City Of Muskegon Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Hello. Hey. Hey. Good evening, good folks, and welcome to the city of Muskegan city commission general session for this Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. Before we get on with our business, just want to remind folks we do have a few different opportunities to give public comment. Uh two of which are public hearings that we're going to be starting right off the bat um at the beginning of our meeting after we get into roll call pledge of allegiance prayer. Um and then after that we'll have public comment on agenda items. So anything that's on the agenda you can um speak up to three minutes. We also have public comment at the end of the meeting. That's general public comment which you can speak and share whatever you like with the city commission. Provide your input and perspective directly to the city commission. Uh we also have phone in comments. If you are going to be giving comment in person, I encourage you to complete a public comment form at the back of the rooms that are on the table there. Uh please provide your name and home address. Note I will not be sharing your home address or asking you to announce it. That's just for our records. If you are a city of Michigan resident and we'll be acknowledging which neighborhood you're joining us from, and if you're not a City of Michigan resident, which other township, village, or city you may be joining us from. Um after we get through in-person comments, we'll be going to the phones and welcoming um additional comment that way. The phone number for that is 231-724-6721. That's just so you have the ready. Please do not call just yet. When we get into phone and comments, we'll have the phone number scrolling at the bottom of the screen as well. And I'll announce that phone number additionally. Okay. All right. We're going to start our meeting with prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance. We're going to be led in prayer by Pastor Dwayne Riley of Crestwood United Methodist Church. if you wish to join us in either of those

activities. I ask that you stand if you um are capable of doing so. Good evening, pastor. Good evening. Welcome.

Thank you for having me. I would ask everyone to bow their head as we go into prayer. Dear God, we thank you for this evening. We thank you for all that are assembled here on today. Now God, we thank you for these your servants, our mayor, our city council members and staff. We pray as they face decisions that affect us all, grant them discerning hearts to govern justly and wisely. Give them the ability to work together in harmony, even during disagreements, but yet being agreeable for the prosperity of our community. We pray for this city. We pray for this nation. We pray for this entire country. We just thank you now in Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, pastor. Hey, we have roll call, please. Commissioner Stlair, yes. Here. Jonathan, here. Tilgo, here. Vice Mayor Keenir absent. Commissioner German here. Commissioner Jackson here. Commissioner Cosen here.

Thank you. All right. We're going to get on with the public hearings. The first one is a recommendation of annual renewal of liquor licenses. Um and madam clerk, you're going to be reporting out on this.

I am. Uh we passed out in front of the um city commissioners a list of businesses. I should start um first by explaining that every year we go through a renewal process for liquor licenses and the city commission adopted uh rules uh that um that the businesses have to meet criteria which is that they have to fill out an application, they um have to pay a renewal fee, they have to have a business registration, they have to pass fire and police um inspections, uh they have to be up to date with the treasure and income tax. And uh we did put a list in front of you of six businesses who um haven't quite met those expectations as of yet. We did call them, email, and send a certified letter to each of those um businesses as well. And um we will be sending the resolution in if the commission adopts it or chooses to. And um but we usually wait till the end of the month so these businesses still have time to go come into in compliance before we actually send the the resolution to the state.

Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh before we uh welcome public comment um as part of this hearing, commissioners, do you have any questions for staff or our clerk? Taking no questions. Oh, yes. um if any of these um individuals reach out to any of us and say, "Hey, I don't know how to get in touch with you guys to get this resolved." Is the clerk the best person to reach out to? Thank you. And you said they have until the end of the month.

Yes. Uh we will send it in on like the 23rd. We'll send it in March 23rd to the state. Um, and I just the the clerk is being very modest on how they've reached out. Uh, the amount of effort that they put in this year to make sure that all these businesses were reached out to multiple times uh, was far in excess of what we had to do in the past. And she and her team worked very very hard to make sure all these businesses were given multiple opportunities. And this list is greatly reduced from what it was even a week and a half ago. Um, so I just, so she's being very modest in how much they've reached out. Um, and and we've had a lot of help from other people on the team as well, the development services, um, inspections, uh, the fire department. So like we we've had a lot of people reaching out to try to get these. So this should not come as a surprise to these businesses. So

thank you for additional contact insights, Mr. Manager. All right. This is a public hearing. Uh, question. Uh, Commissioner Kilog. Yes, sir. Um, so Madame Clerk, if they get the section that they don't have checked off on the list done, then they're good. If it's not checked off, it needs to be checked off to be good. Yep. Yes. Yes. So, um, some have issues with income tax. Three of them need to return an application and pay their renewal fee. And then we have one that needs to visit the treasur's office as well. Thank you. Yes.

Thank go commissioner Jackson. Um what is the renewal fee? The renewal fee um at this time is $150. Okay. Any other questions at this time? All right. Uh anyone in the audience wishing to give uh comment as part of this public hearing specifically with regard to and renewal liquor licenses? Good evening. Welcome.

Leah Loy. I live in the Nelson neighborhood. Um, and I would advocate that we do not approve any liquor licenses for which folks have not completed all of the requirements. I believe that that is a privilege to be in our community. And I'd also add that uh Dallas and other major communities found that when they reduced hours of liquor establishments, they reduced gun violence. So, we need to hold these folks accountable to the minimum standards that we have because their um their population in our community has effects and so we want to hope that things are going smoothly and if they can't do the minimum um then we certainly aren't going to be able to hold them to the higher standards that we should have for them. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Willlette Loy. Anyone else in the audience wishing to give comment as part of this public hearing? No. All right, we're going to go to the phones. The number is 231-7246721. Uh this is a public hearing specifically with regard to a recommendation on annual renewal of liquor licenses. Does appear we're having an issue with our calling at this moment. No, not going through.

No, I can ask it to reset it. Um

yeah to to reset because this is the first of several uh public comment periods this evening. So I'd like to get that resolved. Um it's unlikely anyone was trying to call in with regard to this public hearing. Um but I definitely would like to get that resolved ASAP for public comment agenda items and our general public comment. Deputy clerk. Oh, you're back. They're working on it.

They're working on it. Okay. We got a question for you. We're waiting on that, Madam Clerk. Um I was about to ask the deputy while you stepped aside. Um, so the uh what we're being asked after we close the public hearing is to adopt a resolution recommending the state withhold renewal of those liquor license establishments who are in violation of section 50-146 and 50-147 of the code of ordinances for the city of Muskegan. So you mentioned if they resolve the outstanding um issues um that will you have the liberty to take them off of the list before um we send that in on March 23rd. Okay. Correct. Correct. And even if it happens after March 23rd, we still continuously update the state um on that on where where they stand.

Okay. And so we're not the the final arbiter on this. We're making a recommendation the the state will do as the state pleases. Okay. Uh thank you. Do you have with regard to the the phone comments and it resetting it, do you have any um how long does it typically take to reset or what the outlook might be? Troubleshooting it right now. Um So, yeah.

Okay. Well, um I'm going to move on. Um if there is someone that wishes to give input with regard to that, I just want to uh just as we established, we're not sending the uh the letter till March 23rd. So, there's opportunity for uh public to give input directly to our city clerk on this as well as to uh the the commission. But right now, we'd be looking at making a recommendation to withhold renewal of those select uh license holders. All right. Uh commissioners, I would entertain a motion to close public hearing and um adopt that resolution recommending state withhold renewal of those liquor license establishments in violation. So move support.

We have a motion by Commissioner German, supported by Commissioner Kilgo. Any further discussion? You have any comments or questions? Uh, Commissioner German. Yeah, thank you, Mayor Johnson. Just a comment. Um, I think this is um a good gesture by the city showing that we're business friendly. Um, giving these businesses time to um comply with the uh recommendations. So, um this will be a good opportunity to take advantage of that and um just hope everyone that's on this list um meet the standards and comply so they could um be in compliance. So, thank Comm.

All right. Anything else commissioners to ask or add at this time? Nope. All right. Roll call, please. Mayor Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Kilgo? Yes. Commissioner German? Yes. Commissioner Jackson? Yes. Commissioner Cochen? Yes. Commissioner Sinclair? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Uh, next public hearing is to request the creation of a neighborhood enterprise zone district at 1937 Lakeshore Drive. Good evening. Could you kindly introduce yourself and please report out on this item?

Absolutely. Isabella Gonzalez, development analyst for the city of Moskegegan. So, um, staff received a request to create a neighborhood enterprise zone district for 1937 Lakeshore Drive. So, this public hearing is being held to consider the establishment of the proposed NES district. The applicant intends to develop residential condominium units at this address. Um, so inclusion in a NEZ district would allow eligible property owners uh to apply for neighborhood enterprise zone certificates. Um, and that would reduce their residential property tax on newly constructed or rehabilitated housing. Um, in addition to that uh as amended uh by the PA47 of the NE act, um, notice of the proposed NE district was mailed to all affected local taxing jurisdictions on January 28th, 2026. Um, and then per state requirements, a public hearing must be held within 45 days of the notice being sent. And then the resolution establishing the NE district uh may not be adopted until at least 60 days after the notice was issued. So the resolution to establish the NE district at 1937 Lakeshore Drive is scheduled to return uh to the city commission for consideration on April 14th, 2026. In addition to that, state law allows for a local government to consider the to put 15% of their total land area as designated as ne districts. So the city of Moskegan is currently at 13.34% um and that is why we are hosting this public hearing because they would remain within the allowable limit.

Thank you analyst Gonzalez. And we do have the developers here in case there are questions. All right. Uh, first commissioners, I open up to any questions for staff at this time. Commissioner Kilgo. Thank you. Uh, thank you, Miss Gonzalez. Um, do we happen to know uh how long are they uh applying for the full 15 years? Um, that would be once they apply for the NEZ certificates. This is for the district creation. District. Gotcha. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions for staff at this time? All right. Um we will um invite the developer up after we close public hearing um and consider the creation of the district. Uh first we're going to go to the audience though if there's anyone that wishes to give comment as part of this public hearing on the creation of a new neighborhood enterprise zone district at 1937 Lakeshore Drive. All right. See no takers from the audience. I don't think we're ready for phone in comments.

Oh, yes. Oh, it's working now. We're working again. Okay. Thank you.

But we are live with phone and comments. Again, the phone number is 231-724-6721. If you wish to phone in your comments specifically with regard to the creation of a new neighborhood enterprise zone district at 1937 Lakeshore Drive, please call in now 231-724-6721. Please turn down any audio in the background. State your name and if you're a city Miss resident, which neighborhood you're calling from. There's quite a bit of lag or delay. That's why um I'm watching the screen. And we just got to the point where we're sharing the phone number and me announcing it. So, I'll give you a few more moments. All right. It's not sound like we have any callers for this public hearing. Uh, commissioners. I entertain a motion to close. Go ahead, please.

Uh, I move to close the public hearing for the NEZ district at 1937 Lakes Shore Drive. Support. And you include creation of the district in the same motion or do you want to handle this separately? Mr. Counselor, sorry. We want to include creation of the district within the motion, right? Yeah. Okay. So, um, I move to create the NAZ district at 1937 Lakeshore Drive and to close a public hearing. Support.

Thank you. We got a motion by Commissioner Coin, supported by Commissioner St. Clair to close public hearing and create a NAZ district at 1937 Lakes Shore Drive. All right. Um, Commissioner Cochen, as the maker of the motion, do you have anything to ask or add at this time? I don't have anything to ask or add. Um, I'm really looking forward to see what is going to be happening down there in in Lakeside. Um, that's part of my ward and I've always has I've always had a soft spot for the harbor. So, I'm I'm hoping that they do it justice and do a really good job with uh honoring its history. Thank coaching. Commissioner Sinclair, anything in support of the motion. Commissioner Kilgill,

thank you. Um, if the developer is here and available, I do have a couple questions. All right. Uh, we had him here last month, but come on up.

Please state your name and your organization. Yeah, Joe Bordon, Rangers, Engineers, and Constructors. Good evening and welcome, Commissioner. Thank you. Uh, thank you, Mr. Bordon, for joining us this evening. Uh, I think I can say for the whole community, we're excited to see some progress there with the, uh, what was old turned into something new. again. Could you tell me a little bit about the project? Like, do you happen to know how many units you're expecting to be in there? And one story, twotory, threetory, like tell me a little bit about the project.

And thank you for your support again. You guys have been great. Um, yeah, it's going to be a threetory um mixed uh retail condominium building with um a parking garage on the first floor and about 1500 square foot retail on the first floor. And then we've got 11 units that are going to condo units that are going to go in the second and third floor.

Um and then um my my last question I don't it'll probably be for staff but it has to do with the unit. So we're currently at 13.34%. Does the building add to our overall NEZ district or would each unit add to our overall u percentage of where we're at right now? Um so the entire uh all of the properties within 1937 Lakes Shore Drive that are residential would contribute. Um but we don't know that number until we can add it together.

Gotcha. Awesome. Um, and then for the developer, last question. Once you guys get things going, um, what what kind of timetable are you looking at for your project? Well, we're probably about 95% done with the design and in fact are kind of looking forward to getting those submitted into the city here for into the building department. And um, our timeline would be tenative timeline to start here in April and then be done uh, early to midfall. Awesome. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Kilo. Uh Commissioners, do you have anything to I know we peppered you with questions earlier this year when you're last here and uh you gave us a lot of information on the project, but commissioners, do you have any um additional questions um to ask? All right. Yep. Thank you again. Yep. Appreciate it. All right. Any final thoughts before we go to vote? No. All right. Roll call, please. Mr. Kilgo. Yes. Mr. German, yes. Mr. Jackson, yes. Mr. Cochen, yes. Mr. St. Clair, yes. Mayor Johnson, yes. Motion passes.

Thank you. All right. Next up, federal, state, county officials update. Do we have any of our governmental um or tribal partners in the audience that wishes to give any kind of updates? I don't see any takers. We're going to move on to public comment on agenda items. Do have a couple forms, few forms. All right, as we're going through this, if there's anyone else, I've got a few forms here. If there's anyone else that wishes to give public a comment on an agenda item, I encourage you to complete the form at the back of the room and share that with our clerk at the end of the dis here. Uh, first up, we have Swenson joining us from the Nelson neighborhood.

Good evening and welcome. You have up to three minutes to proide your remarks.

