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MINUTES
CITY OF MUSKEGON
157 QUARTER, LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
5:30 p.m.; City Commission Chamber
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Carter, Clara Shepherd, Steve Warmington, Steve Gawron,
Kevin Davis, Sue Wieringo, and Larry Spataro
STAFF PRESENT: Tony Kleibecker, Bryon Mazade, and Lee Slaughter
1. Call to Order at 5:33 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes for July 26, 2006 -- Moved by Commissioner Spataro and seconded by
Commissioner Davis. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Set dates and times for 2007 — Moved by Commissioner Spataro and seconded by
Commissioner Shepherd to keep existing quarterly meetings on the 4" Wednesday in
January, April, July and October; or meet as needed; and meet in the City Commission
Chamber.
4. Old Business
Updates:
A. Labor Relations Report - Commissioner Spataro thanked staff for the report.
B. Disciplinary Report - Commissioner Spataro thanked staff for the report
C. Liquor Licensing Procedures - Mayor Warmington indicated that the process of
approving Liquor License Transfer should require the new License holder to take a
class on serving alcohol. It was the consensus of “the Committee” that the Police Chief
should strongly encourage training.
D. Pitbulls — stricter enforcement of ordinance or ban pitbulls from the City —
Commissioner Shepherd reported that a lady had recently been attacked by a pitbull and
she was aware of other incidences involving animals attacking people. Public Safety
Director reported that the ordinance was being enforced. Commissioner Davis
commented that enforcement of too many of our ordinances is complaint driven.
Commissioner Spataro suggested that there may be a need to further educate the public
about dangerous animals. Kleibecker acknowledged that further public education was
needed and he committed to getting the word out through Neighborhood Associations.
The Mayor requested that Ann Becker (City Public Relations specialists) visits the lady
that was attacked by a pitbull. Vice Mayor Gawron also suggested that an article be
done in the City’s Channel Newsletter regarding the City’s dangerous animal ordinance.
New Landscaping with Beach Sand and Beach Grass (should it be permitted) and
maintenance of grass/ground cover. This item was tabled pending the Planning
Commission action.
Update on Building Code Enforcement — Commissioner Larry Spataro
1) Total number of buildings on the Dangerous Building List for 01/01/06 through
12/31/06
2) Total number of buildings demolished with address and date of demolition of each
for 01/01/06 through 12/31/06
3) Total number of buildings removed from Dangerous Building List because they
were repaired with addresses and date of removal for each for 01/31/06 through
12/31/06.
Reports on each of the three areas were provided in the Agenda Packet. As a follow-up,
Commissioner Spataro asked if the number of fires had reduced or increased as a result
of rigorous enforcement of demolition of Dangerous Buildings; and Kleibecker said that
fires had drastically declined.
5. New Business
A. Request for Rev. Kirksey’s name to be added to the Yuba Street sign in Jackson Hill
Neighborhood per discussion at 01/08/07 work session - Commissioner Shepherd
suggested Sumner Street instead of Yuba Street, since Sumner does not have as many
houses on the block. Mrs. Kirksey explained that she would like her husband’s name
ADDED to the street sign and not necessarily to change the street sign to “Kirksey’s”
Street. Mazade reported that Sumner was considered as an alternative street to be
renamed and he has concerns about potential inconvenience to residents on Sumner
although there are fewer than on Yuba. Mayor Warmington asked if the Smith Ryerson
Building could be renamed in honor or recognition of Rev. Kirksey’s work in the
neighborhood. It was decided that the City Manager should meet with Mrs. Kirksey to
explore her request further and determine the best option to pursue.
Update: (This issue was addressed by Assistant City Manager Lee Slaughter and
presented to the Commission and approved by the Commission to rename the Smith-
Ryerson Building to the Ryerson-Kirksey Center. However, the Ryerson family is
being contacted prior to the renaming).
Vacant Property Registration — City Manager, Bryon Mazade provided
Commissioners with information from the City of Wilmington regarding their handling
of vacant buildings. Numerous views were expressed regarding the policy. It was
stated that if the City of Muskegon were to pursue Wilmington’s policy, people would
need to be encouraged to sell their property rather than just sit on it in anticipation of it
being developed. Commissioner Carter said there should be verification that the
property was not on the dangerous building list. Commissioner Spataro said “Vacant
Building” would have to be defined. Mayor Warmington said the policy would have to
provide for whether the property is being actively sold or up for sale.
Other Business
Adjournment: It was moved by Commissioner Wierengo and seconded by Commissioner
Carter to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at
6:48 p.m.
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