[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6484835,"mediaKeyId","5561693-0382374bcfcc699056092bcb523ae595","parentId",5561693,"title","Commission debates last‑minute advisory ballot question on Mart Dock and Fisherman's Landing redevelopment","audioSeconds",2010,"startMs",2454000,"endMs",4464000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561693-0382374bcfcc699056092bcb523ae595&start=2454&end=4464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561693-0382374bcfcc699056092bcb523ae595/thumbnail_2454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484835/Muskegon-City/Muskegon-County/Michigan/Commission-debates-lastminute-advisory-ballot-question-on-Mart-Dock-and-Fishermans-Landing-redevelopment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484835-5d938eda1bb5574d2ae9549c6b18c931/orig.mp4?Expires=1775243970&Signature=EnyOrprHpIwpKfBJwe2t8G6CEFbhlmPvOxIpm6JmJsU6jdZ46ep~p59aWMqytCQAFYVu1uUe~5zK5SQhM8KVKNiKfO69HOn3swbwXyZ4VpukG1dP-ojstHlbLjasfm6cAHBxPalCQq2NEKum15o8FwhvGPPgYq0nkeO3AM-3gA2jBeaDCvpOmmTnY90TyQ51AvXXNV8GnP1gLFVqrGKlFJPetCFDcT79OkEckJsZz1UPQ1xrj5m6iTVdyXQHX-pkkaoxSHjLdjFHMhqPIlvylMTVvQQaPtHCpBWmEmvBaBhYllLLAA33tHgkO28QIU5uSsM0Hw4r4jXwLR1bbjWuIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Muskegon, Michigan","date","2025-08-12T10:57:57Z","article","Muskegon City commissioners on Monday considered whether to add an advisory question to the November ballot asking residents whether they approve the city pursuing a specific redevelopment plan for Mart Dock and Fisherman's Landing.

Mayor [name not specified] said staff drafted advisory language but the clerk informed the commission that the deadline for submitting approved ballot language is the following day. The mayor read the current draft aloud: \"Do you approve or disapprove of the city of Muskegon proposal, subject to commission approval, to acquire and convert no less than 900 feet of the Mart Dock into publicly accessible waterfront, permanently close the Fisherman's Landing gated campground; if grants obtained relocate Mart Dock port functions to Fisherman's Landing and acquire/develop property to the north of Fisherman's Landing into a 25‑acre waterfront public park and to acquire/integrate 32 acres with Fisherman's Landing port function?\" The draft also states public access to Muskegon Lake would increase from 2,380 feet to 4,900 feet.

City Manager Jonathan raised three reservations about putting the advisory question on the ballot now: the proposal is complex and difficult to communicate in brief ballot language; an advisory vote could box city negotiators into positions during ongoing talks; and using advisory ballots could set an undesirable precedent for handling difficult local decisions. \"I have three major reservations,\" he said, including concern that a vote \"could box city staff in a little bit on the negotiations.\"

Commissioners were split. Vice Mayor Sinclair and Commissioner Cotin (spelling as in transcript) said they saw value in asking residents for an advisory opinion after many years of discussion and said the community’s views would be useful to elected officials. Several other commissioners, including Commissioner Kilgore and Commissioner Kilgill, said the notice was too short and that they preferred to see a complete negotiated agreement presented to the commission and public before asking voters.

Several commissioners noted a practical risk raised at the meeting: if the advisory question were approved and the developer later substantially changed terms before an agreement was finalized, the ballot result could reflect a different deal than the one eventually negotiated. Commissioner Kochan asked whether a question could remain on the ballot if the developer had not completed a final plan; staff confirmed that the advisory question would remain on the ballot even if a final agreement were not yet in hand.

