Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, May 27 amid ongoing internal turmoil within city leadership. During the commission’s last two meetings, Commissioners Aaron Miller and Jeff Mullins have attempted to censure and remove Mayor Frank Perez over alleged illegal conduct, though many details remain unclear to the public because discussions occurred during closed session meetings. The dispute has created a divide between what commissioners say they know privately and what residents have been told publicly.

Despite the ongoing conflict — and no personnel changes other than former Commissioner Linda Harrington resigning during the April 22 meeting without publicly explaining why — commissioners are still expected to handle a slate of regular business items Wednesday night.

Commissioners are expected to discuss the search for an interim city manager, consider multiple land-related items, and make annual board appointments. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sturgis City Hall.

Mayor censure

The commission’s recent internal conflict first spilled publicly into view during the April 22 meeting when Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins called on Perez to resign, accusing him of repeatedly being “at odds with commission rules, regulations, policies, and laws.” Mullins then introduced resolutions seeking to formally censure Perez and remove him from the internally appointed mayoral position while still allowing him to remain on the commission. Both measures failed on 4-4 votes.

During discussion that night, Commissioner Aaron Miller asked Perez whether he would follow his own judgment if it conflicted with Michigan law. Perez responded by saying “sometimes doing the right thing is the unpopular thing,” prompting Miller to criticize the answer and argue the response showed disregard for legal obligations. Perez denied wrongdoing and said he would continue doing what he believed was right for the community.

The conflict continued during the commission’s May 13 meeting when Miller introduced two additional resolutions. One called for an outside investigation into Perez, Commissioners Rick Bir and Cathi Abbs, and former Commissioner Linda Harrington over alleged violations of Michigan law, commission procedure, and the city charter. The second sought to formally censure Perez. Both resolutions failed on 4-3 votes.

During that meeting, Miller tied the controversy to City Manager Andrew Kuk’s resignation and alleged broader concerns about city leadership and governance. Miller also questioned Perez directly about whether he had violated Michigan law while serving as mayor. Perez did not directly answer the question, and instead accused Miller of causing additional division within the community.

Much of the dispute remains unclear publicly because commissioners and City Attorney T.J. Reed have repeatedly said details discussed during closed sessions cannot legally be disclosed. Commissioners attempted to enter another closed session during the May 13 meeting so Reed could provide additional legal guidance regarding what information could potentially be discussed publicly, though the motion failed after not receiving the required two-thirds vote.

City manager search

During Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners will discuss criteria for selecting an interim city manager from the Michigan Municipal Executives Interim Manager list. During a May 13 work session, commissioners reached consensus to seek an interim manager to fill the position after current City Manager Andrew Kuk’s resignation becomes effective July 24. Commissioners also agreed to delay a permanent search for some amount of time following the upcoming election. Six commissioner seats will be on the ballot this August, which contributed to commissioners deciding to postpone selecting a permanent city manager until after the newly elected commission is seated. 

The seats regularly scheduled for election this year are the Precinct 1 seat currently held by Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins, the Precinct 2 seat currently held by Dan Boring, the Precinct 3 seat formerly held by Linda Harrington, the currently vacant Precinct 4 seat currently held by Mayor Frank Perez, and the at-large seat currently held by Commissioner Aaron Miller. 

An additional half-term Precinct 2 seat currently held by Commissioner Justin Wickey will also appear on the ballot because Wickey was previously appointed to fill a vacancy. 

The agenda item Wednesday is listed only as a discussion regarding the criteria commissioners will use to contact and select a preferred interim candidate.

Kuk publicly announced his resignation during the April 22 meeting, the same meeting in which Mullins unsuccessfully attempted to censure and remove Perez from the mayoral position.

Land changes

Commissioners will also hold a public hearing and vote on a property transfer agreement amendment between Sturgis Township and the City of Sturgis involving property at 26846 State Line Road. According to the agenda packet, the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Sturgis purchased the property in October 2022.

City documents state the parcel is surrounded by land already within city jurisdiction and set aside as part of the city’s business park near the state line.

“This change would allow the EDC to bring the parcel into City jurisdiction immediately, providing flexibility to combine parcels and otherwise address future plans for the business park,” the agenda packet states.

Commissioners will also consider accepting a right-of-way dedication tied to a possible future extension of Haines Boulevard. According to city documents, the Sturgis Improvement Association deeded an 80-foot-wide parcel to the city that would allow Haines Boulevard to eventually extend from Bullard Industrial Park to M-66/North Nottawa Street.

City documents note there are currently no formal plans to construct the extension, though the right-of-way dedication moves any future project “one step closer.”

Board appointments

Commissioners will also make annual board and commission appointments. According to city documents, commissioners are expected to consider 25 appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.