Commission approves Amity Street work, food-vendor setback, asbestos abatement and banner policy

The Muskegon City Commission on April 22 approved several operational items: a contract to rebuild a remaining segment of Amity Street adjacent to an MDOT bridge project, a change to the special-events policy that prevents food vendors from being placed within 20 feet of a restaurant entrance or service window during events, an asbestos abatement change order for a partially deconstructed building at 880 First Street, and a formalized poll/banner policy to set fees and an application process for banners on city poles.

Amity Street reconstruction: The commission authorized staff to contract with Alon Corporation for $141,863.92 to reconstruct a short section of Amity Street that will remain after nearby bridge work. Dan Vanderheide, the city’s director of public works, said MDOT could not include the small section in the bridge contract because of funding constraints and that hiring the same contractor avoids separate mobilization. Vanderheide also said the city expects to replace additional lead service lines and fix drainage as part of the work.

Food-vendor setback at events: Commissioners added an amendment to the special-event policy to “not allow food vendors to be placed within 20 feet of a restaurant's entrance door or service window.” Jackie Ernie, superintendent in the Department of Public Works, explained event organizers submit site maps as part of their special-event applications and that “there's still ample areas where food vendors could be placed with this type of language.” The change grew out of complaints from downtown brick-and-mortar restaurants that mobile vendors sometimes set up directly in front of permanent service windows during events; some commissioners, and one speaker who identified as a food-truck operator, urged balancing the needs of both food trucks and established restaurants.

880 First Street asbestos abatement change order: The commission approved a $53,562 asbestos-abatement proposal from Asbestos Abatement Incorporated for the partially deconstructed building at 880 First Street. Director of Development Services Jake Eckholm said an initial asbestos survey returned a lower price, but additional concealed roofing materials with asbestos were discovered once work began and required targeted sampling and abatement. Eckholm said the materials were limited to the perimeter of the roofing system and that, once abated, the city expects deconstruction to progress over the next four to six weeks, followed by backfill and temporary pocket-park improvements.

Poll/banner policy: The commission approved a formal banner policy and application process to regulate pole banners downtown and in Lakeside; staff said the change formalizes a fee and application that staff believe has not been consistently charged in recent years and will standardize the current practice of allowing educational institutions and events to hang banners.

Votes and motions (summary) - Amity Street contract (Alon Corporation, $141,863.92): Motion by Commissioner Kilgo, supported by Vice Mayor St. Clair; approved by roll call. - Special-event food vendor setback (20-foot rule): Motion by Commissioner Cochin, supported by Commissioner Gorman; approved by roll call. - Asbestos change order (880 First Street, $53,562): Motion by Vice Mayor St. Clair, supported by Commissioner Kochen; approved by roll call. - Poll/banner policy: Motion by Commissioner Kilgo, supported by Vice Mayor St. Clair; approved by roll call.

What commissioners asked for next - Public-safety and logistics: Commissioners asked staff to ensure event site maps and fire-marshal requirements continue to guide vendor placement and to consider designated food-truck areas (food-truck alleys) and seating for event patrons. - Schedule for demolition: On the 880 First Street site, staff said demolition and site reclamation will continue into late spring and early summer; the city will backfill and seed a pocket park while pursuing a long-term use.

Ending: The package of operational items passed by majority vote. Several commissioners asked staff to continue refining event-vendor placement procedures and to coordinate signage and enforcement for the new banner policy.