View the PDF version Google Docs PDF Viewer View the Video
City of Muskegon
City Commission Meeting
Minutes
February 28, 2023, 5:00 pm
Muskegon City Hall
933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson
Commissioner Rachel Gorman
Commissioner Rebecca St.Clair
Commissioner Eric Hood
Vice Mayor Willie German, Jr.
Commissioner Michael Ramsey
Commissioner Teresa Emory
Staff Present: City Manager Jonathan Seyferth
City Clerk Ann Meisch
City Attorney John Schrier
Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Young
1. Call To Order
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Prayer
Vice Mayor German opened the meeting with a prayer.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Commission and public recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. Roll Call
As recorded above
5. Honors, Awards, and Presentations
5.a Introduce New Staff - Department of Public Works
1
Dan VanderHeide, Director of Public Works, introduced Kyle Karczewski -
our new Parks & Recreation Director.
5.b Ken James from Muskegon Community College
To present to the City Commission on the work that has been done to
advance DEI at MCC and in our community.
Ken James, Chief Diversity Officer with Muskegon Community College
was in attendance to provide an update to the City Commission regarding
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and opportunities that are offered
by his Department.
5.c Fair Housing Settlement Update - Community and Neighborhood
Services
Presenting Update on Fair Housing of West Michigan settlement with
Fannie Mae.
Sharonda Carson, Community and Neighborhood Services Director,
provided an update on the Fair Housing Settlement.
6. Public Comment on Agenda Items
No public comments were received.
7. Consent Agenda
Action No. 2023-36
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner Hood
To accept the consent agenda as presented, minus item B.
Ayes: (7): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner St.Clair,
Commissioner Hood, Vice Mayor German, Commissioner Ramsey, and
Commissioner Emory
MOTION PASSES (7 to 0)
7.a Approval of Minutes - City Clerk
To approve the corrected September 13, 2022 minutes and the January
24, 2023 Regular meeting minutes.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the minutes.
2
7.c Landscaping Contract - Department of Public Works
Staff requests award of a three-year landscaping services contract to
Barry’s Greenhouses in the amount of $111,185 (first year) for service
areas including downtown, City Hall, the Farmers Market, and others.
Staff has worked with the Downtown BID, DDA, Chamber and other
stakeholders to develop a landscaping contract that covers a wide array of
landscaping services currently provided through the City Parks
Department. There is a desire among the stakeholders to improve the
level of service being provided, and a desire among city staff to free up
staffing resources to improve service in other areas of the city parks. The
RFP was presented to the Commission at the November 7, 2022
combined work session and regular meeting, and the results were
discussed with the Commission at the Work Session Meeting on February
13, 2023.
The contract proposes eight (8) areas identified on the included map, with
each area having a distinct scope of work and a proposed assigned cost
share, as a 3-year contract with optional extensions for a 4th and 5th year.
The original RFP included work in the Lakeside area, but those
businesses have decided not to participate at this time.
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County (CFFMC, via a
generous donor, is participating in this contract by contributing the full
amount for the continuation of services at Hackley Park in the amount of
$36,500 (for the first year).
The DDA and Downtown BID discussed their future in a joint meeting on
February 14, 2023. The Downtown BID is expiring at the end of 2023, so
the organizations have decided to jointly fund their share going forward
(the BID in year one, and the DDA in the following years). The City will
manage the contract on behalf of the BID and DDA and invoice for their
portions ($38,925 in the first year).
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $27,840 Parks/General and $7,920 Farmers
Market
AMOUNT BUDGETED: $0 FY23 and As Needed FY24
FUND OR ACCOUNT: 101-770 (Parks) and 101-808 (Farmers Mkt)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To authorize staff to enter into a three-year
contract with Barry's Greenhouses for landscaping services in various
parts of the City for a first-year contract total of $111,185.
3
7.d Sale of 769 Catawba - Community and Neighborhood Services
Seeking authorization to sell 769 Catawba to a qualified buyer. The CNS
Department utilized HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to
rehabilitate a home at 769 Catawba to sell through our Homebuyer
Program. Renovations are completed, and a qualified buyer, Jacob
Insinga, has put in an offer of $134,000 with a $14,000 subsidy, which
CNS has accepted. Income from this sale will be reinvested in our
programming.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the resolution for the sale of 769
Catawba to Jacob Idsigna and authorize the City Clerk to sign it.
7.e Relocation Plan - Community & Neighborhood Services
As an entitlement community that receives CDBG and HOME funds from
the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we are
required to have a written Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation
Assistance Plan (RARAP). This plan has been reviewed and approved by
the regional relocation expert for HUD, Maureen Thurman on February 13,
2023. The standards set forth in this plan minimizes and prevents
unnecessary displacement of people within our community for CDBG and
HOME funded projects.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the resolution for the approval of the
Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan (RARAP).
7.f 1194 Pine Lease Agreement
Staff is seeking commission approval to adopt lease agreement for 1194
Pine St. Unit B. Tenant living at 1194 Pine Unit B is subject to protection
from displacement under the Residential Anti-displacement and
Relocation Assistance Plan. The Plan was executed by way of the
Uniform Rental Assistance (URA) Act of 1070 to avoid unnecessary
displacement triggered by acquisition or demolition of properties
purchased utilizing CDBG or HOME funds.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To approve the lease agreement for 1194
Pine Street, Unit B.
