Jeffrey Lewis – new Director of Public Safety was also introduced at the meeting. He officially started his duties with the city on January 3. Lewis replaced Anthony Kleibecker, who went to Michigan State University late last year. A 30-year law enforcement veteran, Lewis came from Milan, MI where he served as chief of police.
Read MoreAt Tuesday’s organizational meeting at city hall, Mayor Steve Warmington left his seat to approach the public’s podium to ask for the commission’s support in honoring a self-described “Big Red” and “Lakesider”.
Read MoreWhile the district’s technology department and other parties will review it before being put into action, the initial draft provides a look into how the district views social media use by its employees and may seek to regulate it. The main idea of the draft: the teacher-student relationship that schools depend on can be greatly altered because social media treats those connected as peers.
Read MoreNew fiber lines will not need to be run to city hall for the service, as the city’s police and fire departments already have the lines; this is a significant cost savings for implementation. New phone equipment will need to be purchased, and will cost $40,000 over 5 years. According to the city’s finance department, this will still save the city $7,000 a year for until the equipment is paid off; after that, savings of roughly $15,000 a year will be achieved.
Read MoreBoard president Burrell noted at Monday’s meeting that the district’s move to proactively ask for an EFM was not just unprecedented, but it might be a bellwether move for the whole state to follow. Coincidental to last week’s request by Muskegon Heights, some members of Michigan’s state legislature might be asking Governor Snyder to change the existing emergency financial manager law to function in a similar way.
Read MoreFrom budget documents, the city anticipates $6,109,828 in revenues and $5,975,597 in expenditures in 2012. This leaves a $134,231 operating fund balance. Under the umbrella of Public Safety, the city’s police and fire departments have a budget of 2,813,084, which includes grants received by both departments and is roughly 47% of the city’s total expenditures.
Read MoreOne of two major hurdles for a $150,000 grant was recently cleared; if state legislature approval is achieved the money would be used for a fishing pier, canoe and kayak access and a highly-accessible playground and bathrooms.
Read More“Our employees have basically stepped up to the plate and taken some hits in terms of health contributions and retirement contributions,” said board chairman Ken Mahoney. “They have taken some sacrifices because they realize the county needs them at this point.”
Read MoreThe council and mayor mostly supported the idea but desired more answers: who would maintain the page and record videos, would all council members would have a say what is shared, how it would interact with the existing city’s web site and how those who aren’t social media users would stay informed.
Read MoreMultiple board members and Dr. Bryant acknowledged a greater need for the need for the public to stay in the know. Approximately 15 members of the public attended Monday’s special meeting. The board wished for more, both to spread the work and hear suggestions. “We need to educate our public,” said board president Avery Burrel, “And we need to have more forums where our parents come together and let them know what’s going on in our district.”
Read MoreThe new MATS bus stops are currently posted every 2 to 4 blocks. In numerous high-traffic places there are no sidewalks including East Sherman Avenue, Hoyt Street and Apple Avenue. A resident who spoke at Thursday’s transportation committee meeting cited a lack of snow-shoveling ordinances in the Cities of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights as a barrier to bus access for the blind, those in wheelchairs and other mobility challenges. A lack of sidewalks in townships and villages is also barrier to accessing buses.
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