City of Kalamazoo - December 18, 2024 Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting

Updated about 6 hours ago

During the City of Kalamazoo Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting on December 18, 2024, members focus on several key issues. The meeting opens with a discussion on urban deer management, featuring a presentation by Don Poppy from the DNR on deer population control strategies. The committee then deliberates and votes to recommend a bird-friendly building design ordinance to the city commission, which aims to reduce bird collisions with buildings. Additionally, the committee conducts interviews with applicants interested in joining the committee, as two positions are available. The meeting also covers routine updates from various subcommittees, including waste management and air quality.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:01:02)
The meeting is officially called to order and the live stream on Facebook and YouTube is confirmed.

The meeting is called to order and the live stream on Facebook and YouTube is checked and confirmed to be working.
Adoption of Agenda (00:01:30)
Motion to adopt the agenda with amendments for a new business interview and officer ballot votes.

A motion is entertained to adopt the agenda with additions including an applicant interview under New Business and discussions on ballot votes for officers under Unfinished Business.
Roll Call (00:02:26)
Members present introduce themselves for recording purposes.

Members present are asked to introduce themselves by saying their names into the microphone for easy recording, including Dave Debe, Justin Sanders, Damaris Potter, Trusa Gresha, Sharon Deever, David BAK, Bobby Glasser, Rachel Yondel, and Steve Roman.
Approval of November Minutes (00:03:00)
Motion to approve November minutes with a specific edit regarding terming out of a position.

A motion is entertained to approve the November minutes with an edit to clarify that a member is terming out, not ending their position. The minutes are approved with this edit.
Communications (00:03:51)
Discussion on recent communications from residents, including concerns about water pumping stations.

Members discuss updates from communications received, including an email from a resident about the city's water pumping stations and its connection to the city budget.
Sustainability Updates from Staff (00:04:54)
Introduction of a new Michigan Healthy Climate Corps member and updates on year-end greenhouse gas reporting.

Destiny Stina is introduced as the new Michigan Healthy Climate Corps member. Staff updates include wrapping up the year-end greenhouse gas reporting which will be presented in January.
Public Comments (00:06:13)
Opportunity for public comments, with no emails or phone calls received at this time.

The floor is opened for public comments. An email was discussed earlier, and there are no new emails or phone calls. The option for public comments will be available again at the end of the meeting.
New Business - Urban Deer Report (00:06:59)
Discussion on urban deer issues with a presentation from the DNR on management options.

Discussion on urban deer issues begins with a report on the city's handling of deer-related communications. Don Poppy from the DNR presents on statewide urban deer management, highlighting issues such as deer vehicle collisions, disease concerns, and management options including hunting and sharp shooting.
Discussion on Urban Deer Management (00:32:29)
The speaker discusses the issue of urban deer management, including deer behavior in city environments, potential solutions, and the role of local authorities.

The speaker presents information about urban deer management, particularly focusing on the behavior of deer in urban environments such as Kalamazoo. They discuss how deer are behaving unusually by staying in lawns during the day and not acting wild, likely due to not being hunted and becoming unafraid of people. The speaker mentions the abundance of deer across Michigan and explains that deer behavior in cities is different because they are not hunted there. They also talk about the potential for using lethal control in green spaces, with permission from landowners, to manage deer populations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having clear objectives for wildlife management and discusses the potential impact of deer on local ecosystems, especially when combined with invasive plant species.
Public Comments and Questions (00:46:14)
Meeting attendees ask questions and provide comments on the urban deer management discussion, focusing on deer impact on local ecosystems and challenges.

Following the presentation on urban deer management, attendees of the meeting engage in a question and answer session. They ask about the impact of deer browsing on native plant species and the subsequent effects on other wildlife that rely on these plants. The discussion covers the challenges of balancing deer populations in urban areas, considering both ecological and social factors. Attendees also discuss the difficulties of implementing solutions such as exclusion and the potential for long-term programs to address these issues comprehensively.
Applicant Interviews (00:58:36)
The meeting proceeds to applicant interviews for the Environmental Concerns Committee, with candidates expressing their interest and qualifications.

