St. Joseph, MI

Zoning Board of Appeals

Planning Commission

The St. Joseph Planning Commission is holding a regular meeting on September 3, 2026. The main item of discussion is accessory dwelling units (ADUs), with sample language and comparisons to other communities provided. The meeting will also include approval of minutes, public comment, and staff updates.

• Discussion of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) sample language and comparison to other communities
• Approval of Planning Commission meeting minutes from August 6, 2026
• Public comment period (in-person only)
• Staff comments on agenda items for the October 1, 2026 meeting

Recreational Harbor Authority

The St. Joseph Recreational Harbor Authority will review minutes from the July meeting, financial reports, and a deficit elimination plan. Old business includes the boat launch agreement and Ruff Waters, while new business is not listed. A boat launch financial report and manager’s report will also be presented.

• Review of deficit elimination plan reporting
• Discussion of boat launch agreement
• Presentation of boat launch financial report

The authority reviewed the City's boat launch proposal and agreed it lacks the financial resources to fund the proposed items, contrary to their understanding when taking over management. They noted unrecovered investments and upcoming major projects. The authority also set a minimum bid for auctioning a derelict boat and denied a slip request.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• Accepted financial statements as presented
• Approved invoices for payment
• Agreed to reject City's boat launch proposal due to insufficient funds
• Set $3,000 minimum bid for derelict boat 'Ruff Waters' auction, with 30-day removal requirement
• Denied Dirk Kruger's request for Slip 19, offered Slip 13 instead

Planning Commission

The St. Joseph Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting to consider new business, including a pole sign refacing at 3125 Cleveland Ave and proposed text amendments to lot and yard regulations. They will also review results from an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) survey and receive updates on a sign approval, a postponed planned unit development, and a possible text amendment for low-intensity commercial uses in the R-3 zone.

• 3125 Cleveland Ave: pole sign refacing over 32 sq ft
• TXT-01: Lots and Yards text amendments
• ADU survey results discussion
• Harbor Shores Parcel 5 PUD postponed to Sept 3, 2026
• Possible R-3 zone text amendment for low-intensity commercial uses

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission is holding a regular meeting with a consent agenda and several action items. Key items include a first reading of text amendments to Lots and Yards definitions, a fee schedule update, and a special event application for the Tri-State Regatta. The meeting also includes updates from the Housing Commission and a presentation from Amtrak.

• Fee Schedule Update
• Special Event Application: Tri-State Regatta
• Lots and Yards Definitions Text Amendments - 1st Reading
• Royalton Water Tower Repaint
• Michigan Gas Utilities Easement-SJ River Crossing

Zoning Board of Appeals

The St. Joseph Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a regular meeting to consider two variance requests: a fence variation at 1723 S State St and a dimensional variance at 1708 Lakeview Ave. The board will also approve minutes from the July 9, 2026 meeting. Public comments are accepted in person only; the meeting can be viewed remotely via Zoom.

• 1723 S State St - fence variation request
• 1708 Lakeview Ave - dimensional variance request
• Approval of July 9, 2026 meeting minutes

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hold its regular meeting to review minutes, accept a resignation, and discuss new policies including ADA parking in parks and a rental policy for the John E.N. Howard Bandshell.

• Member Strine resignation
• ADA parking policy in parks
• John E.N. Howard Bandshell rental policy
• Meeting schedule change

Cemetery Board

The St. Joseph Cemetery Board is holding a regular meeting to approve minutes, review burial and sales reports for April-June 2026, discuss open niches, receive a director's report, consider a headstone variance request for Kaminski, and discuss the budget and invoices paid. Public comments and trustee comments are also on the agenda.

• Headstone variance request - Kaminski
• Cemetery burial and sales reports - April-June 2026
• Budget discussion
• Open niches
• Invoices paid

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is holding a regular meeting with a light agenda. The main item of new business is a discussion about a plaque for Augustus Moore Herring's first flight. The board will also receive updates on parks and recreation activities and review its mission and vision statement.

