Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge action on flooding, abandoned buildings and homelessness during public comment
Summary
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.
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.
