Sturgis City Commission on Feb. 25 considered several measures and proposals.
The board approved a master services agreement amendment for Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering, for $121,300, pertaining to reconstruction of South Lakeview Avenue.
That project is scheduled as part of the city’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget.
Design phase must get underway so construction can commence in 2027.
Project limits are U.S. 12 to Mechanic Street.
South Lakeview Avenue was among projects identified in the 10-year street improvement program and was an original boundary street for the city of Sturgis, said Barry Cox, city engineer. It is a composite pavement structure with asphalt over concrete, constructed in 1921.
Since the late 1950s, it has been milled and resurfaced several times, most recently in 2008. It has been rated as “poor” condition for the past 10 years. The assessment comes every two years through evaluation by Michigan Department of Transportation, Sturgis city officials and, in some cases, St. Joseph County Road Commission. Rating is on a 1-10 scale, with 1-4 considered poor, 5-7 “fair” and 8 through 10 “good.”
The project is planned as a full reconstruction and widening from 25 feet to 34 feet. The cross-sectional width matches the portions of Lakeview Avenue to the south of Mechanic Street and north of U.S. 12.
It accommodates construction of bike lanes, which will connect to current segments on U.S. 12, North Lakeview and South Lakeview.
In addition to road upgrades, the project involves installing new water main from Mechanic to East Congress; replacement of lead service lines and storm sewers; and ADA sidewalk improvements.
The fiscal year 2025-26 budget included $132,000 for design. Estimated construction amount is just over $2.02 million.
In a separate street construction matter, commissioners OK’d a professional services agreement amendment with Fleis and VandenBrink for $53,500.
On Sept. 24, 2025, the commission approved a streets reconstruction project. When the bid was awarded, city officials believed the project could be conducted with in-house oversight, city engineer Barry Cox said. In October 2025, the engineering department lost a technician and has not filled that position.
To maintain proper oversight on this and other spring construction projects, staff requested Fleis and VandenBrink to supply a professional services agreement amendment to address requests for information, field orders, pay applications and on-site representation.
Anticipated cost for that portion is $53,530.
Commissioner Dan Boring asked if the city might not have to use the additional funds if the department position is filled. Cox said it’s a possibility, but staff is proceeding as if that won’t be the case.
Cox said the project will begin in mid-April at the earliest.
Charging station proposal
Ericka Kruszka, economics and community development coordinator, outlined a proposal to use grant funding for an electric vehicle charging station.
In 2024, the city of Sturgis was awarded a $942,500 “RAP 1.0” grant to support capital investment and downtown revitalization through infrastructure improvement, Kruszka said.
Improvements completed under the grant included five downtown parking lots which were reconstructed, alley beautification (behind Five Lakes), and sidewalk/accessibility upgrades near area businesses. The project was completed in accordance with the approved grant agreement and the cost was below the grant-funded amount by about $151,200.
Southwest Michigan First contacted the city regarding the availability of remaining funds within the RAP 1.0 grant.
Following discussion with Southwest Michigan First and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the only remaining use for that leftover funding is electric vehicle charging stations.
The proposed project change would include installation of up one or two dual-port level two ChargePoint stations in the parking lot across from city hall and adjacent to Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.
To make use of the funding, a portion of the project must be completed no later than June 30, 2026, Kruszka said, and is contingent on MEDC compliance confirmation and contractor participation.
Staff sought direction from the commission on whether to proceed with this project. Consensus was to continue. City staff will present final numbers to the commission, along with an amendment to the grant agreement.
Additional measures approved by the commission:
Early voting agreement. In November 2022, residents of Michigan approved a proposal related to election law and regulations. One provision added nine days of early voting. In September 2023, the city of Sturgis, along with all other jurisdictions in the county, signed an agreement to allow the St. Joseph County clerk to administer the early voting site on their behalf. That approach relieves local jurisdictions from implementing provisions individually and results in significant savings of time and money, said city clerk/treasurer Ken Rhodes.
City manager contract. In November 2025, there was consensus by the commission to have the mayor, city attorney and city manager develop an amendment to the contract. The city agrees to provide dental, vision, hospitalization, surgical and comprehensive medical insurance for employee and his dependents equal to what is provided to all other employees and with terms available to all other non-union employees. The city will contribute an additional $500 annually, plus 3.5% of salary annually, to the health savings account and life insurance equal to two times the annual salary. Other terms of the contract remain in effect.
The next city commission meeting is March 9.
