St. Joseph, MI

Construction Board of Appeals

The Construction Board of Appeals will meet to elect a chairperson and approve the 2027 meeting schedule. The board will also consider an appeal regarding 510 Lions Park Dr.

• Appeal: 510 Lions Park Dr- Storniolo
• Election of Chairperson
• Approval of 2027 Meeting Dates

Property Maintenance Board of Appeals

The board is meeting to conduct organizational business. The agenda includes electing a chairperson and approving the 2027 meeting schedule and submittal deadlines.

• Election of Chairperson
• Approval of 2027 Meeting Dates and Submittal Deadlines

Water Service Joint Operating Board

The board will review the 591 Water System Fund financial reports and receive an update on the AMI project. The meeting includes a superintendent's report for September 2026 and the approval of system fund invoices.

• 591 Water System Fund Financial Reports
• AMI Project Update
• Superintendent Report for September 2026
• 591 Water System Fund Invoice Approval

Sustainability Committee-CANCELED

The Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled for October 13, 2026, was canceled. The provided agenda contains only procedural items and general business topics.

• Approved Right of Way Tree List
• Bee City Educational Event: Garden Tour
• Heat Island and Community Sustainability Profile

Zoning Board of Appeals

The St. Joseph Zoning Board of Appeals will meet to consider four separate requests for dimensional variances. The board will also review minutes from the September 10, 2026, meeting.

• Public hearing: 1021 Pearl St Dimensional Variance Request
• Public hearing: 516 Lions Park Dr Dimensional Variance Request
• Public hearing: 311 Market St Dimensional Variance Request
• Public hearing: 2524 Morton Ave Dimensional Variance Request

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission will discuss zoning amendments for R3 Mixed-Use and award a contract for the FY27 Pavement Preventive Maintenance Project. The body will also consider a contract with Berrien County for the AMI Water Meter Project.

• First reading of R3 Mixed-Use Text Amendments submitted by Clark Logic
• FY27 Pavement Preventive Maintenance Project Award
• Contract with Berrien County for Act 185 Borrowing - AMI Water Meter Project
• Noise Ordinance Update
• Special Event Application: Bond by the Beach

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission will meet to discuss zoning amendments and various city infrastructure projects. The body will review a contract for water meter borrowing and a noise ordinance update.

• First reading of R3 Mixed-Use text amendments submitted by Clark Logic
• FY27 Pavement Preventive Maintenance Project award
• Contract with Berrien County for Act 185 Borrowing - AMI Water Meter Project
• Noise Ordinance update
• Special Event Application: Bond by the Beach

Cemetery Board

The Cemetery Board will meet to review cemetery fees and receive various operational reports. The agenda includes a review of burial and sales reports, open niches, and paid invoices.

• Cemetery Fees Review
• Burial & Sales Reports
• Open Niches report
• Director's Report
• Review of paid invoices

Election Commission

The Election Commission is meeting to handle preparations for upcoming elections. The body will discuss the public accuracy test and approve the official ballots.

• Ballot approval
• Appointment of election inspectors
• Scheduling of Public Accuracy Test
• Delegation of duties
• Designation of representatives

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The board will meet to establish its 2027 meeting calendar and review a community project involving the St. Joseph High School History Club. The agenda also includes updates on parks and recreation and a review of the mission and vision statement.

• 2027 Meeting Calendar
• St. Joseph High School History Club Community Project
• Mission & Vision Statement review

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will meet to review the 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena schedule and a donation policy. The board will also discuss community projects and park usage for the Downtown Spooktacular.

• 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena Schedule
• Donation Policy
• St Joe Today Downtown Spooktacular at Whirlpool Centennial Park
• St. Joseph High School History Club Community Project
• Amtrak ADA Station Improvement

The board approved the 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena schedule and recommended a new Donation Policy and the Downtown Spooktacular event for City Commission approval. It also directed the High School History Club to refine a historical walking tour project for Lake Bluff Park.

• Approved August 20, 2026 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Directed HS History Club to refine Lake Bluff Park walking tour project (Unanimous)
• Recommended Downtown Spooktacular event and use of Whirlpool Centennial Park to City Commission (Unanimous)
• Approved 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena schedule (Unanimous)
• Recommended Donation Policy for City Commission approval (Unanimous)

Downtown Development Authority

The Downtown Development Authority will review financial and monthly reports. The board will discuss the Broad Street sign and establish meeting dates for 2027.

• Broad Street Sign
• 2027 Meeting Dates

Cemetery Board

The Cemetery Board will meet to review burial and sales reports and discuss cemetery fees. The board will also review the Director's report and paid invoices.

• Cemetery Fees Review
• Burial & Sales Reports
• Open Niches report
• Invoices Paid

Election Commission

The Election Commission will meet to handle administrative preparations for upcoming elections. The body will discuss the public accuracy test and approve the official ballots.

