Kalamazoo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kalamazoo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Missing monthly contract reports under the purchasing policy
A DSA member says the city stopped publishing the required list of $50K–$100K contracts around 2019 and only resumed after a FOIA request, and wants an investigation into why reports stopped and the backlog released.
Pedestrian safety improvements via MDOT contract
An MDOT contract (25-5682) was up for approval to fund pedestrian safety improvements at multiple locations around Kalamazoo.
Employee Retirement System ordinance amendment
The one regular agenda item was an ordinance change to the city's Employee Retirement System — a change to retirement provisions that matters to city employees and the city's long-term obligations.
FFE Operations and Investment Costs Rising
The city's 35 FFE-funded projects total about $9 million, and more are on track than in past years. Board members flagged the city's 15% administrative charge as possibly too high for some awards — a debate headed to the Finance Committee next year.
Recycling and food scrap programs
The city submitted an EGLE organics infrastructure grant to expand the composting program to more neighborhoods — with backdoor pickup for mobility-limited residents and secured dumpster enclosures for multifamily buildings.
Homeowner tree removal assistance gap
There's no city fund to help homeowners who can't afford to remove a hazardous tree just outside the city's assistance zone — some can't pay the $1,000-$4,000 cost and end up waiting for the tree to fall. The Tree Committee is exploring a budget request or insurance partnerships.
Rebuild of storm-damaged historic porch at 704 Oak
A falling tree destroyed the 1898 Queen Anne's front porch. The commission required the decorative scalloped gable siding be restored, and the contractor said insurance should fund it.
Quorum reduction from five to four
With two members departing, a five-member quorum could have left the commission unable to meet. The change to four keeps meetings viable when absences pile up — though a tie vote still fails without a majority.
Nomination process integrity
A resignation left the nomination subcommittee without a quorum, and the chair self-appointed herself to restore it. A new director questioned whether all applicants were interviewed equally, highlighting a need for clearer, possibly codified, nomination procedures.
Oracle cloud migration contract questioned
The $220,000 Oracle cloud migration contract was pulled and postponed after concerns about the company's data practices and the city's CIO transition. Staff will bring answers and possibly alternatives next meeting.
Ambassador Program Space Needs
Downtown Dollars had a strong July — about $5,690 sold and $3,870 spent at 21 businesses — and the Ambassador program added new uniforms and stepped-up cleaning and social media presence.
Q4 Holiday Marketing Campaign
Community interest in downtown holiday lighting is growing, but no single entity is clearly responsible for coordinating it. The board wants ownership clarified before extra expectations land on the DDA.
Gas station redevelopment at Stadium Drive and Drake Road
The variance leaves a 30-foot sidewalk gap on Drake Road for now, but the applicant committed in writing to build it if sidewalk ever extends from the north. A mature oak tree and a steep, man-made slope made construction impractical.
AI use in drafting official meeting minutes
Board members clashed over Chair Hohler's use of AI to generate a transcript and draft minutes from an April meeting. Commissioner Harrington argued human record-keeping is essential for nuance and data integrity; the recording secretary said she was instructed not to use AI to remain unbiased.
Cemetery preservation activities and events
Kalamazoo made a strong showing at the statewide municipal cemetery conference — Suzanne Rowland won cemetery of the year. Mountain Home Cemetery is hosting a cleanup Sept. 12 and a $10 living history tour Sept. 19.
O'Connor Fund spendable balance and encumbrance reporting
The fund looks like it has $86,000 to spend, but $35,000 is already committed to grants. Commissioners want the report to show the true ~$50,000 figure so they never over-commit.
Public Employee Salaries
Curious where your tax dollars are going? A new searchable database lets anyone check the exact salary of every single Kalamazoo city employee.
Zoning code consolidation into Chapter 50
The Asylum Lake Preservation Association wants the city to create two new standalone zoning districts to protect ecologically sensitive land and public green space, arguing it's already called for in the Imagine Kalamazoo master plan. The Environmental Concerns Committee endorsed it; the clerk's report passed the memos along as informational.
Restoring call-in public comment
The commission directed staff to draft options for restoring phone-in public comment, an accessibility change sought by residents who can't attend in person. Rules come back for a future vote.
Urban deer management
A resident's letter about deer control sparked discussion — members noted culling just makes populations bounce back, so exclusion strategies deserve a look.
Downtown fall events: Fall Welcome and 269 Fest
Downtown is expecting about 800 students for a Fall Welcome event on August 29, plus 269 Fest runs September 18–27 with multiple anchor events. Board members were invited to participate.
Historic building rehab activity rising in Edison neighborhood
Federal HUD/CDBG-funded projects in potentially historic areas triggered 23 Section 106 reviews this year — nearly triple last year. Most activity is in Edison, a neighborhood with lots of potentially historic homes that isn't a local historic district.
