[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389433,"mediaKeyId","2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7","parentId",2113333,"title","UPC reviews adopted utility financial policy, rate consultant role and affordability outreach; approves invoices and 2025 meeting schedule","audioSeconds",2370,"startMs",1980000,"endMs",4350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7&start=1980&end=4350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389433/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/UPC-reviews-adopted-utility-financial-policy-rate-consultant-role-and-affordability-outreach-approves-invoices-and-2025-meeting-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389433-c6f3837f61b9770866cc23367a068ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160955&Signature=Tn29G9Z0x2fWZ-Bxd4anPoqUblg2ROkWwf9xKisDCZYAz8p4agCuRkZt9697P4WB~enPX9b7iY7T1ARnSZbGPMSNtc84hFe0a0gIVUT3JfjmOJGx61DrWqOAQKajLuXq3jZGfX~32DHLy~1X0fbeIlnscRUH7~MSqXHgUSEVGopSSFU295qi9uE5eUl8DmfTysB85~RJIfwNLEFbb8WH8M0axPGMkBhQ-18r1z7qOrSKNXUocQxOkBzSyYqZL4CUC5ZXtZV-ZQCcin3tlIYF6qUOmTeh8X~2N05S-HuXWQT6CQ7Q0L-nyvUGYcTpW-HEcU675hivCTC5fkvYakGxBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Utility Policy Committee on Jan. 9 reviewed a city-commission-adopted utility financial policy and discussed UPC responsibilities under the city's water-services contract, the use of rate consultants, the fiscal-year 2024 financial summary and the water affordability outreach plan for 2025.

City staff noted the City Commission adopted the Utility Financial Policy Dec. 2; the policy and its appendix will guide the rate consultant and UPC oversight. Committee members agreed the UPC should continue to have the option to select or review rate-consultant work and to request supporting records annually if needed. The committee asked staff to request a 2026 fee quote from the current rate consultant (Stantec) for consideration before April.

Steve Vicente, city CFO and UPC alternate, and James Baker, Public Services director, walked the committee through a financial summary for 2024. The committee saw revenues exceeded the 2024 budget in several categories and expenditures were below budget for operating categories; staff flagged that capital spending remains the largest variance by dollar amount. Staff cautioned that year-end accruals and audit adjustments will appear in the audited statements later.

On affordability, city staff reported continued program funding through grant sources and city-commission appropriations for marketing and outreach. James Baker said the program has more funding capacity than current participation and the UPC will emphasize outreach: billboards, radio, postcards and in-person events were planned for spring 2025. Staff noted household eligibility runs to 200% of federal poverty guidelines and categorical eligibility for SNAP recipients.

Administrative matters: the UPC recorded three procedural votes and one finance vote. The committee approved the agenda and accepted the Nov. 14, 2024 draft minutes (both by voice vote). The UPC then approved a motion to hold regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at Ashmore Township for calendar year 2025 and asked staff to distribute meeting invitations. The committee also approved payment of two invoices from Halfenburg LLC (invoice numbers 1014 and 1018); the motion carried with one abstention.

Ending: Staff will request a 2026 fee from the rate consultant, provide consultant billing details at the next meeting, continue affordability outreach and post the adopted utility policy materials for UPC review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 9, 2025 Utility Policy Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Utility Policy Committee reviewed the city-commission-adopted utility financial policy, discussed rate-consultant engagement for 2026, heard a fiscal summary showing higher revenues and planned affordability outreach, approved two professional invoices (one abstention), and set the 2025 meeting schedule.","taxTitle","Kalamazoo City, Kalamazoo County, Michigan","taxId",3977,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389438,"Committee hears redesign after Ross Township withdraws; EGLE loan and corporate hookup push reduce project cost",161,1536000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7&start=1536&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7/thumbnail_1536000.jpg","/articles/6389438/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Committee-hears-redesign-after-Ross-Township-withdraws-EGLE-loan-and-corporate-hookup-push-reduce-project-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389438-7ed1310c355f41927cd35f7e2832b186/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160955&Signature=eSYTj3y63kRIS5DaLWMtGkxVBO~7IBo6sJyf-g8d58iXnHW2o3r5PKFdFb8dRwjPT4-WSh0XdUeUH0Fp69l3kcnStrCZnritunEBUrr9CcB19n-p5ORDz6EQMifL~nMFwHPgIZ2KxGYheNenaWEhr7be39TikaIHF8Fe1VAjFZfbyYxKnSTRnwLx0zXqIKtsWaSG3Rbbm-UB87DymLZa~5HOlPwEtFmrluiHZCHoDZ4ByWuXa5jZJvRhQtHlI9vCbhaaNrYQiuFDmocMgYwss8ZurTNI7WbO864~Mp1kWwCHpJkagxPW5U9TgVfiut32~ibMn9l3cC-CciDZZTAVDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ross Township's decision not to participate in the FY25 DWSRF project prompted staff to redesign the Richland Township portion of the project to close distribution loops, Kalamazoo city staff told the Utility Policy Committee on Jan. 9.

James Baker, the city's Public Services director and city engineer, said the redesign requires some private easements but does not change the overall grant or grant amounts. The city has completed preliminary design submitted to the project engineer (Eagle) and has signed an agreement with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for a fourth-quarter loan closing.

Baker said the revised design still includes the same amount of new pipe to connect affected residential wells and the city's lead-removal and station consolidation projects in the city remain unchanged. \"We've submitted and signed agreement with EGLE for a 4th quarter loan closing. So we're moving forward with everything with EGLE on that and we're meeting all milestones currently,\" Baker said.

