[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6326229,"mediaKeyId","2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3","parentId",2325428,"title","Commission approves park-mowing contract, water‑affordability ad funds and $34,810 sewer‑backup settlement","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",2567000,"endMs",2697000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3&start=2567&end=2697","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3/thumbnail_2567000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326229/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-park-mowing-contract-wateraffordability-ad-funds-and-34810-sewerbackup-settlement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326229-5225c8e35213cb9dc967f3db2fef0359/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198662&Signature=fCgl3h8JDKN5wb3~M3hSeh0gxNy2fs9m3Jmw-EAsceOpJIxSUYS4y9UKqycEvsvgXqmV0ruytM3JO6rwLY8QhFM2akkFFKcuW0mLGNqk0Mb6Q59GmM8vb3GCPQMeq2fcYz72tK6S1EqNyPj~prWE1ZJ5j1bqbARS6BckDPNO0lGUGtknqwUxHkJZ8kRjOWJ03M~JtiXlzdVKS8846XTA5lI1qdtVBadngdTPVP0rvVznjW1JRKlwoSkS1nnJh0Ym-gU-QZusYdmnaIqN~PFWm3zZoXiOqZoAfrneaReVuxFUEiwAD1MP~N3vG8hHMTaBjFyYWyMy8TQdot8NstuNpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Kalamazoo City Commission approved three consent‑agenda items in a single motion: a contract with Santiago Services for park mowing and trimming, a budget allocation for water‑affordability advertising, and authorization for the city attorney to settle a sewer‑backup claim.

Manager’s summary: City staff described the three items as follows: (1) a contract with Santiago Services for mowing and trimming of city parks and greenscapes in the amount of $175,280; (2) a budget allocation of $49,475 from the city commission initiatives fund for water‑affordability advertising together with a budget amendment to carry forward funds from 2024 to 2025 for that allocation; and (3) authorization for the city attorney to settle a sewer backup claim with Iglesias Evangelica Missionara related to property at 551 Phelps Ave in the amount of $34,810.85.

The motion to approve items 1 through 3 and authorize the city manager to sign related documents was made by Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman and supported by Commissioner Decker. Clerk Browning called the roll; all present commissioners voted yes and the consent agenda items were approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 3, 2025 Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","On the consent agenda the commission approved a $175,280 contract for park mowing and trimming, a $49,475 allocation for water‑affordability advertising (with a budget carryforward), and authorization for the city attorney to settle a sewer backup claim for $34,810.85.","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},6326234,"Residents urge more shelters, warming centers and outreach as cold weather aid winds down",1215,814000,2029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3&start=814&end=2029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3/thumbnail_814000.jpg","/articles/6326234/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-more-shelters-warming-centers-and-outreach-as-cold-weather-aid-winds-down","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326234-985da518b1fffee0b888f7978ceeb1a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198662&Signature=keC-1DV345JOkfXC~G98EkRpgL3jDceAJ8IuWBzIVY195Lcpvn0JzSkB6fPzkPZy9~fhkB9BViUNOsjTptKPWyOAU3Eq6HXrRpSr62cMdD~NxEFJJWlq6QTs9~UY96-9jeWYF-s-E1QNXyWT38azqRtDNu1TQWsXHGAdflROLysEQsQgN7-W~5OzL9YX~1az6jzhS30vRsMKGumi2bXjRcgP9QPfOs7OZcKHGFvFCfwKIjJVBr2aHF-kfE0lkRcwH6jIoyES9VNUwHcXULCCJvX010oHdi5gbwrx5dJK3chJeFhSgh0pmwB4~UbBk0er7LzNZPRos~7cI77yx8AUfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the meeting's public‑comment period to press the Kalamazoo City Commission for expanded shelter capacity, improved outreach and stronger responses to violence and health needs among people living outside.

Ryan Smith, a resident of the Edison Neighborhood Association and mutual‑aid organizer, praised a recent hotel placement that housed “at least 120” people but said more funding and persistent programs are needed to keep people safe. “The hotel project was great but we need to keep pushing forward and helping people out because, you know, it's only gonna get worse,” he said.

Other speakers described field conditions that worry them. A woman who identified herself as Angela, who said she is currently unhoused, said she had reported assaults that police did not answer and raised concerns about inconsistent resource distribution and oversight at a hotel shelter. Jeremy Herman, who said he coordinates mutual aid efforts, urged the commission to meet directly with people experiencing homelessness and community groups to design locally appropriate responses.

At the meeting, Jeff Messer, a city resident, reported that Housing Resources Incorporated will open a pilot warming center “one week from today” at its new headquarters on West Crosstown Parkway; Messer said the center will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March and could expand if successful. Drew Duncan invited commissioners to visit “Motels for Now” in South Bend, which he described as a neighboring model that has enrolled people in treatment programs and led to stable housing for many participants.

