Kalamazoo City Commissioners say they’re happy about the way the community responded to last week’s frigid weather. During Monday night’s City Commission meeting they praised efforts by residents during the crisis. Even so, Mayor Bobby Hopwell says more coordination would have helped address the emergency. (City Commissioners also approved a water increase Monday Night)
Hopewell said
“You know, you get these emergencies...we have them and we practice them, but communication always over the years has seemed...as a paramedic I know over the years has seemed, uh, to be one of those points that can always use some improvement.”
Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain says better cooperation between the city and social service agencies is the key to protecting the homeless and other vulnerable residents. He says the city will work with them and residents to find ways to handle future weather emergencies better.
Water Rate Increase
Kalamazoo City commissioners have voted to raise water and sewer rates. Despite the increase approved Monday night, Commissioner David Anderson says Kalamazoo still has some of the lowest water and wastewater bills in the state. He says that helps the city as well as neighboring communities that get services from Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo city officials say the rate increase will help replace old lead service lines and make other improvements. The rate increase goes into effect February 14th.