Sturgis City Commission approves fire department bed bug mitigation, special assessment plan for completed sidewalk project
Ryan Banaszak, the Sturgis’ director of public safety, said the department has seen a rise in bed bug infestations over the past few years, particularly in the fire station, police department, and community homes the department encounters during emergency calls.
The Sturgis City Commission has approved a $7,000 procurement for bed bug mitigation in the Fire Department, using funds from a previously approved $100,000 budget designated for a truck exhaust ventilation system in the Department of Public Safety.
Ryan Banaszak, the city’s director of public safety, said the department has seen a rise in bed bug infestations over the past few years, particularly in the fire station, police department, and community homes the department encounters during emergency calls.
Currently, the fire department has a small heat-treating box for disinfecting some medical equipment, but Banaszak said it is insufficient.
“We’re looking at purchasing equipment to help mitigate this risk,” Banaszak said. “We want to buy a larger heat-treating system that can be used to treat rooms or closets where we can store additional gear, taking a more proactive approach to dealing with bed bugs.”
In other business…
The commission approved a special assessment plan for the East Jerolene Street sidewalk repair project, which was completed in 2020. At that time the city created two special assessment districts to fund the improvements, sharing costs with property owners.
With this approval, property owners will have five years to pay the remaining balance, with a 5% annual interest rate applied.
Additionally the commission paid $1,845,294.54 in city bills, appointed a new financial advisory firm, and authorized a street vacation of a portion of North Fourth Street.
The property owner at 307 E. Main St. requested the full vacation of North Fourth Street in August 2024 after discovering that his new fence and existing garage encroached on the public right-of-way. However, the owner of 401 E. Main St. opposed a complete vacation. As a compromise, the city agreed to vacate a 10-foot-wide portion of the right-of-way on North Fourth Street.
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