Thank you. Um, number one, I want to say I'm going back to 2017 and on the city council. Ken, Willie, thank you for your support of helping our program get started. And what we're looking at is Richard's Park um hopefully as a new location for watches go voting. Um, it was originally um with the city's uh cooperation, if you recall, um put placed um at Harshorn Marina. Um and two things happened. And even though we got off to a great start, we had uh we got a a late start in the summer of 2017. And I just want to thank um mention Guy Dore was really instrumental. Um some of you may recall that the city, the chamber, the county had spent hours and hours on a strategic plan for kayaking for not only the city but the county and getting these programs started was a key part of that. Um so our second year we were successful in getting um 238 youth lessons, 24 uh adult lessons, 29 volunteers, 12 adult instructors, nine youth instructors. We our cost for the first to get this done was $2,780. So, I just want to say for $156,000 for Richard's Park for an ADA accessible launch, um I would certainly hope that this facility and improvement is going to accommodate us for a very long time. We've gotten this far on volunteers and donations and having a facility that's designed specifically. Um, we had a ADA accessible launch for what, one summer, and it was incredibly useful. We had a lot of people, we were able to get them into the kayaks, but we couldn't get them out of the kayaks. So, the ADA accessible launch really proved very,

very valuable. Um, and I am only we have um accessible launches up Mskegegan River and now that means that these these people can actually get out when they come to Moskegan. So, we are obviously very much in support, but we're also concerned. The city helped us move from Harshorn Marina. It was amazing. We built this rack and then loaded it up and and uh hauled it over to Fisherman's Landing, and no one thought about when they took it off the truck exactly how it was positioned. And it ended up that it was positioned Whoops. It was positioned so that the kids had to haul the kayaks out into the parking lot. And of course, that wasn't a lot of fun with the motorboats coming through. Um, so things that you think about, you don't think about when you first start. Oh, there we go. So, um, I just want to say when this is done, those kind of logistics, all those lessons that we learned, we hope we hope that we can do better this time. So, I just want to say thank you. And Ken and Willie, thank you for still being here. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Miss Wson. Appreciate you joining us this evening. Oops. Oh gosh, I'm doing really well. I need help.

Public speaking is not my favorite thing to do in the world. Thank you. Next up, we have uh Martin Caulkins joining us from the Angel Neighborhood.

So, my name is Martin Caukins. I'm a native here in Moskegan County. I've been here my whole life. Uh I was an inner city child growing up here. Um, and I got in some trouble when I was a kid. Uh, and I feel like once I got out of my trouble, I had somebody teach me how to kayak, uh, years after I went through some trouble. Um, and with that being said, I wanted to be able to share that with everybody. The feeling that I got from the peace from being out on that river and being able to kayak uh, was amazing. So, with that being said, basically right now, um, I know what it's like to be the inner city youth here. Uh, our heart goes most of our whole team here. basically uh we want to inspire our youth here to basically we want to lead these leaders to leadership. So with that being said we would like to have a forever home for watches go bot migan uh we think it's very critical to invest in our youth and to continue to invest in our youth. Um we think as of right now uh we we are bringing the ACA American Canoe Association here to Moskegan. Uh we've been going through about three years of training now and we're just finally getting wrapped up to be able to do the uh training with these kids and be able to have the certificates to do so. Uh we also linked up with the Boys and Girls Club. We are working with them. And we also work with the family court and we take kids out out uh and get community service hours maybe through picking up trash. Uh lately it's been shoveling uh sidewalks, shoveling fire hydrants and uh helping out their elderly. And then on Friday evenings, we also take, uh, families out on Friday night sunset paddles. Um, so, uh, with that being said, we think it's critical that we get a forever home for with this program, and we're looking to make that at Richard's Park. So, I appreciate everybody. I appreciate for everybody for listening. Um, public speaking is definitely not my thing either. So, uh, if anybody has any questions, feel free to reach out. I left a pamphlet for each one of you. Um, we'd like to share the excitement with you guys. So, thank you for having me.

Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Caulkins. Appreciate you joining us this evening.

Uh, next up we have Leo Wlette Loy joining us from the Nelson neighborhood. And, uh, so I put on only a couple things on that forum, but I have quite a few. Um, first of all, I'm going to remind you guys that I don't believe that prayer isn't necessary to conduct business in the city of Moskegan. I think that we spend at least one and a half hours of all staff time per year and every other meeting is conducted without it and does just fine. I believe it suggests participation that is obligatory by staff and visitors and I would request you consider uh maybe making a change in that regard. Uh other agenda items today, I think that we should activate Nelson Elementary however possible. So you have an option there to allow continued use um by community kids and folks in the neighborhood at the gym and cafeteria space. So I would be in support of that. The Moskegan Lake Wershed Partnership also submitted uh in favor comments to uh the to Eagle for Richards Park. And I would add that in addition to kayaking, there's lots of opportunities to engage there. And the outdoors should in fact be for everyone. So by having dedicated kayak launches, we show people here's a place where you are welcome to kayak. Um, and I would also uh recommend that we consider some PSAs showing folks here are the ways that you can engage with our natural resources in the community. And also here are ways that the culture needs to change, things that we should not be doing in the outdoors. For example, um, kids riding dirt bikes down the bike trail that I saw yesterday. So, there's lots of opportunities to use these these new spaces to promote the outdoors and also show people how we can all work together to keep them up. Uh digital signage is also on your list. I would also suggest that while you're looking at this, you consider where else we can add digital signage. I think there's an opportunity to perhaps uh around city hall, other places in town where folks are not using

social media to get their news. They're out and about and they really are seeing these signs. We have also seen where digital signs have been used in our community um to sew division and I think that we really need to make sure to avoid that. And I think that that is everything. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Willlette Roy. All right, next up we have Janette Hoyer joining us from the city of Northern Shores by way of Goodwill uh in downtown Moskegan. Welcome.

Thank you very much. I'm Janette Hoyer. I'm president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan and Goodtemp Staffing Solutions. And I'm really just here to thank the commission for considering extending our um temporary staffing services agreement. Uh we are proud to provide a contract workforce to the city's public divi services division, the public safety department, the farmers market, and the arena. And when you choose good temps, um not only do you get an effective and reliable workforce, but you can also know that you're supporting the vision that everyone's got a pathway to meaningful and sustaining employment regardless of the barriers that they experience, whether those be personal or systemic. uh and the mission that we change lives through the power of work. So, thanks for being part of the solution. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Miss Hoyer. Appreciate you joining us this evening. Next up, we have Joseph Herren joining us from the city of Mske Heights to Richards Park. Good evening and you have three minutes to provide your remarks.

Hello, I'm u I'm Joseph Herren. I'm here on behalf of watch mosqu boating and um I just want to say that the goal of the program has always been access to water and so I really think it's great that this ADA kayak launch is going in because now another demographic in our community has access to that water and like uh Martin and um Laura had mentioned we are looking for a permanent home for watch and go boating and we really uh think Richard's part would be a great fit and we're really hoping to see that happen. Thank you guys.

Thank you. appreciate you joining us this evening, sir. Is there anyone else in the audience that wishes to give comment on an agenda item or items this evening? No. All right, we're going to go to the phones. Call in numbers 231-724-6721. This is an opportunity to give input uh to the commission on agenda items only at this time. We will have additional public comment at the end of the meeting um for general comments. Good evening. You're with the city of Moskegan City Commission. If you could kindly introduce yourself and if you're a city resident, which neighbor you're calling from and what items you're speaking on. Yeah. Hi there. My name is Don Jensen. I'm calling from neighborhood Pinchtown, the Golden Shoreline of Moskegan. No, just kidding. Um, so I Richard's Park. Regarding Richard's Park and the kayak, it's a great idea. Um, it's been in the works for a few years. Is there any plans to redo the parking lot in that back corner? And how will this or if it will at all affect any of parts of the rest of the park?

Is it you still on the line, sir? Yeah, I'm here. What was that last part? How it affects the rest of the park? Yeah. So, I'm wondering if you know the parking lot needs uh re paving or whatever and if that's is that where the kayak launch is going to be. All right. Thank you. Uh, we're not going to do Q&A right now, but I I just wanted to make sure I understood your question um because the commission can uh entertain that and we can hear from staff as when we get to the agenda item. Do you have anything else to share with us this evening, sir? No, I'm sorry. Was that off topic? I I thought that was part of it, but I'm sorry.

Oh, no. You're welcome to ask the question. We just don't get back. We don't do um dialogue and Q&A during public comment. Uh it's just an opportunity for uh the public to speak directly to city commission. You can pose questions and we can take that into consideration when we get into deliberation. We just don't go back and forth. Oh, I got you. Okay. That was just I was just curious how that affects the rest of the park. Thank you. Appreciate you uh calling in and uh posing those questions. Sure thing. Okay. Over and out. Is there an issue with the audio? The volume goes up and down. I think he was I think he was on his Okay. Okay. Did we have anyone else trying to call in during that time frame?

No, we didn't. No. Okay, we'll give it just a another moment. All right. No further calls. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We move on from public comment on agenda items. Commissioners, you've had an opportunity to review the consent agenda. Are there any items that you wish to have removed for separate consideration and vote? Commissioner German.

Uh, yes. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Actually, I got quite a few, but I'm just going to leave some for the other commissioners. Start out with uh G, O, and P. And that's not for grand old party, I should say. Uh, Commissioner Coochin.

Yes. Uh, item E, uh, J and L. Uh, Commissioner Kogo, did you have yours satisfied or did you have additional ones? Okay. Sorry, I see your hand. Commissioner isn't clear, but I saw his earlier. So, Kog, what? Um, so C is in cat and K is in kite.

And Commissioner Sankler, I'm good. You're good. All right. Thank you. Um, they left me nothing. Commissioner Jackson, are there any other items that you wish to remove? You're good. Good. All right. Thank you. Commissioners, I would entertain a motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented minus items C, E, G, J, K, L, O, and P. So move. We have a motion by Commissioner Kilog, supported by Commissioner Cochen. There's no thoughts to share before we vote. Roll call, please. Commissioner German, yes. Commissioner Jackson, yes. Commissioner Kosan,

yes. Commissioner St. Clair, yes. Johnson, yes. Commissioner Kell, yes. Commission passes. All right. First item C. Mobile concession application Marquette Park for Chick-fil-A. Commissioner Kilg, I move to authorize staff to enter into a concession agreement with Chick-fil-A as a mobile food vendor at Pier Marquette Park. Support a motion by Commissioner Kog supported by Commissioner German. Good evening, sir. Can you introduce yourself and please report out on this item?

Hi there. I'm Kachesky, director of park parks and recreation, city of Moskegan. So, the parks department has a concession application concession policy for our parks. We recently received an application for Chick-fil-A for a mobile vendor out at Pier Marquette. Per the policy, staffing takes it, gets the questions taken care of, hears a little bit of the information, passes it forward to commission for the ultimate decision. Uh the details that I can add um I'm not sure if Chick-fil-A is here. They All right. So, we do have um a member here to represent them. Um they when we had spoke about it, they wanted to be by the Matt Kite building. They were going to have a truck for prep. Uh they weren't going to cook in it. they were going to take the transport food from their one of their um their brick and mortar buildings and set up at Pier Marquette. Uh they did want to be there quite frequently um basically every weekend. They don't have other commitments throughout the summer and um we have uh the I believe the general manager here.

Yeah, I'm the director of operations. I'm Cameron. Um what we are kind of looking for is uh to just be able to set up our food truck, be able to serve the community um and to be able to kind of go there either just throughout the week or on the weekends um and to just be able to to serve the community. Yep. So, we'll open up to any questions um or concerns that we have from the commission. All right. Thank you. Um we'll start with maker of the motion, Commissioner Kilgo.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I I really appreciate you being here this evening. Um, and with all due respect to Chick-fil-A, great food. Um, I just don't know that a bigger corporation like Chick-fil-A being at Pier Marquette every weekend is something that our community as a whole is looking for. So for me, I don't see how I get past that without talking to more constituents in the community about how they would feel about a corporate giant, which Chick-fil-A is, you know, respectfully, um, being at the park as opposed to a local vendor, a local smaller mom and pop, uh, who would have to go through the same application. They'd have to come in front of commission and we'd have to approve them as well. I get it. Some people don't even want the deck there and they're operating right now. Uh but the people have come to love the deck and if we're going to have other vendors, which it would be great to have variety, the deck is not cheap. You know, they don't have many cheaper options. They're a little bit more pricey. Um, so it may be good to have some other options at Pier Marquette, but I would just like to talk to more constituents in the community to kind of get their feel on how they would feel about Chick-fil-A being at Pier Marquette every weekend and not really the weekend because you all aren't open on Sunday. So really just Friday and Saturday, correct?

Yeah. So it' be that or maybe during the week on on off times as well. But yeah. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Ko. Commissioner German.

Uh, yes. Good evening and thank you uh for being here tonight. As uh Commissioner Kilgo stated, you guys do have good food. Actually, chicken sandwich. November 19th, 2025 was the last time I ate meat. So, I've kicked a habit there for a little while. Try something a little different. It wasn't the food, but um I could uh understand where Commissioner Kilgo is coming from also um when we look at corporate entities um coming in. Um but you do bring a variety and um selection of diverse foods and things like that. So um I'm not sure where I'm, you know, standing on this right now. I believe in um fair and equitable u opportunities. I should say that as well. So that would not exclude me um you know looking at this in a nonbiased um decision or anything like that. Um so um yeah thank commissioner German commissioner coach.

Yes. Thank you. Um, first of all, thank you for coming before us today and and asking us um if we would consider this application. Um, one of the things that goes through my brain um is as a former food service person, you're not going to have a facility on site uh where you' be preparing food um but you would need to keep it fresh for eight hours a day. And that kind of gives me pause from a food safety concern. Um, especially being out on the beach in the extra heat. Uh, I know it could be very difficult to keep foods at proper temperatures when doing catering events um for shorter periods, but 8 hours is a very long time to commit to that. Do you have a plan for how you can do that?

Yes. So currently um with all of our large festivals that that we're involved with, what we do is um basically we have what we call like TMS bags that are are heated for a certain amount of time um to basically for food safety purposes. Um and so all that stuff is we we follow strict guidelines as a restaurant. Um so if we're out for eight hours, we're bringing food more than likely every hour to an hour and a half. Um, so it is not uh put food in and it sits for eight hours. Um, it is followed strictly through um our procedures. Um, Chick-fil-A actually has stricter guidelines uh that we have to follow um than the health department. So, we do take food safety very seriously. Okay.

I appreciate that. And and bringing food out every hour to hour and a half, I think, would help reduce some of those concerns. The other thing is I'm I don't know if you've ever done a mobile food truck out there at the beach, but we have some very high winds and with those winds come sand. Um, and I've almost felt like I'm being sand blasted just walking down there. Um, and so that is one. Do you have a plan for keeping sand out of the food while you're down there?

