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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET
MUSKEGON, MI 49440
Monday, November 9, 2020
5:30 p.m.
MINUTES
2020-81
Present: Mayor Gawron, Vice Mayor Hood (arrived at 5:38 p.m.), Commissioners
Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson, Ramsey, and German
Convention Center Funding and Construction Update – City Manager
Jeff Salowitz, from Construction Simplified, owner’s representative presented
information to the City Commission regarding the impact of mitigating PFAS, the
discovery of an oil well, and the impact of COVID-19 on the Convention Center project
and the impact on the budget for the project. Mr. Salowitz presented options on
potential cost mitigating items showing the maximum savings and the recommended
course of action for each item.
Discussion ensued regarding the potential cost mitigating items listed, funding, and
construction update.
Update to the Lot Sale Policy- Planning
Staff has prepared an updated lot sale policy that outlines procedures and incentives to
direct the use and sale of vacant, city-owned residential properties. Amendments to the
draft policy have been made since discussing at the October Work Session.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Rinsema-Sybenga,
to further amend the Lot Sale Policy to specify that buildable lots sales will need
to be approved by the City Commission and non-buildable lots will be handled
through the Planning Department and that the update to the Lot Sale Policy
should be reflected in the Commission Policy as well.
ROLL VOTE: AYES: Rinsema-Sybenga, Emory, Johnson, Gawron, Hood,
Ramsey, and German.
NAYS: None
MOTION PASSES
This item will be on the Regular City Commission meeting agenda for November 10,
2020 for consideration.
Marihuana Social Equity – Planning
At the November 12 Planning Commission meeting staff will be proposing to allow
microbusinesses, designated consumption establishments, Class A recreational grows
(up to 100 plants), Class B recreational grows (up to 500 plants), Class A medical grows
(up to 500 plants) and temporary marihuana events in B-2, B-4, MC, I-1, and I-2 zoning
districts with the issuance of a special use permit. In order to obtain the special use
permit, the following conditions must be met:
1. The property must not be located within 500 feet of a school.
2. The site plan must demonstrate the removal of blight from the property; including
dilapidated fences signs, light poles, etc.
3. Signage shall be limited to one sign, no larger than 25 square feet and shall not
use the word marihuana/marijuana, cannabis or any other word or phrase which
would depict marihuana/marijuana; nor may pictures of a leaf or leaves, green
cross or any other rendering which would depict marihuana/marijuana be
displayed on a sign or any part of the building.
4. Microbusinesses and designated consumption establishments may only operate
between 8 am to 12 am.
5. Designated consumption establishments licenses may be stacked with the other
license types. However, no other license type may be stacked with each other.
6. The special use permit may be revoked by the Planning Commission if odor
nuisances persist.
Discussion took place regarding the proposed allowances.
Update on Rezoning Mailings - Planning
Staff is proposing to mail out the rezoning notice letters (McLaughlin, Angell, Jackson
Hill neighborhoods) on November 18. The letters will note that anyone who would like to
comment can do so at the December 8 City Commission meeting, where the tabled item
will be addressed again. There are about 2,500 properties that will be noticed, some of
them which have an owner and tenant(s).
Revised Winter Parking Plan – Public Safety
Revise (1) LO09 of the effected city ordinance (92-71), staff received information that
the current ordinance was problematic in our downtown designated area. With the
increase of full-time residents living downtown parking is a premium throughout the day
and night. Staff is proposing a change to the downtown area to accommodate residents
and business patrons that frequent the designated area.
Proposed Change – Downtown designated area – odd/even would be implemented
with the hours 12:00 a.m.to 7:00 a.m. (parking allowed on one side of street that would
align with the calendar/address). This will allow residents and patrons downtown to
utilized parking spots both sides of the street from 7:00 a.m. until 12 Midnight on any
day during the Winter Parking Ban. Currently we allow parking downtown on both sides
of the street, except between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. in which NO parking
was allowed. This proposed revision would allow street parking twenty-four hours per
day, except for a seven-hour period that would allow DPW to complete necessary street
maintenance during the winter months. * See the attachment for LO09 parking
restrictions and downtown area designation*
Review and discuss the proposed change to the Winter Parking Ban restrictions in the
Downtown area. This item will be considered at the November 24, 2020 Regular City
Commission Meeting.