The meeting transitions to the applicant interview segment, where candidates for the Environmental Concerns Committee are interviewed. The first candidate, John, steps up to the podium and discusses his interest in making a difference in Kalamazoo, his background in the outdoors, and his views on environmental challenges facing the city. He emphasizes the need to update zoning laws and address issues like climate change, water quality, and biodiversity. The interview process includes questions about his experiences and perspectives on balancing preservation with development, particularly in relation to Asylum Lake Preserve.
Discussion on Human and Environmental Conflict (01:03:04)
The meeting discusses managing human and environmental conflicts, with education being vital for consensus building, as exemplified by the deer issue.

A question was raised about managing human and environmental conflicts, like the deer issue. The focus was on the philosophy of using education to define and manage such issues, building consensus and cooperation for improvement.
Applicant Interview: Rita Chandler (01:04:36)
Rita Chandler is interviewed for the environmental concerns committee, focusing on air quality issues and community outreach in Kalamazoo.

Rita Chandler, an applicant for the environmental concerns committee, discusses her experiences with poor air quality in Kalamazoo and her role at the Institute of Public Scholarship. She emphasizes the importance of community outreach and the interconnectedness of environmental issues.
Unfinished Business: Bird Friendly Building Design Ordinance (01:12:00)
The committee discusses an ordinance for bird friendly building design, focusing on its feasibility, cost, and implementation for new constructions.

The committee revisits the unfinished business of discussing a Bird Friendly Building Design Ordinance. They consider the cost, implementation, and potential pushback from manufacturers and homeowners. The ordinance aims at new constructions and major renovations, primarily commercial, to use bird safe glass.
Motion to Approve Bird Friendly Building Design Ordinance (01:27:14)
A motion is made to approve the recommendation of the bird friendly ordinance, emphasizing strong environmental standards.

A motion is proposed to approve the bird friendly building design ordinance for recommendation to the city commission. The committee discusses ensuring strong environmental standards and acknowledges the possibility of modifications during the implementation process.
Discussion on Absences (01:36:00)
Discussion on handling committee member absences with options to stay, be removed, or become a non-voting member after three absences.

The committee discusses the protocol for addressing absences of members. The technical language specifies that after three absences, the committee can decide if a member should remain, be removed, or be made into a non-voting member. There is discussion about the current situation of a member with multiple absences and whether they should be made an associate member.
Officer Positions Discussion (01:41:00)
Discussion on officer positions as the current chair is termed out and vice-chair is willing to take the chair position.

The committee discusses the need to elect new officers as the current chair is termed out. The current vice-chair expresses willingness to step into the chair position, and the committee seeks volunteers for the vice-chair position. The necessity of having a vice-chair is confirmed, and the process for electing officers by ballot is reviewed.
Natural Feature Protection Review Board Report (01:45:46)
Report on the Natural Feature Protection Review Board with no new cases to report and December meeting was bumped.

A report is given about the Natural Feature Protection Review Board, indicating that there are no new cases to report on, and the December meeting was rescheduled. The previous member who used to report on this board is no longer on it, but still receives emails and can continue to report if needed.
Air and Water Quality Report (01:46:24)
Report on air and water quality with no new air quality issues, but PFOS detected in groundwater.

The report covers the current status of air and water quality. There are no new reported incidents or violations regarding air quality. However, PFOS has been detected in the groundwater, though it is not confirmed to be affecting the drinking water supply. The EPA has established thresholds for these chemicals, and the situation is being monitored.
Waste Working Group Report (01:50:00)
Report on waste working group activities including upcoming foam and electronic recycling events.

The waste working group report highlights the collection of recyclables and leaves, praising the efforts of the group. It announces upcoming events for foam and electronic waste recycling, noting that the next event will not include shreddable items but a future one will. The report encourages volunteering for these events.
Adjournment (01:54:12)
Meeting adjourned after final comments and no further public participation.

The meeting is adjourned after checking for any final comments from members and confirming no participation from the public or phone lines. The chair thanks the members for their contributions and closes the meeting.