No motion or vote occurred. The mayor and several commissioners urged civility and respectful public engagement as the city moves forward. City staff said they would continue working with the developer (referred to in discussion as Mart Dock/Martdoc) on agreement details and encouraged further public review if the commission directs placement of an advisory question at a later date.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08/11/25 City Of Muskegon Commissioners Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed whether to place an advisory question on the November ballot about a proposed Mart Dock/Fisherman's Landing redevelopment that would convert waterfront, close a campground and expand public access; staff urged caution about short notice and potential negotiation impacts and no vote was taken.","taxTitle","Muskegon City, Muskegon County, Michigan","taxId",5738,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6484840,"Muskegon commissioners weigh smaller regional transit authority as neighbors opt out",2208,245000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561693-0382374bcfcc699056092bcb523ae595&start=245&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561693-0382374bcfcc699056092bcb523ae595/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6484840/Muskegon-City/Muskegon-County/Michigan/Muskegon-commissioners-weigh-smaller-regional-transit-authority-as-neighbors-opt-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484840-2fd6fd069c458c76ebfdf45debbea0a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775243970&Signature=Fyb-HAfYkr9w9jMfPDFycru6k3dMPAtJHhx-CRmkwOOCUMb2gQxDddlYtOwtp1TOrL-ba9Z-qme3suUbAv0kJX-R~cI9yG9ue944MCFVf3FWvX680FR4r8ow9UhjaKUl2VgfChNq7u8agw6YXfne-5mG~xFSgGM7NuXM4rbHk6IdcXavOusa4LTE9Cv2k2eD1mCRQMqZSuC1rhl57eFSADjYBcZqJxdWBSlW5J7Ry9CPt5oMQZo3Ln9UeNKLi9wcvI-oNf~MledFTuxmKC91wlqmTWeDWZwYTEeuVaxy1qAoXxpo1PuIumI6NXy98DOubFwhpWIvBMDwe~aq8gVrDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy City Manager Leanne updated the Muskegon City Commission on Monday on ongoing work to form a Regional Transit Authority after several neighboring communities signaled they would not join the full proposed district.

Leanne said the city approved articles of incorporation last October to join a regional authority and that Roosevelt Park and Norton Shores have since hesitated; Norton Shores did not take a vote. She said the current discussion is whether to form the authority with fewer members — potentially only Muskegon City and Muskegon Heights — and asked the commission for feedback.

The discussion matters because an authority could be granted taxing power and levy a millage across its jurisdiction to fund operations, Leanne said. \"One of the reasons for going forward with an authority is that it gives us the power to, put forth to have taxing authority. So, one of the goals would be that we would have a millage,\" she said. She emphasized that any millage would apply only inside the authority’s jurisdiction and that the authority could also contract with nonmembers for service.

Muskegon County Administrator Mark Isomark told commissioners the county supports working with the cities if they choose to move forward and would assist with legal and administrative setup. Jim, a representative of the Muskegon Area Transit System, described the change as primarily a governance shift: \"The point of it is it becomes a governance change to where there's a different group making decisions about transportation or public transportation in the community,\" he said.

Commissioners pressed staff on what would change immediately and who would bear costs. Leanne said immediate service would not change; changes would follow once an authority adopted bylaws, budgets and service plans. She and others said forming an authority would allow the group to consider a millage to provide the local match for federal funds that the region currently lacks.

Commissioners raised equity and fairness concerns about a two-city authority. Commissioner Keoghel asked whether a millage for an authority of just Muskegon and Muskegon Heights would fall solely on those cities' residents; staff said that is the likely outcome because taxing power cannot extend beyond the authority boundary. Commission members noted both cities already carry relatively high millage rates and that many destinations served by transit — grocery stores, employers and services — lie outside the two cities’ borders.

On operational details, staff and transit representatives said:
- Members of an authority would likely receive a different (lower) rate for service than municipalities that contract for service outside the authority.
- An authority could include fixed-route service that runs beyond its boundary; routes are negotiated and subject to public hearings.
- Federal and state rules require complementary paratransit service within three-quarters of a mile of fixed routes.

Several commissioners, including Mayor [name not specified] and Commissioner Kilgore, said they lean toward maintaining the current county-run model and negotiating clearer, multiyear contracts rather than creating a smaller authority now. \"We can't force the unwilling to participate,\" the mayor said, adding that the city’s staff and county staff could use their time more productively pursuing other improvements if only a small coalition forms.

No formal motion or vote occurred. County staff said they would take the commission’s feedback back to the county board and explore alternative options, including renewed interlocal contracts if an authority is not formed.

Proponents and staff emphasized ongoing options to contract with commercial property owners or other funders to help underwrite specific routes, and they noted that the governance choice would shift who makes decisions about routes and budgets.

The commission did not adopt any formal change to the city’s participation at the meeting; staff will relay the commission’s concerns to the county and return with options.

","City commissioners heard an update on talks to form a Regional Transit Authority after some neighboring municipalities declined to join; staff said a smaller authority could still contract with nonmembers but a millage would only tax residents inside the authority’s boundaries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission debates last‑minute advisory ballot question on Mart Dock and Fisherman's Landing redevelopment

Muskegon commissioners weigh smaller regional transit authority as neighbors opt out