[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6326189,"mediaKeyId","2325473-bc891e1c090f18797e09b24491829869","parentId",2325473,"title","Commission approves water‑well contract, downtown NEZ and Westnedge paving engineering; several consent contracts authorized","audioSeconds",857,"startMs",2642000,"endMs",3499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325473-bc891e1c090f18797e09b24491829869&start=2642&end=3499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325473-bc891e1c090f18797e09b24491829869/thumbnail_2642000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326189/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-waterwell-contract-downtown-NEZ-and-Westnedge-paving-engineering-several-consent-contracts-authorized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326189-dfe1b118704a5ca8c86534da2a3e7403/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191989&Signature=OdHNHK9UP7ZdQOUnve17WLNo5kPBgB35tR6ahoQ2rq0TAO6XE-p1~-3CF7o6G~1M8t-iCTe7ouF1myODRSBFM5yKvP2nv1v79VE9TsB3QfPHLdCoiraVIIq9cckKqLEcJDBOAj-mwyPlKlC9i4JVN5kiGBuqQrQ2rCPWoOVd2IN9kxrPx3i2KjH2w5TfST8RvczdeBiMhc-H8FbGUhEG0Xrr8H0KlteI0lu2cJ9mShAuTncjpnQhKHX69bNyORLDIz-Fy2BElxA1VoWl~MK7uazGoNJo6Na30Pib0Zg0KXiyYEcfYuGAiPdmsRjnMtFdNbjxOjSmYvqh38yxQ4rI-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Feb. 17 approved several infrastructure and economic‑development measures: a professional services agreement for new drinking‑water production wells, adoption of a neighborhood enterprise zone (NEZ) for a central downtown block, and construction engineering for mill‑and‑overlay work on Westnedge Avenue. The commission also approved multiple consent‑agenda contracts and an appointment.

Water wells: The commission authorized a professional services agreement with Peerless Midwest for installation of drinking‑water production wells at Water Pumping Stations No. 5 and No. 14 for $1,100,000.0292750, funding to support the Station 5/14 consolidation project. Director James Baker described the contract as a separate piece of a larger multi‑year consolidation effort that will add about nine new wells and requires permitting cycles prior to construction.

Neighborhood Enterprise Zone: The commission adopted a resolution establishing an NEZ bounded by East Michigan Avenue, South Edward Street, East South Street and Portage Street — the central downtown block that includes 234 and 238 East Michigan Avenue (the old Peninsula Brewery area). Assistant city planner Bobby Durkee said the parcel meets the city’s NEZ policy and could qualify for up to 15 years of tax abatement for qualifying residential rehab, with at least 20% of units priced at 80% of area median income depending on the application.

Westnedge resurfacing: The commission approved a professional‑services agreement with Whiteman & Associates for construction engineering for the Westnedge (Vine to Michigan) project for $115,500. Director Baker explained this segment will be mill and overlay only and is distinct from last year’s extensive reconstruction project, which included deep water‑main, storm and sanitary work. He said jurisdictional transfer dollars from MDOT — about $12.5–$13 million allocated with several transferred streets — are funding much of the road work and the city is coordinating schedules to limit business disruption.

Consent agenda and other approvals: The commission approved multiple consent items in a grouped vote earlier in the meeting, including a Rapid7 annual renewal ($129,846) for vulnerability management software; an Arcadia Creek Festival Place architectural services agreement with Veritas ($609,000); a supplemental/ change order with USP Technologies for odor control ($627,000); a youth mobility fund agreement with Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Central County Transit Authority to fund bus fare for grades 9–12 (amount not specified in the packet summary); acceptance of a Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards continuing professional education grant ($343,500); and the appointment of Aaron Adams to the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association board (term to 01/01/2028). The clerk recorded a roll‑call approval for those consent items.

Commission discussion and business outreach: Commissioners asked about timing and business outreach. Baker said the Westnedge resurfacing will be performed under traffic with lane shifts and staff will roll out an informational campaign that includes maps, interactive tools and a QR code sticker for businesses to share project status. Commissioner Bridal said she had asked to pull the Westnedge item from consent for clarity about how it differs from last season; Baker explained the difference in scope.

Votes at a glance:
- H1: Professional services agreement with Peerless Midwest for drinking‑water production wells — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Contract amount: $1,100,000.0292750.
- H2: Adoption of a resolution establishing the downtown Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (East Michigan/Edward/South/Portage block) — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Addresses noted: 234 & 238 E. Michigan Ave.
- H3: Professional services agreement with Whiteman & Associates for Westnedge (Vine–Michigan) construction engineering — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Contract amount: $115,500.
- Consent (items moved/approved as a package): Rapid7 renewal $129,846; Veritas Arcadia Creek Festival Place architectural services $609,000; USP odor control $627,000; youth mobility fund project services with Kalamazoo Public Schools/CCTA (amount for fares not specified in item summary); MCLES continuing education grant $343,500; appointment of Aaron Adams to Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association board (term to 01/01/2028). All consent items approved by roll call.

Why it matters: The well work is tied to a larger pump‑station consolidation that will affect the city’s water production and distribution plans; the NEZ provides a tax incentive aimed at promoting downtown residential rehabilitation; Westnedge paving satisfies obligations tied to a prior MDOT jurisdictional transfer and is part of a multi‑year streets program.

What’s next: Director Baker said staff will present more detailed downtown construction schedules at the March Community of the Whole meeting and will work with communications and economic development staff to distribute QR codes, maps and business outreach materials ahead of construction seasons.

