# October 21, 2026 Environmental Concerns Committee


**Body:** City of Kalamazoo
**Date:** October 20, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Environment, Construction & Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The City of Kalamazoo Environmental Concerns Committee met on October 21, 2026. The committee discussed city solid-waste programs, including leaf pickup scheduled for November 2–December 12 and the ongoing recycling and food-scrap programs. The solid-waste coordinator said curbside recycling is funded through the solid-waste millage, reported that 2,200 tons of material were recycled in 2025, and noted that the city contracts with Republic Services for recycling. No new contract, vendor selection, bid approval, or purchasing decision was identified. A committee member raised the possibility of requesting a city budget fund to help homeowners with unaffordable hazardous-tree removals; this was an idea for further consideration, not an approved allocation. Public comment also discussed a county safe-roads proposal associated with a $25 million grant and concerns about tree removal, but no related city procurement action was taken.

Members discussed green zoning and parks impacts, agreeing to pursue coordination with the Park and Recreation Advisory Board; the committee also reviewed the Asylum Lake preserve transition process. A motion was made to appoint Doc as the committee’s representative to the data-center moratorium working group, with Adam as alternate, but the transcript does not show the vote outcome. Other discussion included recycling candy wrappers, litter prevention, and improving board and commission input into the city’s strategic vision. No procurement awards or spending approvals were identified.

**Source:** City of Kalamazoo