1 00:02:00,734 --> 00:02:01,033 - Yes. 2 00:02:01,100 --> 00:02:04,066 Oh, there. All right. 3 00:02:04,033 --> 00:02:06,734 Welcome to the Environmental Concerns Committee 4 00:02:06,834 --> 00:02:08,133 meeting for August. 5 00:02:08,500 --> 00:02:09,533 It's been a couple months. 6 00:02:10,634 --> 00:02:12,533 Let's check to make sure we're live streaming. 7 00:02:13,767 --> 00:02:15,033 We're good on that. Okay. 8 00:02:15,066 --> 00:02:19,834 We're going to start with our roll call over here. 9 00:02:20,467 --> 00:02:24,100 Rachel Yandel. Member David AK. Chair. 10 00:02:26,166 --> 00:02:27,233 - John Cruiser. Member 11 00:02:28,266 --> 00:02:29,266 - Katie Bloom, member. 12 00:02:30,266 --> 00:02:34,133 Excellent. And as you can see, if you're watching, 13 00:02:34,166 --> 00:02:35,867 there are some empty seats up here. 14 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,567 So if you are a resident of the city of Kalamazoo 15 00:02:38,734 --> 00:02:41,734 and you have concerns about the environment, 16 00:02:41,734 --> 00:02:43,100 you are eligible to be on this committee. 17 00:02:43,367 --> 00:02:45,100 So go to the city's website 18 00:02:45,433 --> 00:02:47,867 and submit your application, please. 19 00:02:49,033 --> 00:02:52,233 All right. We are ready to go ahead and get started. 20 00:02:52,433 --> 00:02:55,634 We have an agenda. Everybody should have received that. 21 00:02:56,066 --> 00:02:59,033 Do we have any requests for changes to the agenda? 22 00:03:03,667 --> 00:03:05,367 No. If there's no request for changes, 23 00:03:05,567 --> 00:03:06,734 can we get a motion to approve? 24 00:03:07,567 --> 00:03:12,000 I will. Motion to approve the agenda. Second. All right. 25 00:03:12,266 --> 00:03:14,133 We are good to go with the agenda. 26 00:03:15,700 --> 00:03:20,100 We did meet last month and there are minutes. 27 00:03:21,266 --> 00:03:26,000 Do we have somebody who would like to either ask for changes 28 00:03:26,567 --> 00:03:29,467 or to motion for approval? 29 00:03:31,066 --> 00:03:32,100 Motion to approve. 30 00:03:35,533 --> 00:03:39,133 Motion to approve. Thank you. I'll second that motion. 31 00:03:41,133 --> 00:03:45,367 All right. Any objections? All in favor? 32 00:03:46,567 --> 00:03:49,266 Aye. Okay, good. Aye. All right. 33 00:03:51,266 --> 00:03:53,266 Communications. We're moving along. 34 00:03:54,934 --> 00:03:56,133 Justin, would you like 35 00:03:56,133 --> 00:04:00,066 to catch people up on C sustainability? 36 00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:04,166 - Sure. Yeah. So this is kind of, Ooh, it's loud. 37 00:04:04,934 --> 00:04:06,266 You know, pulling from the last couple months. 38 00:04:06,734 --> 00:04:07,700 So one was the textile 39 00:04:07,700 --> 00:04:08,700 pilot, you know, that was very popular. 40 00:04:08,900 --> 00:04:10,233 A lot of folks have asked me if we're gonna continue, 41 00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:11,834 we won't be able to continue that, 42 00:04:11,934 --> 00:04:13,900 but I'll give you the results and kinda the rationale 43 00:04:13,934 --> 00:04:15,000 why we can't continue. 44 00:04:15,934 --> 00:04:20,066 So we collected 1,565 pounds 45 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,100 of textiles that was collected by students at Western 46 00:04:26,033 --> 00:04:27,133 The Moda is the name of the group. 47 00:04:27,133 --> 00:04:29,667 Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association. 48 00:04:30,166 --> 00:04:33,133 That was all led by my previous intern Dagney. 49 00:04:33,567 --> 00:04:36,233 So, yeah, so they collected, you know, almost 2000 pounds, 50 00:04:36,233 --> 00:04:38,467 almost a ton of textiles in a day there. 51 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,233 317 pounds weren't really usable for them, so they sent them 52 00:04:43,867 --> 00:04:45,734 to a company called Trashy that recycles them. 53 00:04:46,033 --> 00:04:48,700 But, so those students are currently sitting on about 1200 54 00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:50,133 pounds of textiles. 55 00:04:50,667 --> 00:04:53,700 It's not sustainable for them to continually pull in, 56 00:04:54,266 --> 00:04:57,567 you know, 1200 pounds every quarter to work on. 57 00:04:57,567 --> 00:04:59,367 But that those textiles, they're gonna be used in student 58 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:00,567 fashion design projects. 59 00:05:01,533 --> 00:05:02,700 Gonna be working with students 60 00:05:02,767 --> 00:05:04,333 who are studying fashion design at Western. 61 00:05:06,133 --> 00:05:07,900 Next thing on the agenda here I have is 62 00:05:07,900 --> 00:05:09,066 the Rain Barrel sale. 63 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:12,900 So about 87 Rain Barrels were sold through the partnership 64 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:14,100 with the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council 65 00:05:14,500 --> 00:05:15,867 and like five Composters, 66 00:05:16,100 --> 00:05:17,867 those were dropped off or picked up. 67 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,834 Some folks got them painted. We might start 68 00:05:20,834 --> 00:05:23,000 to look at doing more of those every year. 69 00:05:23,066 --> 00:05:24,900 So maybe two a year. But 70 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:26,033 that was another successful event there. 71 00:05:27,066 --> 00:05:31,567 And basic species pulls at Glen North, Glen Park North. 72 00:05:32,033 --> 00:05:34,867 Great turnout there, you know, about seven folks showed up. 73 00:05:34,867 --> 00:05:38,467 We pulled about, you know, 10 or 12 bags of garlic mustard. 74 00:05:40,333 --> 00:05:42,367 We have a Master recycler program coming up. 75 00:05:43,133 --> 00:05:46,867 I'll see if folks can get that There. 76 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:50,000 Folks can sign up there. So it, this is a partnership 77 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,634 with the Michigan Recycling Coalition. 78 00:05:51,634 --> 00:05:53,100 They're working with communities 79 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:56,900 and organizations to train folks on kind of how to recycle, 80 00:05:57,033 --> 00:06:01,634 you know, recycling's, replete with confusion. 81 00:06:01,700 --> 00:06:03,100 It, it's a mess, right? 82 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:04,834 You, so this course is kind 83 00:06:04,834 --> 00:06:06,100 of designed to cut through the noise. 84 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:08,533 So it's modeled on the Master Gardener program. 85 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:10,367 So it is a time commitment. 86 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:14,000 It's six weeks long, two hours, but food will be 87 00:06:14,066 --> 00:06:17,233 provided, it'll be Tuesday evenings at the new CPE offices 88 00:06:17,934 --> 00:06:19,300 and then graduate from the course. 89 00:06:19,300 --> 00:06:21,000 You're considered a master recycler 90 00:06:21,100 --> 00:06:24,834 and be a, hopefully be a resource in the community 91 00:06:24,834 --> 00:06:26,233 to answer some questions and things like that. 92 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:30,100 Talk with your neighbors. Those classes will start 8 25 93 00:06:30,100 --> 00:06:31,567 folks can scan that QR code 94 00:06:31,567 --> 00:06:35,133 to sign up Michigan Green Communities. 95 00:06:35,367 --> 00:06:37,834 So it's kind of this internal state 96 00:06:39,066 --> 00:06:41,700 municipality certification program. 97 00:06:42,233 --> 00:06:43,333 Kalamazoo certified Gold. 98 00:06:43,333 --> 00:06:45,834 Again, it doesn't mean there are no environmental problems 99 00:06:45,834 --> 00:06:47,000 in Kalamazoo, it just means 100 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,100 that we're hitting benchmarks laid out by 101 00:06:50,133 --> 00:06:52,634 the Migrant Green Communities Coalition. 102 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:55,867 Just submitted an Eagle infrastructure 103 00:06:57,133 --> 00:06:59,233 organic infrastructure grant, looking 104 00:06:59,333 --> 00:07:03,467 to expand the composting program with that money, working 105 00:07:03,467 --> 00:07:06,233 with the Audubon Society on Lights Out education 106 00:07:06,567 --> 00:07:09,467 and kind of awareness programs here in the falls. 107 00:07:09,467 --> 00:07:13,033 Birds start to migrate. And that's it. 108 00:07:14,133 --> 00:07:15,934 Happy to answer any questions on that 109 00:07:16,133 --> 00:07:18,033 or any other city sustainability 110 00:07:18,033 --> 00:07:21,634 topics. Go ahead. 111 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:25,700 - Can I ask you, can I ask you about number six, the 112 00:07:26,133 --> 00:07:27,700 or Eagle Organics? 113 00:07:28,266 --> 00:07:30,533 How will you expand on that? 114 00:07:30,867 --> 00:07:33,066 I mean, I, I know they were in different neighborhoods, 115 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,033 but are you expanding like to universities? 116 00:07:36,634 --> 00:07:37,634 Businesses? 117 00:07:39,467 --> 00:07:40,533 - No, not universities, 118 00:07:42,266 --> 00:07:44,233 but it'll be more neighborhoods, more bins 119 00:07:44,867 --> 00:07:45,867 in included in that. 120 00:07:45,900 --> 00:07:48,333 We asked for a hybrid pickup 121 00:07:48,433 --> 00:07:51,100 where we could do backdoor service if folks have mobility 122 00:07:52,233 --> 00:07:55,233 or transportation issues, you know, they could work with us. 123 00:07:55,233 --> 00:07:57,567 We could pick up their material and bring it to sites. 124 00:07:59,100 --> 00:08:01,266 Yes, looking at Metro store enclosures too. 125 00:08:01,333 --> 00:08:06,000 So metro stores, enclosures, are these kind 126 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,000 of all self-contained compost 127 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,066 and recycling pickup boxes? 128 00:08:12,066 --> 00:08:13,700 Right, so right now the codes 129 00:08:13,700 --> 00:08:17,533 and ordinances require dumpsters to be contained, right? 130 00:08:17,533 --> 00:08:18,767 So you have to have a fence around them. 131 00:08:18,834 --> 00:08:20,066 But folks can still get in the top. 132 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:21,567 These Metro Store enclosure. 133 00:08:21,700 --> 00:08:24,567 Enclosures are a giant cube that sits on top of dumpsters 134 00:08:24,900 --> 00:08:28,100 and then residents for the multifamily unit where we plan 135 00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:31,066 to post these can use a key code or a QR code to get in. 136 00:08:31,266 --> 00:08:34,367 So it should cut down in contamination and and other issues. 137 00:08:36,433 --> 00:08:39,533 - Thank you, - Justin. 138 00:08:40,133 --> 00:08:43,634 One quick question on the Lights Out campaign. 139 00:08:43,667 --> 00:08:47,834 Do you have more information about the dates, when 140 00:08:47,834 --> 00:08:49,133 that is gonna be active 141 00:08:49,667 --> 00:08:53,033 and maybe times when you'd like people to leave lights off? 142 00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:59,100 - Yeah, Rachel had shared some, I'll leave it for Rachel, 143 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:00,333 but yes, we have more information on that. 144 00:09:00,467 --> 00:09:03,300 We have a whole, yeah, a nice flyer 145 00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:05,000 that Audubon Society put together. 146 00:09:05,533 --> 00:09:07,266 We're looking at starting around September 1st. 147 00:09:08,233 --> 00:09:09,834 You know, I dunno if there'll be some events we're 148 00:09:09,834 --> 00:09:10,867 working on putting some events together. 149 00:09:11,634 --> 00:09:14,834 But yeah, Rachel has that PDF and we'll share more on that. 150 00:09:15,700 --> 00:09:19,834 - Excellent. Thank you. Any other questions for Justin 151 00:09:20,133 --> 00:09:23,567 before we go to public comments? 152 00:09:29,300 --> 00:09:33,467 - Alright, - Let's go to our first public 153 00:09:34,066 --> 00:09:35,934 comments of the evening. 154 00:09:37,333 --> 00:09:41,100 If you are looking to call in, we do have a number. 155 00:09:41,367 --> 00:09:44,066 I wanna read that and then we'll take comments from the 156 00:09:44,333 --> 00:09:46,066 audience and then see if there's calls. 157 00:09:46,567 --> 00:09:47,834 The phone number to call in 158 00:09:47,900 --> 00:09:49,233 to make a comment is 159 00:09:49,467 --> 00:09:53,734 8 8 8 3 8 2 9 5 5 6. 160 00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:55,233 Again, that's 161 00:09:55,500 --> 00:10:00,066 8 8 8 3 8 2 9 5 5 6. 162 00:10:01,233 --> 00:10:04,033 Justin, do you want to monitor 163 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:07,000 that while we have people come up and talk? 164 00:10:07,867 --> 00:10:10,500 Okay. Do we have anybody in the audience who would like to 165 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:13,033 give a three minutes comment? 166 00:10:16,867 --> 00:10:19,000 - Hello everybody? Yeah, you hear 167 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000 - Me? 168 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:20,500 Not yet. He's got a 169 00:10:28,634 --> 00:10:29,634 - Testing. 170 00:10:29,634 --> 00:10:33,300 Yeah, there we go. Hi folks. I'm Iris Potter. 171 00:10:36,033 --> 00:10:39,867 I just wanted to ask Justin about number five on there, city 172 00:10:39,867 --> 00:10:41,367 of Kalamazoo awarded gold status 173 00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:43,133 by the Michigan Green Communities challenge. 174 00:10:44,667 --> 00:10:46,667 Wonder if you could talk a little bit about that. 175 00:10:46,934 --> 00:10:48,000 That would be really helpful. 176 00:10:48,567 --> 00:10:51,000 Other than that, thank you so much for all the work. 177 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,000 Appreciate it. 178 00:10:55,634 --> 00:10:58,033 - We will come back to answering that 179 00:10:58,033 --> 00:10:59,500 after we go through other comments. 180 00:11:00,133 --> 00:11:02,033 Do we have another comment from the audience? 181 00:11:08,133 --> 00:11:11,000 - Hi. Oh, start. Okay. 182 00:11:11,634 --> 00:11:15,266 Hi, my name is Tom, I'm speaking. 183 00:11:15,266 --> 00:11:18,000 Hi, on behalf of Asylum Lake Preservation Association, 184 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,100 where I serve as a board member, we're asking the city 185 00:11:21,133 --> 00:11:24,767 to create two new Zoning districts, a green space district 186 00:11:24,834 --> 00:11:26,133 and a conservation district, 187 00:11:26,634 --> 00:11:28,100 which is on your agenda tonight. 188 00:11:29,066 --> 00:11:31,734 As you know, Kalamazoo has no base Zoning category 189 00:11:31,734 --> 00:11:34,934 that reflects green or ecologically sensitive lands. 190 00:11:35,233 --> 00:11:37,467 The NFP helps, but as an overlay, 191 00:11:37,467 --> 00:11:39,133 it layers conditions on base zone 192 00:11:39,133 --> 00:11:40,533 that still permits development. 193 00:11:41,066 --> 00:11:43,500 Largely as the zone allows, 194 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:46,834 a dedicated conservation district works differently. 195 00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:49,700 Some conservation Zoning still permits development, 196 00:11:49,700 --> 00:11:51,834 but at a radically lower density 197 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,634 and with far stronger protections today, 198 00:11:54,667 --> 00:11:56,734 land like the asylum lake preserved corridor 199 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,333 or Oakland Memorial Beach Park, sit in residential zones 200 00:12:00,333 --> 00:12:02,333 that don't match how the land actually functions. 201 00:12:03,033 --> 00:12:05,834 Dedicated districts also shift the burden of proof, meaning 202 00:12:05,834 --> 00:12:08,500 that a developer must justify departing from it 203 00:12:09,133 --> 00:12:10,567 rather than forcing residents 204 00:12:10,567 --> 00:12:12,467 to defend each parcel case by case. 205 00:12:13,367 --> 00:12:16,700 This is well-established practice, not a novel experiment. 206 00:12:16,934 --> 00:12:20,700 In a letter we've shared with you, we've listed just a few 207 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:22,066 of these cities, counties, 208 00:12:22,133 --> 00:12:24,367 and townships that already do this. 209 00:12:24,367 --> 00:12:26,066 Places with dedicated conservation 210 00:12:26,133 --> 00:12:29,934 and natural resource districts and separate green space 211 00:12:29,934 --> 00:12:31,233 and recreation districts. 212 00:12:31,500 --> 00:12:33,834 Kalamazoo has neither today, 213 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,066 and we could lead 214 00:12:35,066 --> 00:12:38,133 among Michigan cities in adopting them closer to home. 215 00:12:38,233 --> 00:12:40,700 Ann Arbor offers a different inspiring example. 