City of Kalamazoo - September 17, 2025 Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting

Updated about 20 hours ago

Gavel to gavel coverage of the September 17, 2025 meeting of the Environmental Concerns Committee for the City of Kalamazoo. Stay informed and connected to your city government.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:01:07)
Roll call was conducted with members Thomas Hurst, Rachel Yodel, R Chandler, and Steve Romanelli present.

The meeting commenced with a roll call to confirm the presence of the committee members. Members present included Thomas Hurst, Rachel Yodel, R Chandler, and Steve Romanelli.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:33)
The agenda was reviewed, discussed, and approved by motion and vote.

The agenda for the meeting was reviewed by the members. There was a discussion about the agenda, followed by a motion to approve it. The motion was seconded and a vote was taken, resulting in the approval of the agenda.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:08)
Approval of the previous meeting's minutes was discussed and approved by motion and vote.

The committee reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. After ensuring no further discussion or edits were necessary, a motion was made to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded, and a vote was taken, leading to the approval of the minutes.
Public Comments (00:03:33)
Public comments were invited, but no callers or audience members had comments at this time.

The chair opened the floor for public comments. There were issues with public call-ins last month, but those were resolved. No callers were waiting online, and no audience members, aside from a humorous reference to Jiminy Cricket, had comments. Public comments will be accepted again at the end of the meeting.
Reports (00:04:25)
Various reports were presented including Natural Features Review Board, Air and Water Quality, Planning Commission, Tree Committee, and Asylum Lake Policy Management Council.

Several committee and board reports were presented. The Natural Features Review Board reported on the approval of new wells at Spring Valley Park. The Air and Water Quality report had no new updates. The Planning Commission discussed new board candidate interviews. The Tree Committee approved the removal and replacement of trees for a new dormitory construction. The Asylum Lake Policy Management Council discussed a beaver deceiver and trail repairs.
Waste Working Group (00:12:24)
The Waste Working Group provided updates on recycling initiatives, invasive species removal, and upcoming events.

The Waste Working Group updated on the progress of various recycling and sustainability initiatives, including the Next Cycle pitch, trash pickup downtown, and the success of the rain barrel sale. They also mentioned upcoming events such as the Kalamazoo River Cleanup and EPS foam recycling.
Sustainability Updates from Staff (00:16:27)
Staff provided updates on sustainability efforts, including a BioBlitz event to raise awareness about invasive species.

The staff updated the committee on sustainability projects, notably a BioBlitz event aimed at educating the public about invasive species and their impact on local parks and private properties. The event will take place at Jones Park, with hopes of encouraging community involvement and awareness.
Unfinished Business (00:19:59)
Discussion on electing a vice chair and scheduling the next meeting was held, with Rachel Johno nominated as vice chair.

The committee addressed unfinished business, including the need to elect a vice chair. Rachel Johno was nominated and elected as vice chair. The scheduling of the next meeting was discussed, with acknowledgment of potential quorum issues due to members' travel plans.
Guest Presentation by Mark Lee of Better World Builders (00:22:15)
Mark Lee presented on the Michigan Home Energy Rebate Program and the goals for improving energy efficiency in Kalamazoo.

Mark Lee from Better World Builders presented information on the Michigan Home Energy Rebate Program, aimed at improving energy efficiency in homes. He discussed the importance of energy audits and the benefits of making homes more sustainable, with a vision of making Kalamazoo the most sustainable city in Michigan.
Presentation on the My Heart Program (00:33:07)
The My Heart program aims to assist vulnerable populations with home energy efficiency upgrades through rebates and financial aid.

The My Heart program, also known as the Home Energy Rebate Program, offers financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades to households in Kalamazoo. The program has two components: HOMES, focusing on insulating and modeling homes for energy efficiency, and HERE, which deals with electrification. The program provides energy audits and assistance with installing insulation, air sealing, new furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and other upgrades. It targets households below a certain income level to help reduce energy costs. The program is expected to last for about three years, with one year already completed. Participants can sign up through the state website under the administration of EGLE.
Discussion on Energy Efficiency and Workforce Development (00:53:02)
The discussion focused on the benefits of the My Heart program, energy savings, and workforce development opportunities in clean energy.

The discussion highlighted the potential for significant energy savings for households participating in the My Heart program, with some experiencing reductions in their annual energy costs. The program also presents opportunities for workforce development in the clean energy sector, offering job opportunities in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing fields. The program aims to address the needs of vulnerable populations while promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.
Approval of ECC Bylaws (01:00:55)
The ECC committee approved new bylaws after making necessary changes and will submit them to the city commission for approval.

The ECC committee discussed the changes made to their bylaws, including adjustments to the number of members and quorum requirements. The bylaws were approved by the committee and will be sent to the city commission for final approval. The committee expressed satisfaction in accomplishing this task after a long period of discussion.
Public Comments and Final Remarks (01:02:13)
The meeting concluded with public comments, final remarks, and information about an upcoming Environmental Justice Conference.

During the final segment of the meeting, the committee opened the floor for public comments and finalized any remaining agenda items. They also shared information about an upcoming Michigan Environmental Justice Conference. The meeting closed with expressions of gratitude for the work being done by the committee and community members.
Discussion on Environmental Groups (01:04:17)
Discussion highlighted the importance of a particular environmental group considered one of the most important in the state.

During this agenda item, there was a discussion about the significance of a specific environmental group, which was noted as being one of the most important environmental groups in the state. The speakers emphasized the group's role in environmental justice and its broader impact.
Final Call for Public Comments (01:04:36)
The chair made a last call for public comments via phone lines before closing the session.

The chair announced the final opportunity for public comments, specifically inviting any remaining participants on the phone lines to voice their opinions or concerns before the meeting's conclusion. There were no additional comments from the public.
Motion to Adjourn (01:04:58)
A motion to adjourn the meeting was proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously.

With no further comments or business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was proposed. This motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the attendees, signaling the official end of the meeting.