Um, yeah. I mean, all of our all of our windows we can easily keep them kind of shut. Also, everything is sealed into those those he bags. We'll be bagging things as they get ordered, not uh prior to that. So, we'll be able to keep all the food uh packaged and away from from the sand. Thank you. Thank coaching. Commissioners, anything else to ask or add? I don't have any questions. Uh so, thank you. Um Cameron, I didn't catch your last name, but yeah, it's Buffner.

Buffner. Yep. Thank you, Mr. Buffner. Uh thank you director Karteski. Um with regard to the question of you know corporations or whomever uh vending down at Pure Marquette. Um personally I prefer independents you know our small businesses independent businesses and support our local entrepreneurs you know as much as possible. Um I know uh that I've heard from many people over the years of folks wanting more options you know at Pier Marquette. Uh and we've had vendors over the years sporadically. Um we haven't had one that's been there consistently. Um, and well, I understand potential misgiving about, you know, corporation. Um, I believe is it franchise?

It is franchise. So, it's a local owner who lives right here um in town. Um, he is in the restaurant daily. Um, so it is locally franchised.

Thank you, Mr. Wner. I guess I had a question for you after all. Uh so it is a a locallyowned franchise of this company um that perhaps maybe has better wherewithal to um manage the ups and downs of trying to vend at prearquette um you know days that it might be slower versus days that are heavier. Um I do think to the point though of um wanting to prefer um locals or smaller scale entrepreneurs, independent entrepreneurs um that when we move forward with the development of the Indiana Avenue for uh food trucks and chalets, which is ultimately a vision there that that's where we could potentially have a incorporating the policy of a preference or having a certain number of those spots reserved for um locals or or local entrepreneurs and small business and the Um, but in this case, I personally am not going to make the distinction or say we're not we're not going to um if we want to consider that as part of policy, but given that we don't have a bunch of folks, you know, banging down our doors to vend at Pier Marquette right now, but I'm hearing from folks that want more options at Marquette, I'm inclined to support uh this request as we move forward. So, uh yes, Commissioner Kilog,

thank you. When when were you thinking of getting started for this season? Um, our food truck is typically up and going in right around May time. Um, right now kind of on on my thought is probably closer to like Memorial Day, somewhere between Memorial Day to Labor Day. Um, kind of being mainly in that time frame

for sure. Um, so, so my thoughts are, um, because we do still have some time between now and May, I personally would like to still hear from some of the community. Some people may not know that there's an opportunity for other food vendors to be at Pier Marquette. So, I still think that we have time before making a decision where they get every weekend, the whole summer at the most beautiful beach in Michigan. So, just sharing my opinion. Thank you, Mr. Ko. Just a clarification um though this does not preclude us from having any other vendors. We still would be able to have additional vendors. This isn't one only vendor um at Pier Marquette. So, we do have the opportunity and this could be a great opportunity to get the word out and communicate that there are opportunities to vend um at Pier Marquette um and in our park system. So, I do see multiple hands. Um I don't think we've heard from Commissioner Stlair yet, so I'm going to go to Commissioner Sinclair.

Thank you. Um, personally I don't choose to patronize Chick-fil-A for lots of reasons, but I don't um I don't think that that's going to be a factor in my decision because um it's not relevant. Um we have a large beach with many opportunities and lots of people who come. I think that um people will choose to support or they won't if they want to go to our local hot dog cart that's out there sometimes or if they want to go to the deck or if they want to go to Chick-fil-A. Um, I think giving them the opportunity to choose what um what they want to spend their money on um is something that we can leave to them. If uh if we would not have this conversation about any other vendor, I'm not sure um I'm not sure how much additional time we would need to invest in um in this conversation. I think we have a policy that we're following. um if the community does doesn't want it, they won't support it. And we will see very quickly that it's not a desired option at the beach. And I'm sure uh being a large corporate entity, dollars are important. And if people don't spend their dollars there, then we probably won't see them again next summer or even, you know, from weekend to weekend. But um I don't I don't have any general concerns. I don't I don't

know that the bar should be set differently for this application than any other we see. Thank you, Commissioner Sinclair. And I did see Commissioner Kos and Commissioner German, but I do have a question actually for Director Garches after all because it jocked my memory. Um this did get briefly discussed at parks and work advisory committee. Um, as I recall, and you let me know if if if this accurate or if you have additional contact insights, but as I recall, you know, there was some there's some conversation, but ultimately the the parks work advisory communic thought was not to treat this any differently than any other applicant. Um,

that is correct. Um the the positives that we saw was revenue and we also haven't had much success out there with vendors and we also I want to say in the three years I've been here I've received four to four or five applicants. So, as one of you stated earlier, people aren't really knocking our doors down to be a beach vendor. And they just I also the the idea of a, you know, $12 or $10 lunch out there, you know, if you're already out there and um being at M Kite, we thought being by um Lake Michigan Park and the new plaza we've established might be a new opportunity. Thank you, Director Keski, Commissioner Coach, and then Commissioner German.

Yes, thank you very much. um that did kind of spark some thoughts in my brain as well. I I would echo that sentiment. Um I did put this out um for my office hours and uh in my ward and I did not hear anything from anybody, but a lot of times people aren't watching for those um per se. So I would like more time to to talk with people about it um because there's another component to all of this which involves um you know waste, right? like we have a lot of wind out there and I anytime we're talking about adding waste to that area that could blow away, get into the lake, um that gives me concern. So, um I do kind of wonder if the developer is planning on using any like sustainable packaging for that um the food that they would be vending or what their plans are in that regard. I can definitely pass that with the with the operator, the owner, and see if there's um some different things that we can what we can do um with our current menu. And what chick

Yeah, I would appreciate that because our trash cans out there are open. Even though they get empty frequently, you still will find trash blowing around. Um, and I would really hate to see somebody out there weekly vending and creating more trash unintentionally and it getting into the lake. Um, and then the other question I had was for maybe the director um or Mr. Manager, what what why do we think we have issues getting vendors out there? Um, is it related to a policy that we have or is it related to like fees? because I remember seeing other vendors down there in the past. Um the Hawaiian shaved ice people and um the lady with the hot dog cart, but I have not seen anybody in a while. Uh and so it just kind of makes me wonder like do we have a a link missing in the chain where people can apply or something like that?

I only hear from those who are interested. Mhm. So, so, so I um I guess I would say this isn't something that we necessarily go out and advertise a lot. Um it's it's as people come to us. There's a lot of things going on throughout the day um throughout the year. It's not something that we go out and actively advertise on. So, I think um so as they come in for the policy, we bring them to you guys for consideration uh and kind of move forward from there. So,

all right. I appreciate that. um as I were recall from past conversations over the years about mobile vending because our policy has evolved in ter including the fee structure is that it was it's been challenging because the weather is so in medicine you know you could have a great weekend could have a crappy weekend you know in terms of weather that it can be challenging you know to operate a business consistently there and and be supported and u we used to be didn't have a fixed fee and it was just a percentage of gross receipts but that ultimately resulted in vendors not showing up consistently. Um if they had a you know more lucid opportunity elsewhere or the weather just wasn't the greatest and like ah just want to show up and so the city opted commission chose to establish a fixed fee as well to incent them to be more consistent and and and u showing up to to bend and recoup that that cost that fixed cost.

Commissioner German. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. um to to the um director um of Chick-fil-A um I know you don't work on Sundays and um what is the philosophy behind that and um just share that in that in your mission also?

Yeah, the the founder just uh he basically started Chick-fil-A as being open initially as as seven days and then just realized that um after a sixth day that the team needed a a day off. Um, and so he views that as um either you can use as just a day off and just be able to relax and be with family um or for those that um are Christian that they can go to church. And so that's where he chose that Sunday. So that is wide on that.

Yeah. And and I am familiar with that. Um I remember in 2010 I tried to buy into that franchise and uh it was much cheaper than it is now. And uh that was one of the things that I I really liked about it. Um the thing was it wasn't a market here in the city of Moskegan or the county of Moskegan at that time. Um to the point of that value and um how the uh franchise itself uh services customers and also their workers. Um, that's one of the things that I found value in also. So, like I said, I'm not opposed to this. Um, and I think, you know, there's a option for, you know, growth and opportunity as well. Um, so, and the food is good, like I said. It is. Yep.

Thank you, Mr. German. Uh, before we go to vote, Commissioner Jackson, just want to give you an opportunity to weigh in if you have any questions or comments. No. All right. Mr. Mon, you have something to add? Yeah. So, I was just reviewing the policy really quick. So, I I just want to make sure that as we have the discussion and if making any decisions that we're basing we're basing it on the policy that we have in place and that we would be treating all the conversations the same whether it's a um a small business, a large business, whatever that is. Business size is not a consideration in the application process. I'm just pointing that out so that way we're consistent with our policy. Yep. So, thanks, manager. All right. Roll call, please. Commissioner Jackson.

Um, yes. Commissioner Cochen. No. Commissioner Sinclair? Yes. Mayor Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Kilgo? No. Thank you. Commissioner German. Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Next item. Soccer in the Sand Commissioner Coaching. I move to approve the Soccer in the Sand tournament to be held on July 25th through 26, 2026 at Pier Marquette. Support. We have a motion by Commissioner Coach and supported by Commissioner German. Good evening, sir. Kindly introduce yourself and please report out on this item.

Good evening, Mayor, Commissioners. Dan Vanderhigh, director of public works for the city. Standing in for Jackie Ernie. Uh this is an application from uh soccer in the sand. They have selected uh as they have in the past the same weekend as the inside out volleyball tournament. Uh per the event policy uh we do not allow two events at the beach at the same time and the volleyball tournament uh had this date first. So, soccer in the Sand is here uh applying for an exception to that part of the policy and asking to continue to be on the same weekend, which is the weekend of Saturday, July 25th.

Thank you, Director Keski. I'm sorry, Director Vanderhyde. I so hope he was sitting right there. So, no. Thank you, Director Vanderhid. Uh, Commissioner Cochin as the maker of the motion. Uh, yes. So, um I appreciate you bringing this in front of us and and doing your due diligence um to to ask the commission. Um I I felt like I was pretty vocal about this last year and pretty firm that they needed to have their own transportation set up. Otherwise, this year I would not be saying yes. Did we have that conversation with them when they came back again this year?

We did. Uh, and I believe the event is here. Yep. Um, and they may be better to suited better suited to answer that question, but uh, yes, we did have the conversation. Okay. Um, and as director of DPW, I'm sure you're aware my computer my typing skills were not as fast. Uh, what what other events do we have going on in the city of Moskegan that weekend? Uh, I'm not exactly sure off the top of my head which ones other than the two there at the beach, soccer at the sand and volleyball. Okay. I'm I was fairly confident that it was the Rebel Road weekend, but I could be wrong. No, it's the weekend.

It's the weekend before. Okay. So, I am wrong about that. All right. Um I don't think I have any more questions uh for you at this moment. Thank you very much, sir. Before we call up the applicant, um let me go to Commissioner German or any other commissioners that have questions for Director Vanderhyde. Any Okay. Thank you. And thank you, Director Vanderhyde. Um, I might have missed that. What is the other event that's going on that same week? It's a volleyball tournament put on by uh um excuse me, inside out. Okay. Um which is uh an event that happens over several weekends each summer.

Okay. So, is the volleyball event on both days, the 25th and the 26th, or just that whole weekend of uh I mean just that one day? Um I believe that uh the volleyball tournament is both days as well, although both events are reduced on Sunday compared to Saturday. Okay.

And I I guess this might be a question for the uh the customers or or the parties that's interested in the soccer. Is this a large event? Um have they done this before um in other municipalities? is something that's taken place around the state or anything like that. I mean, what type of history do they have? I'm just trying to get a feel for. Yeah, I'm sure they can share some of that, but um it is actually a national organization. Okay. That has events uh throughout the country and they um have had the event here uh for a few years in a row now. Okay. Thank you. All right, Commissioner Sinclair.

Thank you. Uh I believe that I saw in the um cover sheet that the volleyball tournament is a much smaller footprint with a lot less traffic. Can you speak to that? Yeah, the um we as staff were aware that this uh this event or the combination of these events is is you know noted in the community for uh creating parking uh and access challenges at the beach. I think what I would say about that is that um the reason we're here is because there's a conflict between the two events in terms of the date that they want. Um, if soccer in the sand were to choose another weekend that wouldn't be in conflict with the volleyball tournament, I think we would still see most of the same challenges on any weekend that they chose to go. They're a large draw and we only have two ways in and out of the beach.

So, the problem isn't actually that it's two separate events. I mean, that's the reason why you have to bring it to us because we have a policy that if there's two separate events, it has to come to the commission. But the volleyball tournament is a small enough footprint that if we removed that from the equation, it's not going to make a significant difference in how this moves forward. Correct. Thank you. That's our um opinion. because I I did find a number like 200 participants for the volleyball tournament and maybe a hundred spectators. So, okay. Using 26 volleyball courts spread throughout the day. Yeah.

Yes. I think you had any followup. Commissioner Sinclair, do you have something to add? Mr. Manager?

Yeah. Um on a clarification point about the the transportation. Yes, we did have a conversation with them about the buses um and having that option. For clarity, we did have our buses running those days and the usage on the buses um wasn't substantially different than what we saw on the other weekends and we did have capacity in our buses. Um so even though they didn't have extra buses running, there was capacity within our system to handle those if more folks had used them. Um so I don't know that that we would have seen any difference by having additional buses there. I just wanted to to point that out. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Any other questions for staff before we call the applicant?

Nope. All right. Thank you, Director Vanderhid.

Kind introduce yourself. Hello. Thanks for having us. Scott Lame, and this is my wife, Holly Lame. Um, we're the owners of Soccer in the Sand. Um, I think there was a couple questions. We're excited. Yeah. Would you before we get into the questions is there anything you wish to you know share present on on your uh organization the event um what you're looking to to bring back there and how it may have evolved or you intend on evolving from previous years.