216 00:12:41,133 --> 00:12:44,000 Their green belt program established in 2003 217 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,934 and funded by a 30 year millage has preserved thousands 218 00:12:46,934 --> 00:12:49,700 of acres of open of farmland 219 00:12:49,734 --> 00:12:51,100 and open space around the city, 220 00:12:51,634 --> 00:12:56,000 supporting local agriculture, recreation, natural resources, 221 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,133 and habitat protection. 222 00:12:57,734 --> 00:13:00,066 In 2004, the city added a blue belt 223 00:13:00,500 --> 00:13:02,333 boundary aimed specifically at protecting its 224 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:03,567 drinking water resources. 225 00:13:03,934 --> 00:13:06,033 Though not a Zoning tool, it is worth studying 226 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:08,266 as a land acquisition program. 227 00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:10,734 Program like this could pair well 228 00:13:10,734 --> 00:13:12,033 with green Zoning districts 229 00:13:15,867 --> 00:13:18,233 in time for Imagine Kalamazoo 2035. 230 00:13:18,433 --> 00:13:20,567 Our request to this committee is pretty concrete. 231 00:13:21,133 --> 00:13:23,567 First, encourage the city to draft both districts 232 00:13:23,567 --> 00:13:24,734 for the Zoning Ordinance. 233 00:13:25,367 --> 00:13:28,634 Second, have those designations reflected on the future land 234 00:13:28,667 --> 00:13:31,467 use map and third study, 235 00:13:31,467 --> 00:13:33,767 which parcels across the city would benefit 236 00:13:34,166 --> 00:13:37,467 and bring a draft framework back to the community. 237 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:40,834 The full list of our requests is in the letter we've shared, 238 00:13:41,033 --> 00:13:43,834 which also outlines how these districts could apply 239 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,266 to public land and 240 00:13:45,266 --> 00:13:47,934 how private owners could subsequently opt in. 241 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,500 In closing, thank you for placing this issue on your agenda 242 00:13:51,567 --> 00:13:53,634 and making it a priority for the city. 243 00:13:54,467 --> 00:13:56,066 We look forward to continuing 244 00:13:56,066 --> 00:13:58,133 how your committee can continue to lead on this issue. 245 00:13:58,266 --> 00:13:59,266 Thanks. 246 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,834 - Thank you. Do we have any 247 00:14:04,834 --> 00:14:06,300 other audience comments? 248 00:14:09,934 --> 00:14:11,033 Justin, do we have any 249 00:14:11,367 --> 00:14:15,100 callers then? 250 00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:17,133 Do you want to take just a a moment to 251 00:14:18,533 --> 00:14:20,567 address Iris's question before we move on? 252 00:14:21,934 --> 00:14:23,467 Oh, while you're, while you're doing that, just, 253 00:14:23,500 --> 00:14:27,266 so we've also had three emails since the last meeting. 254 00:14:28,834 --> 00:14:32,634 One person opposed to data centers, one person in favor 255 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:37,100 of a deer call, and then a letter in support of 256 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:40,033 Elpas proposal for the green Zoning. 257 00:14:40,266 --> 00:14:44,634 So we've got those three letters as well. Justin? 258 00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:15,367 - Yeah, so here it is. 259 00:15:15,367 --> 00:15:19,467 The, my green communities, it's municipalities, you know, 260 00:15:19,467 --> 00:15:22,433 Oakland County, Holland, Ann Arbor. 261 00:15:22,700 --> 00:15:23,900 We're all kind of together. 262 00:15:23,934 --> 00:15:27,867 This is kind of the, the trade group, I guess for 263 00:15:28,367 --> 00:15:29,934 Michigan sustainability professionals 264 00:15:30,033 --> 00:15:31,033 and municipal government. 265 00:15:31,734 --> 00:15:34,100 So here we are. It's not really loading well, 266 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:36,166 but yeah, every year, you know, we report to them 267 00:15:36,166 --> 00:15:39,233 what we're working on and you get points for certain things. 268 00:15:39,867 --> 00:15:41,266 It's not different than like stars 269 00:15:41,634 --> 00:15:44,500 or ASI at the university level or anything like that. 270 00:15:44,734 --> 00:15:47,767 So, you know, every year I tell them that we completed our 271 00:15:49,033 --> 00:15:50,033 greenhouse gas plan. 272 00:15:50,066 --> 00:15:51,467 We have, you know, X, Y, and Z. 273 00:15:51,467 --> 00:15:53,233 We're doing staff, internal staff trainings. 274 00:15:54,266 --> 00:15:57,033 We have no idling policies. It's things like that. 275 00:15:57,066 --> 00:16:00,100 So every year I check those boxes and then we get certified. 276 00:16:01,467 --> 00:16:05,166 I think it starts at bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. 277 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:07,300 There's two platinum communities. 278 00:16:07,467 --> 00:16:11,767 It's Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Yeah, this is it. 279 00:16:11,767 --> 00:16:14,000 This is the trade group. You know, this is where I kind of 280 00:16:14,834 --> 00:16:17,066 connect with folks who are doing this type of workforce, 281 00:16:17,066 --> 00:16:19,634 cities and local governments in Michigan. 282 00:16:20,867 --> 00:16:23,133 This is where we get our CLC fellow, I dunno if you 283 00:16:23,567 --> 00:16:24,634 I'll remember Atel. 284 00:16:25,166 --> 00:16:27,767 And then we just worked with another student, Tori. 285 00:16:27,900 --> 00:16:30,467 So they work on small projects through graduate students, 286 00:16:30,467 --> 00:16:32,033 generally from the University of Michigan 287 00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:34,166 that also worked on integrated pest management. 288 00:16:34,367 --> 00:16:37,500 And Tori put together a master environmentalist program. 289 00:16:38,166 --> 00:16:40,066 So that's my green communities. 290 00:16:41,333 --> 00:16:44,166 It's all in line if folks wanna explore it for further. 291 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,033 - Yeah, I just, - I just pulled it up 292 00:16:49,033 --> 00:16:51,667 and you can go to Michigan Green Communities if you just put 293 00:16:51,667 --> 00:16:54,467 that in your search bar, you'll get all the information. 294 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,266 Thank you. Okay, let's move 295 00:17:00,066 --> 00:17:02,000 on to our reports. 296 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,667 I think we'll approach it a little bit differently this 297 00:17:05,667 --> 00:17:09,000 month because we're short staffed 298 00:17:09,667 --> 00:17:11,367 and we've been talking about how 299 00:17:11,367 --> 00:17:13,133 to do this a little bit more effectively. 300 00:17:16,900 --> 00:17:20,467 Rachel, you've got some reports for yous. 301 00:17:21,533 --> 00:17:25,033 Just a second. Do Kate, do you have anything? I don't. Okay. 302 00:17:25,266 --> 00:17:26,700 I'm not assigned. That's what I thought. 303 00:17:27,233 --> 00:17:30,133 John, do you have any updates on yours? 304 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:34,133 - I got a little bit on, is that better? Yep. 305 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,367 I've got just a little recap on the natural features. 306 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,000 - Why don't you do that and then we'll go to Rachel's, 307 00:17:42,033 --> 00:17:46,133 - The Natural Features Protection Review Review Board. 308 00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:49,634 I think we discussed this in May. 309 00:17:49,634 --> 00:17:52,700 They did the approval of the Sport Youth Sports Complex. 310 00:17:52,834 --> 00:17:56,467 They did a phase two site plan review 311 00:17:57,333 --> 00:17:59,367 that was basically in regards to 312 00:18:00,500 --> 00:18:05,100 some declining ill health dead trees and some bat habitat. 313 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,700 The Natural Features Protection Review approve that. 314 00:18:10,033 --> 00:18:13,500 So that project is moving forward in June, 315 00:18:13,533 --> 00:18:17,233 they discussed the phase one of the site plan for the mill 316 00:18:17,233 --> 00:18:21,834 and park improvements projects at 6 0 7 East Kilgore. 317 00:18:22,233 --> 00:18:26,033 I believe they approved that the July meeting was canceled 318 00:18:27,066 --> 00:18:31,734 and the August is scheduled for the 27th of this month. 319 00:18:36,634 --> 00:18:38,100 - Thank you. Any questions? 320 00:18:41,066 --> 00:18:42,066 Okay, Rachel. 321 00:18:44,367 --> 00:18:47,300 - Okay. I do not have any updates 322 00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:48,867 for the planning commission, 323 00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:51,567 but I have some updates for the Native Species 324 00:18:51,734 --> 00:18:54,300 and Urban Landscape subcommittee. 325 00:18:55,367 --> 00:18:58,100 First, we were talking about the lights out. 326 00:18:58,266 --> 00:19:02,033 I did send out A PDF Just 327 00:19:02,033 --> 00:19:06,467 before the meeting, so maybe you have that in your inbox. 328 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,233 And there is a QR code on it 329 00:19:09,233 --> 00:19:13,133 that has information on a pledge where people can 330 00:19:13,867 --> 00:19:16,033 sign up, put in their information 331 00:19:16,500 --> 00:19:19,333 and pledge to do the lights out commitment. 332 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:24,700 It is September 1st through October 31st from 11:00 PM 333 00:19:24,934 --> 00:19:28,300 to 6:00 AM And the suggested 334 00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:35,000 options to help migratory Bo birds are putting outdoor 335 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,100 lights on timers in motion sensors, wherever possible 336 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,100 down shield exterior safety light 337 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:44,033 or limit lighting to ground level turn off 338 00:19:44,033 --> 00:19:47,133 or dim interior lights, especially on upper floors. 339 00:19:48,066 --> 00:19:51,133 Reduce lobby and atrium lighting where possible 340 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:55,500 substitute task and area lighting or draw blind and shades 341 00:19:55,500 --> 00:20:00,066 after 11:00 PM and use warmer lighting, so yellow lights 342 00:20:01,133 --> 00:20:02,867 and lower wattage light bulbs. 343 00:20:04,667 --> 00:20:09,634 In addition, Gail is going to be hosting a window collision 344 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:14,133 workshop at the New City facilities on cross 345 00:20:16,100 --> 00:20:17,834 crosstown Crosstown. 346 00:20:17,900 --> 00:20:22,333 Yep. And that should be, did you guys confirm 347 00:20:22,333 --> 00:20:24,100 that it'll be six 30 348 00:20:25,233 --> 00:20:27,367 on September 8th? 349 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,000 September 8th. Thank you. I missed the date. 350 00:20:32,266 --> 00:20:36,233 And she'll be discussing how to monitor bird collisions 351 00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:38,367 and also mitigate bird collisions 352 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:42,300 and also a demonstration of application of 353 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:47,033 bird safe window techniques. 354 00:20:49,133 --> 00:20:54,100 - Rachel, real quick, who that event on, just repeat 355 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:57,100 that, September 8th at six 30 at the city 356 00:20:57,100 --> 00:20:58,233 offices on Crosstown. 357 00:20:58,467 --> 00:21:01,266 Yes. Who is welcome to attend that. 358 00:21:01,367 --> 00:21:04,000 And does, is there any kind of advance registration 359 00:21:04,333 --> 00:21:06,033 or anything people need to take? 360 00:21:07,100 --> 00:21:08,567 - Not - That I'm open. You can phone a friend, Rachel. 361 00:21:08,667 --> 00:21:11,033 Yeah, we'll be sending out some social media. 362 00:21:11,266 --> 00:21:12,634 Everything's cutting in and out. 363 00:21:12,934 --> 00:21:14,033 Yeah, it'll be open to everyone. 364 00:21:14,233 --> 00:21:15,500 I haven't set a cap, you know, 365 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:17,233 I doubt we'll hit the cap, but yeah. 366 00:21:17,333 --> 00:21:19,000 You know, we'll get folks down there. 367 00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:22,033 This is Gail's passion. I don't know if anyone knows Gail 368 00:21:22,033 --> 00:21:24,734 Walters, but yeah, she'll show you how 369 00:21:24,734 --> 00:21:28,033 to make your own Windows bird safe for cheap. 370 00:21:28,033 --> 00:21:30,834 You know, sometimes it's just like drawing on the windows. 371 00:21:31,266 --> 00:21:33,367 Sometimes you can put up netting and things like that. 372 00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:35,767 So yeah, there'll be registration. 373 00:21:36,266 --> 00:21:38,033 Folks can come down there at six 30 374 00:21:38,100 --> 00:21:39,700 and learn a little bit from Gail. 375 00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:45,100 - And so there will be solutions appropriate to homeowners, 376 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:48,834 renters, business owners, institutions, all the above. 377 00:21:49,033 --> 00:21:50,467 - Anyone with a window, yeah. 378 00:21:50,467 --> 00:21:52,100 Could probably benefit from this. Yep. Yeah. 379 00:21:52,100 --> 00:21:53,634 So none of this is really permanent. 380 00:21:53,667 --> 00:21:55,867 So you know, students are there, they're renting an, 381 00:21:55,867 --> 00:21:59,100 renting a house or an apartment somewhere, assuming 382 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:01,233 that your landlord doesn't have a problem 383 00:22:02,133 --> 00:22:04,000 with just the colors or whatever on the window. 384 00:22:04,467 --> 00:22:06,266 It can be all wiped off or washed off. 385 00:22:06,867 --> 00:22:09,133 It's, it's not about, you know, buying expressive equipment. 386 00:22:09,133 --> 00:22:11,100 It's about using what you have to kind 387 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:12,567 of mitigate your impact on the natural world. 388 00:22:13,367 --> 00:22:16,033 - Thank you. And yeah, Gail Walters is, 389 00:22:16,867 --> 00:22:19,934 was a long time member of this committee is important 390 00:22:20,033 --> 00:22:21,000 with the Ottoman Society. 391 00:22:21,133 --> 00:22:23,266 She is one of the key figures in 392 00:22:23,867 --> 00:22:26,100 managing the Peregrine falcons in town. 393 00:22:26,033 --> 00:22:29,300 So she's does a lot. And this is a passion. 394 00:22:29,767 --> 00:22:30,233 She's very 395 00:22:30,233 --> 00:22:35,233 knowledgeable. Anything else, Rachel? 396 00:22:36,867 --> 00:22:39,634 - The only other thing we briefly discussed is that moving, 397 00:22:40,333 --> 00:22:43,333 looking into next year, that there will probably be, 398 00:22:43,333 --> 00:22:45,767 talk about updating city codes 399 00:22:45,767 --> 00:22:47,834 and ordinances on native lawns 400 00:22:47,934 --> 00:22:51,100 to combat just general overgrowth of lawns. 401 00:22:52,567 --> 00:22:54,767 But that's more to come next year. 402 00:22:58,367 --> 00:23:02,767 - That's a issue that I really hope that we can be 403 00:23:03,266 --> 00:23:04,934 significantly engaged in. 404 00:23:05,266 --> 00:23:08,834 Yeah. So it doesn't, you know, go in the wrong direction. 405 00:23:09,066 --> 00:23:13,834 Yeah. Any 406 00:23:13,834 --> 00:23:17,634 other thoughts or questions for Rachel 407 00:23:17,934 --> 00:23:19,333 or any of our other committees 408 00:23:19,333 --> 00:23:22,500 before we move to our unfinished business? 409 00:23:25,066 --> 00:23:27,333 Okay. We move kind of fast through our committees today 410 00:23:27,333 --> 00:23:30,033 because I want to make sure we have time to get into these. 411 00:23:32,367 --> 00:23:36,233 So I have on here our first item for unfinished business. 412 00:23:36,734 --> 00:23:39,934 It says, discuss subcommittee, working session, date, 413 00:23:39,934 --> 00:23:41,000 times, and location. 414 00:23:43,133 --> 00:23:47,033 I don't know if that's from last month. 415 00:23:47,066 --> 00:23:49,934 What is exactly do you mean there? Yeah, so 416 00:23:49,934 --> 00:23:51,867 - At May's meeting there was a motion 417 00:23:52,100 --> 00:23:54,300 to create a small subcommittee, 418 00:23:54,667 --> 00:23:57,100 or not a subcommittee, a special meeting that would meet 419 00:23:57,100 --> 00:23:59,100 outside of this meeting to discuss. 420 00:24:00,100 --> 00:24:02,000 John, you were leading that one. 421 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:03,100 If you wanna elaborate 422 00:24:03,867 --> 00:24:06,700 or we could make a motion to swipe that motion. Yeah. 423 00:24:06,834 --> 00:24:10,033 - It was basically a follow up of your suggestion in regards 424 00:24:10,100 --> 00:24:13,000 to the restructuring of some of the reports 425 00:24:13,100 --> 00:24:15,066 and the committees that we're reporting on. 426 00:24:16,133 --> 00:24:20,333 And just getting the feel for what our members feel like 427 00:24:20,333 --> 00:24:22,367 so we can come to the table with 428 00:24:23,333 --> 00:24:25,133 some serious discussion instead 429 00:24:25,133 --> 00:24:27,500 of having a discussion about the discussion. 