Committee members were also told that Georgia Pacific plans a renewed outreach to customers in parts of Cooper Township where the company previously funded water service: GP will make another effort to pay hookup costs and encourage residents to connect at no cost. James Baker said that corporate push would likely reduce the city's project cost and estimated current revisions reduce the project cost by about $10,000,000.

On PFAS, Baker said detections and regulatory thresholds have changed and Michigan now has its own MCLs in force. He said only three monitoring wells currently have detections above the existing Michigan thresholds; federal EPA regulation expected in 2029 could change regulatory limits and open new funding opportunities. \"When the new regulations come out in 2029 for PFAS, there's likely gonna be additional funding opportunities,\" Baker said.

No formal vote was required; staff said the redesign and EGLE loan closing preserve project milestones and funding. Committee members asked staff to continue to monitor PFAS sampling results and regulatory developments and to pursue easements needed for the Richland loop closures.

Ending: Staff will pursue required easements, continue coordination with EGLE, and report progress at future UPC meetings.","Ross Township opted out of the FY25 DWSRF project, prompting a redesign of Richland Township loops. The committee heard that the city has signed a fourth-quarter loan closing with EGLE, and Georgia Pacific will attempt a drive to fund hookups in parts of Cooper Township; staff estimate about $10 million lower project cost from recent adjustments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389442,"Utility Policy Committee to draft mandatory-connection language for neighborhood water extensions",1082,404000,1486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7&start=404&end=1486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113333-515bd450b1e7ac270d8ae7b725d664a7/thumbnail_404000.jpg","/articles/6389442/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Utility-Policy-Committee-to-draft-mandatory-connection-language-for-neighborhood-water-extensions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389442-1861f56d7324e037d50b16edb13683d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160955&Signature=awA6rAi8nraBKadZmHVvb4UpqIwD3xF3IJUPU3ylzoKplrhZoCaunNKcOQ5RprLtiafXLj61l4euXalM8XLPevoI55kZbWFWrWmhngB7jjiYOKnxxeKbaQuB6-U3nJ-sa3XlTcUoGyYHk8LBTb4n84RW2-X117oRo88P6wPJy7vZo-c0qRU4AWg9U09YntbkoBj1p-yVTdnu4UavX8M10KChZjdebNkQebqIOiG6DvTvcWDmX2YVs5QCtHwWL8OZyKf-UpfQkD5vcFpRDpehqrQ4TntTjnkTsI8iedhbsuszQjZUJTHddE63OSTbM6xTjB5pFIjx0R3Ehx~uL9mKjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utility Policy Committee on Jan. 9 directed staff to draft language to add neighborhood-by-neighborhood mandatory-connection provisions to the UPC's neighborhood water-extension policy, after hearing a legal opinion from Comstock Township that such a targeted ordinance is enforceable.

Committee members said the change would let townships require property owners in a defined project area to connect to a public water main when a private well fails, while limiting the geographic scope so owners outside the project area are not captured. The committee asked staff to return a proposed amendment for review at the next UPC meeting.

That amendment would let a township submit a petition to the UPC that states the township is willing to adopt a mandatory-connection ordinance limited to the described neighborhood. Under the draft approach discussed, petition signers would acknowledge three items before a project proceeds: the estimated connection cost, that the property will be required to connect when the well fails, and the geographic legal description of the mandatory-connection area. Committee members noted a 50% petition-signature threshold was the working assumption discussed by the subcommittee.

Tom Lee, a regional commission representative, described the Comstock Township attorney's legal opinion that a township can add a legal description for a project area into an ordinance and require mandatory connections on that block-by-block basis. \"That is the legal opinion of Comstock Township's attorney,\" Lee said when summarizing the guidance from counsel (legal counsel named in the meeting: Catherine Kaufman, Buckham, Spak & Sparks).

Speakers and members raised financial and practical considerations. James Baker, Kalamazoo Public Services director and city engineer, summarized estimated costs: a capacity buy-in fee of about $6,000 plus on-site connection costs could make total per-property connection costs roughly $11,000 to $12,000 today; those connection charges will rise over time as actual costs are used to set fees. Committee members noted that greenfield installation costs are roughly 30% lower than building mains in established neighborhoods, meaning the system is already partially subsidizing neighborhood extensions.

Members emphasized two policy goals: protect the utility's financial health by avoiding open-ended subsidies to neighborhoods where few residents may ever connect, and preserve water quality and system viability by encouraging eventual connection. Some members said mandatory connection, enforced when wells fail or when a well-permit is denied because sewer/water is available, aligns with the county's and townships' existing approaches to sewer connections.

The UPC asked a small subcommittee (James Baker, Tom Lee and Tim Hudson) to draft specific neighbor-by-neighborhood mandatory-connection language and return it for committee review at the February meeting. The committee also agreed it would share the draft with the regional commission before adoption to solicit township feedback.

The committee did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting; members directed staff to prepare draft policy language and bring it back for formal consideration.

Ending: The UPC set a follow-up for February 13 to review proposed mandatory-connection policy language and recommended sharing the draft with the regional commission and affected townships before consideration.","The Utility Policy Committee (UPC) agreed to draft language adding a mandatory-connection condition to its neighborhood water-extension policy so townships can require properties to connect when private wells fail. The committee directed staff to prepare language for review at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

UPC reviews adopted utility financial policy, rate consultant role and affordability outreach; approves invoices and 2025 meeting schedule

Committee hears redesign after Ross Township withdraws; EGLE loan and corporate hookup push reduce project cost

Utility Policy Committee to draft mandatory-connection language for neighborhood water extensions