Sturgis City Commission returns to business as usual after election

The Sturgis City Commission met last night, November 11, for a regular business meeting. Commissioners worked through a light agenda and shared their thoughts about last Tuesday’s election. 

Commissioners unanimously approved a $44,200 agreement with Fleis & VandenBrink to study a potential solution to capacity concerns with the city’s wastewater collection system. As of now, approximately 90% of the wastewater flowing to the city’s treatment plant passes through the Fawn River Lift Station (FRLS), however, Engineering Project Manager Patrick Verderese says the capacity of the station is being exceeded.

A solution being investigated is redirecting a portion of the wastewater from FRLS’ eastern district to the Fawn River Crossings Lift Station through a new interceptor sewer. Fleis & VandenBrink will evaluate the feasibility of this project as well as other impacts it might have. The firm expects the study will be completed by late April 2027. 

Commissioners also unanimously approved $143,100 with Fleis & VandenBrink for a different project, this time for preliminary design, final design, and bidding services related to the reconstruction of Wenzel Avenue. 

The agreement covers preliminary and final design work as well as preparation for the project’s bidding process. It will be funded through the Major Streets Fund and Water Fund at 93.81% and 6.19%, respectively. 

The initial line item in the city’s budget allocated $50,000 for Wenzel Avenue design costs, however, a budget amendment was passed later in the meeting to account for the increased cost. 

The reconstruction project will extend along Wenzel Avenue from South Centerville Road (M-66) east to South Nottawa Street. Plans also include sidewalk improvements, water main replacement, and improvements to intersections along the route. 

Commissioners unanimously passed three budget amendments: affecting the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Doyle Recreation Center, and the Major Streets fund, as previously mentioned. 

The DDA amendment increases their expenditure budget by $2,000 to cover the annual cost of See My Legacy software, which will be used to enhance the DDA’s website and allow for online donations, ticket purchases, and other more direct functionalities. 

The Doyle amendment increases projected revenues by $12,654 and expenditures by $20,280 with an additional $7,626 coming from the city’s Capital Reserve Fund. The changes come as the center received a Community Impact Grant to purchase new equipment for the facility and plans to replace a heating and cooling unit. 

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

Commissioner comments

Commissioner Dan Boring addressed the commission in what he says will be his final meeting as he likely will miss their November 23 meeting. Boring described his two years on the commission as “interesting” and “eye-opening,” adding that he has been proud to serve the community he grew up in. Boring chose not to seek reelection.

Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins went through the election results related to the Sturgis Commission and welcomed the commissioners-elects—Barry Cox, Hadassah Wickey, Michael Anderson, and Stoney Summey. Mullins called Summey’s victory a resounding message from the residents of the fourth district as he defeated Mayor Frank Perez by a margin of 306 votes, with Summey receiving 498 (71%) to Perez’s 192 (27%). 

This group of commissioners will meet once more before a new commission is sworn-in on December 9.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.