[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6063287,"mediaKeyId","3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452","parentId",3269780,"title","Kalamazoo water system reminds customers of affordability program and hotline","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",3014000,"endMs",3106000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452&start=3014&end=3106","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452/thumbnail_3014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063287/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Kalamazoo-water-system-reminds-customers-of-affordability-program-and-hotline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063287-e905465e2f818b04956b52990f27db97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203240&Signature=hrSKX88ZPmJm3GNCltkxOt7bZo7LzNL4O4c5r0VGbZQI05BiYSFlKk4~FqaWh7jRPmM-Ro3EkG7UOQbDBZBZ5o33uZgSwjKdZrgvhwH1fvnPyeBk9f3ycic6LNCnmUqBHczz7JpOGRXov~gkos7ZpF8RHzzxSZJx3f~kdSUI1nnXLdriGG6nY~ROWv2RqJbD6LGaocxgwiI-VLFMjLYNf-wUNx0urzEMZ~mn69rkQJTRmMmzFyQe~ulfIXsn-vwSQO7c5FcFXHpfoInoHwjpipK2fQ-hmsMNqp2G6gn4JVMskgfWkpzI2tC6~m4VMAlqT37mBB-ehU5XzmNPjSnsew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-05-09T01:30:02Z","article","City staff reminded residents and member communities on May 8 that the City of Kalamazoo operates a water affordability program for customers experiencing difficulty paying water bills and provided an enrollment hotline.

James Baker, City of Kalamazoo staff member, told the committee: \"Anybody that is experiencing challenges in paying their water bill, can contact the, the number at (877) 422-2726, for an appointment that would, get you entered into our affordability program that pays for, water bill arrears.\" He said program eligibility is generally set at 200% of the federal poverty level but that categorical enrollment is also possible for people receiving benefits such as SNAP and other state programs; those households may qualify automatically.

Baker said the program covers both water and wastewater customers across the utility's service area and encouraged affected customers to call the hotline for assistance. No committee action was required; the reminder was provided as an informational item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 8, 2025 Utility Policy Committee","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reminded attendees that Kalamazoo operates a water affordability program for residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and that residents may call +1 (877) 422-2726 for enrollment and arrears assistance.","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},6063294,"Georgia Pacific offers to pay hookups for Cooper Township residents affected by Parchment PFAS, supervisor says",65,2923000,2988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452&start=2923&end=2988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452/thumbnail_2923000.jpg","/articles/6063294/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Georgia-Pacific-offers-to-pay-hookups-for-Cooper-Township-residents-affected-by-Parchment-PFAS-supervisor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063294-8b63fec0315b3a328a609dd328d7280d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203240&Signature=FqJItXujOtxVjeKQV9qllAa50qFAc2igksI8yJhwSiqWq5rUOaziCRnmV23WX-lCBYpN19RExGdxPwY4Bfdv3NiokdQzd0in9KbcbqL-LiMB5B7HKEFaVSovc7zm2lb~HcBAlWstPzSxWyUMYYvj3jQn2XGQhSY0etg4KHKRV4FO0DvD0nggY8oEdi0Uave0TPw~~0n~4AtUtqOyY7NBLt5NbtBrKfh2rS06~4LPFKOC7y0UA0oF5iCic7cyjuWWhmwdzCAefZ68O8Cc9BGQgjgFoXNMQEC-bcNlX4WN5alA6Rz1aKR4Z6pKzivjs0oosDSuBZfXHP87rnB3w70thw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cooper Township officials told the Utility Policy Committee on May 8 that Georgia Pacific has contacted the township and offered to fund water hookups for residents affected by Parchment PFAS.

Jeff Sorensen, Cooper Township supervisor and chair of the regional commission, said Georgia Pacific representative Scott Kiesling reached out repeatedly and that the company \"intends to try and get everybody to hook up at no charge, and they'll pay the freight on that.\" Sorensen said Georgia Pacific asked Cooper Township or the city to reach out to residents who have not yet hooked up and that the company wants to arrange payments or reimbursements when services are requested.

Staff and committee members described the proposal as a way to increase connections for affected households; no formal UPC action was taken. Sorensen said the company and Cooper Township will coordinate with the city on logistics and that addresses of nonconnected residents were requested from the city so Georgia Pacific can contact them.