Lakeshore Art Festival Proposal – City Clerk
Because of COVID, the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce will no longer be conducting
the popular Lakeshore Art Festival and has approached the City to see if we are willing
to take it over. Carla Flanders has directed the art festival for many years and is very
knowledgeable about the event. Staff has approached Carla about her willingness to
continue in this role and assist staff with the Lakeshore Art Fair if the Commission
decides it is the direction the City would like to go.
The proposal is a contract from November 16, 2020 through September 1, 20201. Total
cost of the agreement is $29,000 plus 10% of any profit. The agreement is broken down
into 10 monthly payments of $2,900 each. If it is decided the event could not continue
because of COVID, we would not be obligated for future payments. Historically the
event has made money – up to $100,000. 2021 is unknow for obvious reasons but
evaluating the numbers with Carla and being very conservative, the event could break
even or make a small profit in 2021.
The event is a big undertaking and we do not feel we could do it as well without the
expertise of Carla Flanders. If it is the desire of the Commission to take over the
Lakeshore Art Festival, we would ask the Commission to consider building a future
relationship with CMF Marketing & Events to direct the art festival and educate staff on
the ins and outs of the festival.
If Commission decided to move forward with the Art Festival, I would ask the
Commission to approve expenditures not to exceed $175,000 towards expenses
understanding we will be receiving funds from booth spaces, sponsorships, food sales,
etc., that will offset the expenses. Any expenses over $15,000 will be brought to City
Commission for approval.
Commission discussion took place regarding this event and how to move forward with
how it would be administered by the city and if it should fall under our DDA.
Mercy Health Arena Investment Partnership with Lumberjacks – Mercy Health
Arena
In August, the City Commission approved the 4th Amendment to the Lumberjacks
Lease, which would amend Paragraph 14 to provide rent relief to the ream during
COVID-19 by reimbursing their facility improvements earlier than originally planned.
After further discussion with the team’s ownership, they are rescinding this request and
asking that we consider an updated 4th Amendment that would allow for additional
investment in the arena by ownership group. The team proposes that their ownership
would fund the investments now, and be reimbursed by the city over the next several
hockey seasons.
We are proposing an amendment to one section of the lease to accommodate
anticipated reduced capacity at the arena:
Paragraph 14. The parties agree the amount of advanced funds to be
reimbursed by the City to the Lumberjacks is $260,215.35 $381,215.35, which shall be
paid through five seven annual offsets of $52,343.07 against Base Rent owed by the
Lumberjacks to the City during the First Option Period (i.e. years 3 through 7) under this
Agreement. The annual offsets shall be applied to the first rents coming due to the City
during each year of the First Option Period, as follows: 2020-21 Season: $54,459;
2021-22 Season $54,459; 2022-23 Season; $54,459; 2023-24 Season; $54,459;
2024-25 Season; $54,459, 2025-26 Season; $54,459 2026-27 Season; $54,461
Detailed Improvement Summary. Most of these items are either missing from the arena
today or nearing end-of life:
• Cabling for internet and phone service is not up to today’s standard. Upgrading
the wiring and adding free WIFI hotspot areas for visitors will help year-round
with internet access downtown. Estimate total cost: $50,000.
• The main concession area has a number of necessary pieces of equipment that
are also failing or beyond normal life expectancy – specifically the commercial ice
maker and the walk-in cooler both need to be replaced or refurbished. Our food
options are significantly limited without access to a commercial hood. Estimated
total cost: $55,000
• Finally, there are approximately $13,000 in upfront expenses to kick off our
efforts to host more hockey tournaments and showcases.
Discussion took place regarding the proposed amendment to the Lumberjacks Lease
Agreement. This item will be considered at the November 10, 2020 Regular City
Commission meeting.
Adjournment: The City Commission Worksession adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC – City Clerk