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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 28, 2014
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, October 28, 2014.
Mayor Gawron opened the meeting with prayer from Vice Mayor Spataro 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 Willie German, Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, Byron Turnquist, Ken
Johnson, and Eric Hood, City Manager Franklin Peterson, City Attorney John
Schrier, and City Clerk Ann Marie Cummings.
2014-82 CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of Minutes. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To approve minutes of the October 13th Commission
Worksession Meeting, and the October 14th City Commission Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the minutes.
B. Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Tank #2 Repairs. PUBLIC WORKS
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Tri-Clor
Inc. for fiberglass repairs to Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Tank #2.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $8,750.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends acceptance of bid from Tri-Clor
Inc. for $8,750.
C. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. PLANNING & ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
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SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Staff initiated request to amend the zoning ordinance
to allow medical marihuana dispensaries in B-2 (Convenience and Comparison
Business), B-3 (Central Business), B-4 (General Business), B-5 (Governmental
Business), MC (Medical Care), I-1 (Light Industrial) and I-2 (General Industrial)
districts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the zoning ordinance amendment.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission recommended
approval of the request at their October 16th meeting.
G. Community Relations Committee Recommendation for Reinstatement
of the Equal Opportunity Committee. CITY CLERK
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: To concur with the recommendation from the
Community Relations Committee regarding the reinstatement of the Equal
Opportunity Committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Approve the recommendation of the
Community Relations Committee for the reinstatement of the Equal Opportunity
Committee.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner German to
approve the Consent Agenda as read minus Items D, E, and F.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Rinsema-Sybenga, Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron, Hood,
Spataro, and German
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
2014-83 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA:
D. Consulting Services with Michigan Municipal League. AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION & RISK MANAGEMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Approval to utilize the Michigan Municipal League’s
Consulting Services in the development of comprehensive job descriptions for
City staff positions.
The scope of the work included in the packet outlines the process the league
will undergo to perform the updates to all the currently budgeted job
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descriptions. Many of the job descriptions at the City have not been updated
since the late 1980’s to the mid 1990’s. We have recognized difficulties with
attempts to recruit employees utilizing outdated industry language, and the
updates are needed across the board for all position descriptions. The
descriptions will comprise all the necessary elements utilizing ADA compliant
language for inclusion in each job description.
The project would begin in January 2015, and would be completed within three
months.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Using an estimate of 55 positions, the total not-to-exceed
professional fee would be $13,750. This rate includes two on-site visits to conduct
employee orientation sessions and employee interviews. Travel related
expenses will be held to a minimum and billed at actual cost, and additional
visits will be billed at $750 per visit plus the actual cost of travel.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: Amend the 2014/2015 FY budget to include $15,000
as an expense under Civil Service. This budget item will be reflected in the 1st
Quarter Reforecast to the 2014/2015 Fiscal Year Budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends and requests approval to utilize
the Michigan Municipal League’s Consulting Services in the development of
comprehensive position descriptions for City staff, and amend the 2014/2015 FY
budget to include the expense under Civil Service, and authorize the Mayor and
Clerk to sign the agreement.
Motion by Vice Mayor Spataro, second by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga to
qpprove to utilize the Michigan Municipal League’s Consulting Services in the
development of comprehensive position descriptions for City staff, and amend
the 2014/2015 FY budget to include the expense under Civil Service, and
authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the agreement.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Turnquist, Johnson, Gawron, Hood, Spataro, German, and
Rinsema-Sybenga
Nays: None
MOTION PASSES
E. Ground Lease and Option to Purchase for Nims Neighborhood Park
Playground. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: On March 5, 2014, the City Commission approved the
“Participation Agreement” with Nims Neighborhood, Muskegon Public Schools
and the City of Muskegon for the Nims Neighborhood Park Playground. After
several months of planning, fundraising, grant writing and negotiations, Nims
Neighborhood and City staff have agreed on the “Ground Lease and Option to
Purchase” for the property at the corner of Southern and Davis. The Nims
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Neighborhood president has signed the document. The Neighborhood has
raised over $25,000 for playground equipment, which is expected to be ordered
early next year and installed in the spring of 2015. The Neighborhood continues
to fundraise and write grants for additional improvements in the future.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Minor costs for water service and tap fees.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the “Ground Lease and Option to
Purchase” and authorize the Vice-Mayor and City Clerks signatures and to
authorize the purchase of the designated property (legal description in the
“Lease” agreement) by the City of Muskegon staff from Muskegon Public
Schools.
Motion by Vice Mayor Spataro, Second by Commissioner German to approve
the “Ground Lease and Option to Purchase” and authorize the Vice-Mayor and
City Clerks signatures and to authorize the purchase of the designated property
by the City of Muskegon staff from Muskegon Public Schools.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gawron, Hood, Spataro, German, Rinsema-Sybenga, and
Turnquist
Nays: None
Abstain: Johnson
MOTION PASSES
F. Marketing and Image. CITY MANAGER
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: At its annual Goal Setting Meeting, the City
Commissioners listed improving the City’s image as a top priority. Staff has been
working on image-related activities including signage, marketing strategies, and
partnering with other agencies on this endeavor. The City currently does not
have funds budgeted for Marketing and Image and is requesting that $20,000
be added to the Public Relations budget to fund marketing and image related
activities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: To add $20,000 to the Public Relations Fund.
BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval.
Motion by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga, second by Commissioner Hood to
recommend approval that $20,000 be added to the Public Relations Fund.
ROLL VOTE: Ayes: Gawron, Hood, Spataro, German, Rinsema-Sybenga,
Turnquist, and Johnson
Nays: None
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MOTION PASSES
2014-84 NEW BUSINESS: Urban farming was discussed. This will be discussed
further at the December 8th Worksession Meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Public comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Commission Meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Marie Cummings, MMC
City Clerk
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