430 00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:31,533 - Yeah. And I saw you have some thoughts written up 431 00:24:31,533 --> 00:24:32,634 that you showed to me. 432 00:24:34,100 --> 00:24:35,767 Do you want to share those 433 00:24:35,867 --> 00:24:38,033 with the committee for consideration? Yeah, I, I, 434 00:24:38,233 --> 00:24:43,100 - I do, and you know, thi this is my opinion, 435 00:24:43,900 --> 00:24:47,233 my opinion only that we as a committee spend a lot 436 00:24:47,233 --> 00:24:48,467 of our time discussing 437 00:24:48,467 --> 00:24:52,834 and recommending the city commissioner's issues 438 00:24:52,834 --> 00:24:55,266 that are impacting and important to our community. 439 00:24:56,066 --> 00:24:58,533 But I feel sometimes that we're being a little bit 440 00:24:59,634 --> 00:25:01,634 reactive instead of proactive. 441 00:25:02,500 --> 00:25:04,767 And I think that we would be 442 00:25:05,166 --> 00:25:09,066 more effective being a little bit more proactive on things 443 00:25:09,133 --> 00:25:11,700 that are, that we're hearing from the community, 444 00:25:11,700 --> 00:25:14,333 that we're observing from the community, friends 445 00:25:14,433 --> 00:25:18,533 and family issues such as the, the deer issue, 446 00:25:19,533 --> 00:25:22,367 Kalamazoo County potentially overseeing the management 447 00:25:22,367 --> 00:25:23,867 of Asylum Lake Preserve, 448 00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:25,634 which we have discussed as a committee. 449 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:29,000 Unfortunately, the City Commission has not addressed that 450 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:33,567 yet, even though we did as a committee make a recommendation 451 00:25:33,567 --> 00:25:34,767 to the City Commission. 452 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:38,367 I believe that sitting with the city manager right now, 453 00:25:39,066 --> 00:25:40,333 but nothing is being done. 454 00:25:43,433 --> 00:25:45,500 Green Zoning that we're talking about now 455 00:25:45,634 --> 00:25:50,333 and land use, I mean, our, our task is 456 00:25:50,433 --> 00:25:53,100 to monitor significant environmental trends 457 00:25:54,033 --> 00:25:58,367 affecting the city of Kalamazoo and advise the city manager 458 00:25:58,634 --> 00:26:02,834 and city commission regarding environmental matter matters. 459 00:26:03,100 --> 00:26:06,700 This committee also serves as a citizens forum 460 00:26:06,934 --> 00:26:08,867 for environ environmental issues. 461 00:26:09,233 --> 00:26:12,500 And it's my opinion that some of the reports are, 462 00:26:12,900 --> 00:26:17,266 like I've said, a little bit reactive instead 463 00:26:17,266 --> 00:26:19,700 of being proactive, we're kind of behind the, 464 00:26:20,467 --> 00:26:21,767 behind the curve on this 465 00:26:21,834 --> 00:26:23,266 and I think we'd be better served 466 00:26:23,500 --> 00:26:24,934 being in front of it a little bit. 467 00:26:29,033 --> 00:26:29,500 - Thoughts? 468 00:26:33,867 --> 00:26:35,000 - You said that very well. 469 00:26:35,333 --> 00:26:36,767 I had some of the same thoughts 470 00:26:36,867 --> 00:26:40,867 and wrote down proactive versus being reactive. 471 00:26:41,500 --> 00:26:44,700 Part of it is, and I'm new to this, so maybe I 472 00:26:45,900 --> 00:26:47,266 need more education on this, 473 00:26:47,333 --> 00:26:50,100 but I think that when we collect minutes from the other 474 00:26:50,266 --> 00:26:53,567 committees about all we can do is 475 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:55,467 react to what they've done. 476 00:26:55,500 --> 00:26:57,734 And in some cases it might be too late. 477 00:26:58,567 --> 00:27:00,100 So for me, I look at this 478 00:27:00,133 --> 00:27:03,367 and I think, well, somewhere along the way there's goals 479 00:27:03,467 --> 00:27:05,367 and objectives for each committee 480 00:27:06,100 --> 00:27:08,266 that they possibly set each year. 481 00:27:08,367 --> 00:27:10,367 Maybe, maybe not, I don't know. 482 00:27:10,367 --> 00:27:14,066 I come from the academic viewpoint of prepping for 483 00:27:14,066 --> 00:27:15,133 what I want to accomplish 484 00:27:15,634 --> 00:27:18,700 and thinking what, what are we, 485 00:27:19,066 --> 00:27:20,700 what do we want to accomplish? 486 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:23,100 What do we want to see happen in this community? 487 00:27:23,834 --> 00:27:27,467 And then, then there is that piece where we do have to react 488 00:27:27,467 --> 00:27:28,533 to things that come up. 489 00:27:29,133 --> 00:27:32,000 So I, I'm looking at how can we be 490 00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:36,066 more proactive and, 491 00:27:36,433 --> 00:27:40,367 and we really, the Environmental Concerns committee, the, 492 00:27:40,500 --> 00:27:44,233 all these other committees fall into this as well. 493 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,500 And so we're playing catch up in some cases 494 00:27:48,100 --> 00:27:51,000 and I don't know, I don't know how we fix that. 495 00:27:55,033 --> 00:27:56,133 - Rachel, what are you thinking? 496 00:28:00,133 --> 00:28:02,567 - I don't think I have anything new to add at this time. 497 00:28:02,767 --> 00:28:04,767 I do agree with Katie that there is an element 498 00:28:04,767 --> 00:28:07,133 where we're always going to be reacting to something 499 00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:11,433 that comes up and meeting once a month that is going 500 00:28:11,433 --> 00:28:14,133 to happen in terms of 501 00:28:16,767 --> 00:28:21,066 actually working on narrowing down some of these committees 502 00:28:21,066 --> 00:28:22,300 or flushing them out a little bit. 503 00:28:25,233 --> 00:28:27,500 Yeah, I think we're kind of in a tight spot right now 504 00:28:27,500 --> 00:28:29,166 with only limited members. 505 00:28:31,367 --> 00:28:35,133 - Yeah. So let me think. 506 00:28:36,333 --> 00:28:37,634 There's a couple things that 507 00:28:37,734 --> 00:28:39,433 that I think are important context. 508 00:28:40,066 --> 00:28:42,133 If we look at the committees that we have, 509 00:28:43,934 --> 00:28:47,500 what those committees represent for the most part is 510 00:28:48,500 --> 00:28:50,066 an accretion of interests. 511 00:28:51,133 --> 00:28:52,133 You know, the history 512 00:28:52,367 --> 00:28:55,166 of the Environmental Concerns Committee over time, 513 00:28:55,266 --> 00:28:58,166 different interests that committee members have had 514 00:28:58,300 --> 00:28:59,767 and turned into projects. 515 00:29:01,100 --> 00:29:04,433 And those projects turned into subcommittees that, 516 00:29:04,433 --> 00:29:06,133 that the committee that we worked on. 517 00:29:07,066 --> 00:29:10,133 And those kind of just linger as long 518 00:29:10,133 --> 00:29:12,333 as they, as long as they can. 519 00:29:12,467 --> 00:29:15,834 So the, the, a lot of those, that's where they came from. 520 00:29:17,133 --> 00:29:19,834 The other thing I think that's important context is 521 00:29:19,834 --> 00:29:22,500 what is the purpose of the Environmental Concerns Committee? 522 00:29:23,433 --> 00:29:24,900 We heard a big part of that. 523 00:29:24,900 --> 00:29:28,066 The other part of it, which, which you didn't mention, John, 524 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:32,500 is, and this I think goes to one 525 00:29:32,500 --> 00:29:36,033 of the fundamental problems that we face as a committee. 526 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:37,867 One of the reasons I think that we have 527 00:29:38,266 --> 00:29:40,133 such a difficult time maintaining 528 00:29:40,133 --> 00:29:43,233 and attracting memberships is 529 00:29:43,233 --> 00:29:47,100 that the city does also have an obligation to work with us 530 00:29:47,834 --> 00:29:52,100 to discuss issues with us that are relevant 531 00:29:52,100 --> 00:29:53,367 to environmental concerns. 532 00:29:54,266 --> 00:29:58,533 And that is absolutely 100% ignored on every single 533 00:29:58,533 --> 00:30:01,500 environmental issue that comes before the City Commission. 534 00:30:02,367 --> 00:30:04,066 If the City Commission continues 535 00:30:04,066 --> 00:30:06,867 to treat us like we don't matter at all, it's going 536 00:30:06,867 --> 00:30:11,233 to be hard to get people to donate their time to come here 537 00:30:11,734 --> 00:30:15,266 and, you know, put in serious effort to try 538 00:30:15,266 --> 00:30:16,734 to make the city a better place. 539 00:30:17,367 --> 00:30:19,734 So I think that this goes two ways, John, 540 00:30:20,066 --> 00:30:21,567 Katie, everybody's right. 541 00:30:21,667 --> 00:30:25,533 We do need to focus in on what we can accomplish, listen 542 00:30:25,567 --> 00:30:26,867 to the citizens and try 543 00:30:26,867 --> 00:30:29,467 and bring those, those concerns to the city. 544 00:30:30,133 --> 00:30:33,066 But the city does need to bring us into the loop. 545 00:30:33,367 --> 00:30:37,367 As an example, the data center thing are, 546 00:30:37,634 --> 00:30:39,033 is anybody going to try to argue 547 00:30:39,033 --> 00:30:41,500 that data centers are not an environmental issue? 548 00:30:42,266 --> 00:30:45,567 There was not a single communication from the city 549 00:30:45,700 --> 00:30:48,000 to the Environmental Concerns Committee about data 550 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,133 centers, not one. 551 00:30:50,333 --> 00:30:53,000 So if the city's gonna continue to sideline us 552 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,333 and pretend that we don't exist, it's gonna be really hard 553 00:30:55,333 --> 00:30:56,367 to be an effective committee. 554 00:30:57,700 --> 00:31:00,266 So Commissioner has to please take 555 00:31:00,266 --> 00:31:01,333 that back to your colleagues. 556 00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:06,867 But, so yeah, let's move forward with what can, 557 00:31:06,867 --> 00:31:08,767 what we can do, and I think what we can do is, 558 00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:10,266 is what you captured. 559 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:15,834 There are a few of the things on here where, 560 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:17,133 where we're integrated 561 00:31:17,700 --> 00:31:19,333 and I think we should, we should make sure 562 00:31:19,433 --> 00:31:21,033 to prioritize keeping those. 563 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:22,634 An example is like the tree committee. 564 00:31:23,333 --> 00:31:25,100 The tree committee is, is the one 565 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,266 city committee on which the Environmental Concerns Committee 566 00:31:30,266 --> 00:31:32,100 has a, a voting chair. 567 00:31:33,166 --> 00:31:36,100 So we, we do need to make sure we have a member on 568 00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:38,634 that committee that attends all those meetings 569 00:31:39,266 --> 00:31:41,867 because we, we are integrated into that, that 570 00:31:42,367 --> 00:31:44,000 that decision making process. 571 00:31:46,233 --> 00:31:50,934 The other ones, you know, we can keep ones 572 00:31:51,033 --> 00:31:52,066 that we're going to work on. 573 00:31:52,033 --> 00:31:56,300 So like what Rachel's doing right now with the, 574 00:31:56,834 --> 00:31:59,100 with the native LA landscapes 575 00:31:59,100 --> 00:32:03,634 and with the birds, those are great projects 576 00:32:03,634 --> 00:32:05,300 and we should continue to be pushing those forward, 577 00:32:05,300 --> 00:32:07,533 particularly because we have somebody on the committee 578 00:32:07,533 --> 00:32:08,634 who can spearhead those. 579 00:32:09,367 --> 00:32:11,767 So I, I think that's a good thing to keep. 580 00:32:13,367 --> 00:32:15,033 Then the other things that we're taught, 581 00:32:15,033 --> 00:32:17,266 we'll be talking about the stadium 582 00:32:17,734 --> 00:32:19,100 lighting, the green Zoning. 583 00:32:20,300 --> 00:32:24,867 Those I think could represent project specific tasks. 584 00:32:26,734 --> 00:32:29,700 So instead of trying to create a permanent committee 585 00:32:29,767 --> 00:32:33,767 that will exist for months or years 586 00:32:34,066 --> 00:32:37,533 or we do what we need to, to come up 587 00:32:37,533 --> 00:32:41,634 with a recommendation on those issues and then present it. 588 00:32:42,033 --> 00:32:45,834 - Yes. I, 589 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,233 I, I, I totally agree. 590 00:32:47,500 --> 00:32:49,934 I think that that's, we have to be flexible on that. 591 00:32:49,934 --> 00:32:51,500 And I think we're somewhat pigeon 592 00:32:52,100 --> 00:32:54,467 streamlined on these reports. 593 00:32:57,100 --> 00:33:01,333 - I concur. Maybe one 594 00:33:01,333 --> 00:33:03,233 of the things we can make a point of doing 595 00:33:04,333 --> 00:33:06,934 each month is when we get to the New Business, 596 00:33:08,667 --> 00:33:11,033 we can take a moment for all the commissioners to go around 597 00:33:11,033 --> 00:33:13,033 and say, what are things that you have heard 598 00:33:13,900 --> 00:33:18,100 that the com from the, from the community that the, 599 00:33:18,266 --> 00:33:23,100 the ECC should start to think about and potentially address. 600 00:33:30,133 --> 00:33:34,467 - Yep. - So for the, 601 00:33:35,333 --> 00:33:39,467 the, the only thing that makes me nervous about this 602 00:33:41,734 --> 00:33:46,567 is because if we look at, at city committees such as the, 603 00:33:47,066 --> 00:33:49,900 the National Features Protection Review Board 604 00:33:51,100 --> 00:33:55,367 and Parks and Rec to some degree, but, 605 00:33:55,533 --> 00:33:58,166 but more so the Natural Features 606 00:33:58,367 --> 00:34:02,734 and Planning Commission, those two committees 607 00:34:03,934 --> 00:34:07,000 make a lot of important decisions very early in the 608 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:08,500 process of issues. 609 00:34:10,700 --> 00:34:15,133 And it really probably makes sense for us 610 00:34:15,033 --> 00:34:18,667 to at least monitor what is happening there. 611 00:34:22,700 --> 00:34:26,734 - And I, I'd like to add that the city, again, just 612 00:34:27,100 --> 00:34:30,700 for on the record, that the city commission, you know, 613 00:34:30,900 --> 00:34:35,066 factors into what, what we have to suggest and, and, 614 00:34:35,166 --> 00:34:36,533 and take action on that. 615 00:34:37,100 --> 00:34:40,467 And that's part of my frustration is, you know, 616 00:34:40,634 --> 00:34:44,000 sometimes I feel complete inaction, particularly with our 617 00:34:44,734 --> 00:34:48,066 statements that we've made where nothing seems to happen. 618 00:34:49,433 --> 00:34:51,100 And that's very frustrating. 619 00:34:51,100 --> 00:34:53,266 It's very frustrating from our standpoint. 620 00:34:53,333 --> 00:34:56,333 And it's particularly frustrating from the community 621 00:34:56,367 --> 00:35:01,233 standpoint because it's like they're almost a, 622 00:35:01,333 --> 00:35:04,000 a sense of helplessness or it doesn't really matter 623 00:35:04,033 --> 00:35:08,066 or they're not interested, which I think will, 624 00:35:08,066 --> 00:35:11,033 will go back into green Zoning is 625 00:35:14,166 --> 00:35:15,467 like, it's not important, 626 00:35:15,667 --> 00:35:19,000 but yet if you look at the city's website, 627 00:35:21,100 --> 00:35:23,333 the environment is stressed over and over and over again. 628 00:35:24,634 --> 00:35:26,133 It's, it's, it's part of the goals. 629 00:35:27,100 --> 00:35:30,300 We, we've got eight IK 2035 coming up 630 00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:32,100 and it's one of the main points. 631 00:35:33,634 --> 00:35:38,000 But yet is that just talk in words 632 00:35:39,433 --> 00:35:41,834 or is it actually action as well? 633 00:35:42,934 --> 00:35:47,867 And I have a sense that it's more just words as I like 634 00:35:47,867 --> 00:35:52,033 to say, greenwashing more than actually taking action on. 635 00:35:57,900 --> 00:36:00,066 - So what I, I agree a hundred percent 636 00:36:02,300 --> 00:36:04,100 what I think could work. 637 00:36:04,133 --> 00:36:07,000 And so I'm going to see how we, we feel about this. 638 00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:13,500 Rachel, you're currently monitoring the planning commission? 639 00:36:13,500 --> 00:36:17,266 Correct. Okay. John, 640 00:36:17,266 --> 00:36:20,634 you're currently monitoring the NFP board, correct? 641 00:36:21,066 --> 00:36:24,000 - Yeah. And Parks and - Rocks. And Parks and Rec, right. 642 00:36:29,300 --> 00:36:32,100 Kate, do you have an interest in 643 00:36:34,667 --> 00:36:37,033 helping with being on the tree committee? 