City Engineer

The City Engineer is responsible for the handling, planning, oversight, and reporting on all city-led engineering projects including:

• Handling water, sewer, and roadway related constructions permits in the public right-of-way.
• Planning, prioritizing and seeking funding sources for future infrastructure projects.
• Oversight of Engineering Consulting Services.
• Construction Progress Meetings and Site Inspections of ongoing construction projects.
• Responding to Citizen Concerns including Periodic Updates on Construction Progress.
• Administration of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits.
• Archives infrastructure project record drawings.
• Plan review and approval of infrastructure-related elements of new developments.

City Engineer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Assistant City Engineer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: 700 Broad Street
Phone: (269) 983-5541
Fax: (269) 985-0346

For information on the St. Joseph River - Bicentennial Bridge USGS Stream Gage, please click on it.

Kingsley, Morton, Orchard and Langley Projects

Langley Reconstruction Project Status

The Department of Public Safety is scheduled to flow test the hydrants in the  Kingsley, Morton & Orchard Project area this coming Monday (11/16) and Wednesday (11/18).  Here is a brief explanation of why this is being done and what to expect.  

Kalin Construction completed paving, raising manholes, pavement markings, signage and final restoration work items this week.

Kingsley Avenue is now open to traffic and the project is substantially complete.  Expect to see Kalin Construction on site next week to take care of some minor punch list items in order to final out the project.

We thank you for your patience and with the construction.  As always, please feel free to contact Sam Jablonowski, Abonmarche Project Engineer (269-605-9653, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Tim Zebell, (269-983-5541), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions or concerns.

The proposed tree planting plan for the Kingsley, Morton & Orchard Reconstruction Project is available at this link. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND 

In 2020, the City plans to reconstruct Kingsley Avenue from Niles Avenue to Morton Avenue, Morton Avenue from Kingsley Avenue to Orchard Avenue and Orchard Avenue from Morton Avenue to Langley Avenue. Reconstruction of Langley Avenue is scheduled to start in2021 and encompasses Langley Avenue from Pearl Street to Napier Avenue.

In early November 2018, the City held an open House to gather public input on several concepts for the upcoming reconstruction projects. All of the concept plans included non-motorized facilities in order to comply with the City's Master Plan and the Complete Streets Policy adopted by the Twin Cities Transportation Study (TwinCATs). Space within the public right-of-way is limited, so the addition of non-motorized facility generally results in a reduction or loss of on-street parking. Extensive tree removals will also be required for both projects for multiple reasons including tree size (too big for the available space, age conflicts with sewer services. The tree removals must be completed in advance of the constructionin order to comply with enviromental regulations. The concept plans remained available for viewing and public input until early August.

August 12 Meeting Notice to Project area
August 12 Power Point
Open House Kingsley Concept 3
Open House Morton Concept 3
Open House Orchard Concept 1
Open House Langley Concept 1

December 2nd Kingsley, Morton & Orchard Reconstruction Project Update

A public meeting will be held on December 11, 2019 at 6 PM in City Commission Chambers to provide an update on the 2020 Kingsley, Morton & Orchard Reconstruction Project to the neighborhood and obtain temporary right-of-entries where needed for lead water service line replacements and driveway work. The mailing sent to the project area provides additional details and can be viewed by following the link below.

December 11 Meeting Notice

Water Service Replacement Construction Right-of-Way

Driveway Replacement Construction Right-of-Way

Tree Planting Report

2020 Water Service Replacements Project

The City has contracted with Compton Inc from South Haven, MI to complete the work for the 2020 Water Service Line Replacement Project.  As part of this work the City will also be replacing any private water service made of galvanized steel or lead from the curb stop to just inside the home as well as the public water service in the street.  The construction for the first 12 replacements is expected to start the week of October 5th and will be undertaken using trenchless means to the extent possible.  You can view a progress map for the work HERE. 

Lead Water Service Information

Please follow this link for more details. Lead Service Replacement Program

Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Program

Point of contact:

Tim Zebell, P.E.
City Engineer
Telephone: 269-983-5541
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please see the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Report for additional information at : https://www.michigan.gov/documents/egle/wrd-cso-sso-rtb-2019-annual-report_695004_7.pdf

SAW Grant

Asset Management Plan

• 1st Infrastructure Open House - "How Your Infrastructure Works" 4/22/2017 Power Point Presentation link
• 2nd Infrastructure Open House - " Managing Your Infrastructure" 5/24/2017 Power Point Presentation link
• 3rd Infrastructure Open House - "Funding Your Infrastructure" 8/22/2017 Power Point Presentation link
• SAW Grant & Asset Management 8/22/2017 Meeting Handout

Public Meeting Maps

• St. Joseph Recent Projects Meeting No1.
• Lift Station Condition Public Information Meeting No1.
• Lift Station Service Areas.
• PASER Rating Map Public Information Meeting No1.
• Sanitary Consequence of Failure Public Information Meeting No1.
• Sanitary Manhole Condition.
• Sanitary Televised Status.
• Sewer Sanitary Criticality Map.
• Sewer Sanitary Year Installed Map.
• Sewer Storm Criticality Map.
• Sewer Storm Year Installed Map.
• SS Condition Public Information Meeting No1.
• ST Condition Public Information Meeting No1.
• Water Criticality Map.
• Water Main Breaks.
• Water Year Installed Public Information Meeting No1.

A Permit is required for work within the Right-of-Way.

The Right-of-Way typically includes the street, tree lawn and sidewalk area in front of your property. Please refer to the Right-of-Way Permit application - at the link that follows - for additional details on the requirements.

Right-of-Way Application (PDF)(revised 1-23-2018)

Please submit applications and supporting materials to Alex Austin at the contact information noted above.

City of St. Joseph and Southwest Regional Sanitary Sewer and Water Authority Standard Specifications and Details for new water main construction

• 2013_01_31WSJOB_StandardDetails-to_MDEQ
• 2013_01_31_StandardSpecs-to_MDEQ

Water Main Permits

Please contact City Engineer Tim Zebell for information on the wter main permit approval process.