7.b Financing a Fire Pumper Truck - Finance
At this time, we are seeking authorization to enter into a lease agreement
with Huntington Bank for the purchase of a Fire Pumper Truck. At the
August 10, 2021 City Commission meeting the Commission voted to
4
purchase two Fire Trucks. The first truck has already been financed in
2021. By the beginning of March 2023, the second Fire Pumper Truck will
be ready to purchase for $761,602.65. At this time, we are seeking
authorization to enter into a lease agreement with Huntington Bank. The
proposed terms are for a five-year lease at 4.4% interest rate with the City
purchasing the truck at the end of the lease for $1. There is a one-time
$500.00 processing fee.
AMOUNT BUDGETED: $14,163.97 per month for 60 months
FUND OR ACCOUNT: 101-50336-5700
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To allow staff to enter into a lease
agreement with Huntington Bank for Fire Pumper Truck.
Action No. 2023-37
Motion by: Commissioner St.Clair
Second by: Vice Mayor German
To allow staff to enter into a lease agreement with Huntington Bank for
Fire Pumper Truck.
Ayes: (7): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Vice Mayor German, Commissioner
Ramsey, and Commissioner Emory
MOTION PASSES (7 to 0)
8. Public Hearings
9. Unfinished Business
9.a Housing Board of Appeals, Demolition 835 W. Forest - Public Safety
To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish and
authorize administration to obtain bids for the demolition and that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed to execute a contract for
demolition with the lowest responsible bidder. The Housing Board of
Appeals has deemed 835 W. Forest Avenue to be in property
maintenance violation. Property has been a long-standing area of blight
and public nuisance/hazard.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To concur with the Housing Board of
Appeals decision to demolish and authorize administration to obtain bids
5
for the demolition and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed
to execute a contract for demolition with the lowest responsible bidder.
Action No. 2023-38
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Commissioner Emory
To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish and
authorize administration to obtain bids for the demolition and that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed to execute a contract for
demolition with the lowest responsible bidder.
Amendment:
Motion by: Vice Mayor German
Second by: Commissioner St.Clair
To table this item until the April 11, 2023 General Session.
Ayes: (3): Commissioner St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, and Vice Mayor
German
Nays: (4): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
Ramsey, and Commissioner Emory
MOTION FAILS (3 to 4)
Amendment:
Motion by: Commissioner St.Clair
Second by: Commissioner Hood
To table this item until the March 14, 2023 General Session.
Ayes: (4): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner St.Clair, Commissioner Hood,
and Vice Mayor German
Nays: (3): Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner Ramsey, and
Commissioner Emory
MOTION PASSES (4 to 3)
10. New Business
10.a Housing Board of Appeals, Demolition - 771 McLaughlin Ave & 1984
Reynolds St. - Public Safety
6
To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish and
authorize administration to obtain bids for the demolition and that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed to execute a contract for
demolition with the lowest responsible bidder. Housing Board of Appeals
has deemed 771 McLaughlin Ave and 1984 Reynolds St. to be in property
maintenance violation. Property has been a long-standing area of blight
and public nuisance/hazard.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To concur with the Housing Board of
Appeals decision to demolish and authorize administration to obtain bids
for the demolition and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed
to execute a contract for demolition with the lowest responsible bidder.
Action No. 2023-39
Motion by: Commissioner Ramsey
Second by: Vice Mayor German
To concur with the Housing Board of Appeals decision to demolish and
authorize administration to obtain bids for the demolition and that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed to execute a contract for
demolition with the lowest responsible bidder.
Ayes: (7): Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Gorman, Commissioner
St.Clair, Commissioner Hood, Vice Mayor German, Commissioner
Ramsey, and Commissioner Emory
MOTION PASSES (7 to 0)
11. Any Other Business
Vice Mayor German recognizes that it is Black History month and would like to
pay tribute to several historic black leaders including:
• U.S. House Representative, Joseph Hayne Rainey - the first African
American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. The First to
preside over the House, and the longest-serving Black lawmaker in
Congress during the Reconstruction era.
• Lewis Howard Latimer - an African American inventor and patent
draftsman of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Benjamin O Davis, Sr. - the first Black general in the United States Army.
He led the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and played an essential
role in integrating the U.S. Air Force.
7
• Dr. June Jackson Christmas - Graduate from Vassar College, psychiatrist
specializing in community mental health care and was mental health
commissioner for New York City under three mayors. Her fight against
housing discrimination changed New York City law.
• President Barack Hussein Obama - 44th President of the United States
and the first African American commander-in-chief. He served two terms,
in 2008 and 2012.
Community Engagement Manager, Deborah Sweet announced three open
houses coming up to discuss road projects happening in the City.
12. Public Comment on Non-Agenda items
• Reminder: Individuals who would like to address the City Commission
shall do the following:
• Fill out a request to speak form attached to the agenda or located in the
back of the room.
• Submit the form to the City Clerk.
• Be recognized by the Chair.
• Step forward to the microphone.
• State name and address.
• Limit of 3 minutes to address the Commission
• (Speaker representing a group may be allowed 10 minutes if previously
registered with City Clerk.)
Public comments were received.
13. Closed Session
14. Adjournment
Motion by: Vice Mayor German
Second by: Commissioner St.Clair
To adjourn the City Commission meeting at 7:43 p.m.
MOTION PASSES
8
_________________________
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC - City Clerk
9