[{"_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",6301939,"mediaKeyId","2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee","parentId",2483150,"title","Kalamazoo commission approves consent agenda including contracts, demolition and $50,000 grant","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",1766000,"endMs",2000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee&start=1766&end=2000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee/thumbnail_1766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301939/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-commission-approves-consent-agenda-including-contracts-demolition-and-50000-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301939-c3a63f2b9117111568d70811f5dcffe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206960&Signature=cU-G261W6q0sXr5TSZ7WVPAQYOBwBVjqtTKRHJv3~NQ4ug9KkPxePgmnS7XZ8YivtkAH14s1iI6lAmehI1T~kPP4JnBUym7QJMSyC9zFbPelCkViav3zsId2kZgVYRoE-m9cOT7IaRX4BQPIuCdVYXTHDFyKxd7Y-E3c5ZLsP5se0Nr7dsVej2zQ6NV8H0I3OduCJVrXt~mKx2pw7C2eUyPTn8JRozlnb2g1DVmmhjigg9ZuJC3AVNrPo~s3qA0D5UwAAqZsvuWmX6aP0zOTc4DhJa6NGSA2xjAl4uvs7BxwjCjTdjkBHsxhOq5K87JUv-AF7Dm1DEwMWD7h7yzWsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved 13 consent-agenda items in a single roll-call vote, authorizing multiple contracts, a brownfield plan resolution, a grant acceptance and several appointments.

Manager Risma summarized the items for approval. Approved contracts and amounts included a sole-source consulting contract with Maine and Meridian LLC (owned by city retiree Jeff Chamberlain) for specialized operational consulting at $42,000; a supplemental change order with Trace Analytical Laboratories Inc. for analytical testing services at $113,721.60 (with a related $36,495 budget amendment); a supplemental change order with R.K. Davis Inc. for work at the Kalamazoo water reclamation plant tertiary filtration project at $116,975.99; a remodeling contract with Olson Contracting for four restrooms at 415 Stockbridge at $118,500; a one-year custodial-services extension with Blue Cleaning at $191,131.65; a contract with Falcon Demolition LLC for asbestos abatement and demolition at 322 East Stockbridge Avenue at $255,000; and a contract with A-1 Asphalt Inc. for the 2025 asphalt patch repair project at $316,300.

The commission also adopted a resolution setting salaries for city commissioner appointees effective March 3, 2025; approved a brownfield plan for projects at 447 West North Street and 707 North West Edge Avenue; accepted a $50,000 grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation for the 2025 Downtown Ambassadors Program; appointed Jeff Chamberlain to the Utility Policy Committee as an outside consultant; reappointed Beth Vanden Humbert and Remy Harrington to the zoning board of appeals (terms through 03/31/2028); and approved minutes of prior commission meetings (Dec. 16, 2024 and Jan. 6, 2025).

Commissioner Hoffman moved approval of items 1–13; Commissioner Wilson seconded. Clerk Burling called the roll and recorded unanimous \"yes\" votes from Commissioners Hoffman, Prado, Wilson, Vice Mayor Jean Hess, Mayor David F. Anderson, Commissioner Cooney and Commissioner Bridal.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 3, 2025 Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved 13 consent-agenda items Monday, including multiple construction and testing contracts, an asbestos abatement and demolition contract, a custodial-services contract extension, a $50,000 grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and reappointments to the zoning board of appeals.","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},6301943,"Residents urge action on flooding, abandoned buildings and homelessness during public comment",1202,562000,1764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee&start=562&end=1764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee/thumbnail_562000.jpg","/articles/6301943/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-action-on-flooding-abandoned-buildings-and-homelessness-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301943-96ddb659baa62f9c7079f3bf5d9b5a81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206960&Signature=aZIBcXX9sJgJ8lSi7SdBj9K42Fmn~1ulKfRz42Gz--lTvMtwLAx0fIN53-kGlXLvQ8vBhxB9mkaf2OOI1pfS6TrEyU3bjTjLAvSiLQlU~HfEOhy8WRkdLwSkskDAIuc4tQ2sPfkNCpU4-0OZwvaNk~jfx80VGWraYiI5JJEgerrmUQcah5pKDYDTiKFNdG-G3E0MP~8oDacqPvsLFi0GI2pB9d2DriQUqdwSyybPrjlamOOiGl3b3A~cS4Ib6Pj3UoqtLeg1Go1V6KU-T5gyRHkeVvAolz9qLd~S~dkNY6Nyx4Sv9UBQ0nChufXs-SBaQr7Fn-uIiWc9ym4e2CHYag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents used the commission’s public-comment period on Monday to press elected officials for more action on storm-drain flooding, housing availability and services for people experiencing homelessness.

\"We on the South Side of town would like to be able to enjoy the rain just like the rest of the other neighborhoods do,\" said Tina, a Kalamazoo resident, describing repeated basement flooding and sewer backups. She said a recent flood began with 1.38 inches of rain and that repeated flooding has led to repeated furnace and water-heater replacements: \"Since 02/2008, I've replaced 4 furnaces and 3 water heaters.\" Tina asked the commission to \"do something about your storm drains\" and requested the city reinstate phone-in public comment options for seniors.

