(STURGIS) - More intense discussion was held Wednesday night about what's happening with the Sturgis City Commission.
During the Commission/Staff Comments portion of their meeting, Commissioner Aaron Miller spoke on several different topics including the resignation April 22 of City Manager Andrew Kuk, Kuk's compensation package, and the treatment of Kuk along with current and former City department heads by members of the City Commission.
Miller says there are core issues that are not being addressed and if they are not addressed, the problems will stay.
Miller also spoke about comments made by Mayor Frank Perez in his recent appearance on the 500 Grand podcast, and how those comments were not correct.
Miller also shared that the community is talking about what's happening and that the Commission can't comment on them because the matters were discussed in closed session. To that end, Miller introduced a resolution that he says would clear the air.
(Miller's resolution asks that the Sturgis City Commission directs that an outside investigation be by an outside council be executed that would investigate Mayor Frank Perez along with Commissioners Rick Bir and Cathi Abbs and former Commissioner Linda Harrington for potential violations against specific pieces of Michigan law and various case law, along with Sturgis City Commission procedures and the Sturgis City Charter). (LISTEN ABOVE).
City Attorney T.J. Reed suggested going into closed session to talk about what the next step should be for the Commission. The Commission voted to not go into closed session. Next they voted down Miller's resolution 4-3, with Commissioners Miller, Dan Boring and Jeff Mullins in support of the resolution, and Commissioners Cathi Abbs, Marvin Smith, Rick Bir and Mayor Frank Perez voting No.
Miller then introduced a resolution to censure Mayor Perez. Miller's resolution says Mayor Frank Perez represents and inherent lack of willingness to adhere to Michigan law and instead has given evidence for his belief that his views are the right views instead of Michigan law. Miller's resolution then asks the Sturgis City Commission censure Perez, calling upon him to adhere to Michigan law in honor of the oath he took multiple times to the residents of the City of Sturgis.
That resolution was also voted down 4-3 with Commissioners Miller Mullins and Boring voting Yes, and Commissioners Abbs, Smith, Bir and Mayor Perez voting No.
Perez spoke later, saying the City needs to be transparent, and that he will continue to do what is right for the City of Sturgis.