644 00:36:37,233 --> 00:36:40,033 - Yep, I can do that. I can fill in, when I look at this, 645 00:36:40,133 --> 00:36:43,567 I kind of break it down into groups like one 646 00:36:43,567 --> 00:36:46,367 and four go together, 11, 5, 3 647 00:36:46,367 --> 00:36:51,266 and six go together, two, 10 and nine. 648 00:36:52,266 --> 00:36:54,333 And I may have missed one somewhere in there, 649 00:36:54,667 --> 00:36:58,233 but I'm grouping them together in categories of 650 00:36:58,233 --> 00:37:01,467 what really fits and aligns with each other. 651 00:37:02,367 --> 00:37:05,066 And, and that's how kind of they, 652 00:37:05,033 --> 00:37:06,834 they fit when issues come up 653 00:37:07,100 --> 00:37:10,066 and they should have communication between them. 654 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,266 So if we can look at 'em from that perspective 655 00:37:15,000 --> 00:37:18,767 and then I'm, I'm willing to, I'm willing to work 656 00:37:18,767 --> 00:37:22,100 with the whatever assignment I need, you need me to do 657 00:37:22,100 --> 00:37:24,367 because I'll just learn about it and deal with it. 658 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:28,500 So I'm pretty open and flexible to doing that. 659 00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:31,066 But that's how I kind of broke 'em down 660 00:37:31,133 --> 00:37:34,066 and looked at it is how do these go together? 661 00:37:35,834 --> 00:37:38,266 So is that of any help 662 00:37:38,867 --> 00:37:40,533 - That is helpful, but I think we can, 663 00:37:40,834 --> 00:37:44,500 we can cut even further to see, to see how it works. 664 00:37:45,066 --> 00:37:49,734 Okay. So if we did, John stays 665 00:37:49,734 --> 00:37:51,033 with NFP 666 00:37:51,467 --> 00:37:55,834 and where did Clark Parks and Rec? 667 00:37:56,834 --> 00:37:59,734 Kate, you will grab the tree committee. 668 00:38:02,133 --> 00:38:04,300 Rachel will stay with planning 669 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:08,233 and whatever you want to name your other group. 670 00:38:08,567 --> 00:38:11,333 'cause you, you can keep it native species and, 671 00:38:11,867 --> 00:38:13,100 or you can call it whatever you want. 672 00:38:15,233 --> 00:38:20,100 And then I'll just serve as chair for the time being. 673 00:38:22,066 --> 00:38:23,867 And then beyond that 674 00:38:25,467 --> 00:38:29,066 we'll work on issues as we can create projects 675 00:38:29,500 --> 00:38:30,734 to, to investigate. 676 00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:39,700 That's a pretty big cutting back on things. Is that 677 00:38:40,300 --> 00:38:44,734 - Five and seven, - Is Rita also 678 00:38:45,900 --> 00:38:47,233 on a air and quality? 679 00:38:47,634 --> 00:38:49,867 Which one is, has she typically been 680 00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:54,767 - Her Her report is air quality. Okay. 681 00:38:55,333 --> 00:38:59,700 - But that's not a, that's just her giving reports. 682 00:38:59,900 --> 00:39:02,634 - Right. And that goes back to what John was talking about. 683 00:39:02,834 --> 00:39:06,333 If air quality is definitely an issue in Kalamazoo 684 00:39:06,667 --> 00:39:08,066 and we need to be aware of it, 685 00:39:09,266 --> 00:39:13,266 but if what we would be looking at is 686 00:39:13,333 --> 00:39:16,634 how can we find an actual recommendation? 687 00:39:17,266 --> 00:39:20,567 What is an issue we can approach and come up with a solution 688 00:39:21,266 --> 00:39:24,533 and a recommendation rather than just reporting on what the, 689 00:39:24,734 --> 00:39:25,834 the air quality is. 690 00:39:27,767 --> 00:39:32,066 - Right. So is the odor task force still 691 00:39:32,133 --> 00:39:33,133 - Operational? 692 00:39:33,133 --> 00:39:33,867 The odor operational? 693 00:39:34,100 --> 00:39:36,000 - No. 'cause that fits with it. 694 00:39:36,133 --> 00:39:37,000 And that's where I would think 695 00:39:37,033 --> 00:39:38,834 that would be coming from. But is that 696 00:39:39,100 --> 00:39:41,333 - There's a, there's a long history that Okay. 697 00:39:41,367 --> 00:39:43,834 That I won't completely dig into here, 698 00:39:43,900 --> 00:39:46,100 but I've kept that on there really just as a, 699 00:39:47,667 --> 00:39:49,533 as a kind of a sore thumb. 700 00:39:49,867 --> 00:39:52,266 Okay. Because it has not met in years, 701 00:39:52,867 --> 00:39:55,033 even though it was never officially disbanded. 702 00:39:55,533 --> 00:39:58,000 - I did look for it and yeah. Okay. 703 00:40:00,266 --> 00:40:03,100 - So if, if we're all in agreement, 704 00:40:03,367 --> 00:40:05,066 I'm just gonna go through that again. 705 00:40:05,133 --> 00:40:07,834 So, so Justin can note it though, it will be in the, 706 00:40:07,900 --> 00:40:11,333 the minutes we'll have the NFP 707 00:40:12,100 --> 00:40:15,500 and the Parks and Rec with John. 708 00:40:17,033 --> 00:40:19,533 We'll have the planning commission 709 00:40:19,900 --> 00:40:22,233 and native species, urban landscape with Rachel, 710 00:40:23,300 --> 00:40:25,834 with the tree committee, with Kate. 711 00:40:26,033 --> 00:40:29,533 And then I'll just, my service will be the chair 712 00:40:29,667 --> 00:40:30,834 of the, of this committee. 713 00:40:31,667 --> 00:40:34,100 And then when Rita comes in, we'll we will see 714 00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:35,133 how she feels about that. 715 00:40:35,333 --> 00:40:38,867 And the same with Luke. But beyond those core 716 00:40:40,133 --> 00:40:44,834 tasks, we'll be trying to be more project based. 717 00:40:46,333 --> 00:40:50,767 - Okay. - If that sounds good. 718 00:40:50,934 --> 00:40:53,033 I suppose it would probably require a, 719 00:40:53,567 --> 00:40:54,834 a motion to that effect. 720 00:40:54,834 --> 00:40:56,934 And then a second and a vote. 721 00:40:57,433 --> 00:41:01,567 - Okay. So moved that we divide 722 00:41:02,500 --> 00:41:07,300 the responsibilities for the various committees 723 00:41:07,567 --> 00:41:10,533 and boards as outlined 724 00:41:11,333 --> 00:41:13,033 by our chair Mr. 725 00:41:13,333 --> 00:41:15,266 Beak. Okay. Is that good 726 00:41:15,266 --> 00:41:16,266 - Enough? 727 00:41:16,266 --> 00:41:17,233 That's excellent. I support 728 00:41:17,567 --> 00:41:18,567 - Second. 729 00:41:19,100 --> 00:41:23,033 - So following Robert's rules, any discussion of the motion? 730 00:41:25,934 --> 00:41:26,934 All in favor? 731 00:41:28,133 --> 00:41:30,000 - Aye. - Aye. Any opposed? 732 00:41:32,634 --> 00:41:34,500 All right Justin. We'll have a change to the agenda 733 00:41:34,734 --> 00:41:36,033 for starting with next month. 734 00:41:36,900 --> 00:41:38,700 - Alright. And then just so there is 735 00:41:38,700 --> 00:41:39,834 that motion floating out there, 736 00:41:39,867 --> 00:41:42,000 we are not gonna create a separate meeting of this group, 737 00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:44,133 so we motion to rescind that? 738 00:41:44,734 --> 00:41:49,000 - Yeah, that's mooted at this point. Okay. 739 00:41:49,133 --> 00:41:53,734 So then the next thing we'll move to, we've got two 740 00:41:54,867 --> 00:41:57,567 more project task items here. 741 00:41:57,667 --> 00:41:59,500 We've got discussion of green Zoning 742 00:41:59,667 --> 00:42:01,266 and then discussion of stadium lights. 743 00:42:02,634 --> 00:42:04,834 John, these are both items that you're leading. 744 00:42:04,900 --> 00:42:06,533 So would you like to start with the green Zoning? 745 00:42:07,867 --> 00:42:10,333 - Sure. First of all, I want support 746 00:42:10,333 --> 00:42:13,734 and applaud alpha statement supporting the green space 747 00:42:13,734 --> 00:42:15,500 and conservation Zoning districts. 748 00:42:15,533 --> 00:42:16,634 I think it was very well written 749 00:42:17,133 --> 00:42:19,233 and thank you for that input. 750 00:42:20,133 --> 00:42:23,367 And I see no reason why the city cannot develop 751 00:42:23,433 --> 00:42:24,500 this classification. 752 00:42:25,934 --> 00:42:27,934 The implementation of green space 753 00:42:28,100 --> 00:42:32,033 and conservation Zoning districts is in alignment 754 00:42:32,533 --> 00:42:34,100 with the city's stated goals 755 00:42:34,900 --> 00:42:36,834 found in the sustainability plan 756 00:42:37,166 --> 00:42:39,000 and the climate action plan. 757 00:42:39,867 --> 00:42:43,467 Both of those emphasize the urgency of taking steps 758 00:42:44,000 --> 00:42:48,066 to protect our environment and act responsibility. 759 00:42:49,166 --> 00:42:53,367 Even on the Kalamazoo City website, it, it says it is urgent 760 00:42:54,100 --> 00:42:56,767 that we take steps to protect our environment 761 00:42:57,367 --> 00:42:59,033 and to act responsibly 762 00:42:59,100 --> 00:43:01,300 to reduce our impact on climate change. 763 00:43:02,367 --> 00:43:05,233 The community recognized this by identifying 764 00:43:05,867 --> 00:43:10,233 environmental responsibility as a goal during the cal, 765 00:43:11,133 --> 00:43:14,066 during the Imagine Kalamazoo visioning process 766 00:43:14,834 --> 00:43:17,634 and through the declaration of a climate emergency 767 00:43:17,734 --> 00:43:19,000 by the City commission. 768 00:43:19,867 --> 00:43:22,066 Kalamazoo does have programs in place 769 00:43:22,166 --> 00:43:25,367 to protect our natural, our local natural 770 00:43:26,033 --> 00:43:27,300 resources and works. 771 00:43:27,567 --> 00:43:29,834 And we're exploring new programs 772 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:33,133 to make essential public services more sustainable 773 00:43:34,667 --> 00:43:36,066 through these programs. 774 00:43:36,634 --> 00:43:37,734 Our city government 775 00:43:38,100 --> 00:43:40,100 and I'm I'm quoting from the government, 776 00:43:40,266 --> 00:43:41,867 from the city website, 777 00:43:42,700 --> 00:43:46,266 our city government can help contribute to the culture 778 00:43:46,467 --> 00:43:48,133 of environmental stewardship. 779 00:43:48,834 --> 00:43:50,934 That is a vital part of our community. 780 00:43:51,934 --> 00:43:55,333 And one of the guiding principles of IK 2035 781 00:43:56,133 --> 00:43:59,467 is sustainability, which is the support, 782 00:43:59,700 --> 00:44:00,767 the long-term health 783 00:44:01,433 --> 00:44:05,100 and resiliency of community and environment. 784 00:44:06,066 --> 00:44:09,233 And if anybody looks up what sustainability is, 785 00:44:09,900 --> 00:44:12,100 there's three parts of sustainability. 786 00:44:12,834 --> 00:44:16,934 I think one, we're doing a great job as a city, as part 787 00:44:16,934 --> 00:44:20,734 of the silo, but I think we're missing the other portion of 788 00:44:20,734 --> 00:44:23,467 that silo, which is our natural environment. 789 00:44:24,100 --> 00:44:26,066 And the three main parts are the environment, 790 00:44:26,066 --> 00:44:29,033 which is protecting nature, cutting waste, 791 00:44:29,100 --> 00:44:33,700 and using clean energy society, treating all people fairly 792 00:44:34,467 --> 00:44:36,367 and supporting strong communities. 793 00:44:36,500 --> 00:44:40,500 And then it says the economy, growing wealth in a smart way 794 00:44:41,133 --> 00:44:45,033 that does not use up all the resources and why it matters. 795 00:44:46,233 --> 00:44:50,233 It saves natural habitats, stops climate change, 796 00:44:50,900 --> 00:44:54,100 keeps water, air, and food safe for everyone 797 00:44:54,734 --> 00:44:59,066 and helps businesses last longer, but not wasting materials. 798 00:44:59,634 --> 00:45:01,033 And in the simplest terms, 799 00:45:01,333 --> 00:45:03,300 sustainability is about our children 800 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:06,333 and our grandchildren and the world. 801 00:45:06,500 --> 00:45:08,300 We will live them, leave them. 802 00:45:08,934 --> 00:45:11,567 And I don't think there's anybody that can say that. 803 00:45:11,634 --> 00:45:15,634 Protecting our natural spaces, increasing biodiversity 804 00:45:16,567 --> 00:45:19,033 and saving these areas that are not developed 805 00:45:19,700 --> 00:45:24,700 is not a very proactive step in better health, 806 00:45:25,233 --> 00:45:27,100 better opportunity for people. 807 00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:30,233 That's my green space. 808 00:45:33,133 --> 00:45:36,100 - So I have a motion I'd like to make 809 00:45:36,166 --> 00:45:39,033 and then perhaps we can open it to discussion. 810 00:45:40,066 --> 00:45:41,934 I'd like to move to ask the city commission 811 00:45:41,934 --> 00:45:43,533 to direct the Kalamazoo planning 812 00:45:43,567 --> 00:45:46,233 and Zoning to establish green space 813 00:45:46,500 --> 00:45:50,567 and conservation Zoning districts in the city of Kalamazoo 814 00:45:52,166 --> 00:45:56,033 in their Zoning ordinances within the next six months. 815 00:46:00,333 --> 00:46:01,867 - We have a motion. Do we have a second? 816 00:46:07,834 --> 00:46:09,100 - I I support that 817 00:46:10,834 --> 00:46:13,500 - We have a properly made and seconded motion. 818 00:46:13,667 --> 00:46:15,000 Do we have discussion? 819 00:46:20,467 --> 00:46:23,300 - I think my only hesitancy is 820 00:46:24,934 --> 00:46:27,634 I do agree with putting a, a timeframe on it 821 00:46:28,300 --> 00:46:29,734 is six months realistic 822 00:46:35,133 --> 00:46:35,367 as 823 00:46:36,533 --> 00:46:39,100 - I I'm I can, I'm willing to amend it 824 00:46:40,500 --> 00:46:42,567 because I do, I understand that. 825 00:46:43,166 --> 00:46:44,166 And 826 00:46:44,667 --> 00:46:48,266 - How about with an update on progress in six months? 827 00:46:49,133 --> 00:46:50,567 - Yes. I can amend that 828 00:46:50,567 --> 00:46:52,867 to an update on progress within six months. 829 00:46:56,033 --> 00:47:00,767 - What I, I'm so I'm, I think this is a great idea. 830 00:47:04,367 --> 00:47:07,467 L let's think about this, this 831 00:47:08,033 --> 00:47:12,500 very carefully drafted letter that we, we have from Alpha. 832 00:47:14,367 --> 00:47:16,066 I think that letter covers 833 00:47:18,266 --> 00:47:19,467 the issue very well. 834 00:47:19,634 --> 00:47:24,133 Lays out the argument, proposes the two types of, 835 00:47:24,367 --> 00:47:25,467 of additional Zoning. 836 00:47:28,367 --> 00:47:31,934 I I think that we could 837 00:47:34,066 --> 00:47:38,700 send that letter with, with our support 838 00:47:38,934 --> 00:47:40,033 as a recommendation 839 00:47:40,500 --> 00:47:45,066 to the city. I agree with that. 840 00:47:46,000 --> 00:47:50,567 - I I agree. I I actually think that, you know, 841 00:47:50,634 --> 00:47:53,300 in the past we've, the question has been raised well 842 00:47:53,433 --> 00:47:54,767 what is green space? 843 00:47:54,934 --> 00:47:57,333 And I did try to do a lot of research and, 844 00:47:57,634 --> 00:47:59,467 and look at what other cities are doing 845 00:48:00,066 --> 00:48:01,100 and pull that all together. 846 00:48:01,166 --> 00:48:03,233 And, and I think this has done it nicely. 847 00:48:04,033 --> 00:48:07,066 I think it gives you some links to look at 848 00:48:07,066 --> 00:48:08,000 what other cities do, 849 00:48:08,700 --> 00:48:13,066 but it also gives definition to the two categories. 850 00:48:14,100 --> 00:48:17,233 If I had any reservations at all, it's, it's in the use 851 00:48:17,233 --> 00:48:20,767 of the term conservation Zoning district because of, just 852 00:48:20,767 --> 00:48:25,066 because of the conservation district that exists exist 853 00:48:26,066 --> 00:48:30,266 and show making sure that we can define those two. 854 00:48:30,433 --> 00:48:35,300 But I think the terminology is less important than 855 00:48:36,667 --> 00:48:40,700 the concept of moving forward to 856 00:48:41,367 --> 00:48:46,033 identify these different Zoning areas that, 857 00:48:46,100 --> 00:48:47,734 that I do believe the residents 858 00:48:47,734 --> 00:48:51,367 of Kalamazoo have spoken on at various, you know, planning 859 00:48:51,867 --> 00:48:53,467 for the future in Kalamazoo. 860 00:48:53,567 --> 00:48:56,567 I, I see the green tags on little stickies. 861 00:48:56,767 --> 00:48:58,934 Green zone, green zone, green zone. 862 00:48:59,467 --> 00:49:01,000 And here we're giving definition 863 00:49:02,333 --> 00:49:05,567 and a process to it. 864 00:49:05,700 --> 00:49:09,100 And so I think this is our first step in saying to the city, 865 00:49:10,100 --> 00:49:13,033 we're coming to you with something definite 866 00:49:13,066 --> 00:49:14,300 that we need you to do. 867 00:49:15,734 --> 00:49:19,634 And we hope to hear back from you very soon. 868 00:49:23,634 --> 00:49:24,900 - I, I would support that. 869 00:49:25,333 --> 00:49:28,233 So I think based, based on the motion 870 00:49:29,166 --> 00:49:33,033 and the discussion, we could send this document to the city 871 00:49:33,734 --> 00:49:35,166 with our recommendation that we would like 872 00:49:35,166 --> 00:49:36,700 to see the city act on this 873 00:49:37,333 --> 00:49:39,834 and report back to us within six months. 874 00:49:39,934 --> 00:49:43,000 Yes, that's sounds like the motion. Yeah, I support that. 875 00:49:44,100 --> 00:49:47,900 Yeah, I support. So all in favor of that motion? 876 00:49:49,500 --> 00:49:50,934 - Aye. - Okay. 877 00:49:51,333 --> 00:49:54,133 Justin, do you need me to write something up for you 878 00:49:54,000 --> 00:49:56,033 so you can do that or is that clear enough? 