Public Hub

The City of St. Joseph endorses accountability and transparency in government and endeavors to make information regarding city operations and reporting accessible to you. This portion of our website is dedicated to providing benchmarking and financial information in an easy to read format. If you would like further information, please contact the City Manager's office at 269-983-5541.

Bits & Pieces

  • The City Manager’s Executive Report, Bits & Pieces, is an informational document meant to help summarize issues and events happening within City Hall in an easy-to-read manner. Bits & Pieces will be uploaded bi-weekly in conjunction with City Commission meeting dates. If you have any questions about the material in the Executive Report, please contact the City Manager’s office at (269)-983-5541 and we will be happy to assist you.

Bits & Pieces:

2015 Reports (Click on the date to view that report)
1/23/2015

 

Reports previous to 2015:

Park Passes | Parks

Park Pass

The new parking meter system allows state-of-the-art equipment to monitor parking areas by scanning your license plate. The scanners installed on a police cruiser will read your plate number and alert the officer whether your vehicle has a valid parking pass (whether hourly, daily, or a season pass). If not, you will receive a citation.  It is not necessary to display anything on your vehicle, the parking system works entirely off your license plate; once you have paid, you can head straight to the beach/park and do not have to return to your vehicle.

For city residents, you will need to register your license plate number(s) to have them entered into the system. 

How do you, a city resident or property owner, receive your annual parking pass(es)?

For many, the most convenient way to request parking passes is to click on the red "Online Parking Pass" box at the right hand side of the City web page and follow the instructions. You will need a copy of your driver's license.  If you are registering only one or two vehicles, you will need their license plate numbers.  If you are a resident who wishes to register more than two vehicles, you will need the registration of each vehicle, showing that each one is registered at this address.  

You may also download the following form, complete it, and submit it via e-mail, mail, fax, in one of the drop boxes at City Hall, or in person at the City Clerk's office.  We enter passes every business day; please keep in mind that if you submit the form and head straight to the park, the pass may not be entered yet.  If you receive a citation, contact the Public Safety Department at 269-985-0300 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and if you are entitled to a pass we will work with you.

         Park Pass Request Form

Or you can stop by the Clerk's counter in the lobby of City Hall.  You will need the same information described above and listed on the form.  You must show your registration for each vehicle you wish registered as verification that it is registered to your home address.

Non-residents are required to utilize the Park and Pay System onsite at the parks, by cash (paper bills only) or credit card. For recurring visitors, it may be beneficial for them to download the Passport App (www.ppprk.com), which allows them to pay for a parking space using their phones in advance, even before arriving in St. Joseph. This App lists zone numbers for each of the city’s daily pay-to-park lots, which users enter along with their license plate number. This system has the capacity to alert those using hourly parking that their time is almost up, which they can extend by simply using their cell phone. Visitors will receive a text message when they pay for their parking through the Passport application.

At the parking meter machine, visitors will be given an option to pay for the entire season, at a cost of $40.00, or may prefer paying a daily fee. Daily parking fees, between May 20 and September 10, will be $7 weekdays and $10 on weekends. In the offseason, the fee will be $5 weekdays and $7 on weekends. Additionally, for the first time, the lots will offer hourly parking, at $3 per hour during the summer season and $2 in the offseason.

Annual permits exempt you from daily parking fees at Lions Park, Tiscornia Park, Kiwanis Park, and the Elm Street lot (located south of the Whirlpool Compass Fountain). 

 

City Boat Launch Pass

The Park Passes do not apply to the City Boat Launch; this is because the State of Michigan does not allow us to provide free passes to City residents for this facility; everyone must pay the same fee.  Annual permits for the City Boat Launch are available for sale at the West Basin Marina office; day passes may be purchased from the parking machine at the Boat Launch.  Parking passes must be displayed on the vehicle's driver's side dashboard.

 More information

 

 

Vendor Permits

A Vendor is any person who offers goods or services for sale on the streets or from a vehicle or a stand open to the street, whose business is conducted from a vehicle, cart, stand or temporary structure. A valid vending license must be obtained from the city clerk in order for any person to engage in business as a Vendor within the City. A separate license is required for each Vendor stand, motorized vending unit or portable vending cart.

Rummage or Garage Sales

City Ordinance requires a permit for all rummage, garage, carport or similar sales.

Facility Rental

The City of St. Joseph recognizes the uniquely attractive setting of its beaches and parks and welcomes the use of its recreational facilities for various activities, including weddings on both Lions and Tiscornia beaches.

Tax Deferments

 

St. Joseph City Charter

The City Charter for the City of St. Joseph can be found in Part I of the City Code of Ordinances.

City Manager

Administrates and manages all day-to-day activities in the City of St. Joseph.

Elections & Voting

Any United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election and who is a resident of the State of Michigan and the City of St. Joseph may register to vote in the City of St. Joseph by completing a Voter Registration Application.

You can register to vote at any Secretary of State Branch office, the County Clerk's Office, or the St. Joseph City Clerk's Office. If you are unable to go to any of these offices to register, please contact your local Clerk at (269) 983-6325.

Elections

Michigan Election Law provides that elections must be held on only four (4) predetermined dates throughout the year:

  • The 2nd Tuesday in March
  • The first Tuesday after the first Monday in May
  • The first Tuesday after the first Monday in August
  • The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day.

Departments

Please click on a department below for more details.

Code of Ordinances

This provides a link to all legislation received by Municipal Code since the last update (printed or electronic) to the Code of Ordinances. This legislation has been enacted, but has not yet been codified. Each piece of legislation, where applicable, is also linked to the portion of the Code that it affects.

City Commission

The City Commission typically meets on alternating weeks on the second floor of City Hall.

Departments

Boards and Commissions

St Joseph Downtown Vision

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