• Discussion of Augustus Moore Herring - First Flight Plaque
• Parks & Recreation Update report
• Mission & Vision Statement review

Water Service Joint Operating Board

The St. Joseph Water Service Joint Operating Board is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes, receive financial and superintendent reports, and consider old and new business. Key items include approving water system fund invoices, modifying the WSJOB agreement term sheet, and discussing a repaint of the Royalton water tower. The board will also consider moving the next meeting date to September 23, 2026.

• 591 Water System Fund Financial Reports
• 591 Water System Fund Invoice Approval
• WSJOB Agreement (Term Sheet) Modification
• Royalton Water Tower Repaint
• Move Next Meeting Date to 9/23/26

Housing Commission

Employees' Retirement System

The St. Joseph Employees' Retirement System board is meeting to review investment and financial reports, approve invoices and refunds, and consider a service retirement resolution. The board will also enter a closed session to review final average compensation. The agenda is mostly routine administrative business.

• SEI Investment Status Report and Fund 731 Financial Reports
• Fund 731 Invoices Paid
• Rollover and Refund of Accumulated Contributions
• Resolution for Service Retirement of Curtis A Osmun
• Closed session for Final Average Compensation Review

Downtown Development Authority

The St. Joseph Downtown Development Authority is holding a regular meeting to approve minutes and financial reports, receive monthly updates, and discuss new business. Key items include a discussion of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) monies, the Main Street Project, and member terms. The meeting is open to the public in person or via Zoom, but comments cannot be received through Zoom.

• Discussion of TIF monies
• Main Street Project update
• Member terms discussion
• Approval of financial reports as of 6/30/2026
• Approval of meeting minutes

Sustainability Committee

The St. Joseph Sustainability Committee is holding a regular meeting to discuss new business, old business including a tree list and bird strikes, and staff updates. The agenda includes a pollinator habitat certification appeal for Corner Flowers, a certification for Highland Garden, and Bee City USA educational event commitments.

• Pollinator Habitat Certification Appeal: Corner Flowers
• Pollinator Habitat Certification: Highland Garden
• Bee City Commitments: Educational Events
• Tree List discussion
• Bird Strikes discussion

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission is meeting to consider several items, including a development agreement for the Marquette property, a K9 program for the Department of Public Safety, and a donation from OXEFIT. They will also hear a presentation on the AMI water meter project and discuss replacing the City Hall air handler. The agenda includes routine items such as meeting minutes, invoices, and a special event application for the St. Joe Today Fall Fest.

• Marquette Development Agreement
• K9 Program for the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety
• OXEFIT - Donation Approval
• AMI Water Meter Project Presentation
• City Hall Air Handler Replacement

The City Commission unanimously approved a development agreement with The Rienks Group for the Broad Street and Lake Boulevard property, including a parking easement and construction timeline. It also approved a nearly $10 million AMI water meter replacement project funded by borrowing, and a $133,000 City Hall air handler replacement. The proposed 2027 meeting schedule was rejected in a 2-2 vote, with discussion deferred to the next meeting.

• Approved Marquette Development Agreement with The Rienks Group (unanimous)
• Approved AMI water meter project with GRP Wegman contract and Act 185 borrowing (unanimous)
• Approved $133,000 City Hall air handler replacement (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, disbursements, OXEFIT donation, and Fall Fest permit (unanimous)
• Rejected 2027 meeting schedule (2-2); deferred to next meeting

Recreational Harbor Authority

The St. Joseph Recreational Harbor Authority is holding a regular meeting to review financial reports, including a deficit elimination plan, and to discuss old and new business items. Key items include the Ruff Waters matter, a boat launch agreement, a pension transaction explanation, and proposed amendments to the slip lease agreement. Public comments will be heard.

• Deficit Elimination Plan Reporting
• Boat Launch Agreement
• Pension Transaction Explanation
• Slip Lease Agreement proposed amendments
• Boat Launch Financial Report

Library Board

The St. Joseph Library Board is holding its annual meeting, primarily to review the previous year's financial and statistical reports, including the treasurer's report, balance sheet, and funding sources. The board will also elect officers, set the meeting and holiday closing schedules, and receive the director's year-in-review report.

