Commission approves consent agenda including contracts, park grants and appointments
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Summary
The commission approved a consent package of 18 items covering vendor contracts, engineering and utility work, state grant applications for Millham Park, several board appointments and budget adjustments. The motion passed by roll call; one commissioner announced an abstention for an employer-related item.
Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved a consent agenda of 18 items that included vendor contracts, professional services, grant applications for Millham Park and multiple board and commission appointments.
The consent package authorized purchases and contract extensions for utilities and public works, approved grant applications and match commitments for park improvements, accepted a federal justice assistance grant for police equipment, and confirmed several volunteer appointments to city boards.
Key items approved included:
- A sole-source purchase with Consumers Energy for three-phase power at the Farmer's Market multipurpose building — $103,008.50.
- A professional services agreement with Stantec for water rate and financial consulting — $109,915.
- Contract extensions for grounds and supplies: Earthworks Lawn and Landscape (property mowing) — $168,760; Kendall Electric Incorporated (electrical supplies) — $250,000.
- A sole-source purchase with Collier Geophysics LLC for airborne electromagnetic surveys of five city well-field properties — $277,006.
- A manhole rehabilitation contract amendment with Moniform LLC — $930,870.
- Authorization to submit multiple Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant applications for Millham Park: a Land and Water Conservation Fund application for $500,000 (with a $500,000 match and a stated $3,266,400 in additional funding to complete the project scope); a Trust Fund application for $400,000 (with $667,600 match and $182,500 additional resources); and a Recreation Passport grant request for $150,000 (with $318,700 match and $92,600 additional funding).
- Approval of an agreement with the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County for township manhole adjustments and casting replacements — $358,900.
- Reallocation of existing funding via an amendment to the services agreement with United Way of South Central Michigan and a housing development fund grant agreement with Community HomeWorks for property repair — $138,000.
- Acceptance of a 2024 Edward Byrne/JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) award of $109,768 from the U.S. Department of Justice to buy mobile video recording equipment for frontline patrol vehicles and approval of a related budget amendment.
The consent agenda also included numerous appointments and reappointments: Foundation for Excellence board seats (Jamari Boggan reappointment; others appointed), Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Economic Growth Authority appointments (Kwame Jima reappointment; Rick Searing and Tricia Kidd appointed), Planning Commission appointments (Mitchell Curtis reappointed; Zach Wilson and Thomas Costa appointed) and additional board placements listed on the agenda.
Manager Rissma presented the list of items; Commissioner Cooney moved approval and Vice Mayor Hess seconded. Clerk Burling called the roll. Commissioners Decker, Wilson, Vice Mayor Hess, Mayor Anderson, Commissioner Cooney and Commissioner Bridal voted in favor; the motion passed. Commissioner Bridal stated she would abstain from a consent item that she said involved her employer; she did not block passage of the consent package.
The commission authorized the city manager to sign all documents needed to implement the approved contracts, grant applications and appointment confirmations.
Votes at a glance (consent items 1'18): approved. Specific amounts and items are listed above and as recorded in the meeting agenda and presentation.