The committee did not provide additional financial details or a binding commitment from Georgia Pacific in the meeting record; staff said further coordination would follow.","Cooper Township officials said Georgia Pacific contacted the township offering to pay to hook up residents to the municipal water system at no charge after Parchment PFAS contamination; staff will coordinate addresses and arrangements with the city and township.",{"_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},6063297,"Utility committee sets $150 per‑meeting per diem for non‑business professional members",622,1973000,2595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452&start=1973&end=2595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452/thumbnail_1973000.jpg","/articles/6063297/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Utility-committee-sets-150-permeeting-per-diem-for-nonbusiness-professional-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063297-829296b8c68bb3599ea57ae58293fc74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203240&Signature=GklZHS~RUJ4Q-k4GHcTwiPbOLcEiyuGHt9c7kwPCdWfeZMAb7j9vnO~3mwCP0hRW2M0jvGKl8G9CfCBH8YjyY0ItwSb8bCzAuXnQs5miScVmTxAnYn~5-N8ZyO1jFnQfrKqmzNikMxDKkFmMAGLWvHHQAaXwgctuxUDmd~N0dOAWps4GFL8xEY2cDraheMDKJE75SrAtWCKsaLHcnWk8x8PSFQHtf7KfsLHQth~0SJiWg0f8n7vK5ntDT-8vora6yau4TT69x3mxur7DQLbfmG4Mogmml9vLWVQKVo6zESaXSMRkjZ0bInjxX9Ij0XuZR8n~brtISfe3zu5yMwMP7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utility Policy Committee voted 7-0 on May 8 to set a $150 per‑meeting per diem for UPC members who are professional by background but not employed by a business or otherwise compensated.

James Baker, City of Kalamazoo staff member, explained the bylaws allow payment to \"professional or nonprofessional\" members but that some compensation approvals require city commission action. Baker told the committee: \"I understand from director Baker that the city commission needs to approve any kind of compensation for former employees.\" (Note: James Baker made the statement indicating the city commission's role.)

The committee identified three individuals who would be covered by the per diem as discussed: Jeff Chamberlain (professional consultant), Will (William Rowland) as a city appointee, and Mark Elliott (regional commission alternate). The motion as recorded: a motion by Tom Lee (committee member) and support by Peter Heffner to provide a per diem of $150 per meeting for professional members who are not part of a business and not otherwise compensated; the motion carried 7 to 0. Staff said the city will process necessary approvals with management services and that any former-employee compensation may require an additional step by the city commission.

The committee discussed whether the per diem conflicts with bylaw language about paying professionals their professional rate and clarified the per diem is intended for professionals who do not have a consulting business or other employer compensation for UPC service.","The Utility Policy Committee voted 7-0 May 8 to pay a $150 per‑meeting per diem to professional UPC members who are not compensated through an employer or a consultant business; staff will seek city commission approval where required.",{"_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},6063299,"Committee to pursue cleanup of Galesburg–Comstock water franchise boundaries after new demand",453,1259000,1712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452&start=1259&end=1712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6063299/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Committee-to-pursue-cleanup-of-GalesburgComstock-water-franchise-boundaries-after-new-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063299-4cd71cc3c674ce4cc621661bc7ac7d8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203240&Signature=SLN330MgjpiN~MpN-5cc6gxVz9HsCiVefx7s7OPeLrmwrCsAn5LSFPc2MnB1-va4b82hs9PeSH6s6W-NuxxXAxX4KJsc5HO8grH-LoxeK1s1fMPVZ1i~MC1tX46ZiU8C6ImbeXycV0Tuym-N4hEZuHN5WQnJ65h5LkJIxahAU3Fj15XFdY2ePeDaSzHMjlEU88yb7NL5vFWymx7qWmV59-y5IoAeSTbUeL7btNqKyh9Ev~l6a-t51v3WIC2mYLzXKJGcq-8eIvzq2DKlx5Y9gn0kpMvqU4kv8TqTVMgjDVRnMjg2rOVD~txuhEBEGu3ujbLZSGSViYVdGrdcvU1LGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed a long-standing overlap in franchise/service areas between the city of Kalamazoo and the city of Galesburg in a portion of Comstock Township and agreed to pursue a cleanup of the franchise map, with action likely at a future meeting.

Tom Weep, regional commission engineer, summarized the situation: a new use in Comstock Township sought water service and approached Galesburg because a Galesburg main runs on 30th Street. Weep said that investigation showed two residential properties already served by Galesburg inside the green area, and a small blue‑hatched area where Kalamazoo has historically provided service. \"This is a good time to clean this up because it really makes sense for that green area to be served by Galesburg,\" Weep said. He described a potential next step of obtaining agreement in concept from Comstock Township, Galesburg and Kalamazoo and then having attorneys draft the formal franchise language.

