[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6360265,"mediaKeyId","2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df","parentId",2174999,"title","Kalamazoo presents 2025 Social Justice Youth Awards to eight local students","audioSeconds",1941,"startMs",409000,"endMs",2350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df&start=409&end=2350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df/thumbnail_409000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360265/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-presents-2025-Social-Justice-Youth-Awards-to-eight-local-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360265-d52058c3bcea9caef135c6f429ed97e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225693&Signature=KGbNDAAnus26Uc8j8XTiZIAaNegvcAQVQyQJQWHISUUxmjlbIgIZshXKXi9PV9yAEA0oRaQNh1dg~hoU-AMvCh5MDHdg0gwBXR4Ku2deJ7x6MJ51b5HAdABgXoUbB5SEc4QPf5KHOuX47-9LdDR5CIwf4EMQ7tjCpWVMWKvzryFoOQsj1vbHCirg~pfnI~mBAzgYA5O5tBPW3dY7c7ObavnuimPq5ClcBZkZHtvlEVxykJj-hQZGZP-8yiINhxDFknZUAR9nhYrpQFpL0y4GfKaMyNIoIk-xSDUT~w2bWf5CyP9mhyGw-PAt8RmOLaqICe~OCut4NElVP8GSq6iRGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Kalamazoo City Commission recognized eight area high-school students with 2025 Social Justice Youth Awards at the Jan. 27 meeting. Sponsors from community organizations and businesses presented each recipient with awards, and the local NAACP announced one-year memberships for awardees.

Presenters included representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Iota Sigma Omega chapter, Consumers Energy, Fifth Third Bank, Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War (KNOW), Life EMS, the Lodge Dennis family scholarship, Schupin & Sons, and Dr. Louis Walker (founder of the awarding institute). Recipients cited in the ceremony included Leila Hemphill (Alpha Kappa Alpha award), Ava Tate (Consumers Energy MLK award), Omar Al Gaway (5th Third Bank award), Winter Owens (KNOW scholarship), Michael T. Scott II (Life EMS award), Isabella Morris (Lodge Dennis scholarship), Dontre Hempel Jr. (Schupin & Sons award) and Paul Evans (Dr. Louis Walker award).

Award presentations summarized each recipient’s community service and leadership roles: volunteer mentoring, work with organizations supporting people with disabilities, advocacy and organizing, peer coaching, participation in National Honor Society and school leadership, and involvement in local nonprofits and faith communities. Dr. Harvey Myers of the NAACP announced that each recipient would receive a one-year paid membership in the local NAACP branch and that membership cards would arrive by mail within weeks. The city also provides a certificate and a cash award to recipients, as noted by the mayor.

Commissioners and presenters praised the awardees’ civic engagement and the efforts of sponsoring organizations. The commission paused its business agenda to host the recognition; awardees and sponsors attended the meeting and addressed the commission briefly. The awards segment concluded without formal votes related to the honors.

The commission invited awardees and guests to remain for the regular business meeting but took no legislative action related to the awards themselves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 27, 2025 Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Kalamazoo City Commission recognized eight local high-school students with 2025 Social Justice Youth Awards sponsored by local organizations and businesses; recipients will receive certificates, cash awards and one-year NAACP memberships.","taxTitle","Kalamazoo City, Kalamazoo County, Michigan","taxId",3977,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360270,"Commission holds public hearing on proposed Neighborhood Enterprise Zone near East Michigan; no action taken",95,4079000,4174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df&start=4079&end=4174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df/thumbnail_4079000.jpg","/articles/6360270/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Commission-holds-public-hearing-on-proposed-Neighborhood-Enterprise-Zone-near-East-Michigan-no-action-taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360270-8fda4cb5a4c985bb2c4c63efdbd198ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225693&Signature=YEnvMkqoNI3I5IPM6uGx8ttI0XoIk~RK6iNTqPkaBuxQUapQZlaBJ5BHY44dg9iEYiwBIa7eftjMsMagACyFQxbxYPDU2dvDRDrEWk6LUQ593uK1QAf5a1Izzpp2mnnPzgnxyTJcnF6o-hCsz4YpwqPNvbHXZi4RRclgTW9LynncrWANWPw2lj1rynRMew5kWanAoYCwSULBP2qTTI31SrTaPkgtUr8rUVVrUXGZ7TT2L-qT7OHJTPtmOyvjoQ0DBpdqVwFeiGpkZE9Zs7WW3EtfvHHj26cvyuhhSjgEA~TuDWrhH0UPLnEYymDGIRUe6xvfQgE83HSUfLJ9THyczA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalamazoo City Commission opened a public hearing on Jan. 27 to receive comment on a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) application for a defined area around East Michigan Avenue and adjacent blocks. No public speakers came forward and the commission closed the hearing; staff said this is a step in the NEZ process and no immediate vote was required.

Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee told commissioners this is the city’s first NEZ application since staff and the commission adopted an NEZ policy in 2023. The applicant identified a parcel at 232–234 East Michigan (the Heemstra Optical building) and staff evaluated a slightly larger area — citing nearby redevelopment activity including the Coney Island project and other proposed housing — to ensure the proposed boundary aligns with the city’s NEZ policy and the state act that authorizes NEZ incentives. Staff noted certain tax districts limited the potential northern extension of the NEZ and that the proposed zone would sunset in five years.

Durkee said the immediate application proposes a four-unit housing project that would include one unit restricted at 80% of area median income and that the applicant intends to qualify for the NEZ benefit for up to 15 years; the project proposes no new parking. Commissioners asked for additional background; staff confirmed the NEZ web page and online application process launched after the 2023 policy adoption and that the current application was submitted using that form. No public comments were received during the hearing, and no commission action was taken at the meeting; the hearing was described by staff as a required procedural step in the review process.

Staff and commissioners indicated follow-up steps would include standard NEZ application review and any subsequent required legislative or administrative approvals. The transcript records staff explaining the geographic rationale and the applicant’s affordability proposal; commissioners deferred further questions and closed the hearing.","The commission opened and closed a public hearing on establishing a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) bounded by East Michigan Avenue, South Edward Street, East South Street and Portage Street; staff described the application and the commission took no immediate action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360275,"Public commenters press city for more shelters, coordination after arctic blast sheltering",749,2718000,3467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df&start=2718&end=3467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df/thumbnail_2718000.jpg","/articles/6360275/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Public-commenters-press-city-for-more-shelters-coordination-after-arctic-blast-sheltering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360275-2b0db36dd88b5bbba3f14882eda6e41d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225693&Signature=fkrqpkusQp0VVfM4gE78g-WnmnLB4KOrAFM8quCyOjohKEoD~61-tjAYfPzs2UzIx5A8y3TjW7vD78PURcBUiLqjuRNWDxpMkLS4E3N-mW6VDYA~kt5-qseqdLB94N9bQWKBnFYnsjOP5YYGtgP75JtGNusJSHu4GqSS9oPK9TqodZboyaztY6XmQIaNAsZJostq6XjrD2TiCuOa~yEt8djnH2EDuhF4V~apwuQbD8dSSZFd7OXOIUVU88aP9Zw~1GHfoSt1cygcKdG5jqo-DRsTtbP~gFPi1oeBcJRdLGP6pYyAnELtTrq4dm4XYX27XVrKxROZxgBc3IjeC8zeOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Kalamazoo-area residents used the Jan. 27 public comment period to urge the City Commission to expand shelter options, improve coordination among agencies and invest in housing supports for people experiencing homelessness.

Speakers described gaps exposed by recent extreme cold and praised a short-term hotel sheltering effort while urging longer-term changes. City Manager Ritzema told the commission earlier in the meeting that, during last week’s arctic blast, the city and its partners funded a hotel project that sheltered about 120 people; he thanked the continuum of care and volunteers for coordinating placements.

During public comment, Rita O’Brien (representing the Kalamazoo Area Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition) said trafficking victims are present in the region and urged more education, outreach and resources, including the national hotline. Shawn Espinosa, a Kalamazoo resident, urged the commission to work with existing providers and to pursue 24-hour shelter capacity, called for rent caps and said rising utility and housing costs make the city unaffordable for many residents.

Jeremy Hernandez Herman described mutual-aid efforts that provide weekly support to people living outside, and he told commissioners that temporary warming-center hours are limited. Toby Hannah Davies, a member of the ISAAC housing task force who participated in the HUD-required point-in-time count, said teams interviewed people who remained unsheltered despite cold weather and praised municipal staff and regional partners — including the city’s COO, county housing staff and Portage’s city manager — for participating in the count. Drew Duncan, a city resident, recommended the city examine a no-barrier shelter model used in nearby communities and proposed creating a city-funded position to coordinate housing services across nonprofits.

