Kalamazoo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kalamazoo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Water Treatment Plant No. 22 well replacement design
A nearly $895,000 design contract with Fleis & VandenBrink for replacing Wells 1-3 at Water Treatment Plant No. 22 — early-stage work on securing the city's drinking water supply.
South side storm drain flooding
A repeat commenter described repeated flooding and sewage backups in her south side neighborhood, tying them to decades-old infrastructure and asking the commission to fix it.
Neighborhood flooding and storm drains
A repeat commenter described repeated flooding and sewage backups in her south side neighborhood, tying them to decades-old infrastructure and asking the commission to fix it.
Central well field expansion and vacant property concerns
The city keeps buying properties near its central well field for a five-to-six-year water treatment expansion, but Commissioner Praedel worries vacant buildings drag down the Burdick corridor and wants demolition expedited.
Biosolids disposal costs and sustainable processing
Sludge disposal costs have climbed from about $4.5 million a year before 2018 to roughly $20.9 million over 18 months. Staff are designing a new processing facility that would cut water content and open a cheaper disposal market, operational around 2030-2031.
Lead service line replacement program (2027 DWSRF project plan)
Kalamazoo is applying for $19 million in low-interest state funding to replace the last chunk of its lead water lines — about 1,900 of them in neighborhoods south and east of downtown. The city is already 67 percent done and could finish by 2029-2030.