Absolutely. Um we are absolutely privileged and excited to be in Moskegan. Um the date we one of our biggest events um soccer and sand's been around for 20 years. We're celebrating this summer our 20th anniversary. Um the company was started by my brother and myself. Um so we're with him. This is our team. Um so it's it's small. Um but we we are nationwide. Um so we travel kind of like a circus. Every weekend we load up our trucks and our trailers and we drive and get the best job in the world of putting on beach soccer tournaments and seeing kids run around and families and we take uh we're very grateful um for the opportunities and we try our best to you know provide a really good event. Um for Moskegan we had uh 115 teams last year. Um and with a roster size of 8 to 12 players, 10 is easy for the math. Um so there was a,150 players on the beach um over the weekend which was really cool and we're proud of that. Um we do a bigger another event that we've been doing um in the west side of the state. Um and we do that exactly one month prior. So by having the events too close together, you would saturate this area a little bit. So that's why the event date is important to us. And as the previous directors talked about, um I don't know if the volleyball, we're going to be a big draw. Um so I don't know if the two events really, of

course, it's another hundred teams, our participants and families, but I think it's more just we are big. Um we extended every resource we could. Um, we reached out to Burning Foot, Harbor Transit, Pioneer Resources, uh, public schools, um, trying to get another transportation um, going and we are very good at running beach soccer tournaments, 20 years of experience. I've run 8 to 10 events a summer for the last 20 years. We're getting good, really good at running the beach aspect of it, but I I'm not, you know, fully equipped to get transportation going. Um, but we're we are willing to work with anyone that will. Um, and that's but as the city manager already shared, we did coordinate with um the tra the transportation that's already going. And what we did is we did an AM schedule and we talked about this last year and a PM schedule. So what that means is we had a total of 60% of the event that started after the transportation was open because it didn't open as early as our games kicked off. So doing the math on the total number of public parking spots in the lots, um we were underneath the capacity and then we opened it up to and encouraged and marketed to use the public transportation and ride share and carpool and all of that stuff. Um and with the with the shuttle not being overly utilized or lines or even reaching the capacity

um we we we are welcome to explore any options to run a successful event again. Um and then I think one last thing was we were our first year in Moskegan was 2022. we had 75 teams. 2023 we had 85 teams. 2024 we had 105 teams. So it's been a slowly a 10 15 team incline. And we've done that because we didn't want to like just come in and overabundance. Um, we're not excited about capping the event, but we're we're if there's a number that is deemed we we wouldn't we wouldn't ever welcome more teams than we feel like the whole footprint could, you know, entail. We're not I'm a teacher. I just got done teaching, getting our car, drive out here, excited to speak with you guys. like we're not we're not trying to make money. We're trying to we're trying to provide a fun opportunity and then yeah, I mean I I have to feed my family, but we're not we're not getting rich. So,

thank you. I hope that didn't come off the wrong way. I'm with these guys. Public speaking, I'd rather be running around on the beach, but I'm so excited. We provide a really fun family environment for kids to come out. Families are outside on the beach playing soccer. It's a World Cup year, so I think it's an exciting opportunity to have kids out on the beach doing something that the that's hosted in the US this year. Just put something in place with that as well. Thank you. Um, Commissioner Coin, you had a question for the applicant and I think I saw your hand, Commissioner Kgo. Um, so we'll go to Commissioner Coin first and then Commissioner Kilgo.

Okay. Um, thank you very much for doing something that is really great for the kids. I really appreciate that. I signed up my little one for soccer with our parks department for the second year um this year and I'm really excited to see her bounce around and look the wrong way when the ball goes at her. Um I've been there when soccer in the sand has been happening and when the volleyball has been happening before. Um I've also spoken to a lot of the constituents down there who are my constituents that I have to answer to. Um, and they really, really, really feel the pinch with the traffic during the this specific time. Um, I think it's because it's like the high point of the summer. The weather is always really hot. Everyone wants to go to the beach. You add in the deck traffic, you add in the volleyball crowd, and then you add in your guys', and it it gets backed up. So, I I have concerns about that. um you had mentioned last year that you you guys had around a thousand players um that you were anticipating coming and I remember having a conversation about how you would get people to take the shuttle and as we've discussed there was confusion um on how that was going to work out this past year and so I want to kind of hear from you what kind of changes you're proposing to make versus what was promised last year. um in regards to making sure that people are using this shuttle system. Um is it going to fit the hours that you guys are going to need? And um how how can you kind of help make things a little bit easier down there for the residents so we can keep welcoming you back with open arms?

Well, the with the efforts of trying to obtain a private transportation entity, um I couldn't have exercised any extra efforts. So with complete clarity if I I don't know that the event needed the transportation um and I did I wasn't able to deliver any extra transportation than just the traditional transportation that is offered. Um I don't know what it necessarily does to the traffic. There's one way in and one way out. Um, so Ollie,

um, I think that we can our the buses started at 9:00 a.m., I believe, or I don't remember the time pre precisely. I believe it's noon.

Um, we can adjust that start time a little bit if we needed to um to help. And then I guess on our point I would say that maybe this year we can do we we exhausted a lot as far as like asking people to take the bus. Um we can do a better job of that. Um we provided I I we submitted in our application like a map to all of our customers that um showed um where the drop offs were and where um the fields where we asked everyone to take the shuttle. Um, we can continue to do that not only within like our customers that are applying and like the person that actually submits an application for our event and we accept it to do a much better job of getting this out to them. Um, and then again on social media and within any email communications that we send out to make sure that this is pushed out even more for them to understand that it's an important um, piece for us to continue to stay in Moskegan. Our customers are like 90% return customers. They're very very loyal to our events because once they come they love it. Um so I know that they want to be back in Moskegan. So I think if we make it important for them to see this and that this is important for us to continue to be in Moskegan that that will make an impact.

Yeah, I would I would appreciate if you could stress that. Um because the the traffic can get backed up by miles. Um and so it it can create concerns. There's been concerns about safety with if there's like an emergency, can the ambulance get through? And we know that they've said that they can get through, but it's not as easy, right? So that it creates situations that could potentially could be dangerous and I don't want to see anybody getting hurt. Um, so the busing system you're currently offering to use is our busing system that we're proposing at this moment. Correct. Correct. Okay. um

and and it was not at capacity. So, it sounds convenient for me to say that we don't need more transportation. Transportation or parking is not the problem. Um but we found out that it wasn't the pro like we the parking is not the problem. It's everyone's, you know, using that main in and out um before before the event, during the I mean, there's a lot of people at the beach that day, so there's a lot of traffic, but we were really happy with the way the event um you know, all the feedback we've gotten. So,

and if you're not from here, you might not be familiar with it, but I've been gone out there to try to get dinner at the deck um before. And you circle you circle and circle and circle. I'm a resident. I live here, right? Like you that's what that that traffic is is people coming in trying to find a parking spot. And so this is what I want to make sure that is heard is that the the shuttle portion of this is very important. Um I do have a question for Mr. Manager. The presentation yesterday, Mr. Manager, I believe they said that the buses were going to be running every hour and this says every 30 minutes. I believe it's every 30 minutes. Is that correct? Is every 30 minutes? That was what was called.

Tan line. This is from last year that's in the in the packet, right? Um tan line is every 30 minutes. Town lines every hour. The town line is every hour. Okay. Okay. And so in order for people to park in Lakeside and get back, you know, get on the shuttle, they would have to take the tan line to the beach circulator. Correct. Town. The town line. To the town line. Yes. Last year. Last year line. This year we're calling it the town line, but the one that goes, you know, along the shoreline from downtown east end um to to Pure Marat that's the town line and that's the one I believe as presented last night is running on the hour, right?

And then the circulator at the beach connecting all of our beach parks is on the half hour. I would want to make sure that we have updated information for them um for their people saying, you know, that they would have to switch lines so they know, you know, it's not going to be every 30 minutes if you're waiting out there for the town line. Yeah. And and just to be clear, you guys haven't approved the schedule yet for the buses. Um so we we can't provide that information, but once once we do Yeah. Yeah. Once we get it do that set in stone. Um All right. Thank you very much. Thank you, Commissioner Coach and Commissioner Kilgo. Thank you.

Sometimes people call me petty, but people are going to call you what they call you. So, now that we have um Pure Marquette sponsored by Chick-fil-A, maybe you guys can get um maybe you guys can get like McDonald's to sponsor an extra bus or something for you. I'm just kidding. But I support soccer in the sand 100%. What you guys do for the kids is awesome. I My question for you is would you say the majority, all none, most of your players, parents, families that come to the event for soccer in the sand, are they uh residents or are they like local or are they most of them visitors to Moskegan? 40 40% um I think are local.

Okay. 60% are coming from outside. And the other event that we do in June, exactly one month before this, um we have 400 teams. Yeah. So I think we make a big impact locally economically. I know I know we make a very big impact economically for 20 years on that weekend as well. So I love Moskegan. We got married in Moskegan. There you go. We don't live here. We live in the east side of the state. We we love Moskegan and the town next door.

Well, listen, getting kids into sports and things like soccer, you know, the the number one sport in the world are keeping our kids active. It's another option for stuff for our kids to do. So, please continue to do what you do. Um, and if 60% of the folks that are coming in, we charge for parking at Pure Marquette. And if you ask some people, we charge a a a good amount. So that's 60% of the folks that are coming in to see your event that are going to be parking and spending money at our at at our park to come and patronize your event. So, um, parking is never going to be something that's simple. I do have a direct a question for um Director Vanderhyde um because I know that we're adding some parking in to help with the parking situation at Pier Marquette. And Director Vanderhid, I was just curious the additional parking that we're adding at Pier Marquette. Can you tell us when that is set to be scheduled to be done?

Yes. So the um we are we are adding the way we're adding is we're rebuilding the um parallel uh parking I guess I'd call it that's in really poor condition between I guess between the two bathrooms now um when we do that we're going to build it so that there's you can park in both directions I guess left and right as you go down that that drive. So I won't say we're quite doubling it um but it's maybe more like 1.6 six or seven times that area. I believe the total number of spots that we're adding is it's either 60 or 80. So, it's it's 80 plus. It's it's it's plenty of spots to add, but you know, certainly not going to solve this problem

for sure. And I don't see it as a problem. It's just going to be one of those busy days. Um when would you when is that scheduled to be done? Sure. We had hoped to uh get some of that going this spring, but um due to permitting and other things, uh it's still not out for bid yet. So, we expect it'll all happen after Labor Day in the fall. Okay. So, after most of the season, okay, so it won't help us at all this year. That's all right. No, I I it's going to be a good added addition to the park, so we'll take it when we get it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Google, Commissioner Sinclair.

Thank you. I know um quite a few folks who have participated in this event over the years and um speak very fondly of it as a family opportunity and um the it's a really unique thing that happens that um I think would leave a gap in our community if if it's not here anymore. Um, but I also know that it's a family event and um when I would take my family places, especially some place like the beach, we were loading up the beach umbrella cuz I'm pasty and I burn and the cooler because my kids would eat me out of house and home and a couple of chairs and things to keep everybody entertained and thinking about, am I going to haul all of that onto a shuttle? Probably not. Um, so I think that while we can while we can ask for people to use the shuttle because it is such a family event, I don't know I don't know that you're going to get a lot more users um because of that. you know, it's it's not it's not something that people are driving themselves to and and it does tend to be um a lot of moving parts for the the folks that are attending. So, I think I think continuing to encourage people to use the shuttle is good, but I also understand that there's only so much that that um people can be obligated to do. Um, this is a place where we have free will and

and if you want to pay to park at the beach, then uh if you don't mind circling to find a spot, um, I don't know that we can penalize you for not getting people to take the shuttle. Um, so that's my thoughts. Thank you, Commissioner Sinclair. Thank you. Anything else to ask or add at this time, Commissioner German? Uh, yes. Um, sorry, I should ask. Is there anything to ask of the applicant at this time? Yeah. And then we'll get into any discussion. Do you have a question, Commissioner German? Okay. Well, just listening and if I heard you correctly, um you pointed out some things. Um sound like uh you have a lot of experience doing this. You said I believe what about 20 years was it? We're celebrating the 20 year anniversary this year. We're excited.

And you still married so you feeding your family there. So, so evidently, yeah, you're taking care of that part. But um you know I think this it does you know give um the community a option different options and and sports you know I've always been a um advocate of sports whether it's baseball um soccer I wasn't that good at even though I got mistaken for a pro soccer player when I was studying abroad in Germany and um yeah but uh didn't know anything about the guy but they said I looked like and you know I was in the bar and wouldn't give him my autograph. So yeah, but no that's not me you know but for the most part of it um I could see if um things was adjusted and maybe it may be some wiggle room where um this could be um considered um so but that'll be all up to the commission here. So but I I see the opportunity.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner German. Before I ask the before the we get on to voting, is there any additional questions uh for the applicant? All right. Thank you.

Now, before we go to vote, um my thought I would love to find a way to accommodate this event. I don't want to spurn the event or turn it away. Um it is a familyfriendly event. It brings folks into our community. Um, and so I'd like to see it continue. Um, but at the same time, there are legitimate concerns around traffic and parking, um, and impact on our neighbors and our community. Um, what I'm seeing, I'm not seeing enough of an evolution from last year of how we learned, you know, how we've taken into account what happened last year and and looking to improve on it this year. Um, and so I would I would like to have heard that more. I would have liked to have seen that included in here like okay this didn't work out last year so this is why this is how we're going to approach it this year um rather than saying well we'll got the shuttle I mean when we last year permitted this and said we'd like you to look at providing um transit options and encouraging your part your participants and attendees to use it we didn't have our shuttle service yet like we hadn't adopted that we it was just in concept um and so I didn't expect them just to this this event to just only advertise ours I and expected them to provide their own. Um certainly ours could serve as complimentary. Um understandably there was capacity still. Um it but the event started before our shuttle so you had that gap. Um and also with this this advertisement I don't necessarily see is there a parking lot? Let me see. Can you scroll up Madam Clerk just slightly? Why is that Sander parking lot? Okay. So, it did have paknas in it. Um, so I mean better communicating that could help if there are a way to encourage, you know, improving the logistics of encouraging your participants to to use this and dropping off players or equipment or something, but then parking elsewhere and taking the shuttle in. Um, at the very least, I think that we need to look at

them paying for the city shuttle service. If that's all we're going to rely on, if we're not going to have um expecting them to provide their own transit options for their attendees and participants, then we need to um look at extending or or having our shuttle service start earlier because what was presented last night was it only starting at noon. So, if that's going to be what we're relying on, then we need to look at that starting at the, you know, earlier than their event, in which case I think that would have to be an add-on fee to the uh permit. Um the other thing and this is just a suggestion. I don't know if this is a sensible suggestion uh but in terms of considering active traffic enforcement having a dedicated uh public safety personnel with traffic enforcement at the appropriate intersection or um you know parking lot wherever. I don't know. I don't know the I'm just throwing that out there because there have been legitimate concerns about um emergencies um and traffic flow. So, I just I just would have liked to have seen more of an evolution of like, okay, this didn't work out. This did work. This is how we're going to do better um this time around. And so, I'm torn like I want to accommodate this. I want to figure out to make this work. Um I do think it might be sensible to consider a cap. Um you said you've been growing growing growing and I and it's been incremental and I appreciate that but I um given the experience you know last year and the year before like it may be sensible to come up with a reasonable cap on on the number of teams uh participating. That said, um I would actually prefer to refer it back to staff for consideration of evolving some elements of it before we say nay because I'm uncomfortable with it as it stands right now, but I really would like to accommodate it. Um but that is the

pleasure of the commission. We have a motion on the floor um to approve it as presented.