Other speakers urged more outreach and 24-hour shelter services. Shauna Espinosa asked commissioners to meet with residents to discuss housing solutions and warned that children who are homeless come to school without enough sleep, food or stability. \"There should be a shelter that is open 24 hours with all types of services,\" Espinosa said. Angela Manning, who identified herself as unhoused, described bringing a returned citizen to a local mission and urged more social workers and mental-health resources: \"We need more social workers, we need more mental health, we need all those things.\" Jalen Kornbach, 28, also urged attention to children and families shown to be in need.

Amanda Charbonneau, who said she lives near the library, returned to public comment to check whether commissioners had distributed pairs of socks she handed out at a prior meeting and to ask staff to help direct donations to unhoused neighbors.

Speakers cited local locations and services: South Side storm drains, Lake Street near Bank Street Market (a repeatedly burned property that remains a rubble lot), the mission and the train station. Several described barriers at warming centers, locked public restrooms and difficulties navigating housing programs.

Commissioners did not take formal action during public comment; the mayor thanked attendees for speaking and noted the issues will remain on the public radar. The meeting record shows no immediate staff response or motion tied to the public comments during the session.

","Multiple residents told the Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday that South Side storm drains are failing, vacant buildings could be repurposed for housing and the city needs 24-hour shelters and more outreach for people experiencing homelessness.",{"_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},6301947,"Kalamazoo Commission adopts notices of intent for $153.7 million in 2025 bonds",767,1993000,2760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee&start=1993&end=2760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483150-516f1a820c4bff6f627d718d78e72bee/thumbnail_1993000.jpg","/articles/6301947/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-Commission-adopts-notices-of-intent-for-1537-million-in-2025-bonds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301947-c44920d3313f0329e9939348ec5d6140/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206960&Signature=SHuaBnnP2xsF-CiXIP~LJQGQiTsikC-9HiMIsB9sM8THtMU1DOrZGxg6ekO6bm9f4l0rZqI2iGvbQkGe1uYDqKVmP6vcPJRzX5dvRoNs2q128w~hHyIOmkroqnBQ0~4yPvX1Dffb83~7mx3Ush9j2zcrpT3XSHMZAp9uQtJLbmZmQdqNDIOeCeZ2oVDo3m0kXpDrLWME7zvpro8KOALrVs1b1WLcPJCBYALR092T7I7h6ukSC~4rZvYl-Dc8AVDA2sh4~1q-e6p5LeQOcz7YTkUdnnUYyzi90y7S975AaJVe1Np4KlCzVPA0K0mOX1P-ISh-YrifmJ0bYR-KjRMW~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday voted unanimously to adopt notices of intent to issue three bond series totaling up to $153.7 million for 2025 infrastructure projects, the first formal step required before the city moves to market borrowing.

Chief Financial Officer Steve Desensi said the three actions cover an $11.5 million wastewater system revenue bond, a $12.2 million capital improvement bond and a $130 million water supply system revenue bond. \"These amounts all come from our capital plan which was approved in the budget,\" Desensi said, adding that roughly $100 million of the water-supply bonding relates to DWSRF-eligible projects and that the city has $20 million in principal forgiveness awarded to those projects. He said the below-market interest rate on some borrowing is expected to be about 2 percent, saving an estimated $400,000–$500,000 a year in interest costs.

The action matters locally because the bonds will fund work listed in the city capital plan: lead service-line replacements, PFAS mitigation and treatment, consolidation of pumping stations, and major street, parking, parks and general capital improvements. Commissioners framed the vote as an investment in long-lived municipal infrastructure. \"We're replacing pipes in the ground that are 50 to a hundred years old,\" Mayor David F. Anderson said in remarks supporting the measures. \"This is a system that's gonna be a place for generations hence.\" Commissioner Bridal described the package as \"a lot of cheddar\" but said taking advantage of forgivable funds and low rates made the steps worthwhile.

The commission followed staff presentations and a 45-day public-notice period required before moving forward; staff said the notices will be posted and, if no valid petition is filed within 45 days, the city will proceed with subsequent bonding steps. The motions were made and seconded as follows: item H1 (wastewater revenue bonds) — motion by Commissioner Cooney, supported by Vice Mayor Jean Hess; item H2 (capital improvement bonds) — motion by Commissioner Hoffman, supported by Commissioner Bridal; item H3 (water supply revenue bonds) — motion by Commissioner Cooney, supported by Commissioner Prado. Clerk Burling recorded a unanimous roll call (yes votes from Commissioners Hoffman, Prado, Wilson, Bridal, Cooney, Vice Mayor Hess and Mayor Anderson) for each action.

No petitions or public comments were made during the items; staff said more detailed project lists are available on the city website and in the capital plan adopted in January. The actions are notices of intent only; final bond documents, sale terms and closing dates will return to commission files and public records as the city advances each financing.

The commission proceeded to other business after the votes; the meeting included additional routine agenda items and public comment before adjourning into a closed session.

","The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday adopted notices of intent to issue three 2025 bond series — wastewater revenue, capital improvement and water supply revenue bonds — taking the first formal step to finance lead-line replacements, PFAS mitigation, station consolidations and other infrastructure projects.","actionData","errors"]

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Kalamazoo commission approves consent agenda including contracts, demolition and $50,000 grant

Residents urge action on flooding, abandoned buildings and homelessness during public comment

Kalamazoo Commission adopts notices of intent for $153.7 million in 2025 bonds