City of Kalamazoo - February 18, 2026 Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting

Updated about 15 hours ago

During the Environmental Concerns Committee meeting, members focus on the potential transfer of the Asylum Lake Preserve's management from Western Michigan University to Kalamazoo County. Concerns are raised about the preserve's future management and the need for a city presence in advisory roles. Additionally, the committee discusses restructuring subcommittees to better address environmental issues in Kalamazoo and highlights the upcoming Kalamazoo Earth Day events. The meeting also touches on the implications of potential developments in Oshtemo Township on Kalamazoo's green spaces.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:01:12)
Roll call was conducted with Thomas Hurst, Dave Beck, John Cruiser, David Beak, and Rachel Yandel present.

The meeting began with a roll call of members, including Thomas Hurst, Dave Beck, John Cruiser, David Beak (chair), and Rachel Yandel (vice chair).
Approval of Agenda (00:01:40)
The agenda was approved after a motion and second, with no additions or amendments from members.

The chair asked for a motion to approve the agenda. A motion was made and seconded, and the agenda was approved without any additions or amendments.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:16)
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved after a motion and second, with no discussion needed.

The minutes from the previous meeting, which were from November, were approved following a motion and a second. There was no further discussion before the approval.
Communications (00:02:52)
The only communication received was a public inquiry about live streaming the meeting, which was confirmed to be addressed.

The chair mentioned that the only communication received was from a member of the public ensuring that the meeting would be live streamed, and this was confirmed to be in order.
Public Comments (00:03:08)
A phone number was provided for public comments, but no calls or audience comments were received at this time.

The chair opened the floor for public comments, providing a phone number for live stream viewers to call in. No public comments were received during this time.
Reports (00:04:08)
Reports were given on natural features, wildlife protection, planning commission, tree committee, and other topics, with various updates provided.

Several reports were presented, including updates on natural features protection, wildlife and natural resource protection, planning commission activities, and tree committee updates. Each report provided specific updates and information relevant to their areas.
Staff Updates (00:10:09)
Staff updates were postponed to be presented during new business later in the meeting.

The staff updates were noted to be covered later in the meeting under the new business section.
Unfinished Business (00:10:11)
Updates on bylaws and single-use plastics were discussed, and further action was planned.

The committee discussed the status of bylaw updates, which are with the city's legal department, and decided to pause on further discussion on single-use plastics until more research is conducted.
New Business: Elections and Meeting Dates (00:11:19)
Election of officers and discussion of meeting dates were conducted, with some talk of adjusting meeting times.

The committee held elections for officer positions and discussed the proposed meeting dates for the year. There was also a discussion on possibly adjusting meeting times to be more inclusive.
New Business: Guest Presentation (00:15:03)
Mike Stout from Michigan Waterways Stewards presented on upcoming events and past successes in environmental stewardship.

Mike Stout, president of Michigan Waterways Stewards, gave a presentation about their environmental stewardship efforts, including litter and invasive species removal activities, and invited participation in upcoming community events.
Appointments and Nominations (00:22:27)
Luke Zimmer introduced himself as an applicant for the committee, answered questions, and was unanimously approved for recommendation.

Luke Zimmer applied to join the committee, expressed his interest and background, answered questions from members, and was unanimously approved for recommendation to the city commission for appointment.
Approval of Application for Committee Membership (00:34:26)
The committee discussed the approval process for a new member's application and recommended attending the next city commission meeting for formal approval.

The committee addressed the application approval process for a new member, emphasizing the need for city commission approval to make it formal. The new member is encouraged to attend the next month's meeting, with their term starting in January and lasting three years. The discussion clarified that terms begin in January, regardless of the appointment date.
Restructuring Subcommittees (00:35:34)
Discussion on the need to evaluate and possibly restructure subcommittees and liaison roles to better align with current needs and avoid narrow focuses.

The committee discussed the current structure of subcommittees and liaison roles, noting that some subcommittees may be too narrowly focused and not updated in years. Suggestions were made to possibly combine similar topics to create broader and more flexible subcommittees. The committee plans to review and bring suggestions next month for restructuring.
Discussion on Asylum Lake Management Transfer (00:50:04)
A detailed discussion on Western Michigan University's plan to transfer management of Asylum Lake to Kalamazoo County, ensuring it remains a preserve not a park.

The committee discussed Western Michigan University's intent to transfer Asylum Lake's management to Kalamazoo County Parks and Recreation. Western aims to cut costs by transferring management but will maintain the preserve's status. Concerns were raised about the county's use of 'park' instead of 'preserve,' and the need for ECC's potential involvement in overseeing the transfer to ensure it aligns with the preserve's conservation goals.
Discussion on Asylum Lake Management (01:11:21)
The board discusses the need for the Environmental Concerns Committee to be included in the management of Asylum Lake.

The board discusses whether the Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC) should recommend to the city commission that they be included in any body that is created to establish or monitor management protocols for Asylum Lake. There is concern about the management of Asylum Lake and the dissolution of the Asylum Lake Policy and Management Council. Members express the need for the ECC to be involved in any discussions with the county regarding the management of Asylum Lake.
Motion for ECC Involvement in Asylum Lake Management (01:19:39)
A motion is made and passed to request ECC involvement in Asylum Lake management discussions.

A motion is made to request that the city commission ask for ECC involvement in any council or management board supervising Asylum Lake. The motion is seconded and passes with one abstention due to potential conflict of interest.
Discussion on Amateur Sports Complex Development (01:21:32)
There is discussion about the impact of the proposed amateur sports complex development on city property.

John brings up the proposed development of an amateur sports complex in Oshtemo Township, which may impact city of Kalamazoo property. There is concern about how this development will affect the city and what the city's position should be. It is agreed to add this to the agenda for next month for further discussion.
Green Spaces Advisory Discussion (01:22:47)
The need to advise on green spaces is discussed as increasingly important.

The committee agrees that advising the city on green spaces is important and should be included in future agenda discussions. There is mention of tying this into the sustainability programs and how green spaces fit into the larger picture of city planning.
Sustainability Report Overview (01:23:33)
Justin mentions the sustainability report to be discussed next month.

Justin has a sustainability report that was presented to the city commission. It is agreed to move the discussion of this report to next month, and members are encouraged to review the report before the next meeting.
Public Comments and Commissioner Comments (01:25:46)
Public comments are invited, and commissioners give their final comments.

The meeting opens the floor for public comments via phone, and commissioners give their closing comments. There is no public comment, and commissioners provide brief remarks before the meeting is adjourned.