Yes, Mr. Manager. Um so just a couple of clarifications on things from conversations that I'm hearing. The it was noted that there was some concerns about emergency vehicles. The chief and I had a discussion that weekend. Um, and again following up on Monday, there were no issues with emergency vehicles getting down there. There was a perception that there was a concern. Um, and there was nothing that was passed up through the chain of command. Um, I distinctly remember having that conversation because that was brought up. Um, so the and there was uh if I do recall, there was an ambulance that was going out there that weekend for something or or one of the fire trucks. they did not express any concerns about getting around. Um, so I just I just want to make sure that's clear because we did look into that concern when it came up. Um, and that that was not a concern. Oftent times in the summer we do have extra police uh out at the beach. Generally it's it's in the evening. Um, usually starting around 4 or 5 Chief

um in the summer we generally have extra police at the beach on the weekend but it's like four or five o'clock that they start. Yeah. Um, so there is extra policing in the evening. Maybe not at at this time. Uh, obviously with anything with our public safety, they're spread thin. Um, so if it's extra overtime or things like that, we can pose for it, but we can't always guarantee it. Um, and also if there's other emergencies in the city, we got to make sure that we're we're being cognizant of that. Um, the I would also like to remind the commission this is a good problem to have. um events wanting to be here, people wanting to come here. Uh the tourism sector growing. This is something that Moskegan has wanted for a long time. Um it it's things that we've, you know, we've looked at Grand Haven, we've looked at Letington and said, you know, we want to be that tourist economy as well. This is part of being a tourist economy and how we have those conversations. I'm not saying one way is the right way or the wrong way. I'm just making sure that we're having that that as a reminder as part of our conversation as we move forward and how that impacts um a variety of other things. So, um you know, if the commission does want to send it back to staff, I do think we could have some conversations. Um I I don't know what the timelines on the deadlines are and things like that. I don't know if Director Vanderhyde can fill in on that.

Yeah, we could uh talk to the event about that. Um, I guess I would want to be clear that staff would need some pretty specific direction as to what to discuss with the event because our role in this process is to bring conflicting events to the commission, not to negotiate with events, you know, outside the policy. I would like to from my perspective I do think staff has the opportunity to negotiate that based upon feedback received last year. Um and if we do refer back to you give you some specific feedback now on what to negotiate um but it's shouldn't be for us to negotiate from the dis um throwing out some idea suggestions. Um I do think at a minimum we need to look at um the shuttle service starting earlier um and them paying for that accordingly. Um but commissioners think clear there

if this wasn't a conflicting event would this have come to the commission. Thank you. So it would be no no concern at all if there wasn't another conflict. Correct. All all departments approved it. Thank you. Because it's a returning event, correct? So, yes, all new first time events come to the commission. Commissioner uh Coach and then Commissioner Kilgo and we need to wrap this up. We got so many other items. I was going to do you talked to Commissioner Kgo. Oh. Oh, Commissioner Kilgo.

Yeah. I'm just thinking that if you could do any Again, I'm in support of approving both. I think that we can handle both events. It's might be a little busy, but if you could tell both events, even if volleyball was first, to please encourage your participants that we have extra parking options available, including downtown and getting on our shuttle, including this stop, including this end of the beach and that end of the beach because we literally have a a cross beach shuttle now also. So, there's there's different options for parking. As the day goes on, it's going to get a little busier. or you'll have peak time and then it'll die down because people are leaving or their tournament's over. Not everyone stays there all day. You know, if they're eliminated, they're probably going to leave cuz their feelings are hurt or something, you know. So, I I just think telling both events that um we would appreciate it if they spread that, you know, like encourage their people that are there are more options. But I don't think that we should charge either event more because we're getting we're getting money from the people who don't have parking passes and they're buying the daily or you know they're buying a seasonal because they love it there so much maybe even so I that's just my thoughts.

Thank you go. Thank you. Commissioner Coach.

Yes. I have two points to make and then I'm going to make an amendment to my motion. Um, one, we don't actually have the beach shuttle approved yet. Um, so it's it's not running and the ask last year and again the ask this year was that they find funding and get their participants to use a shuttle service. Um, I I I completely agree with what Mr. Mayor said um and what Mr. Manager said. It's a good problem to have. I like the soccer. Um, I think it's a a great thing to have. I don't love that we're trying to do this again on the same day as a second event, um, especially down there. And that's the whole reason we have this policy, um, is because of these two events specifically and the impacts on the neighborhood uh, and the traffic down there. So, um, I think that that that's something to consider is the fact that we don't actually have a shuttle that service that has been approved. I'm fairly confident we're going to approve it because I know the commission, but I don't know for sure. And so what's proposed in front of me, I think it still needs more work. And I would agree with Mr. Mayor. I would like to amend my motion to put punt this back to the city to continue communicating with the part uh the uh customer on potential other solutions based on tonight's conversation. I support it. No.

No. Table it. Oh, table back to staff. Yeah. All right. Because we approved the consent agenda and it was on the consent agenda. Correct. No. Right now, the soccer held on July 25th and 26th, 2026 at Pier Marquette. Um, so during a pending motion, you can have a motion to table the pending motion. table and refer but the motion maker can make a friendly amendment can amend the motion. Yeah, I think that's that's what I'm trying to do. Yeah, you made the motion. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And she's just amending the motion to Yes. to table. She's restating the motion essentially to now table it. Yes.

Would you prefer an additional motion be made to table it um beyond the original motion? Is the motion you're looking to do the motion to refer back to staff then instead of a motion to approve? Yes. Yes. Is it okay for just to restate or do you want us to have a separate motion to table and refer back to staff? I think it would be appropriate to have a motion to table and refer back to staff. Okay. So, we have an additional motion to table and refer back to staff that was supported by uh Commissioner German. Mr. Manager.

Yeah. Um just a point of clarification for the applicants. Um, if this was the get table in your work with us, does how does the what does the timeline look like for you guys as far as a planning perspective to be able to get information out to your participants? Like what's the window we're working in? Is it is it two weeks? Is it a week? Well, the next meeting is not till the 24th. Um, which we'd have to have everything done by Tuesday. Um, or are we looking like we could look at it on the April 14th meeting? What does, um, that look like for you? I just want to make sure that staff has a good idea about what that timeline is because I know that your folks are looking for things like making reservations and and getting plans going. So, I just want to see what that

what the expectation is. So, is it is the 14th of no of April too late or do you think this is something we can get done in a week? April 14th. Okay. Okay. Is that Dan? Is that or Director Vanderhiden? Is that Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. Um, so we got a motion to refer this uh back to staff table and refer back to staff consideration with the expectation that's going to come back to us on April 14th. Um, as clarification, if this motion fails, the underlying motion still Yep. Okay. is for consideration.

Um, so to speak to your question earlier, uh, Director Van some specifics. So like, um, that's looking at the shuttle service whether it's a separate one or, uh, the one that we are bringing forward starting sooner. Um, and it would need to start before their event, not just at the time of the start of their event. In my perspective, um, I do think it's reasonable for that cost to be uh, passed along since we'd be incurring that cost for additional hours. Same thing we do with DPW. Um, if we have to have DPW staff um, doing this, that, and the other for them, we have an hourly rate for them and that gets passed along to the uh, special event um, applicant. And so I think it's appropriate that we then pass along that cost for the transportation. Um I would welcome the applicant put together um more information on how they're going to how their communication strategy is going to evolve from last year. How are they how are they going to look to do better? Um because as Commissioner Cochan said, we did adopt this policy of not having multiple events at Pier Marquette at one time um specifically to uh as a result of actually this this weekend. I mean this this was uh three years ago um it was horrible um the the traffic situation over there and that was a catalyst for us adopting this policy and so when we you know said move forward with this we wanted reassurance and efforts of how we're going to be able to better navigate this and so I just would like you know continuous improvement what what didn't work last year how we can do better um and that to be communicated when we bought back to us when we consider this permit. Um, those are my thoughts. Any final thoughts on terms of what you might want to expect um going forward?

No. Okay. I got notes. Okay. Um, all right. Roll call, please. Commissioner St. Clair. No. Mayor Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Kilgo? No. Commissioner German? Yes. Commissioner Jackson? Uh, yes, Commissioner Coach. Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Um, I'm confident we'll find a way or not. All right. Um, what should we do?

Item G, good temp staffing solutions temporary staffing services agreement extension. Commissioner German. Oh, yes. Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve the extension of good temps staffing solution agreement for 2026 support. We got a motion commissioner German supported by commissioner Kilgo. Good evening. Kind introduce yourself and please report out on this item.

Wana Thompson, EEO and employee relations director for the city of Moskegan. And I do have um Janette Hoyer as well as Jim Fischer here that would like to approach and uh discuss with you the agreement a little bit. Were there any questions that you all had? Uh before we invite up um the counterparty to this agreement, commissioners, do you have any questions for Director Tom Thompson? Uh Commissioner German. Yes. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Director Thompson. Thompson, haven't seen you in a while. It's good to see you.

Um, you you know, this is, you know, good that we have this agreement. But, um, you know, the different, um, career opportunities that, you know, they provide. also finding work and um placing people um in a a career or a job that can help them sustain and have the opportunity to possibly have a good quality of life. Um one of the questions that I have cuz I I I know that you are I'm the director of the EEOC and employment relations um department or director. Um I get approached by people and um some of them are just you know re-entering the workforce or actually coming back into the community um being released from prison um you know with a felony and and records and things like that. Um how open is good attempts in placing or accepting um and yeah I kind of figured I would be

Dak can talk about their re-entry programs and I'd like to hear on that also. Hi, how you doing? Good to see you again. Yeah. Yeah, if you can answer that question. If you need me to repeat it again, I can do that as well. And could you kind introduce yourself? I'm Janette Hoyer. I'm the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan and Goodtemp Staffing Solutions. Um, yes. I think your question is how open are we to hiring people who are returning from prison or jail? Is that That's correct.

Fair. That is absolutely one of our primary customer bases. So in addition to serving those who have disabilities or those who have other barriers to employment, a big one is people returning from prison or jail. And absolutely good temps is one of the ways that we provide an opportunity for entities to to employ people who have felony records, for example. Um, we have to be careful because some contracts don't allow people with felonies to be in certain places that we're cleaning, for example, or that we're providing some other service for. Um, but we work really hard to find opportunities for those folks to give them a second chance.

And that's good to know. Thank you um for that. Um how might um indivi is there any type of um recommend I mean requirements um like driver's license they have to have social security cards and stuff like that. Now they're just coming out of prison and um because I was approached by a young man at a gas station and the thought came to my mind to ask this question. So, I'm really trying to um help, you know, people who made uh a bad decision and um to have a second chance in life to to correct things and and get to living the life of um that they want to be. We are very much committed to the same.

Okay. Uh and so if somebody lots of people don't come come out with driver's licenses or other things and we help them get those. Okay. Great. It's great to provide those services. Thank you. You bet. Thank Commissioner German, Commissioner Kilgar at support of the motion. Anything to No, I'd just like to thank Goodwill Industries um and um and what you do. I guess my only question for you would be like um um communication wise like if if we needed to know um Goodwill Industries capacity, what you do, what you may be willing to get involved with, um how easy is it to contact your office?

Very, very easy. Y can all have my cell phone number. Put me on speed now. Awesome. Thank you so much for what you do in our community. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Kgo. Commissioners, anything else to ask of Miss Hoyer? Another you follow, Commissioner German. Uh yes, for U Director Thompson. For Director Thompson. All right. Uh thank you, Mer. Thank you. Yes, M. Now, as far as demographics, um, with, um, people that's being, um, placed in these positions, um, what are we looking at, um, when it comes to like gender base, um, you know, race, ethnicity? Um,

I did not come prepared to disclose those numbers tonight, but I can get those for you and get those prepared for you. Um, I will say that their population of employees tend to very well reflect the community that we serve. And so, okay, they are, you know, we've we've established a very good working relationship with good temps, um, as well as with Goodwill and

Yeah. Yeah. Well, that that's good to know. And I always advocate for equal opportunity, freedom, fair, and inclusive um um options for, you know, citizens and residents. But at the same time, um we have people that's homeless out there that's looking for work. You know, people are hurting. You know, if it's not food, it's, you know, housing and things like that. So, um you know,

and those are kind of all part of their mission. And so that's why it's kind of nice to work with a temporary service that is a for-profit organiz. It's a for-profit business, but it's housed under a mission that is a nonprofit mission. And so I think it's it's a good fit for us. Great. Looks good on the city as well. Yeah. Thank you, director.

Thank you, Commissioner German. Anything else to ask of Director Thompson? No. All right. Thank you, Director Thompson. Um just note this is a approval of extension through the end of this year and as noted in the packet um staff anticipate bidding out the contract for uh temporary staffing services um in the fall um later this year. Of course uh good tense is welcome and invited and encouraged to bid on that um contract when it gets uh posted. So unless there's anything else to ask or add. Roll call, please. Mayor Jonathan, yes. Commissioner Kilgo, yes. Commissioner German, yes. Commissioner Jackson, yes. Commissioner Cochen, yes. Commissioner St. Clair, yes.

Motion passes. Excellent. Thank you. Item J, Richards Park proposals, ADA kayak launch. Commissioner Cochen. I move to authorize staff to contract with BMC for construction of an ADA ADA accessible kayak launch at Richards Park for $1,56500. I'm sorry, 1500. And sorry 156590 and I my brain does not support. Well, we got a motion by Commissioner Cohen supported by Commissioner St. Clair. All right.

Good evening and kind introduce yourself once more and please report out on this item.

Yes. Kesky, director of parks and recreation for city of Moskegan. So, this item along with the next two that we're going to be discussing were our priorities that are outlined in our parks master plan update that we did in 2024. That that update was an extensive um reimagination of the parks survey um in which we had 10 times the amount of responses. So, we had a lot of good feedback and so we'll we'll hone in on this one right here. Um one of the the parks that we did a master plan on um we we had worked with MCSA. They helped with was concept at five parks. Um so once we got those concepts we hired Fle and Vanderbreak after which was a public um bid to help us to develop some site plans um and actually put those concepts into action. So what we're talking about is the ADA accessible kayak launch. It's we're happy to do it. We've been hearing from a lot of different entities. Uh Moskegan County was excited for it because it can connect with one of their parks um up the river and we really found inequities in our parks with accessibility and with access to to to water to the lake and to the rivers. So, um, here you can see our site plan. I do have a member of police and Vanderbrick with us and she will help me with all of the questions about what does, uh, one and nine and 11 mean. Um, but for the most part, we are going to regrade. We're going to put down crush aggregate. We're going to pave some spots. They're going to be large enough for van spots and we're going to pave an approach and have a nice accessible kayak launch at our park.

