*Kzoo Parks to Host Woods Lake Winter Golf Classic
Saturday January 28; 1:00pm - 4:00pm
*CANCELLED*
1/17/23 update - per the city, due to the recent warm weather and lack of ice at Woods Lake, this event has been cancelled. Community members who signed up for the event have been issued full refunds. 
Community members are invited to join Kzoo Parks at other upcoming winter events, which can be found at www.kzooparks.org/Events
​*City Resources Available Online Regarding Deer Nuisances

City resources are available online to help Kalamazoo residents that are experiencing nuisance issues caused by the deer population.

You can find helpful resources like deer resistant plants, information about fencing, and how to report issues at www.kalamazoocity.org/deer.  You can also read the ad hoc committee's report on Kalamazoo's deer population.
* TRAFIC CIRCLE & CURB EXTENTION INSTALLATION:
10/19/22 UPDATE

Below are additional questions (and answers via email from the city's Sr. Civil Engineer in quotes) about these traffic calming tools to slow down neighborhood traffic to make it a safer place for us to live, drive, walk, ride bikes, etc.:

1) Are these a temporary test or can we consider them permanent? 
  • “The curbs are temporary and are being used as a TRIAL and to TEST how effective curb radii and mini-roundabouts are before we do anything permanent. However, we do have to have a long enough time to study effects, so they will be in place for an anticipated 18-36 months depending on the area and resources we have available. The trial period will help inform design changes for these areas and also gives us a starting point to understand how these measures affect traffic as we look to calm traffic in neighborhoods City wide.”
 
2) Are the bollards [white posts] permanent or simply temporary until people get familiar with the curbs?
  • “Bollards are planned to remain in place while the temporary curb is in place. However, we do plan to reduce the amount to only a handful per curb radii once traffic gets used to them being there”

3) What is the city’s plan to clear snow around (and within) the curb extensions (and within the traffic circles)?
  • “Clearing snow around the curb extensions and traffic circles will take place as usual, getting the snow of the road. Radii were designed to allow for them to be cleared. Inside the elements will be a different matter. For the traffic circles there wouldn’t be much of a need to clear inside during the winter months. For the curb extensions, I’d imagine we’d treat these as similar to sidewalk ramps as an “extension” of the ramp area. So they’d be cleared like sidewalk would be.”

4) Can/will there be an opportunity to paint or color the curbs another color besides black?
  • “Painting of the curbs themselves would not be permissible. They are retroreflective and are made to be reused/reinstalled in other trial areas after the trial in Winchell. So, the City will not permit them to be painted.”

5) Anything else you can relate on how/if the city (or our neighborhood) can “soften” the look?  The understanding is that we may be able to do some landscaping with the circles…can the inside of those (and the curb extensions) be also painted green or something come spring?
  • “We would be open to providing temporary encroachments for landscaping within the circles and painting in the curb extensions. Our ROW Coordinator can work with the neighborhood association or individuals if this is desired and can help process the required paperwork and provide the requirements for items placed (colors, height of landscaping, type of material, etc.)

6) Speed Bumps?
“In general terms, we look at the street typology, function, target speed limit, and design to evaluate what measures are needed to meet calming goals. Speed humps for instance aren’t the safe option on a sloped street, higher speed street, or commercial street most often. Other things to consider are geometry, pavement condition, and available funds.”

Our city traffic engineer also told us that the city does use speed bumps, but each instance is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Main downside to speed bumps?  He told us that studies show that when they are put in the “wrong” places, drivers will actually speed up between the bumps to make up for their perceived “lost“ time!

“As always, we understand this is significant change. The best thing to do is communicate the TRIAL and PILOT nature of the recent installations. The City is open to adjusting and adapting the calming measures. However, we have to have time for traffic to settle, people to get use to it, and then make changes based on that. Basically, we need to give time for the items to work/not work before making adjustments.”
 
“We are monitoring this closely and I have been driving the area from multiple angles and direction several times a day since we’ve started the installations.”

ALSO - see the graphics (from the city) HERE to better help you visualize the final product.
* TRAFIC CIRCLE & CURB EXTENTION INSTALLATION:
10/7/22 UPDATE

Below are questions to the city along with the Civil Engineer's answers (in quotes).

This is a process that will be completed shortly, but it will take a bit of time and patience from our neighborhood before implementation is complete. Again, the overall goal here is to slow down neighborhood traffic to make it a safer place for us to live, drive, walk, ride bikes, etc.

ALSO - see the graphics (from the city) HERE to better help you visualize the final product.

