City Commission

Sturgis city commissioners have vetoed a staff plan that would have revived a seven-member citizens committee to prioritize sidewalk projects and advise the commission on sidewalk policy issues. The vote was 5-4. The commissioner’s majority said they do not believe a citizens committee is necessary to prioritize sidewalk needs, instead leaving the recommendations to city staff with commissioners approving final …

Two public hearings and six matters of new business, including a contract for street-sweeping services, will be fielded this evening by the Three Rivers City Commission. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners are expected to stage public hearings on a zoning amendment at 1001 Wood Street and surrounding parcels, and an IFT request for precision wire form. New business includes a …

Sturgis city commissioners last week said they want to study the potential development of a municipal dog park. Commissioners said they have received multiple inquiries from constituents about a dog park, and city manager Mike Hughes said that and development of recreation trails are among the community’s top priorities, after a recent review of the city’s master recreation plan. Commissioner …

Sturgis city commissioners last week reviewed a proposal for a $200,000 expansion at the Doyle Community Center. If approved, the additional funds would provide dedicated space for strength and cardio-training equipment, and open the possibility for future 24-hour access to the health site. On the table is a proposed 45- by 60-foot expansion to the northeast corner of the building, …

Lockport Township has secured a temporary restraining order in response to the city of Three Rivers on Tuesday annexing an 80-acre parcel of land for development of a multi-field sports complex. The issue is set to be settled before circuit court judge Paul Stutesman at 1 p.m. Feb. 17. The restraining order was signed Wednesday morning by St. Joseph County …

Sturgis city commissioners must decide if they’ll spend a large share of this year’s local road millage to make an industrial access road a concrete surface, at the expense of doing some other city streets. City engineer Barry Cox last week said the initial plan for resurfacing Wade Road, off M- 66 South, called for asphalt paving. That total project …

Mayor Tom Lowry and the Three Rivers City Commission have five matters of new business before them this evening. The agenda items include whether to consider the home at 429 Fourth Ave. a public nuisance and issue a demolition order; discussion of a $28,000 purchase order of diesel fuel with Drake’s Crystal Flash; consideration of awarding sports complex-related work to …

Re-examination of downtown Sturgis traffic patterns prompted by the Moso Village development has resulted in a proposed order, changing North Street to two-way traffic from U.S. 12 to West Hatch Street. The Sturgis City Commission earlier this month approved the direction that would reverse a 2007 decision, which had continued restricting the downtown street to northbound only traffic. Representatives from …

The Three River City Commission plans to make a revision to its 2015-16 fiscal year budget during this evening’s meeting, its final assembly of 2015. Also on the agenda is consideration of an allocation in excess of $16,000 to support the Michigan Main Street program, and consideration of a special-exception use permit for K2A Counseling Services. It wishes to conduct …

Ken Malone last week was reappointed to the seat of mayor, following action by the Sturgis City Commission. Meanwhile, Robert Hile will serve another term as the city’s vice mayor. Commissioner Charles Huber initially nominated Hile for the mayor’s post. But after Hile declined the nomination, a unanimous ballot was cast for Malone. Malone has served as mayor since 2011 …