German, Jr • Registering to Vote
Ward 2 Commissioner
Current term expires 12/31/2027 • Voting in Person
Email: [email protected] • Your Polling Place
• Accessible Voting
• Early Voting
Destinee Keener
Ward 3 Commissioner
Current term expires 12/31/2027
Email: [email protected] Finding your City Representatives
Do you know who represents you at Muskegon City Hall?
Check out the new tool to look up your representatives
Katrina Kochin on the City Commission website and how to contact them.
Ward 4 Commissioner mkgcity.com/
electedofficials
Current term expires 12/31/2027
Email: [email protected]
CONTACT CITY HALL
THE CITY OFFICE HOURS:
Muskegon City Hall Monday – Thursday:
933 Terrace St, 8:00am – 5:30pm
Muskegon, MI 49440 Friday, Saturday,
mkgcity.com/home (231) 724-6705 Sunday: Closed