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.
Tim Zebell

City Engineer:
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 Alex Austin 2

Assistant City Engineer:
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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

 Current Project Status

This is an update for the Kingsley, Morton and Orchard Reconstruction Project for the week of June 29nd. This past week, Kalin Construction completed water main work on Morton Avenue and made significant progress on Orchard Avenue Road building. The majority of the curb and gutter and non-motorized path on Orchard Avenue has also been completed.

Expect to see more concrete work, water services switch overs and water main connections in the coming week. There are two water shut offs anticipated, the first on Tuesday, July 7th and the second on Friday, July 10th. The first water service interruption will impact a small area of Lane Drive from 9 AM to 1 PM illustrated in the drawing below. 

 2020 07 02 WSO Area

The second shut off, anticipated on Friday July 10th, is dependent upon the new water main on Morton Avenue between Lane Drive and Kingsley Avenue passing required pressure and water quality tests. The tests are currently underway and will not be finished until early next week. Expect to see an update the middle of next week regarding the shut off after the test are completed. 

Water service tie-ins for properties on Morton Avenue between Lane Drive and Kingsley Avenue is expected to occur on Thursday, July 9th. The individual residences will be notified by the Abonmarche inspector as Kalin works their way from home to home. 

The remaining two paragraphs of this update are the same as last week and are being provided because it includes important reminders and schedule information.

Access to homes fronting on construction will continue to be a challenge in the coming week, and will vary based upon the phasing of the roadway base building and concrete work. As noted last week, it is likely residents will need to walk to their homes most of the time while this work is underway. Please remember that while it is possible to walk on concrete within 24 hours of placement, it typically takes 5 to 7 days to reach the strength needed to handle vehicular loading. Driving on concrete that has not sufficiently cured will reduce the expected lifespan of the curb and gutter, driveways, path and sidewalks. We thank you in advance for helping us to protect the new infrastructure. We also appreciate your flexibility and patience during the road building phase of the project. If you experience access issues, please contact Sam Jablonowski, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your concern.

Overall, the work is moving along as expected on the current phase of the project. Kalin provided a schedule last week that indicates completion of Orchard Avenue and Morton Avenue on or about July 31st. The next phase, Kingsley. Avenue from Morton Avenue to Niles Avenue, will immediately. follow in August. Final project completion is expected around mid-October. The project started approximately one month later than originally planned due to the COVID state of emergency, and will therefore be completed in October rather than September. Residents in the project area will likely recall the project phasing was reversed to reduce the impact upon Lincoln School.

Thank you for your patience and 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 City Engineer Tim Zebell (269-983-5541, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

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

On March 17, 2020, a public meeting was held by remote access/telephone conference call for the Kingsley, Morton and Orchard Reconstruction Project.  Slides of the information covered is available at this link.  Work on Kingsley Avenue is scheduled to start the week of March 30th.

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

March 17th Kingsley, Morton & Orchard Reconstruction Project Update

A Pre- Construction Public meeing will be held on March 17, 2020 at 6 PM in the City Commission Chambers to inform those impacted or interested in the project of what to expect. The mailing sent to the project area provides additional details and can be viewed by following the links below.

Project Information Sheet

Pre-Construction Public Meeting Notice

Please note the construction phasing was reversed from the originally intended plan due to factors associated with the state of emergency caused by Coronavirus.

Please feel free to contact City Engineer Tim Zebell (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., telephone: 269-983-5541) if you have questions or concerns related to the projects.

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

Public Meeting Maps

 

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

Water Main Permits

St Joseph Downtown Vision

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