Ending: The commission moved later into closed session; no further public actions on these matters were taken that evening.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 17, 2025 Kalamazoo City Commission Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a $1.1 million contract for new drinking‑water production wells, adopted a neighborhood enterprise zone for a downtown block and approved engineering for Westnedge resurfacing. The commission also approved multiple consent agenda contracts and a municipal appointment.","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},6326194,"Residents urge immediate action on cold-weather homelessness as commission opens consolidated-plan comment period",6068,829000,6897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325473-bc891e1c090f18797e09b24491829869&start=829&end=6897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325473-bc891e1c090f18797e09b24491829869/thumbnail_829000.jpg","/articles/6326194/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-immediate-action-on-cold-weather-homelessness-as-commission-opens-consolidated-plan-comment-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326194-2cc721a1a5ae904d9e1d64f1d130b856/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191989&Signature=EhLXuyixps63pO43XBTpobQmdD6c1ATN97hMhfg2xfAMguZSA976oHf7~NnOAyqfjat68fsywOS7q~NEnGbgFboKrm3HgcR8BK9-ctWAgLkksVXTx9VhbM-V4aqyOeWf6si9N255wBQNS8-7gFItIrfaQxL7pew8yIJkG8e5gf~4yucExmQHLePd1O388GX8xQ2lXvGnbN2xf2IGzt~L9SgLkHFoRM-J1F584MJQ3xWmd6PSozG5TH0U2GjXtJzltHgKBW-MnA8nZ6EqAdzUlv9kRHlqkpBWn-lt5DgPTnkMxivF5r8Ax2kP2Xz6kcPhJNRdGAffooEJcoxDcuz13w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Kalamazoo residents urged the Kalamazoo City Commission on Feb. 17 to expand emergency sheltering, low‑barrier services and public restrooms after the recent death of a houseless resident who froze to death.

The commission voted to release the draft 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan, which includes the program year 2025 action plan, for a 30‑day public comment period from March 3 to April 1. Commissioner Bridal abstained; other commissioners approved the release.

Why it matters: Speakers said immediate measures — more hotel placements, 24/7 low‑barrier shelter beds, warming centers, and public restrooms downtown — are needed to prevent more deaths in the current cold spell. The Consolidated Plan guides how the city would allocate federal HUD funds (CDBG/HOME) that can be used for affordable housing, shelters and related services.

Public commenters from neighborhoods across the city testified for expanded short‑term housing and wraparound services. “I’m just here to call some urgency to our unhoused population,” said Rom Ryan Smith, who urged more funding for hotel programs and for transitional housing providers that use a low‑barrier approach. Several speakers echoed that request and urged coordination with churches and nonprofits to open daytime warming spaces.

Multiple speakers referenced the recent death of Tammy Christie and said it illustrates gaps in the system. “Tammy Christie died in this city. She died alone, houseless, in a city with plenty of resources,” said Jeremy Herman, who called for city and county collaboration and more low‑barrier shelter capacity.

Some speakers criticized how privately run placement efforts operate. Angela Manning, who spoke “for the locally unhoused,” said a program often called “Heads for Beds” has inconsistent outreach and selective placement and asked the city to provide an itemized accounting of public funds and in‑kind donations used for hotel placements. “I would like an itemized list of every single penny that she spends,” Manning said.

Volunteers and residents described day‑to‑day support: handing out socks and cash, connecting families to hotel rooms and checking on people in encampments. “Every morning when we walk out into the mall we don’t just pass the dozens of homeless people. We say hello and some days we bring socks,” said a downtown resident who identified herself as Amanda Charbonneau and described distributing supplies.

City staff and commissioners described near‑term steps tied to the Consolidated Plan and other measures. Julie Johnston of Community Planning and Economic Development said the plan will be posted in the Kalamazoo Gazette and MLive, will include a public notice with a QR code and contact information, and will be presented to the local Housing Matters forum. She said citizens may submit comments by phone, email or letter; the city will include received comments in the plan submitted to HUD.

CFO Steve said the city expects about $5 million for HUD CDBG/HOME programs in 2025 but cautioned that many other federal and state grants the city uses are awarded or carried forward from prior years and are added to the budget after agreements are finalized. Johnston said the city’s HUD office advised staff to proceed with the plan so HUD can review it despite federal budget uncertainty.

Commissioners and staff committed to more outreach. Commissioner Decker and Vice Mayor Hess pressed staff to include the plan’s QR code in the city newsletter and use social media; Johnston said she would coordinate with communications and the March newsletter. Commissioner Hoffman urged bolder action and said the city should use municipal properties and partnerships more aggressively to secure shelter and services immediately.

Votes at a glance: On the motion to release the draft Consolidated Plan for the 30‑day comment period (H4), the roll call recorded: Vice Mayor Jean Hess — yes; Mayor David F. Anderson — yes; Commissioner Andrew Cooney — yes; Commissioner Decker — yes; Commissioner Hoffman — yes; Commissioner Bridal — abstain; Commissioner Wilson — yes. Outcome: approved.

What’s next: The public comment period runs March 3–April 1; staff said they will accept comments by email and phone and will include submitted comments in the consolidated plan packet submitted to HUD.

Ending: Speakers and commissioners ended the discussion urging continued urgency as freezing weather persisted and outlining plans for outreach and follow‑up on the Consolidated Plan and immediate shelter needs.","Dozens of residents urged Kalamazoo City Commission to expand low‑barrier sheltering, warming sites and public restrooms after a recent death among the unhoused. The commission voted to release the draft 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan for a 30‑day public comment period beginning March 3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves water‑well contract, downtown NEZ and Westnedge paving engineering; several consent contracts authorized

Residents urge immediate action on cold-weather homelessness as commission opens consolidated-plan comment period