879 00:49:57,734 --> 00:49:59,233 - No, I can handle that and I'll send it 880 00:49:59,333 --> 00:50:01,133 to you all again just to confirm 881 00:50:01,133 --> 00:50:02,500 before it goes to the clerk. 882 00:50:03,100 --> 00:50:05,266 - And just to clarify, 'cause we had this with one 883 00:50:05,266 --> 00:50:08,000 of our previous motions, Justin will send it to us 884 00:50:08,867 --> 00:50:13,166 and we will, we will have what, 48 hours after you send it? 885 00:50:15,266 --> 00:50:18,900 - Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll say 48 hours in writing here. 886 00:50:19,100 --> 00:50:22,567 - Okay. So if you have any, any changes 887 00:50:22,767 --> 00:50:26,233 or edits to what Justin sends to us, please respond 888 00:50:26,233 --> 00:50:28,867 to let him know and, and within 48 other 48 hours. 889 00:50:28,867 --> 00:50:31,934 Otherwise he'll send it as is. Sound good? Yes. 890 00:50:33,900 --> 00:50:36,233 Then the next, I'm happy to see 891 00:50:36,233 --> 00:50:37,500 that we are able to move that forward. 892 00:50:37,667 --> 00:50:39,767 Good work John, everybody 893 00:50:40,166 --> 00:50:43,133 and thank you for Alpa for pushing that forward. 894 00:50:45,133 --> 00:50:49,700 Then the next issue on our unfinished business is 895 00:50:49,867 --> 00:50:50,867 the stadium lights. 896 00:50:57,233 --> 00:50:58,767 - I'll go ahead and take the lead on that. 897 00:51:01,000 --> 00:51:03,500 Western Michigan University has proposed, 898 00:51:03,734 --> 00:51:06,867 I don't know if they've actually begun the installation of 899 00:51:10,567 --> 00:51:14,734 installing stadium lights at the western Michigan Stadium 900 00:51:15,300 --> 00:51:19,634 soccer area, which is located on Parkview Avenue, 901 00:51:20,066 --> 00:51:22,734 basically behind the Gibbs Gibbs house, 902 00:51:22,734 --> 00:51:23,767 somewhere in that area. 903 00:51:27,033 --> 00:51:30,634 And part of the response that the community has had, 904 00:51:31,867 --> 00:51:35,533 and I think we as a committee have is how will the lighting 905 00:51:36,667 --> 00:51:41,533 affect the quality of the environment, particularly 906 00:51:41,567 --> 00:51:44,467 as it relates to the asylum lake preserve 907 00:51:45,066 --> 00:51:46,734 and the surrounding neighborhood. 908 00:51:49,867 --> 00:51:53,867 I don't know, I don't even know what the status of, of 909 00:51:53,867 --> 00:51:54,934 that progress is. 910 00:51:55,033 --> 00:51:57,767 I mean, I could go through and read some emails. 911 00:51:58,100 --> 00:52:00,634 David, would you like me to? 912 00:52:01,066 --> 00:52:05,000 - That's the, the one thing I have as a, 913 00:52:05,066 --> 00:52:08,367 as a concern as we we push this forward is 914 00:52:09,634 --> 00:52:14,133 the recognition that that universities essentially operate 915 00:52:14,166 --> 00:52:15,467 as their own fiefdoms. 916 00:52:16,100 --> 00:52:19,467 And so the city has almost no control over 917 00:52:19,467 --> 00:52:20,467 what Western does. 918 00:52:21,166 --> 00:52:25,166 So we can request that the city request Western 919 00:52:25,367 --> 00:52:29,100 to do things, but the city, even if they wanted to, 920 00:52:29,233 --> 00:52:32,133 can't really force Western to do anything. 921 00:52:33,033 --> 00:52:36,166 So just, just wanted to put that out there so we're aware 922 00:52:36,166 --> 00:52:37,900 of the context. 923 00:52:38,900 --> 00:52:42,667 But yeah, catch us up on the, on the key elements 924 00:52:42,767 --> 00:52:44,467 of this discussion that you've been having. 925 00:52:46,867 --> 00:52:50,367 - Basically the key elements are that they had a study, 926 00:52:50,533 --> 00:52:53,634 a light study done by a light engineering firm 927 00:52:54,333 --> 00:52:57,767 that has claimed that there will not be any impact 928 00:52:58,567 --> 00:53:01,033 on the adjoining neighborhoods and 929 00:53:01,100 --> 00:53:04,634 nor will it have any direct impact on 930 00:53:05,100 --> 00:53:09,433 the asylum lake preserve, particularly as it relates to 931 00:53:10,367 --> 00:53:13,367 our, you know, our, our our native fronts, the birds, 932 00:53:13,433 --> 00:53:14,934 the animals and stuff like that. 933 00:53:14,934 --> 00:53:16,900 Because there has been concern 934 00:53:16,900 --> 00:53:20,367 and studies on the impact of light on 935 00:53:20,367 --> 00:53:21,934 how it affects migration 936 00:53:22,500 --> 00:53:25,767 and other, you know, habits of our wildlife. 937 00:53:26,367 --> 00:53:29,133 And they are claiming that it will not. 938 00:53:30,900 --> 00:53:33,000 And there has been some debate on that. 939 00:53:34,166 --> 00:53:37,533 And they're also claiming that it would be from, 940 00:53:38,567 --> 00:53:40,367 they say the games would start between five 941 00:53:40,433 --> 00:53:42,867 and seven, typically end around 10 o'clock. 942 00:53:44,133 --> 00:53:48,000 So not only would it be the light noise, 943 00:53:48,066 --> 00:53:50,867 the light pollution, there also be some 944 00:53:51,333 --> 00:53:56,000 potential noise pollution with the stadium speakers 945 00:53:56,000 --> 00:53:59,567 and additional car traffic that, that sort of stuff. 946 00:54:04,867 --> 00:54:08,066 - And yeah, I looked through those emails 947 00:54:08,166 --> 00:54:11,700 and unfortunately Western basically said we make enough 948 00:54:11,700 --> 00:54:14,700 money for the city, so you should just accept it. 949 00:54:16,000 --> 00:54:20,033 Which it's not, 950 00:54:20,700 --> 00:54:22,567 not in that, that's, as you mentioned 951 00:54:22,567 --> 00:54:27,533 before, talking sustainability, that economy is one leg on 952 00:54:27,533 --> 00:54:29,000 that stool of sustainability, 953 00:54:29,333 --> 00:54:31,834 but it's only one leg on that stool. 954 00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:37,233 - Yeah, that's, that's what they're saying. 955 00:54:38,567 --> 00:54:43,033 - Okay. So I, I can appreciate that, I can appreciate 956 00:54:43,133 --> 00:54:44,700 what they're saying. 957 00:54:45,567 --> 00:54:48,100 Having worked with universities for a long time. 958 00:54:48,266 --> 00:54:52,734 But I also know that living close to this area 959 00:54:56,100 --> 00:55:00,634 and talking with various people who study birds 960 00:55:00,900 --> 00:55:04,300 and, and the light effect and all of that 961 00:55:04,567 --> 00:55:06,634 and all kinds of biological things. 962 00:55:07,100 --> 00:55:10,533 I think that one thing we can do and 963 00:55:10,734 --> 00:55:14,467 and should do perhaps is send a letter 964 00:55:16,734 --> 00:55:21,300 of our concerns to the trustees 965 00:55:21,934 --> 00:55:26,133 of Western Michigan just to let them know. 966 00:55:26,700 --> 00:55:31,533 I think that it, sometimes communication doesn't always go 967 00:55:31,533 --> 00:55:34,367 to the right people or doesn't always get 968 00:55:34,367 --> 00:55:35,734 where it needs to go. 969 00:55:36,500 --> 00:55:39,533 And in this case, I, I do think just a simple letter 970 00:55:39,900 --> 00:55:43,133 of outlining what our concerns are 971 00:55:44,300 --> 00:55:48,000 from an environmental standpoint, recognizing 972 00:55:48,000 --> 00:55:52,734 that we have no authority is one step 973 00:55:53,000 --> 00:55:57,000 to having a working relationship with the university. 974 00:55:57,867 --> 00:56:01,100 'cause if we don't share our concerns, they don't have 975 00:56:01,867 --> 00:56:03,700 any reason to change anything. 976 00:56:04,266 --> 00:56:06,934 But if we share our concerns and go to a trustee meeting 977 00:56:07,033 --> 00:56:11,767 and share them, then sometimes we have 978 00:56:12,767 --> 00:56:15,100 expressed our value in a new way to them. 979 00:56:18,834 --> 00:56:19,834 - I like the idea, but 980 00:56:19,834 --> 00:56:22,066 before we go any further with it, I want to ask Justin, 981 00:56:23,834 --> 00:56:25,266 I'm sure you don't know the answer to this, 982 00:56:25,333 --> 00:56:27,634 so it might be something that that'd be really useful 983 00:56:27,634 --> 00:56:28,767 if you could follow up. 984 00:56:33,000 --> 00:56:37,934 Do we, as the environmental concerns committee have the, 985 00:56:40,867 --> 00:56:41,700 don't wanna say authority 986 00:56:42,033 --> 00:56:43,000 'cause we don't have any authority. 987 00:56:44,467 --> 00:56:47,734 Are are we empowered to send a letter 988 00:56:47,900 --> 00:56:50,500 as the Environmental Concerns Committee to an 989 00:56:50,500 --> 00:56:52,100 outside entity such as Western? 990 00:56:55,100 --> 00:56:57,000 - Yeah, it's a good question. I will follow up on that. 991 00:56:57,266 --> 00:57:01,567 Also, looking at western's trustee meetings. 992 00:57:01,634 --> 00:57:03,867 I mean, there are also general public comments 993 00:57:04,000 --> 00:57:06,000 that are taken in person at those meetings, 994 00:57:06,867 --> 00:57:07,934 but I'll check on the letter 995 00:57:08,133 --> 00:57:09,867 and you know, I guess that's always a second 996 00:57:09,867 --> 00:57:11,133 option going in person 997 00:57:12,367 --> 00:57:15,934 - Because I, I like the way you approach it 998 00:57:16,133 --> 00:57:20,567 because in, in John's emails that I was reading, yeah, 999 00:57:20,567 --> 00:57:22,066 there was a lot of correspondence. 1000 00:57:22,066 --> 00:57:23,333 So there's correspondences happening, 1001 00:57:25,500 --> 00:57:30,367 but how do we create a potentially systemic reform? 1002 00:57:32,133 --> 00:57:35,700 Could we, what you're suggesting is good, 1003 00:57:35,700 --> 00:57:38,000 but could we use this as a way to say 1004 00:57:39,233 --> 00:57:42,867 the Environmental Concerns Committee stands ready 1005 00:57:43,066 --> 00:57:44,934 and eager to coordinate 1006 00:57:45,066 --> 00:57:48,133 and assist Western in addressing 1007 00:57:48,867 --> 00:57:51,233 its environmental impact on the city. 1008 00:57:51,900 --> 00:57:54,100 - Yes. I think that is well said. 1009 00:57:56,000 --> 00:57:57,634 - So not just asking 'em to do something, 1010 00:57:57,667 --> 00:57:59,700 but offering our help and cooperation. 1011 00:57:59,934 --> 00:58:03,500 - Right. And I think going to these meetings has value. 1012 00:58:03,867 --> 00:58:06,033 I just know from my own personal experience, 1013 00:58:06,433 --> 00:58:08,300 being there in person and saying it 1014 00:58:08,333 --> 00:58:12,300 and looking at people face to face makes a difference just 1015 00:58:12,300 --> 00:58:14,467 as it does in the city or the county 1016 00:58:14,500 --> 00:58:19,000 or anywhere that we can, we, we can relay 1017 00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:23,266 there's both concerns, but there's, there's awareness. 1018 00:58:23,634 --> 00:58:26,467 I mean, they are the, the university, 1019 00:58:27,667 --> 00:58:31,100 Kalamazoo College, they're all a part of who we are 1020 00:58:31,133 --> 00:58:32,867 and what we are in this community 1021 00:58:33,033 --> 00:58:35,834 and we have to live together and we have to work together. 1022 00:58:36,734 --> 00:58:41,266 So I just always wanna find a way to make that 1023 00:58:41,500 --> 00:58:43,100 and to personalize it. 1024 00:58:46,133 --> 00:58:47,634 - I'll go to re a second Rachel, 1025 00:58:47,900 --> 00:58:49,033 but just kind of following up. 1026 00:58:49,133 --> 00:58:53,934 I do think there's a very low chance of success. 1027 00:58:54,433 --> 00:58:57,700 Yeah. But it's, it's an avenue that needs to be explored. 1028 00:58:59,233 --> 00:59:01,700 But I think there is some chance of success 1029 00:59:01,734 --> 00:59:06,700 because I believe western's new administration is 1030 00:59:06,700 --> 00:59:10,533 interested in having a positive community impact 1031 00:59:11,300 --> 00:59:13,834 much more so than previous administrations. 1032 00:59:14,100 --> 00:59:15,700 So I I think this 1033 00:59:16,867 --> 00:59:20,033 is at least worth attempting, Rachel. 1034 00:59:22,100 --> 00:59:24,233 - Yeah, I mean, I agree with everything that's been said. 1035 00:59:24,467 --> 00:59:28,367 I like the idea of if we are able to just sending over 1036 00:59:29,367 --> 00:59:30,700 a letter of our thoughts. 1037 00:59:32,133 --> 00:59:34,266 So yeah, I think the next step would just be finding out if 1038 00:59:34,266 --> 00:59:35,934 that's something that we are, like you 1039 00:59:35,934 --> 00:59:37,033 said, empowered to do. 1040 00:59:39,300 --> 00:59:44,266 - Okay. - To facilitate this in 1041 00:59:44,300 --> 00:59:48,100 a way that moves faster 1042 00:59:48,033 --> 00:59:49,367 rather than more slowly. 1043 00:59:51,500 --> 00:59:54,934 John, you've been at the front of this 1044 00:59:55,133 --> 00:59:58,100 and you have more knowledge on this 1045 00:59:58,100 --> 00:59:59,266 issue than any of the rest of us. 1046 01:00:00,700 --> 01:00:05,000 Are you willing to draft a first make to make a first draft 1047 01:00:05,000 --> 01:00:07,834 of this letter and share it with the committee 1048 01:00:08,100 --> 01:00:09,467 for, for some feedback? 1049 01:00:11,133 --> 01:00:13,066 - Yeah, I'd be willing to, to do that. 1050 01:00:13,634 --> 01:00:16,100 I'd like to ask for Katie's. 1051 01:00:16,367 --> 01:00:19,767 - Yeah. Yeah. - I I do have some other emails 1052 01:00:20,100 --> 01:00:21,634 that I did not print out. 1053 01:00:22,000 --> 01:00:23,000 So I can, 1054 01:00:24,166 --> 01:00:27,533 - And we won't send it until we get the, the go ahead 1055 01:00:27,700 --> 01:00:30,300 and even if we, if we get the feedback 1056 01:00:30,300 --> 01:00:32,300 that it's not appropriate for the ECC to do that, 1057 01:00:33,066 --> 01:00:35,266 we can send the letter as individuals. 1058 01:00:35,500 --> 01:00:40,266 But you know, I, I do think there's, there's some 1059 01:00:41,066 --> 01:00:42,734 value to saying that it comes from 1060 01:00:42,734 --> 01:00:43,867 the Environmental Concerns Committee. 1061 01:00:47,166 --> 01:00:51,033 Okay. I think that's a good place to, to take 1062 01:00:51,000 --> 01:00:54,734 unless somebody else has something more on that issue. 1063 01:00:59,867 --> 01:01:02,333 Excellent. We are productive today. Alright. 1064 01:01:02,667 --> 01:01:06,533 We have two items on our 1065 01:01:07,367 --> 01:01:12,100 New Business and we will see 1066 01:01:12,266 --> 01:01:14,834 how we want to move forward with those. 1067 01:01:14,934 --> 01:01:17,100 We'll do this New Business two items and then 1068 01:01:17,100 --> 01:01:19,500 after that we'll come back to public comments. 1069 01:01:20,133 --> 01:01:22,233 So if you're listening or watching 1070 01:01:22,266 --> 01:01:23,467 and want to make a comment, 1071 01:01:24,734 --> 01:01:26,567 we will have time for that shortly. 1072 01:01:27,433 --> 01:01:31,567 Okay. So the, the two issues are urban deer complaints 1073 01:01:31,867 --> 01:01:33,767 and data center moratorium. 1074 01:01:34,900 --> 01:01:37,233 We can start with the Urban Deer complaints. 1075 01:01:38,867 --> 01:01:39,867 I have some thoughts on that, 1076 01:01:39,934 --> 01:01:41,467 but let's see what other people think first. 1077 01:01:43,300 --> 01:01:45,734 - Okay. I'm not very shy. 1078 01:01:47,367 --> 01:01:50,634 So as long as I've lived in Kalamazoo, 1079 01:01:50,634 --> 01:01:54,100 which is not quite 10 years, the the deer has been an issue. 1080 01:01:54,133 --> 01:01:57,000 And, and recently I was at an award ceremony 1081 01:01:57,000 --> 01:01:59,066 where we gave a neighborhood award to somebody 1082 01:01:59,066 --> 01:02:00,567 who served on a deer committee 1083 01:02:00,667 --> 01:02:02,066 and somebody yelled out, how'd 1084 01:02:02,066 --> 01:02:04,033 that work, how did that work out? 1085 01:02:04,100 --> 01:02:07,100 And they said, great for the deer. That was the response. 1086 01:02:07,667 --> 01:02:12,033 But here's the thing, I, I don't wanna reinvent the wheel. 1087 01:02:12,767 --> 01:02:15,567 I don't want another ad hoc committee or a study group. 1088 01:02:16,233 --> 01:02:21,000 Here's what I do think is, is is something that we could do, 1089 01:02:21,100 --> 01:02:23,734 which I think is more proactive than reactive. 1090 01:02:24,433 --> 01:02:27,467 But, so first of all, I, 1091 01:02:27,734 --> 01:02:30,934 I have some connections at at Western in the biology 1092 01:02:31,033 --> 01:02:32,066 department and I learned 1093 01:02:32,066 --> 01:02:34,133 that there was a student wanting to study the deer. 1094 01:02:34,233 --> 01:02:36,934 And I said, they've been studied and studied and studied. 1095 01:02:37,467 --> 01:02:39,367 How about you compile the studies? 1096 01:02:40,100 --> 01:02:42,567 So I, I don't know if that went anywhere, 1097 01:02:42,867 --> 01:02:45,066 but my suggestion was they call Justin. 1098 01:02:47,100 --> 01:02:51,500 And here's what I do think, I think that what we need 1099 01:02:51,500 --> 01:02:54,266 to do is compile what's been done 1100 01:02:55,500 --> 01:03:00,066 and who's been everything from the conservation district to 1101 01:03:00,066 --> 01:03:04,100 what their recommendations are, to put all of that together 1102 01:03:05,266 --> 01:03:10,066 and then for us to take a look at where we can go with that. 1103 01:03:10,066 --> 01:03:12,734 Because there have been a lot of different studies 1104 01:03:14,433 --> 01:03:17,634 and we all know what, what the different options are. 1105 01:03:18,100 --> 01:03:21,567 And it is a very difficult, I I think probably it's one 1106 01:03:21,567 --> 01:03:24,000 of the most divisive things we could talk about almost 1107 01:03:25,066 --> 01:03:27,734 despite many other pressing issues. 