Kalamazoo City Commission - Committee of the Whole - May 11, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated 22 minutes ago

The commission focuses on the initiatives of the Michigan Transformation Collective with a presentation on the Kalamazoo Childcare Coalition's efforts to improve childcare accessibility and affordability. Key topics include the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace, a proposed county childcare millage aimed at increasing provider wages and lowering costs for families, and the Tri-Share program to support small businesses in offering childcare benefits. The meeting highlights the severity of the childcare crisis in Kalamazoo County and the potential economic benefits of addressing these issues.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:02:19)
The Kalamazoo City Commission's Committee of the Whole meeting was officially called to order.

The meeting commenced with the official call to order of the Kalamazoo City Commission's Committee of the Whole meeting.
Roll Call (00:02:35)
Roll call was conducted, confirming the presence of commissioners and excusing Commissioner Cradle.

Clerk Bley conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of Commissioner Slaby, Commissioner Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson. A motion was passed to excuse Commissioner Cradle from the meeting.
Communications (00:03:06)
Communications Manager Hankins reported no communications at this time.

Communications Manager Hankins informed the committee that there were no communications to report for the Committee of the Whole meeting.
Public Comments (00:03:11)
Opportunity for public comments was announced, but no public comments were made.

The floor was opened for public comments with a two-minute period allowed for each commenter. No public comments were made during this session, and it was noted that there would be another public comment period during the regular business meeting at 7.
Childcare Coalition Presentation (00:03:39)
Presentation on the Kalamazoo Childcare Coalition and its alignment with local initiatives.

Chief Operating Officer Laura Lamb introduced Dr. Kalana Ferguson and Beth Bergland of the Michigan Transformation Collective. They presented on the Kalamazoo Childcare Coalition's efforts and alignment with the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace. The presentation covered economic instability due to lack of childcare, childcare access issues, state and local initiatives, and a proposed county childcare millage to address gaps in the system.
Discussion and Questions (00:27:01)
Commissioners and presenters discussed the childcare millage and addressed questions.

Commissioners engaged with the presenters, discussing the proposed childcare millage, its potential impact, and how it relates to regional and state efforts. Questions were raised about the specifics of the millage, its implementation, and evaluation processes. The discussion emphasized the importance of early childhood care in the community and its socio-economic impact.
Discussion on Childcare Subsidy Models (00:37:51)
The discussion focused on potential subsidy models for childcare, emphasizing the need to make childcare affordable for families and sustainable for small businesses.

The meeting addressed the financial challenges faced by families and small businesses in providing and accessing childcare. A potential subsidy model was discussed, aiming to lower the cost of childcare for families, particularly those with infants, while also incentivizing small businesses to participate in the iShare program. The goal is to create a feasible financial model that serves as many families as possible and supports local economic development.
Tri Share Pilot Program and Economic Development (00:41:02)
The tri share pilot program was highlighted as a successful initiative to support small businesses and incentivize economic growth through childcare investment.

The tri share pilot program, initially a pilot and now a state project, was discussed as a means to support small businesses by helping them cover childcare costs for employees. The program aims to make childcare more accessible and affordable, thereby facilitating economic development and encouraging more small businesses to start and grow in Kalamazoo County. The focus is on using local investment to address wage issues and support business infrastructure through childcare solutions.
Onsite Childcare Initiatives by Employers (00:42:38)
The potential for employers to provide onsite childcare as a transformative benefit for employees was discussed, though not feasible for all businesses.

The meeting highlighted examples of employers providing onsite childcare as a significant benefit to employees, allowing them to have childcare facilities available at their workplace. This model, while transformative for employees, is not feasible for all employers due to space and financial constraints. The discussion emphasized the importance of considering such models where possible to support families and enhance employee satisfaction.
Commissioner Comments and Adjournment (00:45:00)
Commissioner comments were invited with no further questions raised, leading to the adjournment of the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners were given the opportunity to make comments for the good of the order. No additional comments or questions were presented, and the meeting was adjourned. A reminder was given about the upcoming business meeting where further commissioner comments could be made.