All right. Thank Thank you, Director Cartesky. Uh, Commissioner Cochen. maker.

Uh I really appreciate that. Yeah, I think uh Richard Park is one of the underutilized parks in our city probably because people don't know that it's there. Um and it is surrounded by natural beauty. Um and it's a a really peaceful park to be in um until you get over to the highway, right? Like then it gets real busy. Um, but the the idea behind making this kayak launch ADA accessible um is a is a really great idea and I reached out to a friend at Disability Advocates to talk a little bit more about that to kind of help me with some questions about what to ask and what to think about. And um one of the questions that we kind of talked about in regards to this was the ability for people to get back out of the kayaks. Um the the person I was talking with was a wheelchair user. Um can you elaborate some of the thought processes that went behind this

to that? Um so the kayak launch system that you see there kind of on the bottom right of the screen is from a company called Easy Do. Um your I'm trying to the very far right. It almost looks like two V's coming to each other. That section of the kayak launch sits on rollers and um you'll see like a rectangle that hangs out over that part of the launch. So someone who is in a wheelchair would roll their wheelchair up to the rectangular portion and then transfer themselves from their chair over to that board and that board slides out. So their uh their kayak is already uh in the V looking portion. Um, so they would slide out over on top of their kayak, get into their kayak, and be able to use their arms to roll into the water or their paddle, whichever they're using. Um, same with if they're getting out of the kayak, those rollers go both ways, so they can enter it again, hoist themselves up um onto that board and then slide back over into their into their wheelchair. Um, I I can't speak how to some how somebody in a wheelchair might be getting their kayak to that launch. Um, I haven't seen it done, but I would imagine that this type of launch does not exist if they don't already have that ability or somebody with them who is helping them get their kayak down to the launch.

Yeah, that was one of their questions was if they would need to have somebody with them or if there was opportunities to be able to do this without assistance. Um, and I think that there's all kinds of different ranges that are acceptable as well as this individual. So, I don't think that there's, you know, judgment on that. But I think that, um, you know, it's something to think about, right, when we're doing these kinds of, you know, ADA, um, you know, amendments to properties to make it more accessible. Um, you had mentioned making a path paved that goes up to that. to the caller's point earlier um in regards to fixing the the parking lot. Is that part of that plan too to fix that parking lot and pave any of that or is that not

So the only portion of the parking lot that is going to be paved is where you see those um accessible wheelchair signs along with that walkway with the lines that comes out to the kayak launch that will all be concrete. Um the material that is proposed for the parking lot is all a crushed aggregate stone. So it compacts it gets compacted in layers and compacts like concrete, but it's a lot more environmentally friendly for a sensitive area like this that's so close to the river and has wetlands on site. Um still easy access for a wheelchair to get across. Um as well as makes it a little bit more formalized parking than it is right now with all of the asphalt that's all cracked and breaking up. Um, but we also have those concrete areas proposed for folks that are coming in for um an accessible van um whether they're in a wheelchair or have another disability.

I appreciate that answer your question. It does. Yeah. And then the last question is in regards to um something that the people from the Let's Go Boating group had brought up in regards to a potential, you know, uh home for their kayak um rack and and launching space. Um with what's envisioned here, do we think that we might have space for that kind of activity? There's a lot of space at the park. When I did talk to Let's Go Boating about this and share their excitement and enthusiasm for this, we we talked about security for their kayaks because if it was right in this area, it would be covered by trees. And so we are we are working together and trying to find an area that's that's good for security for the kayaks. And also to the

the um to the question about the footprint of the park and affecting other aspects. Um, I did recognize uh the comment um that was a member of our disc golf um group who who uses Richard's Park and there will be no impact to the disc golf course from this improvement. Okay, excellent. Thank you so much. Thanks, Commissioner Coin. Commissioner Sinclair, thank you. Thank you for all of the work on this. Um do we have any other accessible kayak launches in the city? Not cityowned. There used to be Rotary Park used to have one that Rotary put in. I don't think it's there anymore. Um I was going to mention I know the Boys and Girls Club has one

and they put a new one. Yeah, they have a nice one. Nice wooden platform in the lake. Yeah. Can general public access it though.

Yeah. Okay. So, this is a pretty significant need in our community. I know there's some surrounding county areas, but they're not on Mskegegan Lake and they're not ours. Um, I'm I'm excited about this opportunity and um I'm happy to hear that we're working with Let's Let's Go Boating. They do really great things. I'm a kayaker and um I want more people to have that opportunity because it's it's just so great. So, anything that we can do to to broaden that opportunity out, whether it be expanding so that anybody can get on the lake, um, however that looks, I'm definitely going to support it.

You're here. Thanks, Commissioner Sinclair. Anything else to ask or add? Commissioner Togo?

Yeah. Um, so I do have questions about accessing the park, but I know that's more a DPW question. Um, so as far as um um the the bidding for this contract, um BCM was not the lowest bid. Can you tell me why the details of why we chose BCM? Are they local versus uh Boltza who was the lowest bid? That one was real closer than the next one that I need to talk about, but can you just kind of go explain a little bit about why we chose that one over there?

And we also had police and Vanderbreak. We contracted them to help with the bid tabulation and approval. So, I will let her speak because we did um that was part of the of the package deal and so they did look into it and give it a Yeah. So, while Boltzma was the um on paper low bid for this particular park, they actually did not include the kayak launch uh structure in their bid. Uh they I don't know if they didn't see it or why they didn't uh include it on there, but that is like a 30 to $40,000 line item, whereas BMC did include it with their bid. And since keeping that in mind, knowing what Easy Do charges for this docking system, that actually does make them the low bid. Indeed, for sure. Kind of a big part of the

Yes. of this particular one. We want that part. For sure. Well, thank you very much. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Commissioner K. Anything else, commissioners? No. All right. Uh, thank you. Excited to see this uh improvement in addition. Two more. There's two more. Yeah, we got Oh, yeah. We got more. Um doing a lot of improvements in our park system and I'm uh really pleased to see this uh new kayak launch and accessible kayak um amenity. It's a important improvement on accessibility for our lake and our waterways. Um so, thank you. All right. Roll call, please.

MO. Just real quick, too, as a tangent. Um, I fully support us um ensuring the sustainability of watches go voting wherever they may be. Um, roll call, please. Mr. Tilgo, I second that. Mr. Mayor, yes. Mr. German, yes. Mr. Jackson, yes. Mr. Cochen, yes. Commissioner Sinclair, yes. Mayor Johnson, yes. Motion passes. Thank you. All right. Next item. Cruisy Park ADA accessible. Another way to improve accessibility. Um, ADA access boat access ramp. Commissioner Kilgo,

I move to authorize staff to con contract with uh Midwest Construction in the amount of $331,821 for the construction of ADA accessible beach access ramp at Cruisy Park. Support motion by Commissioner Kilog, supported by Commissioner Cochen. Welcome back.

All right. I'm again happy to talk about this item. Um, this has been a big part of the park master plan and we've been hearing feedback from residents about this since in 2020 the high waters washed away our our beach access ramp. A few years ago we we did put a stop gap in and put the stairs in there. It helped with the with the dune erosion and it does help for some access to our beach, but our beach is very busy and it wasn't open to all. We wanted to make sure we had a dog beach and other parts of the beach that were accessible. And we've been working for years on trying to find the perfect solution. And we think we we have a nice solution right here. Um, and before I get into I'm not even going to bother talking about what all the lines mean and and all the turns. Um, which is nice. Why please Vanderbrink is here, but this was the most efficient we could get the ramp and um there are some nice points to it. um some new additions, um some breakaway points if we did get the high waters again. Um there's some some elements of the ramp that we could we could break away and rebuild not have to rebuild the entire ramp. So we we've learned from our mistakes or learned from what Lake Michigan's thrown at us.

History. Yes. All right. Thank you, Director Caresky. Commissioner Kilo.

Um thank you. Um back to the bid amount. Before we get to the bids though, um we're unless they're separate like these are city costs, but do we calculate like do we have continued work to do with Eagle or any environmental things to put this in in that area or on the dunes? Do we have additional permits or work to do with the state as far as the dune parts of it goes? Um, so that is a service that the city contracted with us to um help out with as well. Um, the permits have already been submitted. We're talking with the permit reviewer um through any questions that they might have on the plans. They have not posed any uh I guess issues with this layout. Um, we actually part of that process is meeting with them at the site before you even put your application in to talk about what you're planning on installing and how to do it best. Since this is a critical dune area, we talked with them previously about best management practices about how to install this. Um, you know, we can't bring any huge mechanical equipment down this dune. Um, I mean, sure, maybe from a lakeside on a barge or something, but who's got money for that? Um, so they were part of this entire process. We're still waiting to get that final approval. Um, but so far no major issues have been brought up from them that this is going to be a no-go or anything like that.

Okay. And then with the bids, uh, Midwest Construction was the bid that we chose um, versus patron. I see the patron has a NA slot for pile driving equipment. Is that why is that Is that why we did not choose them? Because they were about $30,000 less on their bid.

Correct. That is part of it. Um they had proposed uh jetting using a water jet essentially to uh dig the holes for sticking those piles in for all of the major posts that are part of the structure. Um that is not the preferred method of installing this safely, especially on a critical dune. if we're jetting down in the sand, you know, we're kind of displacing more than what we really want to do with the construction of this. So, if they were to um if we were to accept that, we also don't really don't know for certain that Eagle would even accept that as a uh permissible uh installation.

Okay, perfect. kind of went handinhand those two questions because I I know that from an environmental standpoint, we want to keep the the nature of the dune there, but we want to also find the lowest bid. So, um although Midwest is a little bit bigger, if they're going to do it the right way, that's what we want done. So, thank you for your work on that. And and my last thing is um I know that we've had citizens very concerned about us getting this ramp back in. So this is really good to see uh us getting to this point. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Kilo. Commissioner Cochen.

Yes. Um thank you very much. Uh to Commissioner Kilgo's point, um we don't want to disrupt this very sensitive area. Um, but it is something that has been there before and having ADA access down there, I think, is something that our community really wants to have. Um, and it also benefits people with dogs and it benefits people with stroller, not strollers, but like big beach bags and chairs and, you know, it's very difficult to be able to haul all of that stuff up and down the stairs. Um whereas the ramp process makes it a lot easier. So I think we can appreciate that from a lot of different fronts, from an ADA front, from a mom front, from a family front. Um it just I think will benefit the community overall. And I really appreciate you guys taking the time to consider that sensitive environment and and not go with the uh the jet driven process because yeah, that would not be very sensitive in our uh critical dunes there. So I'm all for this. I'm excited. I the only thing I can say is I I wish it was a couple years ago, but I'm excited to say yes today.

Thanks, Commissioner Goen. Commissioner, is there anything else to ask or add? Commissioner Sinclair, what would the timeline on this be? Um, as soon as we can get that go-ahehead from Eagle, we'll look to issue that notice to proceed. Um, I think the funding for this needs to be spent by end of the year. All All these are definitely this year deadline. So, this summer people could potentially use the ramp potentially. Yeah, it's, you know, we're it's early March, so God willing and the don't rise and just we're estimating roughly anywhere between

it's hard to say with how construction goes in Michigan, but anywhere from a 12 length 12week construction timeline, maybe up as much as 20 weeks, but again, like you said, we are in March, so hopefully that would at least give us half of the summer season on the beach for folks to start using it. Right. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank. Anything else, commissioners? All right. Well, I'm thrilled we're finally able to restore uh ramp access and improve accessibility to to this great feature in our city. So, thank you so much. Roll call, please. Commissioner German, yes. Commissioner Jackson, yes. Commissioner Cochen? Yes. Commissioner Sinclair? Yes. Mayor Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Kilgo? Yes. Motion passes.

Thank you. Item L, Hartshorn Park AD accessible fishing platform. Commissioner Cochen. I move to authorize staff to contract with Tridon Construction in the amount of 1521 136 and 45 cents for construction of ADA accessible fishing area at Heartshore and Park.

Support. I have a motion by Commissioner Coach and supported by Commissioner Kilgo. Welcome back. All right. So, this is another improvement that we outlined as a priority in our parks master plan. Um, really was important for us to walk away from from this capital improvement plan with an area for that is more accessible to fish in especially along our our inland lakes. Um, and so here is kind of one of we we did have a concept for a more uh grand idea that can that can come later with shade shelters, but we really wanted to make sure all of these amenities fit within our budget. Um, and and we can really grow from there. Um, what you see here is some decorative concrete. Um, there will be a curb so that if someone is if there is a wheelchair, um, they they'll be safe um, from from the water's edge there. And it it seems like it it's going to be a great addition to our parks and a nice place for people to um either enjoy the views um or fish. And so I will um open up questions from the the commission about

director commissioner coaching.

Yes. Thank you very much. Um I remember being on those walks and and talking with folks about how we could do that best and there was a whole range of different ideas on how we could do that and I think what you stated there was important. This is a jumping off point. This is not the final um rendition for the rest of our lives. This is something that we're going to start with and hopefully continually build upon um and learn from and make better every time. Can you talk a little bit more about um what we're seeing there um for the folks at home on on that visual? Okay. So, for this marina, we have a couple different materials proposed. So, for everybody that's viewing this at home, all of the semicircles and quarter circles there would all be paved concrete. Um, it would be colored differently to provide some beautiful, you know, visual interest. Um, the surface would just be that broom brushed surface that is typical of a lot of sidewalks all over the state to provide a little bit of traction. Um you'll see uh right along on the northern edge there, there is a thin band um that's kind of just like like wrong long rectangles. If you're viewing this um as somebody who doesn't do design, that material there is going to be a synthetic boardwalk material. It's just a two-ft band um to kind of provide a cap for the seaw wall that's already existing along the lake shore right there. Um, it also would house uh the curb that um Kasheski spoke to um to stop any wheelchairs or anybody from rolling off the edge there. Um you can see also there is a I guess it would probably look more like a polka dot pattern um on the screen here. That hatch uh pattern is what I'm going to call it. that is going to be um dune grass like a native dune grass to West Michigan um instead of a uh a typical turf grass. Uh the soils there when we

did soil borings were found to be extremely sandy. Um very well drained. So it trying to keep a true turf grass alive would take probably quite a bit of water resources. There's no irrigation at this site at this time. Um, and also dune grass is when it's established well in a tight gritted pattern, it's actually better at keeping sand in place. I think if anybody's been to this site, you've seen the different mounds and stuff of sand moving around in the mixture of different type of grasses trying to grow there. Um, so that's the reasoning for proposing dune grass there instead of turf grass. Um, once it's established, it also is very drought tolerant because they like well- draining soil. Um, so it's more likely to to last over time. Um we do have a couple ADA spots striped in here as well. Um there's no proposed uh parking lot paving improved just due to budget constraints. Um but uh thankfully the existing grades there already meet ADA accessibility. Um as well as that rectangular ramp that you see moving up towards the semicircles that already meets um existing acceptable grades. So that would just be a repaved ramp up and then re restriping those spots. And are those like trees or bushes that we're seeing?