Speakers repeatedly asked the commission to prioritize shelter capacity, easier access to benefits and practical assistance such as transportation and ID services that can remove barriers to housing. Several commenters framed homelessness in Kalamazoo as a solvable issue that requires coordinated funding and a coherent service pathway from outreach to placement.

Commissioners acknowledged the public comments later in the meeting; the city manager and staff reiterated the role of the continuum of care and municipal departments in emergency responses. The commission did not take formal action during public comment; no motions or directives to staff were recorded on the transcript from this segment.","During public comment at the Jan. 27 Kalamazoo City Commission meeting, multiple speakers urged more shelter capacity, 24-hour and no-barrier shelters, rent caps and better coordination among nonprofits and government after an extreme-weather hotel sheltering effort moved about 120 people off the street.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360280,"Commission excuses two members, approves consent bundle including equipment purchases and grants",4548,192000,4740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df&start=192&end=4740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174999-8ece540859801aaf7a538dc8819498df/thumbnail_192000.jpg","/articles/6360280/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Commission-excuses-two-members-approves-consent-bundle-including-equipment-purchases-and-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360280-86fb1abdd9b7d6c70bc46b06da93da7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225693&Signature=XFqhrFO-oEZehYG8T4m5lXUmWuV2SFs1Uwdgmlw8w6R42-4mTgpwDIdyI7DsLgihtdJGw-pYKLfIXBXuopMYRHCNnORcXrXGWYLWcV5soVcRq7~H8XKWHQfg3c2AhoufIyyjsvw0LAwxiNUwCSm~A7e3GV8VvhzSK0NwwI0Xc1RKBoQBxKXGHTVNflYybthBfjh21rxwPywfuqgH1BG4pL00gCtXAduN-G3vKvjy7t5sbzEMfO1uDLwMssFHerIplhkW3~Nkyyu16VhB7IBE7NQF-Wu-onsqkVSi-zbx0C1NnhZYav~3sRBepr6cSnqmiG6geLDYCEuMQk7cJ~~nag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Jan. 27 voted to excuse Commissioners Hoffman and Wilson from the meeting and approved a 15-item consent agenda that bundled purchases, grants, contracts and appointments.

The excusal motion was made by Vice Mayor Hess and supported by Commissioner Cooney; the motion passed on a voice vote. Later, Commissioner Pradel moved to approve consent items 1 through 15, with Commissioner Cooney supporting the motion. Clerk Bohrling called the roll; all voting commissioners recorded “yes” and the consent agenda passed.

The consent agenda included competitive and cooperative purchases, sole-source services, grant acceptances, and appointments. Key items listed by staff included a $113,756 purchase of a Cisco contact-center solution to support the city’s 3-1-1 call center; a $187,294.88 renewal of Salesforce licenses; purchases of emergency warning equipment, multiple police vehicles and other fleet vehicles through cooperative contracts totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars; and a three-year sole-source agreement for cloud security services at $211,884.95.

Also approved were professional services for the 150 East Crosstown renovation ($337,020), bridge grants from the Michigan Department of Transportation, acceptance of a $70,000 source-water protection grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and a MDOT contract for a West Main construction project ($725,400). The city clerk was authorized to sign election coordination agreements with local school districts and education entities, and multiple citizen appointments and a mayoral reappointment to local boards were confirmed.

Commissioners recorded the approval on the public record by roll call; Clerk Bohrling read each commissioner’s vote before the mayor declared the consent agenda approved.

Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded two formal motions with recorded outcomes: (1) excusal of Commissioners Hoffman and Wilson — motion passed; (2) approval of consent agenda items 1–15 — motion passed. No separate roll-call tallies beyond unanimous “yes” votes were recorded in the minutes for the consent bundle.

The city manager and commissioners did not delay the consent items for separate debate; the union of items moved as presented and were entered into the official record.","The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to excuse two commissioners and approved a 15-item consent agenda on Jan. 27, 2025, covering technology and vehicle purchases, grants and appointments. The commission recorded a roll-call vote approving all items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kalamazoo presents 2025 Social Justice Youth Awards to eight local students

Commission holds public hearing on proposed Neighborhood Enterprise Zone near East Michigan; no action taken

Public commenters press city for more shelters, coordination after arctic blast sheltering

Commission excuses two members, approves consent bundle including equipment purchases and grants