Commission approves water‑well contract, downtown NEZ and Westnedge paving engineering; several consent contracts authorized

The Kalamazoo City Commission on Feb. 17 approved several infrastructure and economic‑development measures: a professional services agreement for new drinking‑water production wells, adoption of a neighborhood enterprise zone (NEZ) for a central downtown block, and construction engineering for mill‑and‑overlay work on Westnedge Avenue. The commission also approved multiple consent‑agenda contracts and an appointment.

Water wells: The commission authorized a professional services agreement with Peerless Midwest for installation of drinking‑water production wells at Water Pumping Stations No. 5 and No. 14 for $1,100,000.0292750, funding to support the Station 5/14 consolidation project. Director James Baker described the contract as a separate piece of a larger multi‑year consolidation effort that will add about nine new wells and requires permitting cycles prior to construction.

Neighborhood Enterprise Zone: The commission adopted a resolution establishing an NEZ bounded by East Michigan Avenue, South Edward Street, East South Street and Portage Street — the central downtown block that includes 234 and 238 East Michigan Avenue (the old Peninsula Brewery area). Assistant city planner Bobby Durkee said the parcel meets the city’s NEZ policy and could qualify for up to 15 years of tax abatement for qualifying residential rehab, with at least 20% of units priced at 80% of area median income depending on the application.

Westnedge resurfacing: The commission approved a professional‑services agreement with Whiteman & Associates for construction engineering for the Westnedge (Vine to Michigan) project for $115,500. Director Baker explained this segment will be mill and overlay only and is distinct from last year’s extensive reconstruction project, which included deep water‑main, storm and sanitary work. He said jurisdictional transfer dollars from MDOT — about $12.5–$13 million allocated with several transferred streets — are funding much of the road work and the city is coordinating schedules to limit business disruption.

Consent agenda and other approvals: The commission approved multiple consent items in a grouped vote earlier in the meeting, including a Rapid7 annual renewal ($129,846) for vulnerability management software; an Arcadia Creek Festival Place architectural services agreement with Veritas ($609,000); a supplemental/ change order with USP Technologies for odor control ($627,000); a youth mobility fund agreement with Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Central County Transit Authority to fund bus fare for grades 9–12 (amount not specified in the packet summary); acceptance of a Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards continuing professional education grant ($343,500); and the appointment of Aaron Adams to the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association board (term to 01/01/2028). The clerk recorded a roll‑call approval for those consent items.

Commission discussion and business outreach: Commissioners asked about timing and business outreach. Baker said the Westnedge resurfacing will be performed under traffic with lane shifts and staff will roll out an informational campaign that includes maps, interactive tools and a QR code sticker for businesses to share project status. Commissioner Bridal said she had asked to pull the Westnedge item from consent for clarity about how it differs from last season; Baker explained the difference in scope.

Votes at a glance: - H1: Professional services agreement with Peerless Midwest for drinking‑water production wells — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Contract amount: $1,100,000.0292750. - H2: Adoption of a resolution establishing the downtown Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (East Michigan/Edward/South/Portage block) — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Addresses noted: 234 & 238 E. Michigan Ave. - H3: Professional services agreement with Whiteman & Associates for Westnedge (Vine–Michigan) construction engineering — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Contract amount: $115,500. - Consent (items moved/approved as a package): Rapid7 renewal $129,846; Veritas Arcadia Creek Festival Place architectural services $609,000; USP odor control $627,000; youth mobility fund project services with Kalamazoo Public Schools/CCTA (amount for fares not specified in item summary); MCLES continuing education grant $343,500; appointment of Aaron Adams to Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association board (term to 01/01/2028). All consent items approved by roll call.

Why it matters: The well work is tied to a larger pump‑station consolidation that will affect the city’s water production and distribution plans; the NEZ provides a tax incentive aimed at promoting downtown residential rehabilitation; Westnedge paving satisfies obligations tied to a prior MDOT jurisdictional transfer and is part of a multi‑year streets program.

What’s next: Director Baker said staff will present more detailed downtown construction schedules at the March Community of the Whole meeting and will work with communications and economic development staff to distribute QR codes, maps and business outreach materials ahead of construction seasons.

Ending: The commission moved later into closed session; no further public actions on these matters were taken that evening.