There would be four trees planted um since we uh forego or you know said that we couldn't afford doing shade sales or any type of shade structures at this time. Um we proposed doing some shade trees in the area as well that we think would do well in those soils and provide some shade for anybody looking for sun relief while they're fishing or picnicking there. Okay. And um have we had conversations with um Eagle or the conservation district in regards to um using more native plants like besides obviously the dutrass which is fantastic but like as far as the trees go. Excellent.

Yes, those are all native plantings and again it's the same process as with um the cruisy boardwalk where we have a pre-application meeting with Eagle out there and tell them what the plans are and they you know give spiel the spiel of what's going to be permissible and what is not. Mhm. And the the current wall that we're seeing there, the seaw wall, that's already in place. We are not removing soft shoreline and putting in a hard wall. Correct. Correct. It is already existing uh piled driven seaw wall. Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Thank you.

Thank you. Um just a couple of questions. Are there any plans now or in the future? I didn't see any in the bid, so I'm guessing not now. But are there any plans in the future for any fisherman amenities at that site? Fisher fish cleaning, fish pole support, bucket holder. I don't I I'm not a fisherman. My best friend is. He'd be like, "What are you talking about?" But I know that at other sites there are different amenities for fisher fishing people. I saw three benches, which is awesome. People may just want to come sit and watch the water. So, that's cool. Um, but just curious, are there any plans for any

Yeah. Well, as a fisherman myself, I do appreciate a bathroom. We are re We are rehabbing the bathroom. Um, that's right on the other side here. That's a separate project. We don't have any other um a lot of those would be smaller additions that we could make in the department. Um, but really as far as moving forward, uh, this, believe it or not, this u parks master plan is about done. Um, and we will re-engage the community in a survey for the next five-year master plan. Uh and at that time it's a good it's good to identify you know and it'll be great because this will probably be done around that time. How can we improve it? And that's where we'll get that feedback at.

Okay. And my second last question is the peninsula directly to the left of here to the west of here. Is that um peninsula um in the city's master plan or is that part of that PUD that the developer was supposed to do as far as like developing that peninsula? We do have a a a master plan. Okay. Um for that. So that's something that we'll see coming down the road to finish that like either a walkway or something so people can walk out cuz that's still city-owned. Correct.

Yes. And actually I believe that there are ongoing conversations. Um

yeah, so the one of the things from the cooperative use agreement uh and the conversations we've been having is uh the developer completing that trail up the peninsula. Um there had been some changes to it from what was originally proposed that it conform more to what our master plan is rather than what he had proposed. I'm sorry, what the development group had proposed. Um, so it would be our expectation that that still happens. Again, like we talked about yesterday, we've been having conversations with the receiver about what our expectations are in those regards. Um, and then but the other improvements would be ongoing conversations on how that works. Obviously, there's a lot of influx right now. Yeah. Gotcha. Thank you so much.

Yep. Thanks, Commissioner Kilo. Commissioners, anything else to ask, Brad? All right. Well, thank you for your work on that. I'm excited to see this uh come to fruition. Roll call, please. Mr. German, yes. Mr. Jackson, yes. Mr. Ken, yes. Mr. St. Clair, yes. Mayor Johnson, yes. Mr. Kilgo, yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Item O, police vehicle purchase. Commissioner German. Oh, yes. Thank you, Mayor. Move to authorize staff to purchase police vehicles from Virgin Chevrolet for the total amount of $222,188. report. Have a motion by Commissioner Kilg or German supported by Commissioner Kilgal.

Good evening, sir. Good evening, Mayor Commissioners. Uh, Director Vanderhyde of the DPW. Um, the time has come for us to uh replace uh four police vehicles. There is a picture of one on the screen. Uh, and this is a request uh to spend $222,000 and change uh to purchase those vehicles and their associated equipment. Thank Van Hyde. Commissioner German. Okay. Yes. Thank you. Um and thank you Director Vanderhyde. Um the the purchase um funding for these vehicles is coming out of which budget there?

Yeah, good question. And it comes out of the equipment fund, which is a a separate fund that the city uh has. And each department that uses uh equipment, which is uh anything from police vehicles all the way up to loaders and excavators and the other things that we use. As those things are used, they pay rent to that equipment fund. The fund then builds up over time and has the money available to replace those items when they come due for replacement. So, the equipment fund, not the general fund, uh, pays for replacement police vehicles.

Okay. And I know that we're adding these, uh, purchasing these, um, four vehicles here. Um, are we, um, getting rid of, uh, any other vehicles, will those still be in use um, due to the need of four new um, vehicles? Yep. So, we will we'll actually pull a lot of the equipment off of the old ones. Mhm. Uh some of it is uh reusable in these vehicles. Other uh pieces of it are valuable as replacements in other vehicles when they get damaged, things like that. But once we pull all of that specialized equipment out, we're basically left with a a Chevy Tahoe and that gets sold at auction and anyone from the public is able to to bid on that.

Okay. Okay. That's all I had and that'd be good. Um people may need a vehicle and those are good vehicles. So yeah, thank you. Yep. Thank you, Commissioner German. Commissioner Kiljo.

Thank you. Uh I'm not going to bid on him. I'm more of a Dodge guy than a Chevy guy, but no. Um Chief's not here. I did have a couple of questions. I'll follow up with him um about um fuel usage with our police cars. As a former law enforcement officer, I know our force and many other forces across the state of Michigan leave their vehicles running. Oh, there he is right there. Hey, Chief. How are you? Um I I I really am curious. So, not to get geopolitical, but our gas prices are up. They're up a lot. And our police officers use fuel also. Um, I know they say speed of, you know, responding to, uh, calls and stuff like that. A car takes like 1.5 seconds to start. And I'm just curious if there ever was any thought about us shutting our cars off when not needed. I get it. Extreme heat, extreme cold. We're in Michigan. we get both temperature fluxes, but sometimes there's not a need for the car to run when when we're not using it.

Just curious. Very good question. Tim Cole's a public safety director, city of Moskegan. Big thing that I would say to that question is we always want to be in transparent everything we do. shutting down our car shuts down our system which takes more than that 1.5 minutes or whatever seconds to start up to get that system going to start recording as we're leaving the lot here leaving wherever we happen to be at we have to keep these systems going to be able to record that's the biggest reason makes sense thank you

thank Kilo uh just to piggyback on that thought uh train of Have we explored alternative like hybrids or something else whereby um the system can continue to be powered without having the engine operating and using a fuel?

Another good question. You know, I've had those discussions when I've been at the cheese conferences with all the different uh vendors about what can we do to be able to keep those systems going if we were to be able to shut down the cars. they've they've talked they've tried tested extra batteries in the back, batteries in the front, and it just wasn't working well enough to be able to keep those systems running all the time. So, there is systems that are coming up that I know that Ford's been testing that they're hopefully they're going to unveil soon that we can start looking at u hybrid type models, but um to be able to keep those systems going, the car has to be running.

Thank you, Chief. Mr. Manager, you had something to add? Yeah. And to build on that, so right now they're um Chevy, I believe, has a test uh cruiser out in Sterling Heights. Um that is an EV. Um but there is not there there's just not an EV option period for police vehicles um in in the uh models that that we use them. Obviously, you can get EVs and um sedans and things like that. what what we use as the Taho. That's not an option. Um I do know that they are being tested in Sterling Heights. Uh so yes, we did have this conversation. Actually, I've got an email pulled up here from uh Dawson, our fleet manager, because I asked that question because I anticipated it was going to come up. And as the chief pointed out, you know, Ford is working, we're anticipating Ford's working on a hybrid model, but then there is not really an EV that meets the demands of a patrol vehicle right now.

Okay. Uh, thank you, Mr. Manager. Without anything you need to charge halfway through a shift. Yeah. So, Commissioner Goen, did you have

Yeah. Yeah. Um, so my original question was kind of already answered, but then I had a a secondary question. Um, based on what Mr. Manager brought up, um, Chief, you said that we we use Taho for our fleet. I've lived in a lot of other places. I've seen a lot of other cars, Crown Vicks back in the day. Um, why is it that we have to have the Tahoe style model versus, you know, a sedan style model? There's only I think one company now that does that and that's the Dodge. Um with the amount of equipment that we carry right now, we we have to have these systems in the back that we can carry everything which isn't accommodated in a sedan. I can tell you um people of my size and stature, which we have plenty of on my on my department, a sedan cruiser nowadays doesn't really fit with people of my stature. So, the comfortability is one for our for our team, but number two, the amount of equipment that we carry in that back end, which I just told Ben today, I need him to put more equipment in the back end of these cars. We need to have that um that that area for that. And the price difference isn't that much more. I know that Dan can speak to it. The difference between the biggest um cost is you're upfitting and putting all the again.

Yeah. I would just add there, you know, if any of the commissioners or or lots of other folks are interested in just seeing what a police uh build looks like and how much wiring and how many things Ben has to add uh to make this into a police car. Uh you know, schedule a time with us. We'd be happy to do that. It's it's it doesn't look much like a Tahoe, you know, when he's done with it. So,

interesting. Okay. Um I one more like little side comment slashquest. The way way back in my day I knew somebody um who was a sheriff's deputy and um his vehicle that he had was like a sedan. Um is there a difference between like the sheriff then like the requirements of the sheriff versus the requirements of a city police department? Um as far as fleets? Yeah, as far as like vehicle like the equipment that you would need to put in the vehicle. I guess I'm kind of trying to say

I think everything has evolved so much probably from the time period that you're talking about. We had sedans when I first started out, but everything has evolved so much. One of the things that when Dan was speaking that I forgot to bring up is we have some of our equipment now that has to be in a climate that climate controlled. So, we have to keep it in that warm or that cool. We can't let it get too cold or too hot. So, that's another reason why we need that back end to keep that particular equipment. There still is sedans out there, but I think if you look throughout the United States, a lot of the vehicles are all

Yeah, I've seen the pickups before as well. Um, and a Camaro one time on the highway, which really kind of scared me because like, oh, that's sneaky. Thank you, Commissioner Crochen. Um in that vein actually um in terms of stealthiness um the vehicles will have the lights on top be rooftop not insert or in addition to an insert if you've got in the rear you will have there'll still be lights on top as pictured here or have their overheads. Okay. Yes. Okay. Those are not just the lights but they're also our take down. So we have LE lights and we have our lights for front and back. Mhm.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah, I think that's I've seen some vehicles where they don't have any lights on, not ours, but other, you know, municipalities and with no lights on top. Um, there's all insert and so it's not as noticeable or visible. Um, and in that same vein, this is a plug that I like. Um, unless stealth is needed, I much prefer um to be very noticeable our fle so that folks it is to be very noticeable. I think it's important. I think I think it's important that folks see our police and um they're visible during the day, visible at night that they see um our police. Um and I know some municipalities and I don't see this as a line of trying to be stealthy that um here it is gray on black. It's maybe not as visible as some other colors, but it does have the white outline. It is as well. It's reflective as well. So, I'm not accusing us of being intentionally stealthy here. Um, I'm just uh but I have seen some municipalities where they um it is very stealthy. Um, and it isn't noticeable that there are police vehicles. And I think um our public safety vehicles should be um very visible and noticeable um unless stealth is, you know, a a a need as part of that particular mission or task um law enforcement or public safety um personnel are working on. So, I just wanted to share my perspective on that. to your point sir. If you looked at a lot of the fleets that are across even just the county primarily black cars there is a time for stealthiness. We do need to be able to come up on areas when we have fired complaints if we want to try to see it though. But Glav, as as you said, everything's reflective. We're we're very illuminated if you see it at night. I mean, it's

able to be stealth when we have to. Yeah. Have that flexibility. Um, for sure. Thank you. Unless there's anything else, Commissioner German. Yeah, thank you. Um, just a couple questions. Um you mentioned the auctions um when they will auction off the older vehicles. Um when does that auction takes place?

Uh they Dawson will typically just work with the auction company when we have several things to auction. So um these these vehicles in for example we're purchasing four. Those four will be built over the course of a year or so. As the old vehicle is cycled out and the new one in that vehicle is ready for auction. if he's got say an old loader or other pickups or something like that available at the same time, he may work with the company to schedule a time for the city of Moskegan to have a public auction through the company. So they they're really more based on when we have enough pieces to make it worth uh going through the process.

Okay. Thank you. And and just as you mentioned, Director Vanheight, um you know, when you get these vehicles, the work that goes into them to make them um um rolling supercomputers is

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. I mean that that's a good word for it because I got a chance to see that in my earlier um start here as a commissioner and the work that you guys put into it and um the uh accessories and things is I I mean you're really riding on a vehicle that's really state-of-the-art technology, you know. So if I do get one of those vehicles that's auction, I'd like to just at least have a little bit of that stuff in it and then put commission on the side. That's what um um um former vice I mean former mayor Warington used to call me. So hey, thanks. Thank uh yes, Commissioner Ko, final thought.

Yes, final thought. Um just chief, every little bit counts as far as recruitment, right? Um we have new facilities or we've updated some of our facilities here. Um you know, we've worked on having good pay for our officers. Do things like, hey, they got newer vehicles in their fleet. Just things like that, do you think factor into recruitment at all? I think also the addition of our drone,

the things that we get to do during the year when we train with our vehicles too, I think is also awesome. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Cargo. All right. If there's nothing else, roll call, please. Mr. Jackson, yes. Mr. Cochen, yes. Mr. Stlair, yes. Mayor Johnson, yes. Mr. Kilgo, yes. Yes. Commissioner German. Yes. Passes. Thank you. Final item from our consent agenda, item P, Nelson School use agreement, parks and recreation programming. Commissioner German.

