City of Kalamazoo - December 1, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

Director of Public Services James Baker presents proposed utility rate increases for water and wastewater services and aa review of related service updates and maintenance. Director Baker provides an overview of the city's water and wastewater systems, focusing on infrastructure projects such as lead service line replacements and water quality improvements. Public concerns about water service and financial assistance programs are addressed by Laura Jones from Community Action South Central Michigan. Further information is provided by Engineer Tom Wheat representing the city's Utility Policy Committee. The UPC is specifically tasked with the city's efforts to maintain a sustainable and affordable utility service for all residents.

Chapters

Welcome and Ethics Code Signing (00:01:49)
The meeting began with a welcome and confirmation of ethics code signing for new members.

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome to all attendees and a confirmation that all new members had signed the necessary ethics codes before the official proceedings began.
Call to Order and Roll Call (00:02:20)
The meeting was officially called to order, and roll call was conducted to confirm attendance.

The meeting was officially called to order by the Mayor. Clerk Boiling conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of all commissioners, including Commissioner Huss, Hoffman, Cradle, Slaty, Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson.
Public Comments (00:03:02)
Public comments were invited with a two-minute limit. One speaker raised concerns about snow clearance responsibilities.

The public comment period was opened with a two-minute limit for each speaker. Edward Nickerson expressed concerns about inadequate snow clearance by his apartment building and the city's response. He detailed his difficulties navigating snowy sidewalks and suggested improvements.
Work Session: Utility Rates Presentation (00:05:56)
Director Baker presented on proposed utility rates, including water and wastewater system details, rate impacts, and funding sources.

City Manager Moore introduced Director Baker, who presented an overview of proposed utility rates. The presentation covered the water and wastewater systems, funding mechanisms, projects, rate impacts, and a special guest presentation on water affordability. The presentation emphasized the importance of utility rate adjustments to fund necessary improvements.
Discussion and Questions on Utility Rates (00:29:03)
Commissioners discussed the utility rates presentation, addressing residential concerns and affordability programs.

Commissioners engaged in a discussion about the proposed utility rates. They expressed support for the gradual rate increase approach and highlighted the importance of water quality improvements. Questions were raised about the impact on residents, assistance programs, and the proposed leak adjustment policy.
Discussion on Energy Recovery System (00:36:49)
Discussion on evaluating technologies for energy recovery systems, challenges with costs, and the decision to pursue a dryer system for cost savings.

The speaker discussed the evaluation process of different technologies for energy recovery systems, including considerations of environmental footprint and sustainability. An energy recovery system (ERS) was chosen, which is a dryer connected to a thermal oxidizing unit. Challenges included regulatory issues labeling the system as an incinerator and increased costs due to limited manufacturers. A decision was made to focus on a dryer system only, which allows for more competitive bids and cost savings.
Lead Testing and Communication (00:40:14)
Explanation of lead testing protocols and how the public is informed about lead levels and testing availability.

The director explained that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, and the goal is to minimize lead presence. Residents with lead service lines receive notices every six months, and a website is available for residents to check their service line materials. Efforts include providing filters and testing to any resident, not just those with lead service lines, to ensure safety.
Smart Meter Implementation and Billing (00:44:06)
Discussion on the implementation of smart meters, challenges with current meter systems, and future plans for monthly billing.

The director described efforts to replace old meters with smart meters to enable monthly billing. Currently, the city cannot provide monthly bills due to the need for manual meter reading. The goal is to increase smart meter implementation to achieve real-time data collection, which will allow for monthly billing.
Water Main Breaks and Staff Appreciation (00:48:19)
Acknowledgment of staff efforts in repairing water main breaks and appreciation for their hard work in difficult conditions.

A commissioner expressed gratitude towards the staff who repair water main breaks, often working in harsh weather conditions. This appreciation is to be communicated back to the staff as recognition of their dedication to maintaining the city's water infrastructure.
Lead Service Line Replacement Progress (00:49:04)
Update on the progress of lead service line replacements and comparison with other communities.

The director provided an update on the lead service line replacement program, highlighting the significant progress Kalamazoo is making compared to other communities. The city has replaced a large number of lead lines and is on track to complete the project in a few years, emphasizing the importance of consistent efforts and funding.
Water Treatment Plant Consolidation (00:52:02)
Explanation of the rationale behind consolidating water treatment plants to improve efficiency and meet regulatory standards.

The director explained the strategic decision to consolidate water treatment plants to enhance treatment capabilities and meet modern regulatory standards. While there are risks associated with consolidation, such as potential contamination, the benefits include more efficient treatment processes and reduced costs compared to maintaining multiple decentralized stations.
Budget and Staffing for Public Services (01:02:54)
Overview of proposed budget increases for public services and the addition of staff to support water and wastewater operations.

The director discussed the proposed budget for public services, including the addition of positions to support water and wastewater operations. These include roles in wastewater collections and drinking water distribution, as well as positions dedicated to maintaining storm sewer systems.
Challenges with Quarterly Billing and Future Plans (01:04:56)
Discussion on the challenges of quarterly billing and the future implementation of monthly billing with smart meters.

The director addressed concerns about the current quarterly billing system, explaining that moving to monthly billing is not feasible with the existing manual meter reading process. The transition to monthly billing will be possible once enough smart meters are installed to allow for automated data collection.
Enterprise Fund and Rate Management (01:06:33)
Explanation of the enterprise fund structure for water and wastewater services and the importance of rate management to fund projects.

The director explained that water and wastewater services are funded through enterprise funds, meaning they are supported by rates charged for services. These rates must cover the costs of operations and any bonded projects, as the city cannot use general funds for these services. Proper rate management ensures the sustainability of the utility services.
Discussion on Pipe Infrastructure and Budget (01:09:01)
The discussion focused on the aging pipe infrastructure, specifically pipes from the World War II era, and the challenges faced by the city in managing these due to material quality and budget constraints.

The discussion highlighted that the city's pipes, especially those from the World War II era, are at the end of their life cycle. The materials used at that time were of poor quality, leading to frequent breaks. The conversation covered the city's challenges in prioritizing projects, the impact of increasing construction and labor costs, and the necessity of rate hikes to fund necessary replacements and maintain reliable utility services.
Affordability Presentation by Laura Jones (01:13:39)
Laura Jones presented programs for water bill assistance and plumbing improvements, aimed at helping low-income residents manage their water bills and address plumbing issues to ensure affordability.

Laura Jones, Assistant Director of Emergency and Supportive Services, presented programs available to residents for water bill assistance and plumbing improvements. These programs are designed to help low-income households manage their water bills, prevent shut-offs, and address plumbing issues. The eligibility criteria, required documentation, and application process were discussed, along with the impact and success stories of these programs in Kalamazoo and surrounding counties.
Commissioner Questions and Comments (01:22:11)
Commissioners asked questions about the water assistance programs and thanked Laura Jones for her presentation. They also discussed the availability of information on the city's website.

Commissioners engaged in a Q&A session with Laura Jones following her presentation on water assistance programs. They inquired about the program's details, availability, and application process. Laura confirmed that information is available on the city's website and in water bill notices. Commissioners expressed gratitude for the support these programs provide to residents.
Adjournment of Committee of the Whole Meeting (01:26:07)
The committee of the whole meeting was adjourned with no further comments from commissioners, and a reminder was given about the upcoming business meeting.

The committee of the whole was adjourned after confirming there were no further comments from the commissioners. A reminder was given about the upcoming business meeting scheduled for 7 PM.