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Residents urge action on flooding, gun violence, housing and mental‑health supports; community groups seek funding
Summary
During public comment, residents pressed the commission to address neighborhood flooding tied to green‑space loss, a recent surge in shootings, housing insecurity (including KPS student homelessness), road safety, and requested funding and partnerships for trauma‑informed programs such as Lean On Healing.
Multiple residents used the July 7 public comment period to press the City Commission on neighborhood flooding, public safety, housing insecurity and mental‑health services.
One commenter said raising land or adding pavement in development projects worsens local flooding and urged the commission to prioritize flood mitigation where green space remains; the speaker also cited a string of shootings ("8 shootings in 1 day and a half") and said the city must act on public safety.
Representatives from Lean On Healing (cofounders Lena Shorter and Alyssa Watkins Moreau) described a trauma‑informed 16‑week curriculum and community‑based model that connects families to mental‑health professionals and basic needs (beds, clothing, food). They said they are seeking funding and partnerships to scale services and reach families who do not typically access traditional therapy.
Other commenters raised road repair and transit safety concerns, unclear parking and tow signage at the farmers market (one resident reported $300 in towing fees), and asked for more transparency on Foundation for Excellence spending and the city manager search timeline. A commenter referenced that more than 2,000 Kalamazoo Public Schools students are experiencing homelessness and urged the commission to consider equity in funding decisions.
Commission staff directed residents to existing city tools (311 for road reporting and the Foundation for Excellence investment tool on the city website) and said staff would pass requests for a dedicated city manager search landing page to the consultant team. The commission thanked speakers and said staff will follow up where appropriate.
