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Votes at a glance: redevelopment, wage changes, JAG MOU, property actions approved
Summary
The Muskegon City Commission approved a redevelopment district and commercial facilities exemption for 356 W. Western Ave., adopted a 2026 wage matrix for part‑time employees, approved a 2024 JAG memorandum of understanding (with one abstention), revoked an OPRA certificate, amended a development agreement, and approved sale of a city lot.
At its Jan. 13 meeting the City of Muskegon City Commission approved a series of motions on redevelopment, personnel pay, grants and property actions. Key outcomes and motions are summarized below.
Establishment of redevelopment district — 356 W. Western Ave. (Century Club) Motion: Close public hearing and approve establishment of the commercial redevelopment district for 356 W. Western Ave.; authorize mayor and clerk to sign the attached resolution. Result: Approved by roll call (yes: Saint Clair, Mayor Johnson, Kilgo, Vice Mayor Keener, German, Jackson, Kochan).
Commercial facilities exemption certificate — 356 W. Western Ave. Motion: Approve a four‑year commercial facilities exemption certificate for King Real Estate Holdings LLC and authorize mayor and clerk to sign. Result: Approved by roll call (unanimous). The internal tax committee recommended a four‑year term based on the city's rubric.
2026 wage matrix for non‑union, part‑time and limited‑term employees (consent item c) Motion: Adopt the 2026 wage matrix updates. Result: Approved by roll call. Staff said some increases were applied as flat dollar adjustments tied to minimum wage changes rather than uniform percentages; sick‑time rules apply to part‑time employees as required by recent law.
2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) memorandum of understanding (consent item d) Motion: Approve the JAG MOU and authorize the mayor to sign to receive grant funds for program administration and legal processing support. Result: Approved by roll call. Commissioner Kilgore recorded an abstention while requesting additional details about how grant funds are used; staff committed to provide a fuller report.
Revocation of OPRA exemption — 1937 Lakeshore Drive (Gezi Investments LLC) Motion: Adopt resolution revoking obsolete property rehabilitation act (OPRA) exemption certificate for 1937 Lakeshore Drive to clear the way for a new project and incentives. Result: Approved by roll call.
Amendment to purchase and development agreement — 286 & 294 Myrtle Motion: Authorize amendment to purchase and development agreement with RSW Holding LLC and Berylstone Capital LLC to recombine lots and resolve encroachment issues. Result: Approved by roll call. Staff and the developer said the change allows construction of a single family home while addressing neighboring shed and lot line issues.
Sale of 502 Oak Avenue (consent item g) Motion: Authorize sale of city‑owned vacant lot at 502 Oak to David Arnold, Inc. for construction of a duplex and an ADU. Result: Approved by roll call.
Why it matters: The package advances downtown redevelopment, clarifies tax incentive status for long‑stalled projects, adjusts pay for part‑time city workers, maintains federal grant administration with local partners, and frees city‑owned lots for housing development. Commissioners asked for additional reporting on JAG expenditures and contractor outreach on the Century Club rehabilitation.
Records: Motions and roll‑call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes; staff will implement approvals and return with required paperwork and monitoring reports.
