Kalamazoo City Commission - Committee of the Whole - September 21, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 20 hours ago

The commission focuses on the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace and the efforts to prevent community violence. Dr. Kenlana Ferguson and Tia Whitley present updates on the blueprint and the community violence prevention ecosystem. The meeting highlights the importance of sustainable funding, the roles of various community partners, and the need for institutional integration to support ongoing efforts. The commission also discusses the role of the city in supporting these initiatives and the need for coordinated action across different sectors.

Chapters

Welcome and Opening Remarks (00:00:29)
The meeting began with a warm welcome to all attendees, appreciating the presence of those in the chamber after a rainy weekend.

The meeting started with the chair expressing gratitude for the attendance of everyone in the chamber, especially given the recent rainy weekend. The chair noted it was nice to see everyone after the weather had cleared up.
Call to Order (00:00:41)
The Kalamazoo City Commission Committee of the Whole meeting was officially called to order.

The chair officially called the Kalamazoo City Commission Committee of the Whole meeting to order, marking the commencement of the proceedings.
Roll Call (00:00:52)
Roll call was conducted with all commissioners present except Commissioner Slaby, who was excused.

Commissioners Hess, Hoffman, Praedel, Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson were present. Commissioner Slaby was noted as absent but was excused later in the meeting.
Approval of Absence (00:01:08)
A motion was carried to excuse Commissioner Slaby's absence due to last-minute issues.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hoffman, supported by Vice Mayor Duncan, to excuse Commissioner Slaby's absence from the meeting. The motion passed unanimously as all were in favor.
Communications (00:01:36)
There were no communications for the committee at this time, but an upcoming water discussion was noted for the next meeting.

City Manager Hankins reported no current communications for the committee but mentioned that there would be a communication regarding water issues at the next meeting.
Public Comments (00:01:48)
Public comments were invited with a two-minute limit.

The chair opened the floor for public comments, reminding attendees that comments were limited to two minutes.
Work Session: Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace (00:03:12)
An update on the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace was presented, focusing on community violence prevention and ecosystem building.

City Manager Hankins introduced the work session focused on the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace. Dr. Kenlana Ferguson provided insights into the strategy and implementation of the Blueprint, highlighting community collaboration, violence prevention, and the need for systemic change. Tia Whitley and Dominica Sims also contributed. The session covered strategic priorities, collaboration with law enforcement, and the importance of sustainable funding and evaluation.
Discussion on Shared Governance and Community Work (00:30:42)
Discussion on shared governance, community work, and policy wins.

The meeting discussed shared governance and the way work is conducted in Kalamazoo and beyond.
City's Role in Community Partnerships (00:31:47)
Exploration of how the city can be stronger partners in community efforts.

The conversation focused on clarifying the city's role in community partnerships, particularly in maintaining the ecosystem in Kalamazoo. City staff are actively involved in goal working groups and decision-making processes.
Public Comments and Questions (00:33:30)
Public comments and appreciation for the work being done.

Public comments included appreciation for the work being done and suggestions for more regular updates to avoid long catch-ups.
Frontline Workers and Community Engagement (00:38:38)
Discussion on the role and engagement of frontline workers in community efforts.

The discussion highlighted the importance of community engagement and the role of frontline workers in reducing gun violence in Kalamazoo. Questions were raised about partnerships within the city and with educational institutions.
Sustainability of CVI Ecosystem (00:40:02)
Discussion on sustaining the CVI ecosystem and community involvement.

The conversation focused on sustaining the CVI ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and creating a budget line for continued support and data collection.
Interconnectedness of Community and Violence (00:44:02)
Discussion on the interconnectedness of violence across community borders.

The discussion addressed the interconnectedness of violence across community borders and the importance of collective efforts to address it. Relationships with the county and other communities are being strengthened.
Support for Frontline Workers (00:46:26)
Discussion on the resources and support for frontline workers.

The meeting discussed the need for respite and support for frontline workers dealing with gun violence. Current efforts and future plans to provide additional support were highlighted.
Funding and Sustainability Efforts at State Level (00:50:32)
Discussion on funding sustainability for CVI at state level.

The conversation covered efforts to secure sustainable funding for the CVI ecosystem at the state level and local philanthropic support. Advocacy work is ongoing to ensure continued resources.
Frontline Experience and Challenges (00:52:30)
Frontline workers share their experience and challenges in the field.

Frontline workers shared their experiences and challenges in responding to gun violence, emphasizing the need for more people on the ground and continuous training.
Coordination Among Community Groups (00:58:24)
Discussion on coordination among various community groups and resources.

The meeting addressed the coordination among different community groups working on gun violence and how they fit together, acknowledging the complexity and need for collaboration.
Discussion on Ecosystem Coordination (00:59:20)
Discussion focused on the need for clarity in roles within the ecosystem to avoid competition for resources and ensure effective coordination among organizations.

The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by organizations in competing for resources due to a lack of clarity in roles within the ecosystem. It was emphasized that while many organizations are involved in violence interruption and mediation, there is a need for clear delineation of roles to strengthen the ecosystem. The conversation also touched on the pressure and stress felt by organizations due to the expectation to do it all, and the importance of coordination to allow each organization to focus on its strengths. The need for honest conversations and after-action reviews following incidents such as homicides was also discussed.
Appreciation and Future Coordination (01:07:36)
Acknowledgment of the efforts of participants and emphasis on the importance of continuous coordination and communication among organizations.

Participants were thanked for their presence and contributions, with an emphasis on the importance of keeping discussions and coordination ongoing rather than limited to annual meetings. The need for more face-to-face interactions and direct communication was highlighted, with an aim to improve coordination and reduce duplication of efforts among organizations.
Commissioner Comments and Community Events (01:08:34)
Comments by commissioners included promotion of the Sounds of the Zoo Music Festival and encouragement for community participation.

Commissioner Hess highlighted the Sounds of the Zoo Music Festival, encouraging attendance and participation. The festival features free music events across various venues. Other commissioners were invited to provide comments, and it was mentioned that additional time for commissioner comments would be available during the business meeting.
Adjournment (01:10:37)
The meeting was adjourned with a reminder of the upcoming business meeting.

The meeting was adjourned after commissioner comments, with a reminder to attendees of the upcoming City Commission business meeting scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.