City of Kalamazoo - April 15, 2026 Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting

Updated about 7 hours ago

The Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting for April 2023 covers several key topics including updates on recycling initiatives, invasive species removal along the Kalamazoo River, and the transition of Asylum Lake management to Kalamazoo County. The committee reviews recent events such as a recycling demonstration and a plogging event. The meeting also considers applications for new committee members, with an emphasis on community engagement in environmental issues. Additionally, the committee discusses restructuring subcommittees and liaisons to improve efficiency and oversight on local environmental matters.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:01)
The Environmental Concerns committee meeting for April is called to order.

The chair calls the Environmental Concerns committee meeting to order for the month of April, noting that a quorum is present.
Roll Call (00:00:15)
Roll call of committee members is conducted.

The chair conducts a roll call of the attending committee members, confirming presence of Rachel Yondel, David Beak, John Kerr, and Dave Back.
Approval of Agenda (00:00:28)
The agenda for the meeting is presented and approved.

The agenda for the meeting, previously distributed by Justin, is presented. A motion to approve the agenda is made, seconded, and approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes (00:00:53)
Minutes from March and February are reviewed and approved.

The minutes from the March and February meetings are up for approval. A motion to approve both sets of minutes is made, seconded, and passes unanimously after confirming no corrections are needed.
Communications and Sustainability Update (00:01:46)
Justin provides updates on sustainability initiatives and upcoming events.

Justin from the city provides updates on sustainability efforts, including a recycling event and invasive species removal. Upcoming events include a recycling drop-off and partnership with the Audubon Society.
Public Comment (00:06:06)
Opportunity for public comment is announced, but no comments are received.

The chair opens the floor for public comments. It is confirmed that the meeting is live-streamed and the call-in number is provided, but no public comments are received.
Committee Reports (00:07:25)
Various committee reports are presented, including Natural Features and Planning Commission.

Reports are presented from several committees: Natural Features Protection Review Board discusses Westgate Sports Complex; Planning Commission updates on nominations and special use permits; other committees report no updates.
New Business: Applicant for Committee Membership (00:21:26)
Consideration of a new applicant, Katie Bloom, for committee membership.

Katie Bloom, an applicant for committee membership, introduces herself and her background. The committee discusses her qualifications and votes to recommend her appointment to the city commission.
Motion to Approve Application (00:35:00)
The committee discussed and approved an application for a new member, expressing enthusiasm and moving to send the application to the city commission for final approval.

The meeting started with a discussion about a candidate's application for a position. The members expressed their support and admiration for the candidate's involvement in environmental issues despite her non-environmental background. A motion was made to approve her application, which was seconded, and unanimously passed. The application will be forwarded to the city commission for final approval.
Subcommittee Restructuring Discussion (00:37:00)
The committee discussed restructuring subcommittees to be more efficient, considering consolidation and defining liaison roles for better engagement.

There was a detailed discussion about the current structure of the subcommittees and the possibility of restructuring them to improve efficiency. The chair suggested organizing them into broader categories and defining liaison roles for better engagement with other city departments and commissions. Members exchanged ideas on how to best consolidate and organize the subcommittees, and the discussion will continue in the next meeting.
Old Business (00:47:00)
The committee reviewed old business items, confirming that recommendations on ECC participation and fire safety have been forwarded to the city commission.

During the Old Business segment, the committee reviewed the status of previous recommendations. It was confirmed that both the recommendations concerning ECC participation and fire safety have been forwarded to the city commission. There were no additional discussions or updates needed for these items.
New Business (00:49:00)
There were no new business items raised, but it was an opportunity for members to voice any pressing issues not on the agenda.

When the agenda turned to New Business, the chair asked if there were any new items or pressing issues that the members wanted to discuss. No new items were raised during this segment.
Public Comments (00:50:00)
The floor was opened for public comments, but there were no public attendees wishing to speak.

The meeting included a segment for public comments, where the floor was opened for any attendees to share their thoughts or concerns. However, there were no public attendees wishing to speak during this time.
Commissioner Comments (00:51:00)
Commissioners shared updates and reminders, including information on Earth Day events and the city's composting program.

During Commissioner Comments, several updates and reminders were shared. One commissioner highlighted upcoming Earth Day events and encouraged participation. Another commissioner provided an update on the city's composting program and related events. These comments served as a way to inform and remind members of ongoing and upcoming community activities.