1108 01:03:27,900 --> 01:03:31,467 It is divisive, but along those same fields, it came 1109 01:03:31,467 --> 01:03:35,066 to my attention that I know Western has at least two 1110 01:03:35,367 --> 01:03:38,233 internships through their biology department. 1111 01:03:38,300 --> 01:03:41,367 We're interns, and I know you have interns already probably, 1112 01:03:42,000 --> 01:03:45,066 but I'd like to see us strengthen our relationship 1113 01:03:45,066 --> 01:03:46,066 with the university 1114 01:03:46,133 --> 01:03:48,867 and utilize those interns for projects like this 1115 01:03:48,867 --> 01:03:50,934 where things could be compiled and, 1116 01:03:51,667 --> 01:03:55,000 and not have to go to a different committee. 1117 01:03:55,667 --> 01:03:58,467 But it's a good thing for a student to do. 1118 01:04:01,133 --> 01:04:05,066 So my re my recommendation is, is that we 1119 01:04:05,700 --> 01:04:08,734 see if Western or Kalamazoo community, 1120 01:04:09,567 --> 01:04:14,000 I'm gonna get it wrong, community college, have someone 1121 01:04:14,634 --> 01:04:18,467 that wants to work specific to this compiling things. 1122 01:04:19,433 --> 01:04:22,867 Just give us a sense of direction from there. 1123 01:04:23,700 --> 01:04:26,767 And I even think that it's, I know that 1124 01:04:26,834 --> 01:04:29,000 for their internships they get credits. 1125 01:04:30,066 --> 01:04:33,233 I can't, all I can do is suggest 1126 01:04:33,233 --> 01:04:35,367 that the city offer a stipend. 1127 01:04:35,700 --> 01:04:39,066 Do they do any stipends now or is it all unpaid? 1128 01:04:39,567 --> 01:04:40,567 Do you know? 1129 01:04:41,834 --> 01:04:43,367 - Yeah, so I mean, nothing 1130 01:04:43,367 --> 01:04:44,700 that you said was wrong necessarily, 1131 01:04:44,834 --> 01:04:48,000 but Chris Broadband tonight bring on six 1132 01:04:48,000 --> 01:04:49,533 or seven interns a year from Western. 1133 01:04:49,667 --> 01:04:50,834 So I don't want people, people to think 1134 01:04:51,166 --> 01:04:52,000 - Right. Students 1135 01:04:52,033 --> 01:04:55,100 - And we're not - Working with 1136 01:04:57,133 --> 01:04:58,567 - The university and have a good relationship. 1137 01:04:58,667 --> 01:05:00,867 Yes. So we've been bringing on students 1138 01:05:00,867 --> 01:05:02,033 through the Broncos lead program, 1139 01:05:02,033 --> 01:05:04,100 which is a program at Western that pays students 1140 01:05:04,133 --> 01:05:06,467 to in intern with universities. 1141 01:05:07,133 --> 01:05:11,000 I can't say that I don't have a budget. 1142 01:05:12,700 --> 01:05:15,000 Occasionally there'll be money. We had the past, the, 1143 01:05:15,000 --> 01:05:16,934 my Healthy Climate Core people who were paid. 1144 01:05:17,433 --> 01:05:20,266 So yes, I cannot guarantee any student any 1145 01:05:20,266 --> 01:05:21,533 money to intern with me. 1146 01:05:21,667 --> 01:05:24,867 But I have worked with a lot of students from Western 1147 01:05:25,000 --> 01:05:26,300 and are always happy to take on more. 1148 01:05:27,066 --> 01:05:30,834 - Okay. Yeah, I I knew they probably had quite a few 1149 01:05:32,433 --> 01:05:34,533 and that was my recommendation was they call you. 1150 01:05:34,700 --> 01:05:38,100 But I really think that this is something we should just 1151 01:05:39,000 --> 01:05:40,634 get it together and then make a 1152 01:05:40,634 --> 01:05:42,634 recommendation and it's gonna be painful. 1153 01:05:46,367 --> 01:05:48,934 - Did we, didn't we have someone from DNR come in to speak 1154 01:05:48,934 --> 01:05:49,934 to us on this issue? 1155 01:05:51,133 --> 01:05:53,233 - We can. We, we did like, 1156 01:05:56,100 --> 01:05:59,066 well, I don't want to change the tone of debate until, John, 1157 01:05:59,100 --> 01:06:01,500 do you want to jump in? 1158 01:06:02,433 --> 01:06:04,033 Do you want to, before I go, 1159 01:06:06,533 --> 01:06:09,100 - The only thing that I can add to that is, you know, 1160 01:06:09,433 --> 01:06:11,233 I'm big on connecting the dots 1161 01:06:11,500 --> 01:06:16,133 and I think this deer issue is absolutely related 1162 01:06:16,266 --> 01:06:19,066 to the green Zoning issue and green space issue. 1163 01:06:19,834 --> 01:06:23,033 If we look at why we have, well, part 1164 01:06:23,033 --> 01:06:25,033 of the reason why we have a deer issue is 1165 01:06:25,033 --> 01:06:27,066 because we're losing more and more of their habitat. 1166 01:06:27,667 --> 01:06:32,000 And so they're, they're migrating into residential areas. 1167 01:06:32,700 --> 01:06:35,467 So I think these, all of these issues are connected 1168 01:06:36,133 --> 01:06:38,867 and I think we do need to do a little bit more study. 1169 01:06:39,066 --> 01:06:42,700 And it is an absolutely complicated polarizing issue. 1170 01:06:44,100 --> 01:06:48,066 - Yeah. There's studies and there's studies, right? 1171 01:06:50,166 --> 01:06:55,133 The study that the city cooperated on a few years 1172 01:06:55,233 --> 01:06:56,333 ago is an example. 1173 01:06:57,533 --> 01:07:02,100 That study was done by somebody who was very openly looking 1174 01:07:02,233 --> 01:07:04,100 for a way to justify a call. 1175 01:07:05,266 --> 01:07:07,133 I mean, there, there, there's, that's what 1176 01:07:07,133 --> 01:07:09,700 that study was designed to do, was 1177 01:07:09,700 --> 01:07:13,634 to justify having a deer call the DNR. 1178 01:07:14,100 --> 01:07:17,567 The DNR gets funding from hunting licenses. Yeah. 1179 01:07:17,934 --> 01:07:21,700 So yeah, we can have studies, 1180 01:07:22,100 --> 01:07:26,233 but that doesn't necessarily mean that that's the solution. 1181 01:07:28,867 --> 01:07:29,867 John hit on the point. 1182 01:07:30,066 --> 01:07:33,133 I mean, I am not in favor 1183 01:07:33,467 --> 01:07:35,533 of chasing our tails, going 1184 01:07:35,667 --> 01:07:37,700 after bandaid solutions when a 1185 01:07:37,934 --> 01:07:39,500 systemic solution is what's necessary. 1186 01:07:41,700 --> 01:07:44,567 You cannot kill your way to deer management. 1187 01:07:45,033 --> 01:07:46,100 It's not possible. 1188 01:07:47,066 --> 01:07:50,834 Every community that advertises the success 1189 01:07:50,934 --> 01:07:54,500 of their deer management program, which is euphemism 1190 01:07:54,500 --> 01:07:57,767 for deer killing programs, they're temporary. 1191 01:07:58,767 --> 01:08:02,533 They, they create a smaller number of deer 1192 01:08:03,100 --> 01:08:05,367 for a year or two, and then the deer come right back. 1193 01:08:06,133 --> 01:08:08,367 You kill the deer, the deer come back, you kill the deer, 1194 01:08:08,433 --> 01:08:11,634 the deer come back and it's, it's just a treadmill. 1195 01:08:11,667 --> 01:08:13,000 It's not gonna change. Yeah. 1196 01:08:13,000 --> 01:08:16,033 Killing deer is not going to reduce the number 1197 01:08:16,133 --> 01:08:17,333 for more than a couple years. 1198 01:08:21,433 --> 01:08:25,266 Habitat is needed, you know, as we continue to 1199 01:08:25,867 --> 01:08:27,133 encourage the destruction 1200 01:08:27,133 --> 01:08:29,333 of all the green space in the city, 1201 01:08:30,000 --> 01:08:31,467 the deer have to go somewhere. 1202 01:08:32,033 --> 01:08:34,000 Where is the biggest pressure that, 1203 01:08:34,000 --> 01:08:36,467 where are the complaints about deer coming from? 1204 01:08:36,500 --> 01:08:40,867 Almost exclusively, they're coming from Oakland windchill, 1205 01:08:41,066 --> 01:08:44,934 Oakwood, the neighborhoods surrounding the few remaining 1206 01:08:45,033 --> 01:08:46,500 islands of green space in the city. 1207 01:08:48,000 --> 01:08:49,500 That's very clear. 1208 01:08:49,500 --> 01:08:52,000 And then, you know, you got some on the edges of v 1209 01:08:52,166 --> 01:08:54,000 and some of the edges of West Maine, 1210 01:08:54,066 --> 01:08:56,834 but they're places where our, they're, they're corridors. 1211 01:08:59,133 --> 01:09:03,333 What's not being promoted is exclusion, 1212 01:09:04,000 --> 01:09:05,634 you know, putting fences 1213 01:09:05,634 --> 01:09:08,066 around things you don't want their deer to eat that works. 1214 01:09:10,533 --> 01:09:13,934 There are also non-toxic, 1215 01:09:15,100 --> 01:09:18,567 non-chemical sprays that you can use. 1216 01:09:19,100 --> 01:09:21,033 We actually use some to protect some trees 1217 01:09:21,300 --> 01:09:23,033 that turned out to be really effective. 1218 01:09:23,033 --> 01:09:25,233 It's called deer repel. It stinks. 1219 01:09:26,867 --> 01:09:29,367 The, the active ingredient is 1220 01:09:30,567 --> 01:09:32,700 putrid egg salads is what it's called. 1221 01:09:33,100 --> 01:09:35,266 And smell and garlic. Yeah. Yep. 1222 01:09:35,433 --> 01:09:38,300 And it smells, it's that sulfur smell that it, 1223 01:09:38,300 --> 01:09:39,834 that makes it so effective. 1224 01:09:41,934 --> 01:09:44,700 So I think before we have any dis 1225 01:09:44,834 --> 01:09:47,133 before I would support any discussion 1226 01:09:47,133 --> 01:09:49,100 of a call and just one vote. 1227 01:09:49,033 --> 01:09:51,867 I mean, we could do whatever we want as a committee, but 1228 01:09:51,867 --> 01:09:54,734 before I would support any discussion of a call, there needs 1229 01:09:54,734 --> 01:09:57,567 to be a program designed to 1230 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:04,033 help homeowners protect their, their property 1231 01:10:04,033 --> 01:10:06,367 that they want protected with fencing 1232 01:10:06,834 --> 01:10:09,100 and other types of, of repellent 1233 01:10:09,700 --> 01:10:11,934 and behavior alteration rather than 1234 01:10:11,934 --> 01:10:13,033 immediately going to killing. 1235 01:10:15,333 --> 01:10:18,767 So I, I, yeah, I, I'm open to having the discussion, 1236 01:10:18,767 --> 01:10:22,100 but I think that we need to put more 1237 01:10:22,867 --> 01:10:24,934 solutions on the table than just a coal. 1238 01:10:28,834 --> 01:10:31,567 - I would agree with that. I was, I was in the 1239 01:10:33,133 --> 01:10:35,634 landscaping industry for almost 50 years 1240 01:10:36,867 --> 01:10:41,000 and there's a lot of educational opportunity there 1241 01:10:41,000 --> 01:10:43,000 and there's a lot of, not a lot, 1242 01:10:43,266 --> 01:10:48,100 but there are some very effective products that help deter 1243 01:10:49,000 --> 01:10:50,567 the deer from eating things. 1244 01:10:50,734 --> 01:10:53,266 There's different types of plants that can be planted. 1245 01:10:54,000 --> 01:10:56,734 You know, there's a big movement towards native species. 1246 01:10:56,767 --> 01:10:59,100 Unfortunately, sometimes the native species are 1247 01:10:59,533 --> 01:11:00,634 deer magnets. 1248 01:11:01,734 --> 01:11:06,066 So I think a lot of it boils, does boil down to education 1249 01:11:06,000 --> 01:11:07,767 and, and having a, 1250 01:11:10,000 --> 01:11:12,934 a commitment from all parties involved instead 1251 01:11:12,934 --> 01:11:14,333 of just, let's kill him. 1252 01:11:14,333 --> 01:11:17,734 Because I don't think that's a viable alternative. 1253 01:11:18,867 --> 01:11:20,100 - It, it's, you know, it's, 1254 01:11:20,867 --> 01:11:23,000 it would create some temporary relief, 1255 01:11:23,033 --> 01:11:24,467 but it's not gonna fix the problem. 1256 01:11:25,133 --> 01:11:25,233 - No. 1257 01:11:31,500 --> 01:11:35,100 - So I respect that view. 1258 01:11:35,867 --> 01:11:37,100 I use all those products. 1259 01:11:37,467 --> 01:11:40,367 I have nearly an acre of, of property 1260 01:11:41,033 --> 01:11:42,233 and I do the native planting, 1261 01:11:43,000 --> 01:11:45,834 and I do almost every plant that the deer can't eat 1262 01:11:46,033 --> 01:11:47,934 or shouldn't eat or wouldn't want to eat. 1263 01:11:49,367 --> 01:11:52,867 But I can tell you I've had up to 17 deer in my backyard, 1264 01:11:53,066 --> 01:11:55,033 even after I spray my deer out. 1265 01:11:56,333 --> 01:11:59,500 And I, I think that, I think that there have, there's, 1266 01:11:59,934 --> 01:12:02,100 there's a variety of ways to approach it. 1267 01:12:02,100 --> 01:12:03,867 And I can tell you if I had to fence in my yard, 1268 01:12:03,867 --> 01:12:05,066 it would be thousands of dollars. 1269 01:12:07,300 --> 01:12:09,133 And if that's what I would have to do, I'm, 1270 01:12:09,266 --> 01:12:10,934 I would maybe have to do that. 1271 01:12:11,300 --> 01:12:16,066 But I've chosen to just, my yard happens to be one 1272 01:12:16,066 --> 01:12:19,500 of the pass throughs between asylum and Kline stock. 1273 01:12:20,033 --> 01:12:22,367 But at the same time, I, I, I hear 1274 01:12:22,367 --> 01:12:24,266 what people are saying in the community 1275 01:12:24,500 --> 01:12:26,266 and I think that we, we, 1276 01:12:26,500 --> 01:12:29,834 when we put the burden back on them, as the guy 1277 01:12:29,834 --> 01:12:31,834 who won the award said it was great for the deer. 1278 01:12:32,367 --> 01:12:36,133 But I think we have to be willing to look at 1279 01:12:36,867 --> 01:12:38,567 not necessarily what DNR says. 1280 01:12:38,934 --> 01:12:41,000 I mean, I would like to hear from other biologists 1281 01:12:41,000 --> 01:12:43,133 and people in the field who have done this 1282 01:12:43,233 --> 01:12:45,667 and find out what other cities have done 1283 01:12:45,934 --> 01:12:48,934 because I, I did come from a city where they did a coal 1284 01:12:49,100 --> 01:12:50,433 and that, and it was effective. 1285 01:12:51,100 --> 01:12:53,166 I lived out in a rural area for over 30 years. 1286 01:12:53,667 --> 01:12:56,567 I've had more deer since I've lived here in 10 years than 1287 01:12:56,567 --> 01:12:59,166 what I ever had out next to a farm 1288 01:12:59,567 --> 01:13:02,233 and a lake in over 30 years. 1289 01:13:05,000 --> 01:13:07,000 So I, I hear what people are saying, 1290 01:13:07,100 --> 01:13:09,500 and I think they're saying that this isn't working 1291 01:13:10,734 --> 01:13:13,867 unless the city wants to start paying to put fences 1292 01:13:14,100 --> 01:13:15,266 around everybody's yard. 1293 01:13:16,033 --> 01:13:18,033 So I, I think there's two sides to it. 1294 01:13:18,333 --> 01:13:21,700 And I, what I'm looking for is some 1295 01:13:21,700 --> 01:13:24,166 of the more hardcore science that says 1296 01:13:24,867 --> 01:13:26,133 this is what is effective. 1297 01:13:26,934 --> 01:13:29,233 Because I know that we talk about castration 1298 01:13:29,467 --> 01:13:32,100 and other people say, no, that that's not effective. 1299 01:13:32,000 --> 01:13:33,867 And some people will say, well, yes it is. 1300 01:13:35,367 --> 01:13:37,634 But I'm looking to the science 1301 01:13:37,867 --> 01:13:39,634 to say, here's what we can do. 1302 01:13:39,634 --> 01:13:42,834 And that's why I recommended a student that's kind 1303 01:13:42,834 --> 01:13:47,500 of a third party pull together what we have done 1304 01:13:47,634 --> 01:13:51,734 and suggested and, you know, 1305 01:13:51,734 --> 01:13:54,033 what is the deer population in the city 1306 01:13:54,066 --> 01:13:55,634 and where are the problem areas? 1307 01:13:56,700 --> 01:13:58,867 So that was kind of my thought is 1308 01:13:59,300 --> 01:14:01,133 let's pull together the information. 1309 01:14:02,433 --> 01:14:04,066 What is the deer population? 1310 01:14:04,066 --> 01:14:08,100 And we know sometimes, you know, with various diseases, 1311 01:14:08,166 --> 01:14:10,133 it's kind of taking care of its own. 1312 01:14:12,133 --> 01:14:15,000 But I, I think we have to have a foundation of 1313 01:14:15,634 --> 01:14:20,533 where we're at before we make a recommendation to the city 1314 01:14:20,667 --> 01:14:22,567 or any further. 1315 01:14:23,467 --> 01:14:27,233 So is it feasible to have a student work on 1316 01:14:28,333 --> 01:14:30,734 compiling this information for us, do you think? 1317 01:14:33,500 --> 01:14:36,700 - Yeah, so I spent too much time in school myself. 1318 01:14:37,133 --> 01:14:39,133 When you say this information, I need specifics. 1319 01:14:39,734 --> 01:14:41,500 Are we talking about a deer population study? 1320 01:14:42,834 --> 01:14:46,066 What are we really wanting a student to find out? 1321 01:14:46,834 --> 01:14:49,834 - I, I do think it is the deer population study. 1322 01:14:51,867 --> 01:14:54,834 I, I'd like, I I I do wanna know 1323 01:14:55,900 --> 01:14:57,133 the deer population study. 1324 01:14:57,367 --> 01:15:02,033 We also need to know the, what do I wanna say? 1325 01:15:03,233 --> 01:15:07,066 I wanna know the science behind the different methods, 1326 01:15:07,900 --> 01:15:11,934 whether it's just fencing in the yard or doing a coal 1327 01:15:12,100 --> 01:15:14,867 or doing the chemical castration. 1328 01:15:15,867 --> 01:15:16,867 I mean, 1329 01:15:17,100 --> 01:15:18,100 - Yeah. 1330 01:15:18,100 --> 01:15:18,867 So there won't be any castration. 