City of Kalamazoo - May 14, 2026 Utility Policy Committee Meeting

Updated 27 minutes ago

At their May 14, 2026 meeting, the City of Kalamazoo Utility Policy Committee reviews the Stantec contract approval and the City Commission's recent actions on lead service line replacements, highlighting the program's progress and community support. Updates are provided on major projects such as the Kalamazoo Avenue water main and Safe Streets for All initiatives. The meeting also addresses the optimization of corrosion control systems and financial policies regarding reserves and bonding. Additionally, the committee discusses water quality issues at the local jail, with ongoing efforts to resolve elevated copper levels. Public comments and questions about wastewater rates, particularly in relation to Portage's recent increases, are addressed, clarifying the relationship between city costs and charges to other communities. The meeting concludes with announcements of upcoming public services events and acknowledgments of successful project implementations.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:06)
The meeting of the Kalamazoo Utility Policy Committee is called to order.

The meeting of the Kalamazoo Utility Policy Committee is called to order. Attendees are asked to ensure their audio is working properly.
Approval of Agenda (00:00:35)
The agenda is approved with a motion and second, carried without opposition.

The agenda for the meeting is presented. A motion is made and seconded to accept the agenda as presented. The motion carries without any opposition.
Roll Call (00:01:04)
Roll call is conducted, noting four attendees in person and several online from Richland, Oshtemo, and Texas Township.

Roll call is conducted, noting four attendees in person and several online. Representatives from Richland, Oshtemo, and Texas Township are mentioned, along with alternate Steve Venti and Valletta Sellers Evans from the city.
Approval of Minutes (00:01:52)
Minutes from the previous meeting are approved unanimously.

The minutes from the previous meeting are reviewed. A motion is made by Tom Wheat, seconded by Peter Ner, to approve the minutes. The motion carries unanimously.
Public Comment (00:02:19)
No public comments are made in person or online during this meeting.

An opportunity for public comment is provided. However, no public comments are made either in person or online during this meeting.
Director's Report (00:02:35)
The Director reports on city commission actions, including contract approvals for water-related projects and lead service line replacement.

The Director provides a report on recent city commission actions, including the approval of contracts with Stantec and for lead service line replacement. Updates on various projects, including Kalamazoo Avenue and optimized corrosion control, are also discussed.
Finance Report (00:06:21)
Quarterly finance report is presented, showing revenues and expenses, with a focus on water distribution costs.

The quarterly finance report is presented by Steve, highlighting revenue and expenses by division. Discussion includes the impact of capital expenses and water distribution costs. An additional request is made for a more detailed breakdown of expenses in future reports.
Unfinished Business - Utility Financial Policy Amendment (00:12:51)
Discussion on the utility financial policy amendment, focusing on reserve calculations and potential policy changes.

Steve and others discuss the utility financial policy amendment, focusing on the calculation of reserves and potential changes to align policy with rate calculations. A meeting was held with city staff and Stantec to explore this, and further review is planned.
Professional Service Invoice Approvals (00:19:43)
Approval of professional service invoices for various services rendered.

Three professional service invoices are presented for approval: one for payment to a consulting group, another for Hefner Group, and a third for Main Meridian. Each invoice is discussed and approved by the committee.
Committee Member and Attendee Comments (00:24:19)
Committee members and attendees discuss various topics, including water quality issues at the jail and ongoing collaboration with the city.

Committee members and attendees provide comments and questions. Topics include water quality issues at the jail, positive feedback on city collaboration, and questions about recent water main breaks and rate increases. Appreciation is expressed for the quality of meeting minutes.
Discussion on Sewer Cost Components (00:34:55)
The meeting discussed the various components that contribute to the sewer costs for citizens, including treatment, conveyance, local collector sewer, and lift station costs.

During this segment of the meeting, the discussion focused on the breakdown of sewer costs that citizens are responsible for. It was noted that Kalamazoo citizens pay for several components such as treatment costs, conveyance, local collector sewer, and lift station costs. In contrast, Portage only covers treatment and conveyance costs. The largest component of the rate increase for Kalamazoo citizens was identified as the treatment costs, which Portage also has to pay. This discussion aimed to clarify the differences in cost responsibilities between Kalamazoo and Portage citizens.
Appreciation and Closing Remarks (00:35:39)
The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude towards the attendees and a final appreciation for the efforts made during the meeting.

As the meeting drew to a close, the speaker expressed their gratitude towards everyone who attended the meeting. They thanked the participants for their contributions and engagement, recognizing the effort put into the discussions held. The meeting ended on a positive note with words of appreciation, ensuring that all attendees felt acknowledged for their roles in the meeting.