KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Recent explosions at a tent city in Kalamazoo have reignited concerns about the homeless, especially with extreme cold headed our way.
Twice in one week, several propane tanks erupted at the encampment off Mills St. Efforts to address homelessness were discussed at both the City and County Board meetings this week. City Manager Jim Ritsema says agencies have created other shelter opportunities and the city has been providing some basic services at the encampments. They also bought the Knights Inn Motel and reopened it as a shelter, but Ritsema says more is needed.
“We are calling on our partners at the county and across our community to help us devise a suitable plan that allows the most vulnerable in our community to live in an environment that is safe and warm.”
Kalamazoo County Commissioners meet virtually on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. (Photo via PMN Civic through Zoom meeting).
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Tuesday, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners reviewed its priorities for the year 2021.
According to officials, the county boardâs agenda includes increasing housing options, keeping the Justice Facility project on track, and strengthening Kalamazoo County Governments diversity and inclusion policies.
âOur residents come first, which is why we listen to their feedback and engage with the community so we can ensure Kalamazoo County Government is providing quality and consistent programs and services,â Kalamazoo County Board Chair Tracy Hall said in a statement. âVoters made it clear they support the county helping residents obtain permanent, affordable housing, which is why we are committed to creating solutions.â
Kalamazoo County commissioners have a year to plan before a new affordable housing millage goes into effect.
The property tax, passed in November, will raise over $6 million in that first year, two thirds of which will go toward affordable housing development, and the other third toward rental assistance and services like career counseling.
This November the measure prevailed by just 2.5 percentage points, a margin that county commissioner Zac Bauer says “we’re not overlooking.”
Tracy Hall, chair of the board of commissioners, says the commission has “one shot” to “do something bold” with the funds raised by the millage.
“The voters, by a slight majority, trusted us,” she said. As for the 63,610 who didn’t, she hopes they will “take a look back” and say, “OK, I may have voted no on this, but look at all they’ve done in the last couple years.”
Kalamazoo County Commissioners meet virtually on December 15, 2020. (Photo courtesy of PMN Livestream through Zoom meeting).
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) The Kalamazoo County Commission held their last meeting of 2020 Tuesday night and took care of some business to make sure when the New Year rolls around, everything will be ready to go.
Judge Alexander Lipsey presided over the Countyâs first virtual swearing-in ceremony, standing in his home office in his robes. He was swearing in all the newly-elected county officials standing in their own home offices. Among those taking the oath: the Prosecutor, the Sheriff, the new Clerk and Treasurer and County Commissioners.