Shuttle and micromobility options downtown
An upcoming meeting with the City will explore shuttle and micromobility options like scooters and e-bikes. The board suggested reviewing previous RFP proposals and reconnecting with potential providers.
2025 Financial Audit Results
The city's 2025 audit came back clean — no significant internal control issues — and DEGA's finances are folded into the city's audit. The board is weighing whether to pay down some of its notes faster while revenue allows.
Downtown pedestrian wayfinding and signage master plan
Director Sandhu flagged the condition of the City Center parking ramp/bridge and poor signage guiding pedestrians from parking to the Kalamazoo Mall. The board says the wayfinding master plan should cover these connections and coordination with the City will be needed.
Downtown Parking Fees and Displacement
Board members flagged future parking demand from the Event Center and other developments; current parking changes will likely stay through at least fall 2027, and the city is exploring a unified parking availability system and a downtown circulator.
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.
Northwestern Drive neighborhood disturbance complaints
A Wesley Court resident described nightly noise, fights, threats of shooting, and slow police response near Northwestern, asking commissioners to see it firsthand.
Civil Rights Board vacancy and nomination process
Director Calderon's resignation left an open board seat and an Education Subcommittee vacancy; an interview was scheduled and the chair is covering the subcommittee spot for now.
2027 DEGA budget priorities
The board aired first ideas for the 2027 budget — expanded Ambassador hours, nighttime safety escorts, more public restrooms, BigBelly expansion, wayfinding, and construction-area business incentives — with final approval expected in October.
Transition of DEGA legal services to Bloom Slugget, PC
The DDA is switching its outside legal counsel from Dickinson Wright PLLC to Bloom Sluggett, PC. The firm advises the board on downtown development matters, contracts, and statutory authority.
Downtown rooftop signage standards
Fifth Third's takeover of the former Comerica building forced a variance to keep the landmark rooftop signs at their decades-old size. The trade-off: removing even bigger nonconforming signs from 136 E. Michigan.
Competitive preservation grants expanded to $15,000
The commission raised the top competitive grant from $10,000 to $15,000 starting in 2027, and will pay a consultant up to $2,000 to help applicants strengthen draft applications before submission — a response to many incomplete or unclear applications this cycle.
Milham Park accessibility and tree protection
The city's second-oldest park gets safer, barrier-free parking and a creek overlook, trading 19 mostly ailing trees for 19 new ones along Kilgore Road while reducing impervious surface.
Accessibility vs. historic preservation
An elderly couple at 405 Douglas needed a deck to safely navigate the steep hill behind their home. The commission approved a design that helps aging residents stay safe while remaining fully hidden from the street.
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.
Transit millage and Metro services
Kalamazoo Metro reported nearly 2 million rides last year and flagged a countywide 0.36-mill, seven-year millage on the August 4 ballot funding Metro Connect and Metro Share services.
Verberg Park improvements
About half a million dollars is going into Verberg Park — the city's first bike pump track, a new kayak launch, pavilion and playground, arriving alongside new housing across the street.
Public access to meetings — unpublished call-in number
The public call-in number isn't posted on the board's website or stream descriptions, so remote residents can't easily participate. Staff shared the number and agreed to get it published.
Board meeting relocation and accessibility
All future meetings move to the Crosstown Parkway Public Safety building. Board members pressed for and got confirmation on ADA compliance, accessible parking, streaming, and a public call-in number before voting.
Outsourcing city assessing
The commission locked in three more years of contracted assessing with WCA. Commissioner Slaby's complaint about being treated poorly as a resident — until she revealed her title — sparked commitments to better customer service tracking and a long-term look at bringing assessing back in-house.
Historic District Commission membership
Commissioners noted they are in desperate need of new members and asked about recruiting at Imagine Kalamazoo and neighborhood meetings.
Proposed porch removal at 703 S. Park
The owner of a 1900 Colonial Revival house wanted to tear down a crumbling side porch and put up a deck for his tenants. The commission spent nearly an hour debating whether the porch was original and what fits the character of the house before approving a capped-size deck.
Street lighting upgrades in residential neighborhoods
Commissioners used the Consumers Energy lighting change orders to press for more lights in residential areas, a top Northside resident request. Staff explained the process and said CIP dollars exist to upgrade neighborhood lighting per neighborhood plans.
ZBA board attendance, officer nominations and internal conflict
A board member objected to being cited for poor attendance during a prior officer nomination, calling it divisive, and asked that full attendance records for all members be reviewed. The board agreed to bring attendance data to the next meeting.
Independent oversight of KDPS surveillance systems
Charlae Davis of ISAAC urged the commission to establish independent, community-involved oversight of the police department's surveillance systems, saying internal checks alone aren't transparency.
Downtown rail yard relocation planning
The city accepted $3.225 million to plan moving the downtown rail yard and eliminating grade crossings that snarl traffic — a problem dating to the 1800s. A recent derailment blocked Michigan Avenue for over a day. Actual construction could cost $50-100 million.