Committee members noted the driver for the cleanup was an immediate request from Comstock Township to serve a proposed fire station and earlier development interest on the large parcel. Staff said the city already plans transmission work in the capital improvement plan that would make service from 30th Street feasible and that a cleaned franchise boundary would reflect on-the-ground service choices.

No formal motion was taken. Weep and staff said they expect to return with a proposed boundary clean-up and draft franchise language for UPC and township review at a future meeting, followed by township board approvals as required.","Members discussed overlapping service areas between the city of Kalamazoo and the city of Galesburg in Comstock Township and agreed to pursue a boundary cleanup for UPC consideration at a future meeting; no formal action was taken May 8.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063302,"Utility committee backs $2.14 million oversize for Westnidge water transmission main",160,533000,693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452&start=533&end=693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269780-795f6a5efb001bccfe622270900bc452/thumbnail_533000.jpg","/articles/6063302/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Utility-committee-backs-214-million-oversize-for-Westnidge-water-transmission-main","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063302-489a434e6b73b718b9833c2b2bfee1ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203240&Signature=BuwqxJO0qCDRs0MJWJmJjQ-5tB~57NY0Qib~EcAI-F3OPZml7fPMvQ9iEc95O4Rlv-tLSzaQLRM6fz9AeWd4XqBMIQExUdQz0O1vpohQNXrZ6fG2ZN3tzl8JiQxvTEURL1~ZBqxxfwQeIlaR9ZOBweIs7vJtiLyh30AT-Gc5CELxDN7PCBDP66Ma8Yf~-u1q3ZisNmKhsE3k~hkVXMhHzikChdciXEVcZiqoWJjXeFXxpegiyxoGNLm3-IEPjOaB7~nPDvB07WkMwecXkU6maEw4zOU~1LwJ4GV~tDIoI2i9beDI4GWcYCNFkN~sOlcH4IZj9z9F8OWImggZDSmQEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utility Policy Committee of the City of Kalamazoo on May 8 voted 7-0 to support oversizing a water transmission main on Westnidge Avenue, a project the city says will cost about $2,140,000 for the water portion and is part of a larger corridor project estimated at $12,000,000.

Committee members and city staff said the work will create a redundant 24-inch transmission line to Blakeslee Reservoir and eventually allow the city to take an older 1930s-era 20-inch line out of service. James Baker, City of Kalamazoo staff member, told the committee: \"the cost for the water main is, about $2,140,000.\" He described the work as coordinated with street projects, sanitary sewer work and Arcadia Creek improvements.

The committee was told the project timeline extends through 2027 and 2028 for the main sections. Baker said developers and federal street grants are covering much of the broader street project costs; he reported developers are contributing about $6,000,000 to that section of work. Baker also said the city plans additional inspections north of the work area, including a robotic internal inspection of an older larger-diameter pipeline.

Supporters said the oversize improves system reliability and resilience. Baker said the Blakeslee Reservoir holds about 7.5 million gallons and that without redundancy a catastrophic break on the older line could trigger system-wide pressure loss and a water advisory. \"Redundancy and resiliency of the system is really important for us as we look into the future,\" Baker said.

Motion and votes: Peter Heffner moved to support the oversizing as described; Tom Weep seconded. The committee voted 7 to 0 in favor.

Committee members also noted the project is in the capital improvement plan; staff said budgets may be adjusted as bids and funding sources change.

The committee did not detail bid awards or construction start dates at the meeting. Staff encouraged member communities to review the capital improvement plan and contact the city if township-level projects or timing need to change.","The Utility Policy Committee voted 7-0 May 8 to support oversizing a Westnidge Avenue water transmission main; the water-main portion is listed at $2,140,000 and is part of a larger $12,000,000 corridor project that includes developer contributions and street work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kalamazoo water system reminds customers of affordability program and hotline

Georgia Pacific offers to pay hookups for Cooper Township residents affected by Parchment PFAS, supervisor says

Utility committee sets $150 per‑meeting per diem for non‑business professional members

Committee to pursue cleanup of Galesburg–Comstock water franchise boundaries after new demand

Utility committee backs $2.14 million oversize for Westnidge water transmission main