Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

Although last Tuesday’s elections brought some changes to the Sturgis City Commission, the controversial group of commissioners will have to work together twice more before a new commission is sworn in. The newly elected commissioners won’t be sworn in until their December 9 organizational meeting. During that meeting, commissioners will also decide their next mayor and vice mayor. 

Most notably, Mayor Frank Perez — who has been in the middle of controversy involving allegations of Open Meetings Act violations, public attacks of him and by him, as well as what Perez described during a previous meeting as a threat against his life — was defeated by challenger Stoney Summey in the Fourth District race. Perez earned just 192 (27%) votes while Summey won with 498 (71%). 

Other changes will include newcomer Barry Cox, who served as the city’s engineer for decades before retiring earlier this year. Cox will replace District 1 Commissioner Jeff Mullins, who did not seek reelection, after receiving 687 votes (95%). 

Write-in candidate Hadassah Wickey is expected to take over the vacant District 3 seat, previously held by Commissioner Linda Harrington, who resigned shortly after allegations involving Perez and other commissioners, including herself, surfaced. Wickey received four valid write-in votes according to the county’s election results page. 

Another write-in candidate, Michael Anderson, is expected to replace District 2 Commissioner Daniel Boring, who did not seek reelection. Anderson received 14 valid write-in votes. All three races were uncontested. 

This Wednesday at 6 p.m., one of those two final meetings will take place at Sturgis City Hall. During their last meeting, after statements were read by Commissioner Cathi Abbs, Justin Wickey, and Mayor Perez, interim City Manager Doug Terry approached the podium and delivered statements of his own calling on commissioners to put an end to the bickering and move forward peacefully. Commissioners agreed with Terry’s sentiments before the meeting adjourned soon after.

Regular business

East Side Sewer Study

Commissioners will consider a $44,200 agreement with Fleis & VandenBrink to study a potential solution to capacity concerns within the city’s wastewater collection system, according to the agenda packet. 

Approximately 90% of the wastewater flowing to the city’s treatment plant passed through the Fawn River Life Station (FRLS), the city’s largest sanitary sewer lift station. As the city continues to grow, peak hourly wastewater flows have begun exceeding the station’s capacity. 

One potential solution is to redirect a portion of the wastewater from the FRLS eastern district to the underutilized Fawn River Crossings Lift Station through a new interceptor sewer. The proposed sewer would run approximately one mile south, from near the intersection of Fawn River Road and South Nottawa Street to Bogen Road. 

The proposed agreement would allow Fleis & VandenBrink to evaluate the feasibility of the project, including wastewater flow monitoring, life station evaluations, preliminary sewer routing and sizing, and potential impacts on the city’s existing sewer system. 

The study would also provide an estimated construction cost and recommendations for moving forward. According to the engineering firm’s proposed schedule, the study would be completed by late April 2027.

Wenzel Avenue reconstruction

Commissioners will also consider a $143,100 agreement with Fleis & VandenBrink for engineering design and bidding services related to the planned reconstruction of Wenzel Avenue. 

The agreement would cover preliminary and final design work, as well as preparation for the project’s bidding process. The $143,100 includes an estimated $10,000 for a geotechnical consultant. 

Funding for the engineering would be split between two city funds, with 6.19% coming from the Water Fund and the remaining 93.81% from the Major Streets Fund. 

The project is expected to receive partial funding through the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Small Urban Program, although the agenda packet does not specify how much funding the city will receive. 

The city’s fiscal year 2027 budget originally allocated $50,000 for Wenzel Avenue design costs under the Major Streets Fund. Commissioners will consider a related budget amendment during Wednesday’s meeting to account for increased design costs.

Budget amendments

Lastly, commissioners will consider three amendments to the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget, affecting the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Doyle Recreation Center, and Major Streets Fund. 

The first amendment would increase the DDA’s expenditure budget by $2,000 to cover the annual cost of See My Legacy software. According to the agenda packet, the software with enhance the DDA’s website and allow for online donations, ticket purchases, and other functions. 

The second amendment concerns the Doyle Recreation Center, which received a Community Impact Grant to purchase new equipment for the facility. The center is also planning to replace a heating and cooling unit. The amendment would increase projected revenues by $12,654 and expenditures by $20,280, with an additional $7,626 coming from the city’s Capital Reserve Fund. 

The final amendment would increase expenditures in the Major Streets Fund by $84,242 to account for increased engineering design costs associated with the Wenzel Avenue reconstruction project. 

All three amendments are recommended for approval by city staff.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.