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

Prior to 2018, city residents and visitors were required to place a parking sticker in a prominent place on their vehicle in order to be exempt from daily parking fees at Tiscornia Park, Lions Park and the Elm Street lot (south of the Whirlpool Compass Fountain). Beginning this year, stickers will no longer be required.

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 is registered to park there. If not, you will receive a ticket.

For city residents, you will need to register your license plate number(s) at City Hall. As in past years, city residents may receive up to two annual parking exemptions at no charge, but registering your license plate number is now necessary. How do you, a city resident, register to receive your annual parking exemption? Simply by visiting the Clerk’s counter at City Hall between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and bringing your driver’s license and license plate number(s) so that it can be entered into the system. If a city household has more than two vehicles they wish to register, they may do so, still at no charge and by following the steps above. You must show your registration for each vehicle you wish registered as verification that it is registered to your household.

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 phones. 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 an hour during the summer season and $2 in the offseason.

These annual permits exempt you from daily parking fees ($7 weekdays/$10 weekends) at Lions Park, Tiscornia Park and the Elm Street lot (located south of the Whirlpool Compass Fountain). For City residents only, to obtain an annual permit, simply visit the City Clerk's Office with your driver's license for residency verification. All parking permit stickers must be permanently affixed to the outside of your vehicle on the passenger side of the rear window. 

 City Boat Launch Pass

An exception to the new 2018 system setup involves parking at the City Boat Launch, where a sticker will continue to be required. Parking permits for the City Boat Launch are also available for sale at the City Clerk's Office each year beginning April 1 for a small fee. These annual permits exempt you from daily parking fees at the City Boat Launch. To obtain an annual permit, simply visit the City Clerk's Office. Parking passes must be permanently affixed to the lower corner of your vehicle's driver side window.

 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.

Taxi Cab Licenses

The City of St. Joseph regulates the operation of vehicles for hire within the city limits for the safety and security of our residents. The public interest requires all vehicles be fit for their intended purpose, that operators of these vehicles be properly qualified persons, and that the safety and welfare of passengers and the general public be protected in the operation of these vehicles. No person shall drive or operate, or cause or allow to be driven or operated, any vehicle for hire unless the vehicle is licensed and operated in compliance with all requirements of Chapter 32 of the St. Joseph City Code of Ordinances.

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.

If you are registered to vote and have moved or changed your name, you must contact your local Clerk's office to ensure that your registration is correct. Voters who have registered at least 30 days prior to an election may exercise their right to vote by appearing at the polls on Election Day or by obtaining an absent voter ballot.

Elections

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

  • The fourth Tuesday in February
  • 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.

Polling Locations

Precinct 1: City Hall, 700 Broad Street 
Precinct 2: Howard Ice Arena Building - 2414 Willa Drive
Precinct 3: Zion Evangelical UCC Church - 3001 Veronica Court

Please refer to your Voter Registration Card or the Michigan Voter Information Center to determine your registration status or voting precinct. If you are a St. Joseph registered voting living abroad or military personnel stationed elsewhere, please visit the Michigan Military and Overseas Civilian Voter website.

Absent Voter Ballots

A voter may request an Absent Voter Ballot for any of the following reasons:

  • 60 years of age or older; or
  • Absent from the community the entire time the polls are open on election day; or
  • Physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another; or
  • Cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion; or
  • Have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside; or
  • Cannot attend the polls because you are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.

Absent Voter Ballots may be requested from the local clerk by completing and returning an Absent Voter Ballot Application. Be sure to include your name, your registered address, phone number, the address you would like the ballot sent to and your reason for the request. If you would like to have your name placed on our permanent Absent Voter List, please complete and return the Permanent Absent Voter Request, this will ensure that you automatically receive an Absent Voter Ballot Application prior to each election.

Election Inspectors

The City Clerk's office is always looking for citizens available to serve as election inspectors. Election Inspectors are citizens who are paid to assist voters at the polls on Election Day. The City of St. Joseph has three (3) voting precincts, all of which must be maintained by inspectors for each election. In addition, the City maintains an Absent Voter Counting Boards to process all Absent Voter Ballots. If you are a registered voter and are interested in serving as an Election Inspector, please complete and return an Election Inspector Application.

City Commissioners are elected in November of odd numbered years. A Primary Election will be held in August whenever more than two candidates qualify as nominees for each office to be filled.

Other information and forms

Other resources and links

STATE OF MICHIGAN VOTER INFORMATION CENTER AND SAMPLE BALLOT
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633-49313--,00.html

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS CIVILIAN VOTERS
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-238835--,00.html

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

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