Uh, yes. Thanks again, Mayor. I move to authorize staff to negotiate with the uh general capital group for recreational usage for of the gymnasium for multi-purpose space at Nelson School. I have a motion by Commissioner German by Commissioner Cochen. Dr. Vaner, you're taking this. All right. Welcome back. Thank you.

Um sorry. Uh good evening, mayor, commissioners, director Vanderhid. Um so we uh were I'd like to say that we worked our way into this opportunity, but in fact uh it was basically handed to us by the group that has proposed it. So General Capital uh is working with our economic development department to uh put together u a series of uh low, moderate, and market uh income units at the old Nelson School. and they're doing that through the low-inccome housing tax credit program. And they came to us and they said that uh they have a portion of that building that really doesn't uh work for that use. Uh it includes a gym and what the school was using as a cafeteria uh but is probably more accurately described as an auditorium space or a or a multi-purpose space. It has a stage. Um so what they have proposed is that the city uh would lease uh for essentially the cost of utilities uh which they estimate at $22,000 per year uh a portion of that facility to include the full uh gymnasium and the multi-purpose space. The multi-purpose space is um I guess I would say similar to some of the community uh rooms that we have in other uh facilities and parks around town. and we anticipate that it uh could likely be rented and used in a similar fashion as those uh the Simray Center and the McGrath Community Building. The gymnasium is something we do not have in the system and it's something that uh we're very excited to get the opportunity to have. Uh we've talked even tonight about um the um uh need for you know summer summer programs and things and so we're really uh excited to be able to have a space where we can host those summer programs and not not rely on others to uh provide

those spaces for us but something that uh we control. So the uh document before you is a letter of intent and that is something that General Capital has requested. Um it's necessary for their financing and to um make all the various uh documents work that they need to in order to make the development happen. And um it does not as it says in the last sentence of that letter, it is it does not bind the city to anything. Uh it simply states that the city is interested in signing a lease when a lease document has been developed and the space is available to lease which would probably not be for at least a year or two. Thanks Van. Yep.

Did your report. Thank you. All right. Uh Commissioner German. Uh yes. Thanks again Mayor and thank you Director Vanderhy. Um I noticed it says without the kitchen. So that's use is they are they um take the kitchen is out or did they reconstruct that or are they planning on you know taking that kitchen out?

They are that the kitchen uh they felt pretty comfortable they could convert into housing units and they they thought that that was a better use for that. Um you know we we recognize that that's something that the other community rooms have that this wouldn't. So it might limit it um a little bit in terms of rentals, but um a lot of the rentals that we have do not, you know, need to use the kitchen.

And then I would ask that um like groups or organizations can come in and lease that or rent that space out um from the city um to do their programs and things for the summer and stuff like that. Yeah, we we hope to do a lot of programs ourselves there, but yes, uh you know, anytime it's not used and and if somebody's better suited to provide a program than we are, then um yes, we we would look to them. Well, that's good to know because, you know, as we know, you know, with all the housing development going on and um the renovations done to, you know, the schools and families have children and um that gives them something to do in the community during the summer months, which keeps them busy and not get in trouble during those hours. So, yeah, I think that's a good addition for the city to take on that opportunity. And the schools are going to hang on to the soccer field behind the school as well.

Great. Um, so again, in partnership with them just expands the types of things we can do there. So, great. Thank you. Thank Commissioner German, Commissioner Coochin, anything.

You know, I saw this and read through it and was gked honestly. like it's a great opportunity for the city um to have a gymnasium space and to be able to potentially partner with the school to be able to use the soccer area. I think to commissioner um German's point, you know, our kids need something to do and more summer programs, more after school programs, and we need to have a space to do it. And I would love to see the city of Moskegan take that charge, take that lead, continue to grow the parks and wreck program and and and do some of those activities there. So I think this is an excellent opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it. Bummed that we lost the kitchen, but I think it'll be okay.

Thanks, Commissioner Coachin. Commissioners, anything else to ask, Rad? Commissioner Kgo?

Yes, thank you. $1,833 a month for utilities. little much, but we're not, like you said, we don't have a gymnasium in kind of our vault and the things that we're trying to do with the parks and reccks department. I think this would be a great addition. We have to have a city staff basketball game though, me and you can be captains. Okay. Um, thinking about it though, we we will when outside entities uh we'll try to recoup as much money from this 22,000 if that's what the number cuz the the the the intent doesn't have $22,000 on there. The proposed kind of still has 22,000. So, if it does become $22,000 a year, we'll try to when certain outside entities, hey, can we use your gym over there at Nelson? You know, we'll try to recoup some of the funds as we can through different stuff. I'm not saying like we charge like nonprofits and things, people that are doing stuff with the kids or doing stuff with the community, but like if other entities want to use our gym to have a meeting or something, I don't know. I just want to make sure that we kind of recoup some of that money because it's a little high for utility rental, but I guess we're getting a very unique space there with the gym. Yeah, we we took a look at it and we think, you know, we're pretty confident that um if it's if it's as programmed with with uh community rentals as our other buildings is, you know, we'll we'll be able to cover that 22,000 even

General Capital, you know, all credit to them, right? They're they're giving us uh the space for free essentially just asking us to heat it and cool it. Um they did say that they had uh a situation that developed in another location where they had done something similar to this um where uh essentially professional volleyball athletes were were being trained you know for thousands of dollars in the gym. So they they did ask us to be a little bit um you know to honor the fact that they're giving us the space at such a low cost. So, um, you know, we're not not going to be renting it out to a, you know, um, the West Michigan Iron Man or something.

Correct. Yeah. If if they were looking for a training facility, this would not be it. We're looking to serve the community and that's General Capital's intent, too. That's what's up. I love I love the sound of it. Thank you. Indeed. Thank you, Commissioner Go. Anything else? Commissioners? No. Thank you, Director Vanderhid. Roll call, please. Is there a coin? Yes. Commissioner Stlair? Yes. Mayor Johnson? Yes, Mr. Togo. Yes, Mr. German. Yes, Commissioner Jackson. Yes. Commissioner Pes, I have no unfinished business and no new business. Commissioner, any other business before we go to general public comment? Commissioner German.

Uh, yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just like to share something. Um, I want to thank Moskegan Public Schools for putting on the event and celebration that they had for Black History Month. um legacy was called um I'm living black history and um I was actually honored as one of the recipients along with um other four recipients um that was uh Miss Turner Terry for persistent and professionals u myself as a collaborator and relationship builder and um Miss Shandra Sain as a adaptable communicator and then we have Mr. Eddie Brown as a creative problem solver and then Mr. Arthur Duran as a responsible citizens. But you know um graduating from Moskegan public schools in 1980 and to just to be thought of as an individual that's trying to make an impact in the community as long as as well as others um was really something that really touched me. But the big part of it is I I got a chance to speak to the students and that that's the exciting part right there to help them see that um going to school, getting an education. And my focus was talking about making good choices. And I really emphasized on that to let them see that um good choices brings good results sometimes. And it may happen over time. It may not happen right away. Um but if you do um it sets you up for success and and getting that education but also letting them know that the consequences. Then I kind of gave them a story about my journey um coming through Moskegan public schools um as I went through Angel and I talked about um some of my teachers um like in

first grade, Miss Livingston, u Mrs. Doy in fourth grade and um Mrs. um um Nichols who was present there at the time. I didn't know um she was going to be there, but that just came full circle. So um I just want to say thank you to the Moskegan public schools, the students that um headed off the I am um living black history legacy and also I'd like to thank um Miss Angela Johnson and the rest of the staff and the superintendent that's you know they're doing a good job over there. these kids are actually um being taught and on a pathway to success and being college ready. So when they come out of um high school, they have something to look forward to. So thank you much.

Thank you, Commissioner German. Commissioner Kilo.

Thank you. Um, I would just like to recognize all of the ladies in the room, uh, our great leaders, uh, commissioners, um, staff, our guests here. International Women's Day was two days ago, and this is Women's History Month. So, I would just definitely like to recognize the women who have done so much for the city, the state, and this country. Um this month of March is also uh national correctal cancer awareness month. A good friend of mine younger than me uh was recently diagnosed with latestage correct colerectile cancer. And um if you can wear blue this month um just something to think about. you know, nobody wants to get sick and things happen, but um he's in my thoughts and prayers every day and just want to continue to bring awareness to it so we can try to solve this of cancer.

Thank Thank you, Commissioner Kilg. Thank you, Commissioner Coach.

Yes. Thank you. Um I also wanted to recognize all of the women that work at the city. um all of the citizens, uh the staff, just everybody that identifies as a woman that it it is very trying to be a woman in today's day and age. And so I hope that may we may be strong women, we may raise strong women, and we may keep our voices going and being strong. Um, and part of that strength also I wanted to celebrate tonight is a huge win for accessibility and our citizens who have spoken up about accessibility in our city continually. They have held our feet to the fire and I appreciate all of you for doing that and we're going to keep working hard to make sure that we make our city a more equitable and safe city for everybody. Thank you, Commissioner Kosan.

Before I go to follow up, Commissioner German, Commissioner Sinclair, Commissioner Jackson, do you have anything to raise into any other business? No. Okay. Uh follow up, Commissioner German, then we're going to go to public comment. Commissioner German.

Um yeah, just a followup and piggyback. Um also, um I am um grateful um for the women and the work that they do in this community. Um, you know, I have a grandmother who will be 102 years old this year. Um, God bless her and my mother still living. My children, I have two daughters and granddaughters and great-grands, but sisters also and to the women's here on this um in this chamber, all of you. Um, you know, I don't know what it's like to be a woman, you know, but trust me, um, you guys, well, you ladies are special because, you know, the things that women deal with, trust us, most men we couldn't deal with. So, God made you special for a reason. And, um, my hat goes out and I just want to say thank you.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah. Cheers to the wonderful women of our world and um and thank you for all your contributions. All right, we're going to go to public comments. We don't have any forms. Um are there any forms over there? Do you have any public comment forms? No. Uh I'm opening up to the uh audience. So we got Leah Wlette Leroy joining us from the Nelson neighborhood. Welcome. You have three minutes to provide your remarks.

Thank you. Um, you may recall in 2023 I was here and shared with you an incident of gun violence in front of my home. I live at the corner of Sixth and Grant. I believe we need a clear community plan to address what we can and should know about the frequency, locations, perpetrators, and outcomes of investigations and enforcement. In September of 2025, just after 9:00 p.m., I sat down to watch TV and my roommate sat across from me. A series of gunshots rang out and it became clear that they were very close. when I watched a bullet hit the ceiling of my living room directly above where my roommate was studied. A different angle and he would be dead. We hit the floor and I called 911. I'm here again today because last week our corner experienced the second vehicle accident in one month. Vehicles regularly speed through the neighborhood at all hours, but we believe that participants in crime likely use this corridor. Sixth Street is very wide. Therefore, not only is this a bus stop a block from the school and surrounded by occupied homes, a stricter traffic control or stop sign is requested. Seems like a simple request, but I need you to understand the context of why we think this is important. The intensity of these incidents does not encourage me to remain in Nelson neighborhood. You know that I'm engaged, but we have a need for real attention to these issues. I emailed some members of staff and my neighbors have requested an update on the plan and I told them that I would speak to it. Also, the counter staff of the police department could not even

locate a police report of the September incident at my last request. I may also ask that if you have not or if it has been a long time to please complete a late night ride along. I believe it will be very eye opening for the different experiences and perspectives of living in this city. Thank you.

Thank you. Appreciate you joining us this evening. Is there anyone else in the audience that wishes to give public comment at this time? No. We're going to go to the phones. That number is 2317246721. This is public comment um with the city commission. An opportunity for folks to give input directly to the city commission. Not time for back and forth dialogue or Q&A. Um we can arrange uh that at a different time. If you are calling in, please turn down any audio in the background and state your name. And if you're a City Migan resident, which neighborhood you're calling from and if you're not a city resident, which other township, village, or city you may be calling from. We do have a call.

Good evening. You're with the city of Michigan City Commission. Uh, yes. Hi, this is Ann Vandermull from Roosevelt Park. Yes. You have three minutes for your remarks.

Okay. Um, I thank you for having people pray at the beginning of meetings. We need to have them pray against sexual abuse or any abuse of children. My favorite story in the Bible is Joseph in the code of many colors. 11 deceitful wicked siblings against one. My mom just filled in her pages of tax preparation wonderfully and she still pays plays her piano wonderfully when we sang hymns together the other day. It's a crime for people to harass an 88-year-old woman by calling her or talking to her in person and asking her questions to deceitfully check her for Alzheimer's. It's a crime for medical people to illegally try to take me off my mom's HIPPA form so they can illegally say she has Alzheimer's. It's a crime for people to take my mom's uh to say I take my mom's checks and write them without her knowing about it. Her fingerprints are on all her checks. It's a crime for people to accuse me of hiding money for my mother. She knows I buy gift cards to order things instead of driving out of town due to my driving phobias. And lastly, it's a crime for someone to keep taking money from someone that they want tested for Alzheimer's. I know my mother doesn't have Alzheimer's. Someone with Alzheimer's could never fill out all the paperwork she filled out in preparation for her taxes. I believe people are trying to get me back for things. I've been watching a lot of Miami Vice lately. I think the main reason people like it is because the characters were good people. In one episode, the new lieutenant tells Sunny that bad cops were never their brothers, and he thinks that bad cops should be flushed down the sewer. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Veneron.

Reset the clock or get Yeah, I will. Okay. Uh, good evening. You're with the city of Min City Commission. Hi there. You have up three minutes to write your remarks. Hold on. Somebody is on talking to you right now as I can hear it. But anybody there? Uh, yes. If you turn down your audio in the background, um, get rid of the, uh, echo there. If you could please state your name. It's It's all the way down. Pat Simpson. Good evening. Good evening, Pat. Um, you have three minutes to write your remarks. Big pardon. You have three minutes to provide your remarks.

Well, it won't take long. I was told by one of your firefighters that that new million300,000 uh ladder tower is a piece of junk. Maybe you want to find somebody that can elaborate on that. Just curious. Thank you.

Thank you, M. Simmons. Does not sound like we have any addition. phone in comments.

All right. Um, we're being asked to go into close session for attorney client privilege communication. Uh, Commissioner Sinclair, I move to go into close session to consider two distinct matters, each of which consist of material exempt from discussion or disclosure under state or federal statute as an attorney client communication. Support. We have a motion by Commissioner Sinclair, supported by Commissioner Kilgo. Commissioner Kilgo, yes. Commissioner German, yes. Commissioner Jackson, yes. Mr. Cochen, yes. Mr. Sinclair. Yes. Mayor Johnson. Yes. Motion passes. Thank you.