As part of new requirements by the State of Michigan, the City has completed a 2011 Cooperation, Collaboration, and Consolidation Plan. The plan highlights recently completed, currently ongoing, and proposed future opportunities to work together with other municipalities and agencies, as well as ways the City has worked internally to improve efficiency. A copy of the plan can be found HERE.
With winter here, the City of Sturgis would like to remind residents that the City will again be monitoring the clearing of sidewalks throughout the City. Those residents who don't clear their sidewalks could receive a $25.00 ticket. The City's Code of Ordinances section 46-5 requires residents to clear sidewalks “encumbered or obstructed by any snow, ice, filth, or other nuisance or encumbrance” within a period of 24 hours. The ordinance provides for a fine of $25.00 for failure to clear the sidewalk. Similar to the ordinance for lawn maintenance, the City can also choose to clear the sidewalks or hire the sidewalks to be cleared in order to bring the property into conformity with the law and then charge the property owner or occupant for all expenses incurred. Clearing sidewalks is an issue of public safety, not just keeping things looking nice. Children utilize sidewalks to go back and forth to school, and many adults use the sidewalks for travel and recreation year-ar... [more]
