City of Kalamazoo - January 14, 2026 Historic Preservation Commission

Updated 1 day ago

The Commission discusses the Sexton Lodge and its coverage in the cemetery portion, the O'Connor Fund report highlighting a substantial donation, and plans for Preservation Month. The commission also reviews updates on historic tours and considers using the O'Connor Fund for a condition assessment of the state hospital water tower, amid unclear ownership issues. Additionally, the commission discusses mailing strategies for community engagement and handling budgetary concerns related to cemetery preservation.

Chapters

Welcome (00:02:02)
The meeting began with a welcome to all attendees.

The meeting opened with a welcome message to everyone present, setting the tone for the proceedings.
Call to Order (00:02:10)
The Historic Preservation Commission meeting was officially called to order.

The chair called the Historic Preservation Commission meeting to order, officially beginning the session.
Roll Call (00:02:19)
Roll call was conducted to confirm the presence of all members.

A roll call was conducted, confirming the presence of Kayla, Shred, Nora, Dusty, Melissa, and Patrick, indicating a full attendance.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:43)
Discussion and approval of the meeting's agenda took place.

The agenda for the meeting was discussed. There were suggestions for changes, such as Pam's extra minute for the O'Connor Fund report, but ultimately, the agenda was approved with no major changes.
Approval of Minutes (00:04:11)
The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved with amendments.

The minutes from the December meeting were reviewed. Some typographical errors were noted and corrected, and the minutes were approved as amended.
Public Comments (00:06:52)
There were no public comments submitted or presented at the meeting.

The section for public comments was opened, but there were no comments submitted previously, and no attendees had comments to make during the session.
Reports (00:08:04)
Various reports were presented, including financial, preservation month, tours, and the O'Connor Fund.

The meeting included several reports: a financial report with updates on the budget and expenses, a preservation month report outlining plans for awards and community engagement, a report on historic tours as potential revenue sources, and the O'Connor Fund report with updates on grants and donations.
Old Business (00:26:01)
Discussion on continued items from previous meetings.

Old business was addressed, with a focus on reviewing items that are being carried over from previous meetings for further discussion or action.
New Business (00:26:14)
New business items were introduced and discussed, including community engagement.

New business was introduced, focusing on new initiatives and projects, including community engagement efforts and the potential for new partnerships or programs.
Adjournment (00:31:36)
The meeting was adjourned after concluding all agenda items.

After addressing all items on the agenda, the meeting was officially adjourned.
Envelope Preparation Discussion (00:34:37)
The committee discusses options for preparing and mailing letters, including using window envelopes and ensuring legibility.

The committee discussed the logistics of mailing letters, debating between window and plain envelopes. They reminisced about past practices of hand addressing envelopes and explored options for automating the process. The importance of legibility and the use of letterheads was emphasized. They agreed to coordinate with each other to finalize the preparation process.
Programmatic Agreement Overview (00:37:47)
An overview of the programmatic agreement with the state and its benefits for reviewing projects using HUD and Home funds in Kalamazoo.

An overview of the programmatic agreement with the state was provided, highlighting its role in reviewing projects funded by HUD and Home in Kalamazoo. The agreement allows for local review, which expedites the process. The discussion covered the types of projects eligible under the agreement, such as critical home repairs and lead paint remediation, and the community groups involved. The agreement's renewal and its contributions to the community were emphasized.
Water Tower Report (00:46:01)
Discussion on the water tower's condition, ownership issues, and the need for a condition assessment to prevent further damage.

The committee discussed the condition of the water tower, noting the falling terracotta tiles and the complications surrounding its ownership. Luis expressed concerns about safety and the need for permissions before any inspection. Sharon detailed the efforts to secure a condition assessment and highlighted the historical significance of the tower. There was consensus on the urgency to address the potential structural issues and the possibility of using the O'Connor Fund to finance the assessment.