• Annual Treasurer's Report and Balance Sheet
• Funding Sources Breakdown
• Annual Statistical Report for FY25-26
• Election of Officers
• Board Meeting and Holiday Closing Schedules

Library Board

The St. Joseph Library Board is holding its regular July meeting. They will consider a second reading of the Meeting Room Policy, receive updates on the ABM (likely a maintenance or service contract), and review financial reports including the treasurer's report, bill report, and penal fines update. The board will also hear reports on the Overdrive/Libby digital service and receive the director's report.

• Second reading of Meeting Room Policy
• Bill Report for June 2026
• Treasurer's Report including city financial reports and quarterly Berrien Community Foundation statements
• Penal Fines Update
• FY 25-26 Overdrive/Libby Report

The board unanimously approved an amended Room Reservation Policy, raising the clean-up fee from $25 to $75 and adding language about local and state laws. They also approved the June bills ($25,746.20) and the city financial report, and decided to continue working with ABM for monitoring. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting was largely routine.

• Approved amended Room Reservation Policy with $75 clean-up fee (unanimous)
• Approved June bills totaling $25,746.20 (unanimous)
• Approved city financial report for June (unanimous)
• Approved continuing ABM monitoring (unanimous)

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission is holding a regular meeting with a consent agenda and new business items. Key items include a request for an off-site tasting room license and social district for Vineyard 2121, a special event application for a pumpkin raffle, and a charitable gaming license for the Kiwanis Service Foundation. The commission will also discuss equipment purchases, AEDs, and housing commission updates.

• Vineyard 2121 off-site tasting room license and social district request
• Special event application: Pumpkin Raffle
• St. Joseph Kiwanis Service Foundation charitable gaming license
• Equipment purchase: 1575 John Deere Terrain Cut
• Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

The City Commission approved a request from Sandbar Grille to allow amplified outdoor music until 11:30 PM on five additional dates in summer 2026, with conditions including compliance with ordinances and a future decibel limit. The Commission also approved several consent agenda items, including the purchase of AEDs and a John Deere mower, and appointed Kirt Fiesbeck to the Airport Authority. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting date change was not approved.

• Approved Sandbar Grille amplified music until 11:30 PM on July 31, Aug 7, 14, 28, Sep 11 (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of 23 AEDs from Bound Tree for $25,527.24
• Approved purchase of 2026 John Deere 1575 Terrain Cut for $56,482.36
• Approved appointment of Kirt Fiesbeck to Airport Authority (term expiring Dec 31, 2026)
• Approved Rotary Club Pumpkin Raffle special event permit
• Approved resolution for Charitable Gaming License to St. Joseph Kiwanis Club
• Approved waiver of conflict for Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers
• Approved Vineyard 2121 off-site tasting room license and social district permit

Property Maintenance Board of Appeals - CANCELED

Housing Commission

Board of Review

The St. Joseph Board of Review is meeting to appoint its 2026 chairperson, approve prior meeting minutes, and consider property assessment appeals (petitions). Public comment will be heard. This is a routine administrative meeting.

• Appointment of 2026 Board of Review Chairperson
• Approval of March 9-10, 2026 meeting minutes
• Consideration of Board of Review petitions (property tax appeals)
• Public comment period

Sustainability Committee

The St. Joseph Sustainability Committee will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes, hear public comments, and discuss ongoing projects including Bike St. Joe!, EV charging, tree management, and Bee City USA certification. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Review of June 9, 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussion of Bike St. Joe! initiative
• Update on EV charging infrastructure
• Tree list review
• Bee City USA pollinator habitat certification

The Sustainability Committee unanimously approved the Bike St. Joe presentation for the City Commission, recommended the City apply for EV funding for two level 2 chargers in the Raspberry parking lot, and approved sending bylaws with grant/funding edits to legal counsel. It also certified the Haley House pollinator garden at 'Butterfly' level and authorized bird strike communications. All votes were unanimous with one member absent.

