After months of turmoil, Andrew Kuk says goodbye to Sturgis City Commission

Sturgis City Manager Andrew Kuk attended his final City Commission meeting Wednesday, closing nearly two decades with the city after commissioners accepted his resignation in April amid months of public infighting on the commission.

Kuk’s resignation followed a contentious April meeting during which Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and Commissioner Aaron Miller unsuccessfully sought Mayor Frank Perez’s resignation and later attempted to censure him and remove him from his mayoral role. Miller and Mullins have repeatedly argued Kuk’s resignation was directly tied to the environment created by Perez and several other commissioners. Perez has denied wrongdoing, and the specific allegations have not been publicly disclosed because commissioners and the city attorney have said they stem from confidential closed-session discussions.

Since then, the commission has unanimously authorized an independent outside investigation into allegations involving several current and former commissioners. The investigation will examine potential violations of Michigan law, the city charter and commission procedures, as well as “all the details surrounding the entire situation” that commissioners said led to Kuk’s resignation. The investigation remains ongoing, and no findings have been released.

Although the commission’s regular business moved forward Wednesday, several commissioners used their closing comments to thank Kuk for his service.

“Thank you, Andrew, for everything. We really appreciate all your work over the years,” Commissioner Justin Wickey said.

Miller said Kuk deserved to retire from the position rather than leave under the current circumstances.

“There really are no adequate words,” Miller said. “I’ve always appreciated just how high your character is and just how good of a job you do and how thorough you are and how knowledgeable you are.”

“This has not been your city your entire life, but you have given to it as if it was,” he continued.

Miller added Kuk’s departure “really shouldn’t have come,” saying he wished Kuk had remained until retirement, apologizing that he “couldn’t have done more to prevent” Kuk’s exit.

Mullins echoed those sentiments, saying he also wished Kuk had remained in the role until retirement, and wished he could have done more to convince Kuk to stay.

In his farewell remarks, Kuk thanked current and former city staff, saying he was proud of what they accomplished together over the years and grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.

Kuk also thanked past and current commissioners for allowing him to serve the city, and said he believes Sturgis’ next chapter will be a positive one.

Reflecting on his nearly 18 years with the city, Kuk said he had never heard of Sturgis before arriving as an intern but built a career, started a family, and formed lasting friendships in the community. He said he hopes he played at least a small part in making Sturgis a better place.

Interim City Manager Doug Terry attended Wednesday’s meeting and has begun serving in the role.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.