1331 01:15:18,900 --> 01:15:22,033 The DNR does not allow for that anymore, it's coal 1332 01:15:22,066 --> 01:15:24,500 or nothing with the Michigan DNR. 1333 01:15:24,500 --> 01:15:25,867 You wouldn't get any permits for that. 1334 01:15:26,133 --> 01:15:28,066 But yeah, this is something a student could definitely do a 1335 01:15:28,066 --> 01:15:29,367 literature review on a lot of this stuff. 1336 01:15:29,500 --> 01:15:34,333 Right. And for the last two years, requested special funding 1337 01:15:34,467 --> 01:15:38,233 to get a deer population study done by drone, 1338 01:15:38,867 --> 01:15:41,133 and that has not been marked as a priority for the city. 1339 01:15:42,934 --> 01:15:45,066 - Maybe - That's where we start then. 1340 01:15:49,767 --> 01:15:52,333 Okay. That's my recommendation then that we start 1341 01:15:52,333 --> 01:15:54,066 with the deer population study. 1342 01:15:55,934 --> 01:15:58,934 - And it sounds like Justin's on, on the same page there. 1343 01:15:59,066 --> 01:16:02,634 So that is something that would have to come from the city. 1344 01:16:02,834 --> 01:16:05,133 And the, that's the other only other thing 1345 01:16:05,133 --> 01:16:08,300 that I'm a little bit hesitant with this, 1346 01:16:11,000 --> 01:16:15,066 if there's, if there's any forward movement on any kind 1347 01:16:15,066 --> 01:16:18,333 of deer plan that the Environmental Concerns Committee needs 1348 01:16:18,333 --> 01:16:22,100 to be involved, but we are 1349 01:16:22,934 --> 01:16:27,634 volunteers and it's absolutely not appropriate 1350 01:16:27,634 --> 01:16:31,233 for the city to drop the most controversial environmental 1351 01:16:31,367 --> 01:16:34,033 issue in the city in our laps in order 1352 01:16:34,033 --> 01:16:35,033 to avoid it themselves. 1353 01:16:36,734 --> 01:16:39,233 So we, we absolutely should be involved, 1354 01:16:39,567 --> 01:16:42,767 but this is too big of an issue for us 1355 01:16:42,934 --> 01:16:44,634 to tackle on our own. 1356 01:16:47,266 --> 01:16:49,834 - Okay. I - Agree. But yeah. 1357 01:16:50,033 --> 01:16:51,567 - Yeah, - Absolutely. 1358 01:16:55,367 --> 01:16:57,734 - Anything else on the Deere issue 1359 01:16:58,000 --> 01:17:01,300 or any of the other items? 1360 01:17:05,900 --> 01:17:08,500 - The data center, - Oh yeah, that's right. 1361 01:17:08,500 --> 01:17:10,700 The data center. I missed the, that one. 1362 01:17:10,900 --> 01:17:15,467 All right, go ahead. So, yes, we had, the city has 1363 01:17:17,433 --> 01:17:20,767 just as of, I think it was last night, voted 1364 01:17:21,133 --> 01:17:25,300 for a 12 month, right, 12 month moratorium on 1365 01:17:27,000 --> 01:17:29,867 data centers and battery storage facilities, 1366 01:17:30,166 --> 01:17:32,867 and also crypto mining in the 1367 01:17:32,867 --> 01:17:37,867 city comments. 1368 01:17:40,066 --> 01:17:42,000 - I wanna, I wanna applaud the city 1369 01:17:42,000 --> 01:17:43,066 commission for doing that. 1370 01:17:43,467 --> 01:17:47,834 And I would also like to see that the City Commission incur, 1371 01:17:47,834 --> 01:17:51,100 hopefully, is encouraging the planning commission to 1372 01:17:52,100 --> 01:17:55,000 create new Zoning regulations, specifically written 1373 01:17:55,000 --> 01:17:56,266 for this new development. 1374 01:17:56,500 --> 01:18:00,100 I know that the City of Portage has faced the same issue. 1375 01:18:00,700 --> 01:18:04,100 The City of Portage did come out with a moratorium, 1376 01:18:04,133 --> 01:18:07,533 and then they passed it off to the Planning Commission. 1377 01:18:07,533 --> 01:18:10,100 And the planning Commission implemented new Zoning 1378 01:18:10,834 --> 01:18:14,533 regulations, specifically designed for data centers. 1379 01:18:15,133 --> 01:18:16,133 It's a new issue 1380 01:18:16,500 --> 01:18:21,000 and a lot of the Zoning laws were written a long time ago 1381 01:18:21,266 --> 01:18:26,233 that, you know, predates any thought of data centers and AI 1382 01:18:26,266 --> 01:18:27,533 and cryptocurrency. 1383 01:18:27,934 --> 01:18:32,367 So I, I hope that the planning commission here will 1384 01:18:33,133 --> 01:18:34,700 take the ball on this and, 1385 01:18:35,567 --> 01:18:38,100 and make this a, a urgent priority. 1386 01:18:39,700 --> 01:18:43,567 Justin, do you have any feedback on that or input? 1387 01:18:44,934 --> 01:18:47,467 - I mean, nothing beyond, you know, what I sent you all, 1388 01:18:47,467 --> 01:18:50,233 so I hope that this is not the end of it. 1389 01:18:51,133 --> 01:18:53,567 I guess we're all, we've all probably, I don't want this 1390 01:18:53,567 --> 01:18:54,734 to be the mission accomplished banner 1391 01:18:55,634 --> 01:18:58,233 because, I mean, data centers use energy, 1392 01:18:58,433 --> 01:19:01,533 but everyone everywhere uses energy. 1393 01:19:02,033 --> 01:19:03,634 And that article that I'd sent you, you know, 1394 01:19:03,634 --> 01:19:07,867 data center energy use is expect to be 17% of the usage as, 1395 01:19:07,867 --> 01:19:11,266 as it continues to grow, which means there's 83% out there, 1396 01:19:11,634 --> 01:19:13,033 scope one and two emissions are the driver 1397 01:19:13,133 --> 01:19:15,367 of emissions in cities. 1398 01:19:17,033 --> 01:19:19,767 So I hope that this doesn't stay constrained 1399 01:19:19,900 --> 01:19:20,934 to just data centers 1400 01:19:21,000 --> 01:19:22,467 and we start to think about energy use, 1401 01:19:22,634 --> 01:19:24,066 energy production more broadly. 1402 01:19:24,734 --> 01:19:26,867 It's kind of a soapbox thing more than, you know, 1403 01:19:26,867 --> 01:19:28,100 any type of recommendation. 1404 01:19:28,100 --> 01:19:29,333 But I just, yeah, 1405 01:19:33,233 --> 01:19:37,533 - So I, my first thought was I, 1406 01:19:37,934 --> 01:19:41,767 I really wanted to, I, I think it's good 1407 01:19:41,767 --> 01:19:44,100 for the Environmental Concerns Committee 1408 01:19:44,033 --> 01:19:49,066 to endorse the action that the city took on the moratorium. 1409 01:19:51,166 --> 01:19:54,700 The same time, I, I think when I went 1410 01:19:54,700 --> 01:19:58,333 to the educational session on data centers 1411 01:19:58,634 --> 01:20:01,867 and such, someone said, you know, you really have to stop 1412 01:20:01,867 --> 01:20:05,000 and think about, you know, what does your city wanna be? 1413 01:20:05,100 --> 01:20:09,100 Who do you wanna be? What, what do you wanna grow into? 1414 01:20:09,166 --> 01:20:12,333 And I think it ties into our green Zoning 1415 01:20:12,634 --> 01:20:17,500 and our conservation district of what do we want, where 1416 01:20:19,133 --> 01:20:23,233 it's comes down to what land do you wanna use for what? 1417 01:20:23,900 --> 01:20:26,734 And I, so I, I endorsed what they did, 1418 01:20:26,934 --> 01:20:29,700 but I do wish that 1419 01:20:30,367 --> 01:20:33,567 the next step had been to put together an ad hoc committee 1420 01:20:33,567 --> 01:20:36,567 that included citizens, not just planning 1421 01:20:36,700 --> 01:20:39,834 and Zoning, not just city staff who are gonna come back 1422 01:20:40,033 --> 01:20:43,867 and report in three months, but to put together a committee 1423 01:20:44,500 --> 01:20:46,533 because this is, this is broader. 1424 01:20:46,867 --> 01:20:49,767 This, this does involve the energy sector. 1425 01:20:50,033 --> 01:20:52,333 This does involve a lot of different sectors 1426 01:20:53,133 --> 01:20:54,233 to put their heads together 1427 01:20:54,266 --> 01:20:56,934 and say what's best for the city of Kalamazoo, 1428 01:20:56,934 --> 01:20:58,000 and here's our recommendation 1429 01:20:58,000 --> 01:21:02,133 because there are people outside the city of Kalamazoo 1430 01:21:03,467 --> 01:21:08,133 employ employees that will bring expertise. 1431 01:21:09,266 --> 01:21:13,700 So I really felt the next step was that ad hoc committee 1432 01:21:13,734 --> 01:21:16,233 to make some type of recommendation. 1433 01:21:16,233 --> 01:21:19,133 And someone from the Environmental Concerns Committee should 1434 01:21:19,133 --> 01:21:21,100 be on that ad hoc committee. 1435 01:21:22,233 --> 01:21:26,033 So I would be willing to entertain a motion that we 1436 01:21:27,834 --> 01:21:30,367 recommend the city take this step with an ad hoc committee 1437 01:21:31,133 --> 01:21:34,500 composed of all the different entities 1438 01:21:35,033 --> 01:21:36,100 that could possibly be involved. 1439 01:21:36,166 --> 01:21:38,233 And that, that, I think that includes the county 1440 01:21:39,500 --> 01:21:44,033 and surrounding townships to say, 1441 01:21:45,100 --> 01:21:47,000 where do we wanna go with this? 1442 01:21:47,000 --> 01:21:50,066 Because we, we have to, we have to come up with something 1443 01:21:50,066 --> 01:21:55,033 that is concrete and I want us to have a seat at the table. 1444 01:21:58,467 --> 01:22:02,266 - I think the city is in the process of trying to figure out 1445 01:22:02,333 --> 01:22:04,734 how they're going to move forward. 1446 01:22:08,066 --> 01:22:11,233 But yeah, this will be a good exam, a good test of whether 1447 01:22:11,233 --> 01:22:16,133 or not they're going to include the Environmental 1448 01:22:16,133 --> 01:22:18,000 Concerns Committee, we should definitely be involved. 1449 01:22:20,367 --> 01:22:22,266 - Yeah, I, I agree with that. 1450 01:22:24,100 --> 01:22:25,867 I think this is something that's very nuanced 1451 01:22:26,000 --> 01:22:30,500 and I don't think I understand fully the impact, 1452 01:22:30,533 --> 01:22:33,867 like obviously broadly the impacts of a data center, 1453 01:22:34,100 --> 01:22:37,934 but then what would be the best practice in terms 1454 01:22:38,000 --> 01:22:40,266 of suggesting Zoning ordinances 1455 01:22:40,266 --> 01:22:44,233 and things like, I don't know the specifics of that. 1456 01:22:44,734 --> 01:22:49,333 So I don't know if it would be possible to maybe have one, 1457 01:22:49,634 --> 01:22:52,934 a local zoner maybe from Portage since they have passed 1458 01:22:52,934 --> 01:22:56,066 something, speak on what they have done, 1459 01:22:56,734 --> 01:23:00,734 and also find someone who's more knowledgeable about the 1460 01:23:00,734 --> 01:23:04,000 environmental impact to be able to speak on what's the best 1461 01:23:05,066 --> 01:23:09,934 practice for setbacks, noise limits, like all 1462 01:23:09,934 --> 01:23:12,500 of those more technical things. 1463 01:23:18,233 --> 01:23:20,500 - Should I put that into a better motion? 1464 01:23:20,734 --> 01:23:22,000 I don't know that my motion was. 1465 01:23:22,300 --> 01:23:24,066 - Well, so let's, 1466 01:23:25,033 --> 01:23:27,300 I I think you've got a good point there, 1467 01:23:27,300 --> 01:23:28,734 Rachel, to follow up on that. 1468 01:23:31,533 --> 01:23:33,834 John, you mentioned that Portage 1469 01:23:34,467 --> 01:23:37,000 is approaching this issue through Zoning. 1470 01:23:37,834 --> 01:23:40,100 - They they have, yep. 1471 01:23:41,667 --> 01:23:46,367 - Are you familiar with any of the folks 1472 01:23:47,133 --> 01:23:50,100 who are behind 1473 01:23:50,100 --> 01:23:52,467 that Zoning process in Portage? 1474 01:23:54,033 --> 01:23:56,834 - Do I, do I know them? Yes, I do not. Okay. 1475 01:23:57,100 --> 01:23:58,533 Just this is just what I have read 1476 01:23:58,667 --> 01:24:02,266 and researched on, on how they've approached it. 1477 01:24:03,266 --> 01:24:05,567 So knowing that we were gonna have this discussion, 1478 01:24:09,300 --> 01:24:14,000 - I am willing to see if I can make 1479 01:24:17,066 --> 01:24:21,500 contact with anybody down in Portage who is 1480 01:24:22,233 --> 01:24:23,300 involved in that Zoning process 1481 01:24:23,433 --> 01:24:25,033 or who was involved in that Zoning process. 1482 01:24:26,233 --> 01:24:28,066 And if I'm able to, 1483 01:24:28,433 --> 01:24:31,467 and if they're willing, I will connect them 1484 01:24:31,567 --> 01:24:35,033 with Justin about getting them on the agenda to 1485 01:24:36,066 --> 01:24:39,500 give a short presentation to us about how 1486 01:24:39,500 --> 01:24:42,233 that worked in Portage for next month. 1487 01:24:43,500 --> 01:24:45,533 Does that sound like a good place to start? 1488 01:24:49,634 --> 01:24:51,934 - Yeah, I would. I'm looking at it right now. 1489 01:24:52,100 --> 01:24:57,000 And the Portage Planning Commission on voted, 1490 01:24:58,634 --> 01:25:01,066 they adopted a new technology campus 1491 01:25:01,867 --> 01:25:05,033 called TC Zoning District that would define 1492 01:25:05,433 --> 01:25:09,033 and regulate data centers and related technology uses. 1493 01:25:09,867 --> 01:25:11,533 And that was after a public hearing. 1494 01:25:14,100 --> 01:25:15,133 I, I can forward you 1495 01:25:15,300 --> 01:25:16,066 - Yeah. Please do 1496 01:25:16,033 --> 01:25:17,033 - This information. 1497 01:25:17,033 --> 01:25:18,500 Yeah, because they're, 1498 01:25:18,500 --> 01:25:20,867 they were pretty specific about building heights 1499 01:25:20,934 --> 01:25:24,500 and all of the Zoning regulations and where it could be, 1500 01:25:24,567 --> 01:25:27,767 because I think right now data centers, the way 1501 01:25:27,767 --> 01:25:29,634 that it's defined in within the city 1502 01:25:29,634 --> 01:25:33,467 of Kalamazoo can be located in an industrial area. 1503 01:25:34,900 --> 01:25:37,000 And I think they need to change that. 1504 01:25:39,667 --> 01:25:41,867 - So if, if people think that's a good place for us 1505 01:25:41,867 --> 01:25:45,000 to start, I will get that information from John 1506 01:25:45,100 --> 01:25:49,834 and then find the appropriate person and make an invitation 1507 01:25:50,734 --> 01:25:52,367 and copy Justin on that. 1508 01:25:52,467 --> 01:25:54,734 So they're on the agenda. 1509 01:25:56,000 --> 01:25:57,734 - We do have a motion on the table though, 1510 01:25:57,734 --> 01:25:59,300 so I either have to withdraw it 1511 01:25:59,934 --> 01:26:02,100 - Or we have, well, it wasn't seconded, so Oh, okay. 1512 01:26:02,300 --> 01:26:04,834 Yeah. Okay. So it is, it's still out there 1513 01:26:04,867 --> 01:26:06,834 to be seconded if somebody wanted to, okay, 1514 01:26:09,300 --> 01:26:12,066 - Here, here's one thought is my justification is 1515 01:26:12,066 --> 01:26:15,000 that I think that sometimes when the city makes decisions, 1516 01:26:15,367 --> 01:26:18,300 the citizens step up and say, you didn't involve us. 1517 01:26:18,300 --> 01:26:20,734 Yeah. And I, and I was involved in something 1518 01:26:21,133 --> 01:26:23,834 with the city here where I pulled out their policy 1519 01:26:24,500 --> 01:26:28,066 and it had to do with street changes and street design. 1520 01:26:28,133 --> 01:26:31,000 And it said, if you live within 300 feet, you have 1521 01:26:31,000 --> 01:26:33,500 to be notified and pointed out 1522 01:26:33,500 --> 01:26:35,100 to the city that didn't happen. 1523 01:26:36,100 --> 01:26:40,533 So if you say you wanna involve citizens, involve citizens, 1524 01:26:40,734 --> 01:26:43,000 and this is this debate. 1525 01:26:43,333 --> 01:26:46,734 I, I mean, I see, I see posts on social media 1526 01:26:46,734 --> 01:26:48,834 where people are just ranting about it. 1527 01:26:48,867 --> 01:26:53,634 And I think, do you, Could you explain to me 1528 01:26:53,634 --> 01:26:55,867 what you think a data center is and how it works? 1529 01:26:57,467 --> 01:26:59,367 We have a lot of education to do, 1530 01:26:59,567 --> 01:27:03,533 but I think one of the ways that the city can 1531 01:27:04,133 --> 01:27:06,567 improve the relationship with citizens is 1532 01:27:06,567 --> 01:27:07,734 to involve citizens. 1533 01:27:08,333 --> 01:27:13,000 And that means that you bring together a group, 1534 01:27:13,066 --> 01:27:16,500 you bring together some of the experts from the entities, 1535 01:27:17,000 --> 01:27:19,634 but you also include some of the community. 1536 01:27:20,567 --> 01:27:25,033 So that's my thought between behind and had ad hoc group, 1537 01:27:25,033 --> 01:27:26,867 because if they're going to do this, 1538 01:27:27,100 --> 01:27:28,367 they're gonna have to start now. 1539 01:27:29,066 --> 01:27:33,000 It's not gonna be, it's not gonna be a three month process. 1540 01:27:33,734 --> 01:27:35,500 That's gonna be a a, 1541 01:27:37,433 --> 01:27:38,934 it's probably gonna be a multi-year. 1542 01:27:42,500 --> 01:27:44,467 So that's my 2 cents. 1543 01:27:46,567 --> 01:27:48,000 - I would second the motion of 1544 01:27:49,100 --> 01:27:52,100 or recommending to the city to create an ad hoc committee 1545 01:27:55,133 --> 01:27:58,700 - With environmental concerns committee involvement. 1546 01:27:59,000 --> 01:28:02,734 - Yes, - I support that. 1547 01:28:03,367 --> 01:28:04,533 That's a good idea. 1548 01:28:06,233 --> 01:28:09,033 - Any in a, any opposed? Obviously not. No. 1549 01:28:10,333 --> 01:28:13,867 So Justin, we've got a recommendation. 1550 01:28:14,000 --> 01:28:18,266 We'd like to request that the city create 1551 01:28:19,000 --> 01:28:23,734 a ad hoc committee to investigate data centers 1552 01:28:24,133 --> 01:28:25,467 and their regulation 1553 01:28:25,934 --> 01:28:29,533 and to include the Environmental Concerns Committee 1554 01:28:29,867 --> 01:28:31,033 in that process. 1555 01:28:35,000 --> 01:28:38,233 - Yep. The only thing, I mean, if the whole committee, 1556 01:28:39,266 --> 01:28:43,066 the whole ECC is joining, that needs to be an open meeting. 