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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITIZENS DISTRICT COUNCIL
MEETING
March 3, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
CITY OF MUSKEGON, ROOM 103
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
P. Denny called the meeting to order at 5:49 and roll was taken.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Perry Dennie, Jean Weirich, Jen Sanocki, Margie Kelley
MEMBERS ABSENT:
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Katrina Kochin
STAFF PRESENT: Sharonda Carson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approve 1/6/26 minutes Community & Neighborhood Services
A motion to Approve 1/6/26 minutes was made by J. Sanocki, supported by J. Weirich, and all in favor.
PUBLIC COMMENT
OLD BUSINESS
A. Consolidated Plan (5 Year Plan) Update Community & Neighborhood
Services
Consolidated Plan Update
Staff provided an update on the regional Consolidated Plan, which includes:
• City of Muskegon
• Muskegon Heights
• Norton Shores
Key Points
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• The Consolidated Plan is a regional plan combining all three communities.
• The combined population of the three communities is what allows eligibility for certain HUD funding.
• All three communities receive CDBG funds.
• The City of Muskegon is the only one of the three communities receiving HOME funds.
Survey Update
• The public survey has been available for nearly two weeks.
• Approximately 159 responses have been received so far.
• Survey responses can be sorted by individual community, allowing staff to identify specific concerns and priorities for
each area.
• Staff noted the City’s communications team did an excellent job preparing and distributing the survey.
• A flyer with a QR code has also been created and can be shared to encourage more responses.
Timeline
• Survey open until April 9
• Draft Consolidated Plan expected in April
• Plan to be presented at the April 14 Commission Meeting
• A required public hearing will be held at that meeting
• A 30-day public comment period will follow
• Final plan is due to HUD by May 14
Discussion
Members asked clarifying questions regarding:
• Why only Muskegon receives HOME funds
• The difference between HOME and CDBG
• Whether the public hearing is a physical in-person meeting
• The role of census/population thresholds in funding eligibility
Staff explained:
• HOME funds are primarily used for rehab and resale housing projects
• CDBG funds are used for:
o emergency home repair
o public facilities
o parks
o streets
o public service agencies
o other eligible community development activities
B. 2026 Meeting Schedule Community & Neighborhood Services
The 2026 Meeting Schedule was left out of the packet and will be emailed to members
NEW BUSINESS
No New Business to Report
STAFF REPORT
A. CNS Staff Update Community & Neighborhood Services
A. Home Repair Program Update
Staff presented a side-by-side comparison of program expenditures and activity.
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Financial / Activity Highlights
• 2024: approximately $2 million spent
• 2025 to date: approximately $620,000 spent
Program Highlights
• The program continues to maintain approximately 60–70% completion rates, with the remainder of cases in progress.
• Monthly completion goal is 10 homes per month.
• Staff reported they have generally met or exceeded this target.
Winter Emergency Repairs
Staff reported an increase in furnace failures during the winter.
• Approximately 10 furnace-related cases occurred during January and February.
• DTE-related funding only provided:
o 2 furnace allocations
o 1 water heater allocation
• Due to limited outside allocations, the department has used Senior Millage funds to assist eligible residents.
A specific emergency case was described in which staff coordinated after-hours support for a resident in a mobile home whose
furnace failed during extreme cold.
B. Healthy Homes Program Update
Staff provided an update on the Healthy Homes grant program.
Program Overview
• Healthy Homes is a separate grant-funded program.
• It focuses on households with:
o young children (under age 5)
o seniors, who receive priority
Activity
• More than 300 applications were received when the grant opened.
• Nearly 200 families have been served over the past 3 years.
• Staff reported many success stories and noted only a small number of cases could not be fully resolved.
Eligible Repairs / Improvements
Healthy Homes funding has supported:
• windows
• sewer repairs
• bathroom remodels for accessibility
• widened doorways
• lead hazard work
• plumbing
• electrical
• asbestos-related work
• mold remediation
• foundation repairs
Funding
• Total Healthy Homes funding was approximately $1.5 million
• About $1,800 remains from the current cycle
Program Improvements
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For the new cycle beginning in April, staff have improved internal processes, including:
• use of a spec writer
• more detailed repair scopes
• better coordination between lead hazard work and general contractor work
• streamlined intake using one unified application instead of multiple applications
Eligibility
• Households must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
Discussion
Members asked questions about:
• repeat use of the program,
• lien periods,
• how emergencies are determined,
• and whether homeowners could use the program simply to remodel homes.
Staff explained:
• repairs are based on need and health/safety, not cosmetic improvement,
• properties are assessed by staff and professionals,
• lien periods apply depending on funding source,
• repeat service is limited,
• and the department must avoid over-investing in properties in a way that is not sustainable or equitable.
C. HOME-ARP Rental Housing Project
Staff reported progress on a new rental housing development project funded with HOME-ARP dollars.
Project Highlights
• A contractor has been selected.
• Original goal: 6 rental units
• Revised estimate: 12 to 16 units
• Most units are expected in the Angel neighborhood area
• Construction has already begun at some locations
Housing Types
Potential unit types include:
• duplexes
• triplexes
• accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
Accessibility / Affordability
Staff stated the units are intended to be:
• affordable to households at or below 80% AMI
• designed to be as ADA-compliant / accessible as possible
Discussion
Members discussed the need for:
• small housing units,
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• efficiencies,
• affordable housing for single adults,
• and broader housing options for responsible low-income residents.
D. HOME Rehab / For-Sale Housing Update
Staff provided an update on a HOME-funded rehab home located on Wood Street.
Status
• House is approximately 98% complete
• Open house planned for late March
• Home will soon be appraised and listed for sale
Property Features
• 4 bedrooms
• 2 full bathrooms
• basement
• open-concept kitchen / dining area
Eligibility
• Intended for households at or below 80% AMI
• Staff noted the appraisal may come in high, so creative strategies may be needed to keep the home affordable for
an eligible buyer
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Member Comments / General Discussion
Members expressed appreciation for:
• the amount of development underway,
• emergency response work for vulnerable residents,
• and the value of hearing more detailed updates about housing and neighborhood programs.
Staff encouraged members to continue sharing information with the public and to attend future open houses or public hearings.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:33pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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