Nine motions relating to new business were approved Wednesday by the Sturgis City Commission. All eight commission members attended the 45-minute regular meeting.
First up was setting a public hearing for Sturgis’ proposed 2024-25 budget. This will take place during the 6 p.m. city commission meeting Wednesday, August 14. Sturgis’ city charter requires that a budget be adopted on or before Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Commissioners also approved participating in the Kroger settlement agreement that the State of Michigan is participating in. The settlement from Kroger concerns its role in the opioid epidemic. Participating in the settlement as a city, Sturgis will receive approximately $12,160.23 over 11 years.
After that, there was approval for a $115,100 proposal with Fishbeck, Inc., for the final design of water main and street improvements. The proposal concerns East Hatch Street water main replacement and having a water main loop to the front of Sturgis’ wastewater treatment plant. City Manager Andrew Kuk is now authorized to sign the contract.
The Sturges-Young Center for the Arts now has a new mission statement thanks to approval by commissioners. The new statement was submitted by Center Executive Director Jamie Eymer.
“Sturges-Young Center for the Arts is a community pillar, fostering arts and entertainment. It offers an intimate theater experience and serves as an event center available to the public. SYCA brings people together with diverse programs, performances, and events that celebrate creativity and cultural connection,” the statement reads.
Also in the meeting, commissioners approved or adopted:
- selling the Stapleton Road improvement asset from the City of Sturgis to the Sturgis Local Development Finance Authority for 126,996.22
- authorizing the internal loaning of funds from the Electric Fund to the Local Development Financing Authority
- amending the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority budget to reflect, among other things, this year’s intended completion of the Electric City project
- approving a second addendum to the city manager employment agreement; Mayor Frank Perez and Vice Mayor Aaron Miller publicly thanked Kuk for his job performance, noting that he turned down a personal pay increase so that the money could be used for the benefit of city staff
- approving Commissioner Robert Hile as the official representative and Perez as the alternate to cast the vote for the City of Sturgis at the Michigan Municipal League Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 11.
The next city commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 14 at Sturgis City Hall, 130 N. Nottawa St.
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