1557 01:28:43,667 --> 01:28:45,934 - You could say representation from the 1558 01:28:45,934 --> 01:28:47,100 Environmental Concerns Committee. 1559 01:28:47,367 --> 01:28:50,300 - I think I'm thinking have a seat at the table on, 1560 01:28:50,500 --> 01:28:51,834 - Do we wanna pick who that is now? 1561 01:28:52,767 --> 01:28:53,867 - Let's see if they do it. 1562 01:28:57,533 --> 01:28:59,734 Yeah, I I mean we could, but 1563 01:29:00,100 --> 01:29:02,066 - I mean, honestly, I, I could bring in some 1564 01:29:02,066 --> 01:29:04,333 of these experts and we could just take the full two hours 1565 01:29:04,367 --> 01:29:06,533 in one of our meetings to have it recorded 1566 01:29:06,700 --> 01:29:07,834 and answer questions 1567 01:29:07,834 --> 01:29:09,500 and invite people to one of our meetings. 1568 01:29:09,500 --> 01:29:10,767 Or we could do a special session 1569 01:29:10,767 --> 01:29:12,133 where I invite these experts in. 1570 01:29:13,867 --> 01:29:15,467 I have no trouble or problem doing that. 1571 01:29:15,533 --> 01:29:17,867 I know most of these folks. So we could 1572 01:29:18,467 --> 01:29:19,734 do a fourth Wednesday 1573 01:29:20,700 --> 01:29:22,500 and then have everyone here in chambers 1574 01:29:22,500 --> 01:29:24,834 to discuss and have the experts. 1575 01:29:26,033 --> 01:29:29,133 - I, I would just say that if we're gonna do that, 1576 01:29:29,367 --> 01:29:32,634 I would like to coordinate that with you so 1577 01:29:32,634 --> 01:29:37,300 that we can avoid the complete dog 1578 01:29:37,300 --> 01:29:39,066 and pony show that the county put on, 1579 01:29:39,066 --> 01:29:41,467 which was nothing other than a public relations 1580 01:29:42,266 --> 01:29:45,133 blitz in favor of creating data centers. 1581 01:29:50,433 --> 01:29:52,233 - Yeah. We can bring in who you folks want. 1582 01:29:52,634 --> 01:29:56,834 - Okay. - I mean, I, I think that's good to ed 1583 01:29:56,867 --> 01:29:58,066 for education for us, 1584 01:29:58,033 --> 01:30:01,767 but I still think that we want citizen involvement and, 1585 01:30:02,467 --> 01:30:06,066 and the experts in various groups who are going to within, 1586 01:30:07,000 --> 01:30:08,300 you know, however long it takes, 1587 01:30:08,300 --> 01:30:10,533 they've got a year moratorium to turn around 1588 01:30:10,533 --> 01:30:12,100 and make a recommendation to the city. 1589 01:30:12,000 --> 01:30:13,100 And I assume planning 1590 01:30:13,233 --> 01:30:15,834 and Zoning is, is very much a part of that 1591 01:30:15,834 --> 01:30:19,133 because it's Zoning regulations just like the, 1592 01:30:19,266 --> 01:30:22,767 the green zone and the conservation, we have to figure out 1593 01:30:23,734 --> 01:30:24,734 where's it going to be. 1594 01:30:24,834 --> 01:30:27,100 That's the reality. Where, where 1595 01:30:27,467 --> 01:30:30,066 and what, how big do we wanna 1596 01:30:30,066 --> 01:30:31,066 - Be? 1597 01:30:31,066 --> 01:30:34,934 Well, we can have a dedicated meeting 1598 01:30:35,667 --> 01:30:38,634 that we will publicize and invite the public to. 1599 01:30:39,300 --> 01:30:44,233 That will be a data center educational event. 1600 01:30:44,667 --> 01:30:47,033 Okay. That will be hosted by 1601 01:30:47,100 --> 01:30:49,100 or put on by the Environmental Concerns Committee. 1602 01:30:51,133 --> 01:30:55,033 Yeah, I, I think both are good ideas. Yeah. 1603 01:30:55,100 --> 01:30:56,333 So we'll follow up on that 1604 01:30:58,100 --> 01:30:59,734 and we'll see what we can come up with. 1605 01:31:01,100 --> 01:31:03,567 Alright, any other thoughts on the data centers? 1606 01:31:05,567 --> 01:31:08,934 Alright, we've got one more round of public 1607 01:31:09,367 --> 01:31:10,500 comments here year, 1608 01:31:12,000 --> 01:31:14,533 if you are wanting to call in. 1609 01:31:15,300 --> 01:31:20,266 That number is (888) 382-9556. 1610 01:31:21,000 --> 01:31:21,934 Again, that's 1611 01:31:21,934 --> 01:31:26,367 8 8 8 3 8 2 9 5 5 6. 1612 01:31:27,233 --> 01:31:31,300 While Justin is checking to see if there are any there. 1613 01:31:31,333 --> 01:31:33,734 Well, we'll just let just Adam check. 1614 01:31:43,300 --> 01:31:45,066 We will open the floor for public comments. 1615 01:31:45,233 --> 01:31:48,100 One last quick round while we wait 1616 01:31:48,100 --> 01:31:49,266 to see if anybody calls in. 1617 01:31:55,367 --> 01:31:56,367 You have to 1618 01:32:02,133 --> 01:32:03,133 - Each other. 1619 01:32:03,133 --> 01:32:07,100 It's not that far away. It's for the notes. Pick it up. 1620 01:32:07,100 --> 01:32:08,467 Oh yeah. Right, right. Okay. 1621 01:32:09,934 --> 01:32:11,700 First of all, thank you 1622 01:32:11,734 --> 01:32:14,467 for sending forward the green Zoning recommendation. 1623 01:32:15,300 --> 01:32:17,467 I do have a question because I lost track. 1624 01:32:18,634 --> 01:32:22,133 Is it a recommendation to the planning commission 1625 01:32:22,166 --> 01:32:23,667 or to the city commission? 1626 01:32:24,033 --> 01:32:26,867 City. City, thank you. That's what I thought. 1627 01:32:27,300 --> 01:32:30,000 But just wondering, 1628 01:32:32,033 --> 01:32:35,266 it is gonna be important until any other committees 1629 01:32:35,300 --> 01:32:38,500 or whatever are set up that people 1630 01:32:39,333 --> 01:32:41,133 attend the planning commission meetings 1631 01:32:41,133 --> 01:32:43,367 and monitor that it's gonna be really important 1632 01:32:43,767 --> 01:32:44,767 and provide input 1633 01:32:47,533 --> 01:32:51,700 and also that they would be looking at it in the larger 1634 01:32:51,834 --> 01:32:54,266 sense as member Bloom mentioned 1635 01:32:55,734 --> 01:32:58,100 regarding the lights. 1636 01:32:59,000 --> 01:33:02,166 I will talk to someone whose house directly abuts, 1637 01:33:02,700 --> 01:33:04,000 abuts the Kay College field. 1638 01:33:04,266 --> 01:33:07,233 So, and see what kind of effect has been there. 1639 01:33:08,867 --> 01:33:12,133 We also, I should have finished that part about the 1640 01:33:13,000 --> 01:33:16,700 green Zoning, but we do need to ensure that 1641 01:33:17,367 --> 01:33:21,000 it all gets into IK 35. 1642 01:33:21,634 --> 01:33:25,367 So on down the road, I know that 1643 01:33:26,266 --> 01:33:28,900 six months, that's one thing sometimes the planning 1644 01:33:28,900 --> 01:33:30,033 commission doesn't meet. 1645 01:33:30,834 --> 01:33:33,500 So it's just something to keep in mind 1646 01:33:35,500 --> 01:33:36,533 regarding the deer. 1647 01:33:37,767 --> 01:33:40,767 I'm co-founder of Kalamazoo Animal Animal Advocates 1648 01:33:41,567 --> 01:33:45,100 and I've been monitoring for one thing, the emails 1649 01:33:45,100 --> 01:33:46,533 that have come in and there have been very 1650 01:33:46,567 --> 01:33:47,867 few in the last year. 1651 01:33:49,867 --> 01:33:53,000 I agree that it is 1652 01:33:53,000 --> 01:33:57,533 because of loss of habitat is a main, main thrust of it. 1653 01:33:58,266 --> 01:34:02,500 And we can use the golf club as one 1654 01:34:02,500 --> 01:34:05,467 of those examples why deer are hitting 1655 01:34:06,033 --> 01:34:08,100 windchill oakwood quite a lot. 1656 01:34:10,033 --> 01:34:12,033 And thank you chairman nack for pointing out 1657 01:34:12,033 --> 01:34:16,033 what has happened with calls and that we really have to, 1658 01:34:16,133 --> 01:34:17,266 and this is so important. 1659 01:34:18,500 --> 01:34:21,033 Look at this system, the whole system. 1660 01:34:22,100 --> 01:34:25,433 And I appreciate you pointing out the bias study 1661 01:34:25,500 --> 01:34:27,133 that was done in the past. 1662 01:34:28,667 --> 01:34:30,300 So just points of information. 1663 01:34:30,567 --> 01:34:31,700 I'm not sure if you know, 1664 01:34:32,000 --> 01:34:34,433 but in the past, 1665 01:34:35,033 --> 01:34:37,166 Kalamazoo Nature Center has done a call 1666 01:34:38,433 --> 01:34:39,667 in the last two years. 1667 01:34:40,000 --> 01:34:44,000 They have not. And one of the reasons, one 1668 01:34:44,000 --> 01:34:45,700 of the main reasons is 1669 01:34:45,900 --> 01:34:48,667 because of episodic hemorrhage disease 1670 01:34:49,867 --> 01:34:53,000 and we have lost many deer 1671 01:34:54,066 --> 01:34:55,900 in this area due to that. 1672 01:34:57,133 --> 01:35:00,767 So Ms. Bloom referred to 1673 01:35:00,767 --> 01:35:02,467 that, and that is vi 1674 01:35:05,500 --> 01:35:06,266 - In terms of 1675 01:35:10,066 --> 01:35:13,033 presentation, that 1676 01:35:14,867 --> 01:35:16,033 any recommendations, 1677 01:35:17,367 --> 01:35:20,300 and I'm alluding to that email that came in, 1678 01:35:20,634 --> 01:35:24,634 there were no recommendations laid out 1679 01:35:25,467 --> 01:35:28,000 situation and didn't necessarily talk. 1680 01:35:32,033 --> 01:35:34,500 I do want education 1681 01:35:34,834 --> 01:35:38,767 because I think that the reason why I'm not getting many 1682 01:35:39,634 --> 01:35:43,467 of the website, the work that people have done, talk people 1683 01:35:44,066 --> 01:35:47,567 about it has been very, 1684 01:35:49,867 --> 01:35:52,500 I also will my report 1685 01:35:53,266 --> 01:35:56,266 that couple years ago. 1686 01:36:00,934 --> 01:36:02,233 So thank you. 1687 01:36:04,233 --> 01:36:06,033 - Thank you, thank you. 1688 01:36:09,000 --> 01:36:10,000 Wanna make another comment? 1689 01:36:19,900 --> 01:36:23,266 - Hi again. Iris just covered a couple 1690 01:36:23,266 --> 01:36:24,266 of these points already, 1691 01:36:24,300 --> 01:36:27,000 but related to the urgency on some of the your priorities. 1692 01:36:27,734 --> 01:36:30,734 Public Media Network article from just about a week ago 1693 01:36:31,000 --> 01:36:34,467 reiterated that commissioners have until August 21st 1694 01:36:34,767 --> 01:36:37,133 to submit final feedback on current goal 1695 01:36:37,333 --> 01:36:38,533 and outcome statements 1696 01:36:38,867 --> 01:36:41,500 before staff finalize the document for public release. 1697 01:36:42,133 --> 01:36:44,066 So that's just a couple of days away. 1698 01:36:44,300 --> 01:36:47,700 I don't know if any conversation here tonight is related to 1699 01:36:47,700 --> 01:36:51,133 that deadline, but perhaps furthermore, 1700 01:36:51,533 --> 01:36:53,033 work on the strategic vision 1701 01:36:53,066 --> 01:36:55,467 and master plan will continue in parallel 1702 01:36:55,567 --> 01:36:58,467 through the remainder of 2026 and early 2027. 1703 01:36:58,667 --> 01:37:00,300 So everybody here might know that, 1704 01:37:00,333 --> 01:37:01,867 but perhaps listeners don't. 1705 01:37:03,333 --> 01:37:06,634 And on their website, they give some pretty concrete dates. 1706 01:37:07,266 --> 01:37:10,033 August 31st through the 27th of September, 1707 01:37:10,667 --> 01:37:13,000 the draft will be available for public review. 1708 01:37:13,367 --> 01:37:14,867 So that's coming out pretty soon. 1709 01:37:14,934 --> 01:37:18,033 Community subject matter experts will participate in fo 1710 01:37:18,166 --> 01:37:20,433 focus groups at Western to develop 1711 01:37:20,533 --> 01:37:21,734 and refine strategies 1712 01:37:21,734 --> 01:37:23,734 to achieve the strategic vision goals and outcomes. 1713 01:37:24,100 --> 01:37:25,000 That's mid-September 1714 01:37:26,667 --> 01:37:29,533 and September 28th through October 5th. 1715 01:37:29,867 --> 01:37:32,033 Staff will review and incorporate public comments 1716 01:37:32,533 --> 01:37:34,900 and finalize the strategic vision draft. 1717 01:37:36,867 --> 01:37:39,767 And October 19th, their strategic vision is anticipated 1718 01:37:39,767 --> 01:37:42,133 to return to the city for potential approval. 1719 01:37:43,500 --> 01:37:47,133 And then early 27th work will continue on the master plan 1720 01:37:48,433 --> 01:37:53,133 per my individual input on the 2035 design at phase at a 1721 01:37:53,133 --> 01:37:55,467 community event, I believe it was earlier 1722 01:37:55,500 --> 01:37:56,834 this year, it was very cold. 1723 01:37:57,700 --> 01:38:00,567 The city should establish a natural resources director 1724 01:38:00,734 --> 01:38:03,533 or manager level position with staff as well 1725 01:38:03,533 --> 01:38:07,500 as a sustainability position at that level, responsible 1726 01:38:07,500 --> 01:38:11,033 for coordination, restoration, land management partnerships, 1727 01:38:11,433 --> 01:38:16,000 grant acquisition supported by dedicated reoccurring funding 1728 01:38:17,000 --> 01:38:19,734 and parallel environmental protection should pair this 1729 01:38:20,233 --> 01:38:21,767 capacity with stronger regulatory 1730 01:38:21,867 --> 01:38:25,133 and investment tools such as strengthening the na, the NFP, 1731 01:38:26,000 --> 01:38:27,734 reevaluating setbacks and so on. 1732 01:38:28,266 --> 01:38:31,066 This builds on the existing master plan direction 1733 01:38:31,066 --> 01:38:34,367 to pursue protection of environmental areas 1734 01:38:35,066 --> 01:38:37,700 through conservation easements, deed restrictions, 1735 01:38:38,133 --> 01:38:39,834 development, right transfers, 1736 01:38:40,033 --> 01:38:42,700 land conservation partnerships, and transfer to public 1737 01:38:42,700 --> 01:38:45,066 or partner nonprofit ownership. 1738 01:38:48,934 --> 01:38:51,333 Katie mentioned something about participate, 1739 01:38:51,634 --> 01:38:52,767 public participation. 1740 01:38:52,867 --> 01:38:54,767 That's, I feel very strongly about that. 1741 01:38:55,834 --> 01:38:59,233 And I believe that the, the community input collected 1742 01:38:59,233 --> 01:39:01,934 through public participation should be clearly summarized 1743 01:39:03,000 --> 01:39:04,734 and available to the, the public. 1744 01:39:04,934 --> 01:39:09,500 Not just a, not just making the, the 1745 01:39:10,000 --> 01:39:12,634 public participation but then summarizing for the public. 1746 01:39:13,133 --> 01:39:15,300 And then finally update rezoning, Ordinance, 1747 01:39:15,300 --> 01:39:17,934 amendment criteria to include the sixth standard, which 1748 01:39:19,066 --> 01:39:20,066 - Participation. 1749 01:39:22,033 --> 01:39:26,667 - Thank you. Very good points from both 1750 01:39:26,667 --> 01:39:28,934 of our, our people in the audience. 1751 01:39:30,033 --> 01:39:33,233 Justin, did you see anyone on the phone lines? Okay. 1752 01:39:34,934 --> 01:39:37,500 All right. We've got good public comments today. 1753 01:39:38,133 --> 01:39:40,734 We have our last item on the agenda 1754 01:39:41,266 --> 01:39:44,000 is do we have any Commissioner comments 1755 01:39:44,867 --> 01:39:46,634 that you would like to make to close this out? 1756 01:39:46,767 --> 01:39:48,100 We'll start with Kate. 1757 01:39:52,700 --> 01:39:57,066 No, thank you. I, I have none. 1758 01:39:59,000 --> 01:40:02,066 I will just say before we pass it to Rachel, thank you. 1759 01:40:02,100 --> 01:40:04,700 People who showed up today, it's always nice 1760 01:40:04,700 --> 01:40:06,100 to have some people in the audience. 1761 01:40:06,834 --> 01:40:09,000 And again, I just wanna repeat, 1762 01:40:09,066 --> 01:40:11,700 we do have seats available on the committee. 1763 01:40:12,000 --> 01:40:14,233 Anyone who lives in the city of Kalamazoo 1764 01:40:14,367 --> 01:40:16,700 and has an interest in environmental issues 1765 01:40:17,367 --> 01:40:18,900 is eligible to be a member. 1766 01:40:19,033 --> 01:40:20,567 So reach out through the city's website 1767 01:40:21,100 --> 01:40:22,867 and send us your application. 1768 01:40:24,700 --> 01:40:27,467 No comment here. All right, thank you. I'll 1769 01:40:27,467 --> 01:40:28,467 - Jump in with one. 1770 01:40:28,667 --> 01:40:29,934 I know we talk about plans a lot, 1771 01:40:29,934 --> 01:40:33,133 but the city's also asking how to spend its money. 1772 01:40:33,233 --> 01:40:37,367 So 2027 budget development here is open for Public Comment. 1773 01:40:38,066 --> 01:40:41,867 There's a quick survey, I'll show you the survey here 1774 01:40:42,100 --> 01:40:44,133 so folks can see, you know, 1775 01:40:44,133 --> 01:40:45,734 what city services are most important to you. 1776 01:40:45,734 --> 01:40:48,166 Select up to three. So we have water spurs, 1777 01:40:48,700 --> 01:40:51,000 so we're looking, the city's looking for input. 1778 01:40:51,634 --> 01:40:52,834 They want to know 1779 01:40:53,266 --> 01:40:56,000 what citizens believe the city should spend its money on. 1780 01:40:56,166 --> 01:40:59,333 So that's open through the mid through August, I believe, 1781 01:40:59,900 --> 01:41:02,066 but sooner rather than later would probably be best. 1782 01:41:02,000 --> 01:41:04,934 So, and this goes hand in hand with IK 2035 1783 01:41:05,934 --> 01:41:07,133 so folks can have a say in that. 1784 01:41:08,367 --> 01:41:11,066 - Thank you. Thank you Justin. Thanks Justin. 1785 01:41:11,266 --> 01:41:13,000 All right with that last announcement, 1786 01:41:13,166 --> 01:41:15,033 we are officially adjourned. 1787 01:41:15,033 --> 01:41:17,634 I'll see you next month. Alright, good. 1788 01:41:18,500 --> 01:41:20,634 That was a busy meeting. That was a good meeting. 1789 01:41:23,567 --> 01:41:26,867 Get things done. Thank you Justin. 1790 01:41:27,333 --> 01:41:29,066 Alright, thanks Justin.