• Approved June 9, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Bike St. Joe presentation for City Commission (unanimous)
• Recommended City complete EV funding application for two level 2 chargers in Raspberry parking lot (unanimous)
• Approved sending bylaws with grant/funding edits to City Legal counsel (unanimous)
• Approved Member Rowsell sending drafted note to Public Works (unanimous)
• Authorized creating bird strike graphics/language for City communications (unanimous)
• Certified Haley House pollinator garden at 'Butterfly' level (unanimous)

Water Service Joint Operating Board

The St. Joseph Water Service Joint Operating Board is holding a regular meeting to discuss and potentially act on several items. Key business includes a presentation on the AMI water meter project, approval of invoices from the 591 Water System Fund, and review of financial reports and superintendent reports for May and June 2026. The meeting also includes approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.

• AMI Water Meter Project Presentation
• 591 Water System Fund Invoice Approval
• 591 Water System Fund Financial Reports
• Superintendent Report for May 2026
• Superintendent Report for June 2026

The board approved a contract with GRP Wegman to implement the AMI water meter system and replace meters as needed, and recommended that the St. Joseph City Commission approve the contract and fund it via a 15-year, zero-down loan from the Berrien County Board of Public Works Act 185 program. The vote was 6-1, with Trustee Boelcke opposed. The board also unanimously approved the 591 Water System Fund invoices as presented.

• Approved AMI water meter contract with GRP Wegman (6-1)
• Recommended 15-year zero-down Act 185 loan for AMI project
• Approved 591 Water System Fund invoices (unanimous)
• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved June 24, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The St. Joseph Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on July 9, 2026, to review new business including two variance requests: a fence variation at 2310 Langley Ave and a dimensional variance at 601 Lake St. The board will also hold an organizational meeting to elect leadership.

• 2310 Langley Ave - Fence Variation Request
• 601 Lake St - Dimensional Variance Request
• ZBA Organizational Meeting - Election of Leadership

City Commission

The City Commission unanimously approved the non-motorized path option with parking along the east side of Upton Drive for the 2028 reconstruction project, and also unanimously approved a resolution concurring with the first amendment to the Harbor Shores Brownfield Plan, which increases affordable housing units from 20 to 40 and removes marina expenses from the state-level tax plan. The commission also approved the consent agenda, including the purchase of six Motorola radios for $42,562.80, and directed staff to draft an ordinance on electric mobility devices.

• Approved non-motorized path option with parking along east side of Upton Drive for 2028 reconstruction (unanimous)
• Approved resolution concurring with Harbor Shores Brownfield Plan amendment (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including $42,562.80 purchase of six Motorola APX 6500 radios (unanimous)
• Directed staff to draft ordinance on electric mobility devices (unanimous)

Election Commission

Downtown Development Authority - CANCELLED

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission conditionally approved a wall sign permit for 315 State St (Full of Crepe, LLC) with a condition that staff confirm the tenant space width to ensure the sign does not exceed the maximum permitted size plus 10%. The Commission also appointed Anthony Uhrick as Chair and Kathy Burczak as Vice-Chair, amended the 2025 Annual Report to correct an error, and approved releasing an ADU survey with edits. The lots and yards text amendments item was closed to allow for revised alley definition language.

• Approved conditional sign permit for 315 State St (unanimous)
• Appointed Anthony Uhrick as Chair and Kathy Burczak as Vice-Chair (unanimous)
• Amended 2025 Annual Report to correct Special Land Use recommendation error (unanimous)
• Approved release of ADU survey with amendments (unanimous)
• Closed TXT-01 lots and yards text amendments item for revised alley definition
• Approved minutes of May 7 and June 4, 2026 as amended (unanimous)

Zoning Board of Appeals

La Junta de Apelaciones de Zonificación de St. Joseph considerará dos solicitudes de varianza: una variación de cerca en 2310 Langley Ave y una varianza dimensional en 601 Lake St. La junta también llevará a cabo una reunión organizativa para elegir el liderazgo. La reunión está abierta al público en persona; no se aceptarán comentarios a través de Zoom.

• 2310 Langley Ave – Solicitud de Variación de Cerca
• 601 Lake St – Solicitud de Varianza Dimensional
• Reunión Organizativa de la ZBA – Elección de Liderazgo
• Aprobación de las actas del 11 de junio de 2026