City of Kalamazoo - November 12, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission

Updated about 5 hours ago

During the Historic Preservation Commission meeting members reviewed the financial report, noting no new expenditures and an increased balance due to anticipated O'Connor fund transfers. The commission amended the agenda to include a discussion on the work plan, focusing on community engagement and preservation awards. Pam provided insights on the O'Connor fund's structure, emphasizing the importance of budgeting and planning. The commission approved a reimbursement for mailing expenses related to the fund's appeal. Additionally, they discussed the Protect grant project, which involves infrastructure updates in Kalamazoo, highlighting the importance of preserving historic integrity. The meeting concluded with a call to finalize work plans by the next session.

Chapters

Welcome and Call to Order (00:00:48)
The meeting is called to order with a welcome to the attendees.

The chairperson welcomes everyone to the meeting and calls it to order. The Historic Preservation Commission meeting begins.
Roll Call and Attendance (00:01:07)
Attendance is taken with members indicating their presence verbally.

Roll call is conducted to confirm attendance of commission members. Kayla, Fred, Morning, Dusty, and Patrick confirm their presence, while Melissa is mentioned to be joining later.
Excusal of Absences (00:01:24)
Motion to excuse an absence is made and seconded.

A motion is made to excuse Melissa's absence for the start of the meeting, which is seconded. Melissa is expected to join later.
Revisions and Adoption of Agenda (00:01:43)
Revisions to the agenda are discussed and adopted with amendments.

Members discuss potential revisions to the agenda, including adding a discussion of the work plan under section F. Pam notes an omission at E4, and it is clarified that Nora's notes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be included.
Public Comments (00:06:02)
Public comments are invited, with Pam providing input on the work plan.

Pam from the audience provides comments regarding the work plan and the inclusion of due dates and budget items. She also offers to share additional materials for consideration.
Financial Report (00:07:10)
The financial status of the commission is reviewed with no changes to expenditures.

The financial report is presented, noting that no money has been spent since the last meeting. The balance reflects a large amount due to funds accounted for from the O'Connor fund.
O'Connor Fund and Reimbursement Discussion (00:09:02)
Discussion on O'Connor Fund balances and reimbursement for campaign expenses.

The O'Connor Fund's financial status is updated, showing an increase in funds. A proposal is made to vote on reimbursing Pam for expenses related to the O'Connor Fund's mailing campaign.
City Hall Designation Report (00:14:22)
The status of the City Hall designation report is discussed with no new updates.

Members review the City Hall designation report, noting that it is currently a waiting game with no new developments.
Pass Forward Conference Report (00:15:00)
Nora reports on highlights from the Pass Forward Conference.

Nora shares her experience from attending the Pass Forward Conference, providing highlights and links for further reading. She invites questions and further discussion.
Community Engagement Subcommittee Report (00:17:04)
Report on outreach efforts and mailing plans to community groups.

The Community Engagement Subcommittee reports on their efforts to engage with community groups through letters and correspondence. Plans to mail after the first of the year are discussed to maximize impact.
Preservation Month Subcommittee Report (00:19:06)
Initial plans for Preservation Month activities and awards are discussed.

The Preservation Month Subcommittee outlines plans for celebrating Preservation Month, including awards and events. Cost considerations and logistics are discussed.
Action Items and Reimbursement Voting (00:22:26)
A vote is conducted to approve reimbursement for mailing expenses.

The commission votes on reimbursing Pam for the expenses incurred during the O'Connor Fund's mailing campaign, with a roll call vote confirming approval.
Work Plan Discussion (00:27:07)
Discussion on finalizing the work plan with subcommittee participation.

Members discuss the need to finalize the work plan, confirming participation in subcommittees and setting goals for the upcoming year. A vote on the finalized plan is anticipated for the next meeting.
Coordinator's Report and Announcements (00:37:08)
Coordinator provides updates and invites attendance at other meetings.

The coordinator reports on cross-committee collaboration opportunities and invites commission members to attend Historic District Commission meetings for broader engagement.
Discussion on the Protect Grant (00:40:28)
Discussion on the Protect grant, its complexity due to administrative changes, and infrastructure updates in Kalamazoo.

The discussion began with an overview of the Protect grant, which is intended for infrastructure updates in Kalamazoo. The grant process became complicated due to administrative changes, and the project area spans from Kalamazoo Avenue to Western Michigan University. A map on the city's website provides more details.
Historic Preservation and Infrastructure Projects (00:41:12)
Exploration of historic preservation work related to infrastructure projects and their impact on historic properties.

The speaker discussed the division of work into archaeological and above-ground investigations, the use of inventory forms by SHPO, and the evaluation of historic significance using architectural merit. The impact of infrastructure projects on historic properties, particularly road projects confined to the right of way, was examined.
MAP Conference and Neighborhood Impact (00:45:15)
Discussion of a MAP conference session about infrastructure updates and their impact on neighborhoods.

The speaker shared experiences from the Michigan Association of Planning conference, highlighting the impact of infrastructure projects on neighborhoods like the Stewart neighborhood in Kalamazoo. The bifurcation of neighborhoods by highways and the resulting changes in neighborhood dynamics were discussed.
Federal Funding and Project Impact (00:49:00)
Consideration of how federal funds impact infrastructure projects and the role of consultants.

The discussion focused on the challenges of managing federal funds, spending deadlines, and the importance of hiring consultants for project execution. The speaker emphasized the complexity of navigating deadlines and ensuring projects are completed correctly to avoid losing funding.
Consulting Parties and Historic Projects (00:52:02)
Discussion on the role of consulting parties in historic preservation projects, including examples from Kalamazoo.

The speaker discussed the involvement of consulting parties in historic preservation projects, citing examples like the airport runway extension in Kalamazoo. The process of mitigating adverse effects on neighborhoods and the interdisciplinary approach required for such projects were highlighted.
Historic District Commission (HDC) and Right of Way (00:56:59)
Clarification of the role of the HDC and its distinction from right of way changes in infrastructure projects.

The speaker clarified the distinct roles of the Historic District Commission and changes that occur in the right of way. They discussed the aspects of integrity affected by right of way projects and the importance of recognizing the differences in roles between the HDC and other consulting parties in historic preservation.
Public Comments and Questions (01:00:34)
Open floor for public comments and questions regarding the meeting topics.

The meeting concluded with an open floor for questions and comments from the public. Participants were invited to express any remaining concerns or topics they wished to discuss further before adjournment.
Adjournment (01:00:59)
The meeting was adjourned with thanks to participants.

The meeting concluded with a thank you to all participants for their attendance and contributions. The meeting was officially adjourned, and attendees were wished a good night.