• Ballot approval
• Appointment of election inspectors
• Scheduling of Public Accuracy Test
• Delegation of duties
• Designation of representatives

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The board will meet to establish its 2027 meeting calendar and review a community project involving the St. Joseph High School History Club. The agenda also includes updates on parks and recreation and a review of the mission and vision statement.

• 2027 Meeting Calendar
• St. Joseph High School History Club community project
• Parks & Recreation Update
• Mission & Vision Statement

Zoning Board of Appeals

The St. Joseph Zoning Board of Appeals meets Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM in Commission Chambers at 700 Broad Street. The board will hold public hearings on dimensional variance requests for 1021 Pearl St, 516 Lions Park Dr, 311 Market St, and 2524 Morton Ave. It will also consider approval of the September 10, 2026 meeting minutes. The meeting is held in person; comments will not be received via Zoom, though the public can view it online or by phone.

• Public hearing: 1021 Pearl St dimensional variance request
• Public hearing: 516 Lions Park Dr dimensional variance request
• Public hearing: 311 Market St dimensional variance request
• Public hearing: 2524 Morton Ave dimensional variance request
• Approval of September 10, 2026 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting minutes

Planning Commission

The St. Joseph Planning Commission meets Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM in Commission Chambers at 700 Broad Street. The agenda includes two public hearings: one on the Harbor Shores Parcel 5 Planned Unit Development (PUD) and one on R3 Mixed-Use Text Amendments. The Commission will also review a preliminary analysis of the 10-Year Master Plan, discuss draft 2027 meeting dates, and continue discussion on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) text amendments. The meeting is held in person; comments will not be received via Zoom, though the public can view it online or by phone.

• Public hearing: Harbor Shores Parcel 5 Planned Unit Development (PUD)
• Public hearing: R3 Mixed-Use Text Amendments
• 10-Year Master Plan Review Preliminary Analysis
• Draft 2027 Planning Commission Meeting Dates
• Old business: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Text Amendments discussion — next steps

Water Service Joint Operating Board

The St. Joseph Water Service Joint Operating Board meets Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the Water Treatment Plant on Lions Park Drive. The board will consider approving its agenda and the minutes of its August 19, 2026 meeting, receive reports including the Superintendent Report for August 2026, the 591 Water System Fund financial reports, and an AMI Project update, and take up old business on 591 Water System Fund invoice approval and a modification to the WSJOB Agreement term sheet. No new business items are listed.

• Approval of minutes from the August 19, 2026 meeting
• Superintendent Report for August 2026
• 591 Water System Fund financial reports
• AMI Project update
• Old business: 591 Water System Fund invoice approval and WSJOB Agreement (Term Sheet) modification

The St. Joseph Water Service Joint Operating Board approved the September 23, 2026 meeting agenda, August 19, 2026 minutes, 591 Water System Fund invoices, and a modification to the WSJOB Agreement Term Sheet. The board also heard financial and project reports, including updates on the AMI project and discussions regarding a potential water supply arrangement with Benton Harbor.

• Approved September 23, 2026 meeting agenda (6-0)
• Approved August 19, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0)
• Approved 591 Water System Fund invoices (6-0)
• Approved WSJOB Agreement (Term Sheet) Modification (6-0)

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission meets Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM at 700 Broad Street. The agenda includes two resolutions giving notice of intent to issue water system and sanitary sewer system revenue bonds, plus new business on a donation policy and a Downtown Spooktacular special event application. The consent agenda covers meeting minutes, invoice and tax disbursements, a housing commission update, an AMI software contract, a Fit 4 Fall 5k special event application, a board reappointment, and dredging easements. Reports include an MCLASS presentation, an MDOT update, and a City Attorney Selection Committee update.

• Resolution - Notice of Intent to Issue Water System Revenue Bonds
• Resolution - Notice of Intent to Issue Sanitary Sewer System Revenue Bonds
• AMI Software Contract on the consent agenda
• Special Event Application: Fit 4 Fall 5k (consent agenda) and Downtown Spooktacular (new business)
• Dredging Easements/Authorization for Entry; Donation Policy; Board Reappointment

The City Commission approved resolutions to publish notices of intent to issue revenue bonds for water system improvements up to $6.1 million and sanitary sewer improvements up to $39 million. The board also adopted a new City Donation Policy and approved two special event permits.

