August 18, 2025 City Commission Action Summary

Published on August 19, 2025

At its meeting on August 4, 2025, the City Commission took the following actions. You can watch the meeting online here. You can review the official agenda and detailed reports and documents related to each agenda item (beyond what is provided below) here.    

Public Hearings (F)

The City Commission held a public hearing to receive comments on the establishment of a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) within three blocks bounded by East Frank Street, Walbridge Street, East Ransom Street, and North Pitcher Street.

Consent Agenda (G)

The City Commission approved items G1-15:

1. Approval of a contract supplemental and change order with A1 Asphalt for the 2025 Annual Patching Project in the amount of $130,000.
2. Approval of sole source agreement extension with Envirosuite for 2025 -2026 Odor Monitoring and Incident Investigation System in the amount of $139,344.
3. Approval of a one-year professional service agreement with GHD Services for environmental consulting at the Cork Street Landfill in the amount of $139,925; and approval of a budget amendment in the amount of $15,635.
4. Approval of a contract with Kalleward Group for site-work and park renovations at Princeton Park in the amount of $198,753.62.
5. Approval of a cooperative contract with Spartan Emergency Response for the purchase of a fire apparatus-pumper in the amount of $821,026.
6. Adoption of a RESOLUTION granting eligibility for a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to Crosstown Seniors Limited Dividend Housing, LLC.
7. Adoption of a RESOLUTION approving a change in the street lighting contract with Consumers Energy due to changes to the lighting at Westnedge and Kalamazoo Avenues.
8. Adoption of a RESOLUTION rescinding Resolution 24-65, which approved a ten- year, 5% Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for ANR Kalamazoo Limited Dividend Housing Association, LLC for a project at1500 E. Kilgore Road, due to the lack of a federally aided mortgage required by section 35-4 of the Kalamazoo City Code.
9. Adoption of a RESOLUTION setting a public hearing for September 2, 2025 to receive comments on the establishment of a Commercial Redevelopment District at 227 W. Michigan Avenue.
10.  Adoption of a RESOLUTION setting a public hearing for September 2, 2025 to receive comments on the establishment of a Commercial Rehabilitation District at 261 East Kalamazoo Avenue.
11. Adoption of a RESOLUTION recommending approval of an Off-Premises Tasting Room License for New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc. d/b/a Bells Brewery at 355 East Kalamazoo Avenue.
12. Approval of Parking Lease Agreement with WMED for 120 Reserved Spaces in the Epic Center Ramp.
13. Approval of an extension to the 2022 grant provided to Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services in the amount of $250,000 from the Housing Development Fund to rehabilitate four single-family homes for lease/purchase to low-income families.
14. Rescind the Developer Agreement for the HOME Investment Partnership Program loan in the amount of $400,000 with ANR Kalamazoo Limited Development Housing Association, LLC for the rehabilitation of 1500 East Kilgore Road.
15. Approval of a request from Western Michigan University to publicly display fireworks at Hyames Field and Waldo Stadium on September 27 and November 11, 2025.
16. Approval of an extension to the 2023 grant in the amount of $770,000 provided to Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act to construct eight new single-family homes.
17. Acceptance of a Holiday Events Grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation to fund 2025 holiday events and programming in the amount of $80,000.
18. Approval of the following appointment and reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals: - the reappointment of Alan Sylvester as an Alternate Member for a full term expiring on March 31, 2028. - the appointment of Jack Urban as an Alternate Member for a partial term expiring on March 31, 2026.
19. Approval of minutes from the City Commission meetings on August 4, 2025.
20. Approval of the purchase of 808 Simpson Street from the Kalamazoo County Treasurer for the amount of $1,469.26. (Postpone until September 2, 2025)

Regular Agenda (G)

The City Commission approved items H1-2:

1. Approval of an extension to the 2022 grant in the amount of $1,000,000 provided to Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act to rehabilitate 14 single-family homes. (Action: Motion to approve)