Commission roundup: consent approvals, property purchase and DDA millage pass on 7-0 votes

The Kalamazoo City Commission approved multiple routine and specific items on Monday, including a large consent agenda, two appointments to the Civil Rights Board, the city's purchase of a residential unit, and a requested DDA levy.

Items on the consent agenda and related approvals The commission approved the consent agenda items and associated contracts and settlements by roll call (motion by Commissioner Hoffman; support by Vice Mayor Hess). The consent package included purchases, professional services agreements, settlement and assessment resolutions as listed in the meeting packet. City staff presented the items as routine purchases and contract approvals; the roll call recorded unanimous approval where recorded.

Appointments and property purchase The commission confirmed mayoral appointments to the Civil Rights Board: Joshua DeBoer and Roy Sippling, both for terms ending March 31, 2028, as recorded in the packet.

Property purchase: 510 Lawrence Street The commission approved a purchase agreement for 510 Lawrence Street (described in the packet as a unit in a row home/attached structure) for $64,240. Sherilyn Parsons told the commission the city had already acquired other non-owner-occupied units in the building through tax foreclosure sales and that the city plans to work with the neighborhood association on repurposing the unit. Commissioner Decker described the acquisition as an opportunity to address blight and create affordable housing options in that neighborhood.

Downtown Development Authority millage The commission adopted a resolution approving the Downtown Development Authority’s request to levy a tax rate of 1.9638 mills (motion by Commissioner Cooney, supported by Commissioner Hoffman). City staff and a commissioner noted the estimated revenue generated by the millage at $266,980 for the period in the packet. The DDA levy applies inside the DDA boundary and funds activities identified in the DDA budget.

Votes Where recorded in the minutes, most roll calls showed unanimous support from the seven commissioners present. On the CD Arena/Arcadia Creek agreement vote, Commissioner Wilson stated an employer conflict and did not participate in that roll call; the other commissioners voted to approve the agreement.

Ending The commission moved routine business and several targeted purchases forward with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Staff will proceed with contract execution, neighborhood outreach for the purchased property and with collection of DDA revenues as budgeted.