Speakers also raised safety concerns at the city bus station, the need for phone charging stations and more visible sheriff presence during transit hours, and the broader interplay between homelessness, mental health and public safety.

No commission action on these public comments was recorded at the meeting. Several commissioners acknowledged the concerns and noted ongoing municipal and nonprofit efforts to expand services and short‑term shelter options.","Multiple residents told the Kalamazoo City Commission the city must expand shelter capacity, improve outreach and policing at transit hubs, and better coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness; one speaker announced a short-term warming center pilot by Housing Resources Inc.",{"_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},6326238,"Commission approves $12.38 million design contract for biosolids drying and thermal-oxidation project",2453,2655000,5108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3&start=2655&end=5108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325428-f0f4ccfa5a0697bc48a1db2dbe4c79f3/thumbnail_2655000.jpg","/articles/6326238/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-1238-million-design-contract-for-biosolids-drying-and-thermal-oxidation-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326238-27c60a52930d044c5b07d3018da4015d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198662&Signature=FCJCQtag68PNAvaMrmXo9CPOsDt5M1-li3Qk2iXxUswOaod-Xj91mlc1i457cxhqS3amSlhJF0wmIKyCtCtKC9raQkBvBhACVDKjtuDqTeaCDCK98t9G8-a2aLRUNukonpHKD7AYIpjScdRqj-ILRnCObaMSCZwrAoVl6E1t119GvIFkh57z9L0mIB~lL0edy9H6AAVMblm6Y0pT8~PmbDgXzOngQK4Cdsa02jFtCFHrNAjKRp~Pm2yUwbQX~7Zbw7YZrCozpaLLM1rmVR~mC3UeTH6Lo3g3pL20d4J~imQGn6Ayjxj6fBVCDdpOzjf8At0Pn2HoRowGUDAvs-Ex8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved a $12,375,000 professional services agreement with Jones & Henry Engineers LTD to advance design and project planning for a large-scale change in how the city manages wastewater biosolids.

Public Services Director Georgia Baker told commissioners the city currently hauls about 200 wet tons of biosolids a day to landfill, costing “over $13,000,000 a year.” The contract will fund detailed engineering for a system that dries biosolids to roughly 98% solids and uses thermal oxidation with energy recovery, she said.

The project team presented the change as a move away from daily hauling of wet material and toward producing a near‑dry product that can be stored, managed and pursued for beneficial use. “If we were to stop all of this work ... that is the most costly approach,” Baker said, summarizing analysis that showed continuing the current practice would carry the highest long‑term costs and environmental impacts.

Why it matters: the city said the cost of current landfill hauling is a major driver of wastewater rates. The proposed plan aims to reduce weight to be hauled by more than 98 percent, cut odor and greenhouse‑gas potential, and address emerging contaminants such as PFAS that complicate land application. Engineers estimated total construction capital in the $130 million to $150 million range; Baker said the project team expects to apply for funding through Michigan’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and to seek other state and federal sources.

Timeline and financing: staff said they submitted an intent to apply to the CWSRF and plan a public meeting in March. If the city ranks in the fundable range, construction could start in 2026 with completion and operation targeted for 2030–31. City staff estimated a payback on the investment of roughly 10 years, driven largely by escalating hauling costs.

Commission discussion focused on emissions controls, reliability and site footprint. Baker said the system will include after‑treatment scrubbing and selective catalytic reduction and that the team consulted academic experts and vendor testing plans; she added that comprehensive emissions testing would be required and that initial testing alone could exceed $1 million. Commissioners also asked about the plant footprint; Baker said the new equipment would be sited within the existing Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant footprint, infilling an area north of the administration building.

The motion to approve the professional services agreement was made by Commissioner Bridal, supported by Commissioner Decker, and passed on a roll call vote with all commissioners present voting yes.

Next steps: staff will finalize the project plan and submit the formal loan application to EGLE’s CWSRF project plan submittal in April and expects a fundable determination in September. If funded, staff said they would proceed with fourth‑quarter engineering and preparation for construction in 2026.

","The Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously to authorize a professional services agreement with Jones & Henry Engineers LTD for Phase 3 design of a biosolids dryer and thermal oxidation system aimed at cutting landfill hauling, odors and greenhouse-gas impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves park-mowing contract, water‑affordability ad funds and $34,810 sewer‑backup settlement

Residents urge more shelters, warming centers and outreach as cold weather aid winds down

Commission approves $12.38 million design contract for biosolids drying and thermal-oxidation project