• Approved notice of intent to issue water system revenue bonds up to $6.1M (Unanimous)
• Approved notice of intent to issue sanitary sewer system revenue bonds up to $39M (Unanimous)
• Approved new City Donation Policy (Unanimous)
• Approved LECO Fit 4 Fall 5k special event application (Unanimous)
• Approved St. Joe Today Downtown Spooktacular special event application (Unanimous)
• Approved AMI software as a service contract (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Robert Judd to Employees' Retirement System (Unanimous)
• Approved dredging easements and right of entry agreements with US Army Corp of Engineers (Unanimous)

Downtown Development Authority

The St. Joseph Downtown Development Authority holds a regular meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 8:30 AM in Commission Chambers at 700 Broad Street. The agenda covers approval of prior meeting minutes, a financial report, monthly reports and staff updates, continued discussion of a Broad Street sign, and setting 2027 meeting dates. The meeting is in person and viewable via Zoom, though comments cannot be submitted through Zoom; public comment is on the agenda.

• Approval of meeting minutes
• Financial report presented to the board
• Monthly reports and staff updates
• Old business: Broad Street sign
• New business: setting 2027 meeting dates

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission meets Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Commission Chambers at 700 Broad Street. The agenda includes resolutions giving notice of intent to issue water system and sanitary sewer system revenue bonds, plus a donation policy, an AMI software contract, and two special event applications. Reports include the Housing Commission monthly update, an MCLASS presentation, an MDOT update, and a City Attorney Selection Committee update. Public comment is limited to three minutes, and comments will not be received via Zoom; those wishing to speak should attend in person.

• Resolution - Notice of Intent to Issue Water System Revenue Bonds
• Resolution - Notice of Intent to Issue Sanitary Sewer System Revenue Bonds
• AMI Software Contract
• Donation Policy
• Special Event Applications: Fit 4 Fall 5k and Downtown Spooktacular

Recreational Harbor Authority

The St. Joseph Recreational Harbor Authority holds a regular meeting at noon on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the St. Joseph River Yacht Club. Members will review minutes from the August 26 meeting, financial reports, bills paid, and a deficit elimination report. Old business includes a boat launch agreement, and new business covers auction items. Reports include a boat launch financial report and the manager's report, followed by public comments.

• Boat Launch Agreement under old business
• Auction Items under new business
• Financial Reports and Bills Paid
• Deficit Elimination Report
• Boat Launch Financial report and Manager's Report

Planning Commission

The St. Joseph Planning Commission meets October 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM in Commission Chambers, 700 Broad Street, to hold two public hearings: one on the Harbor Shores Parcel 5 Planned Unit Development (PUD) and one on R3 Mixed-Use Text Amendments. The commission will also review a preliminary analysis of the 10-Year Master Plan, consider draft 2027 meeting dates, and continue discussion on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) text amendments. The meeting is held in person; comments will not be received via Zoom, though the public may view it online or by phone.

• PUBLIC HEARING: Harbor Shores Parcel 5 Planned Unit Development (PUD)
• PUBLIC HEARING: R3 Mixed-Use Text Amendments
• 10-Year Master Plan Review Preliminary Analysis
• Draft 2027 Planning Commission Meeting Dates
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Text Amendments Discussion - Next Steps

Library Board

The St. Joseph Library Board is holding its regular September meeting. They will review financial and statistical reports, consider quotes for a new integrated library system, and hold a first reading of a revised Garden Events Policy. The agenda also includes discussion of a consent agenda and public comment periods.

• Integrated Library System quotes
• Garden Events Policy rewrite - first reading
• Consent Agenda Discussion
• Bill Report - July/August 2026
• Treasurer's Report - Financial Reports July/August 2026

The Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library Board of Trustees approved July and August bills and financial reports, accepted the BookSystems quote for an integrated library system, and authorized the finance committee to handle a maturing CD. The board also held a first reading for a Garden Events Policy rewrite and adopted a new consent agenda format.

• Approved agenda for Sept. 22, 2026 (Unanimous)
• Approved July 28, 2026 minutes with one date correction (Unanimous)
• Approved bills for July ($34,040.69) and August ($12,948.67) (Unanimous)
• Authorized finance committee to make decisions regarding the $152,000 CD maturing Oct. 7 (Unanimous)
• Accepted city financial report for July/August (Unanimous)
• Accepted BookSystems quote for integrated library system (Unanimous)
• Adopted Consent Agenda format including 4 items (Unanimous)

Water Service Joint Operating Board

The St. Joseph Water Service Joint Operating Board is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes, receive the superintendent's report and financial reports, and review an AMI project update. Under old business, the board will consider approving invoices for the 591 Water System Fund and a modification to the WSJOB Agreement (term sheet). The agenda is otherwise routine, with no new business listed.

• 591 Water System Fund Invoice Approval
• WSJOB Agreement (Term Sheet) Modification
• AMI Project Update
• Superintendent Report for August 2026
• 591 Water System Fund Financial Reports

Library Board

The St. Joseph Library Board is holding its regular September meeting. The board will review quotes for a new integrated library system, discuss a rewrite of the Garden Events Policy (first reading), and consider a consent agenda. They will also approve minutes and receive financial and statistical reports for July/August 2026.

• Integrated Library System quotes (new business)
• Garden Events Policy rewrite – first reading
• Consent Agenda discussion
• Bill report and financial reports for July/August 2026
• Statistical reports and summer reading statistics

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission is meeting to handle routine approvals and several new business items. Key actions include initiating a county bond project for the AMI water meter project, adopting text amendments on lots and yards definitions, and considering a contract amendment with Best Way. The commission will also discuss special events, a pickleball expansion, and may enter closed session for the city manager's annual evaluation.

• Initiating Resolution for County Bond Project Under Act 185 - AMI Water Meter Project
• Best Way Contract Amendment
• Lots and Yards Definitions Text Amendments - 2nd Reading and Adoption
• Fee Schedule Update - Special Pickup Correction
• Request to Enter Closed Session - City Manager Annual Evaluation

The City Commission unanimously approved an initiating resolution asking Berrien County to issue up to $9,995,000 in bonds under Act 185 to fund a roughly $9.5 million radio-read water meter upgrade, with the County as financing conduit and the City repaying over 20 years. Commissioners also adopted zoning text amendments on lots and yards and residential fences, approved the 2027 meeting calendar, and added seven municipalities to MEDIC 1's extended service area. In closed session they reviewed City Manager Emily Hackworth's performance and approved a contract amendment raising her salary by $5,000 to $155,000 plus $2,500 in performance pay, with a term ending April 30, 2029. Public comment was dominated by Sandbar amplified-music noise complaints from Evergreen Drive residents and support from other residents and the owner.

• Approved initiating resolution for County Act 185 bond project, up to $9,995,000, for the AMI water meter project (5-0)
• Adopted second reading of zoning ordinance amendments on lots and yards definitions and Chapter 12 residential fences (5-0)
• Approved 2027 City Commission meeting schedule as presented (5-0)
• Approved extended service area membership in MEDIC 1 for City of Watervliet, Bainbridge Township, Pipestone Township, City of Coloma, Coloma Charter Township, Hagar Township and Watervliet Township (5-0)
• Approved amended City Manager Hackworth contract: $5,000 raise to $155,000 salary, $2,500 performance pay, term ending April 30, 2029 (4-0, Vetne absent)
• Approved tree plantings at numerous City locations; Dogwood Hills Nursery to perform work for $22,021 (consent agenda)
• Approved Truck or Treat street closure: Lake Boulevard from Elm to Pleasant and 500 block of Broad Street on October 24, 5AM-7PM (consent agenda)
• Approved special event applications for Halloween Trick-or-Treat 10/30, Luminary 11/20, Small Business Saturday 11/28, Reindog Parade 12/5, Holiday Artisan Market 12/6 (consent agenda)

Downtown Development Authority

The St. Joseph Downtown Development Authority is holding its regular September meeting. The board will consider old business items including the Broad Street sign, DDA goals, and Main Street sidewalk amenities, and will take up new business on formula/chain businesses and Michigan Downtown Day. Public comment is limited to in-person attendance; Zoom is available for viewing only.

• Discussion of formula/chain businesses policy
• Broad Street sign update
• Main Street sidewalk amenities
• DDA goals review
• Michigan Downtown Day planning

The board approved the promotion of Michigan Downtown Day and the previous meeting's minutes. Members discussed downtown construction impacts, sidewalk amenities, and potential restrictions on chain businesses.

• Approved August meeting minutes with start time correction to 8:30am (Unanimous)
• Approved financial reports as presented (Unanimous)
• Approved support for promoting Michigan Downtown Day in St. Joseph (Unanimous)
• Directed staff to inquire about locking in Broad Street sign pricing with a deposit
• Formed subgroup (Clements, Lannert, Maynard, Strunk) to explore DDA goals
• Directed staff to adjust Main Street amenity placement to avoid business doors and add bike racks
• Directed staff to research other communities' ordinances and design standards regarding chain businesses

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is meeting to discuss new business including a high school history club project, a downtown Spooktacular event, the 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena schedule, and a donation policy. Old business includes an update on Amtrak ADA station improvements. The agenda is mostly discussion items with no votes or contracts listed.

• St. Joseph High School History Club community project
• St Joe Today Downtown Spooktacular at Whirlpool Centennial Park
• 2026-2027 Howard Ice Arena schedule
• Donation policy discussion
• Amtrak ADA station improvement update

City Commission

The St. Joseph City Commission will consider several items, including a resolution to initiate a county bond project for the AMI water meter project under Act 185, and a second reading and adoption of text amendments to lots and yards definitions. The agenda also includes routine approvals, a contract amendment, fee schedule updates, and special event applications.

• Resolution to initiate county bond project under Act 185 for AMI water meter project
• Lots and yards definitions text amendments - 2nd reading and adoption
• Best Way contract amendment
• Fee schedule update - special pickup correction
• Special event applications: St. Joe Today Fall & Winter Events