1) How long it will take to complete the installation? (the rubber curbs, in-street arrows & bike symbols, yellow painted lines, painted “islands”, etc.?)
“The rubber curbs are new items to us (the city) and the Contractor. Install speed/timeframe is not yet known. We expect it will take 2-5 days to be fully installed at ALL locations (including the curb extensions).”
“Installation of the curbs will start Monday 10/10."
“Paint and other items to occur once that Contractor is in the local area (end of October/beginning November is expected).”

2) Will these be monitored (and if so, by who, and how?) for their effectiveness and ease of use?
“Public Services will monitor the operation of the traffic circles. We took before traffic speeds and volumes and will compare them against the post-installation speeds and volumes once traffic normalizes, which will occur in 2023.”

3) Can/will these be changed if warranted? What would warrant them being changed?
“These can be changed if warranted. Public Services selected modular rubber curbs that could be removed, moved, added to, or changed if absolutely required.”
4) Will busses and big trucks be able to go through these traffic circles safely and effectively?
“These are all designed per the City of Kalamazoo Streets Design Manual to accommodate the appropriate vehicles for the road type. I personally watched school buses, one transit bus, 1-ton truck/trailer combos (x2), and garbage trucks (x2) navigate the circles without an issue this morning. Lane widths and roundabout locations were picked with snow clearing and leaf clearing in mind as well. It just made everyone slow down going through the intersection – exactly what they were meant to do.”
*Winchell Ave. Bike Lanes: Explained

There has been some FB chatter and questions to our board regarding the Winchell Ave. bike lanes, particularly asking why parking can't be added back in them in front of the Preserve's entrance.  Below is our board's and the City's rationale.

This all starts with the ODWNA Neighborhood Plan, a 2+ year culmination of meeting, talking, and surveying hundreds and hundreds of our neighbors, as well as the work of five committees comprised of over 50 neighborhood residents.  It is officially a part of the City’s Master Plan.
The highest priority issues identified, neighborhood-wide, were traffic calming and increasing our safe, non-motorized networks (i.e. – sidewalks & bike lanes), both within the neighborhood and to connect us to other neighborhoods.

As outlined in the City Planner’s June 9, 2022, correspondence, I will briefly reiterate her, and our boards, reasoning behind these bike lanes:
  1. It fully aligns with the “Connected Neighborhood” and “Connected City” sections of our Neighborhood Plan
  2. Aligns with the Safe Routes to School project the city, KPS, and ODWNA are working on for Winchell Elementary, which will result in more sidewalks and marked crossings along Winchell Ave.
  3. Aligns with the values of the Kalamazoo Community Sustainability Plan: to “design a greener transportation network that easily and safely connects all users to places they need to go”
  4. Adding even limited parking there would disrupt the flow of the bike lane and force bikers back into the road in front of the entrance, which multiple studies show creates more bike/vehicle accidents 
  5. Studies also show that adding bike lanes increases their use up to 48%
  6. Ending the bike lanes at the Preserve would disproportionately impact Winchell Way Apartment residents (of which there are 100s) who we represent and would like to "connect" to with bike lanes.  These residents are an equal and integral part of our neighborhood!
  7. Parking will interfere with our planned W-A-L-K Urban Nature Route, which will connect Kleinstuck & Asylum Lake Preserve in 2023
  8. Legal, public, on-street parking is still available on Sycamore Ln.
  9. There are two other entrances to the preserve (off Parkview Ave. and Drake Rd.) within two miles of the Winchell entrance that have dedicated parking lots with ADA access.
  10. The ODWNA is actively working with the Asylum Lake Mgt. Policy Council (ALPMC - we hold one seat on the Council) to have them increase their existing parking capacity

Our ultimate goal is to build a safe, green, effective, and inclusive intra- and inter-neighborhood non-motorized transportation network that will safely move bikers, pedestrians, and others through our neighborhood and city. 

The bike lane on Winchell Ave. is the first (and key) component of this larger plan.

Our board understands not every resident will agree with every decision that is made, or action implemented. We believe the main responsibility of the ODWNA board is to serve the greater goals of the neighborhood (as identified through our Neighborhood Plan) and we believe these bike lanes are an important first step to satisfying this responsibility.
* Residents can report traffic violations to police online

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) new webpage https://kalamazoopublicsafety.org/traffic/
with a form which allows you to report speeding, stop sign and red light violations, school bus violations, crosswalk violations, and more.

You can also report where violations happen, how often they happen, and other details. KDPS says they will use the feedback to determine where to deploy their resources to address concerns.

​In case of an emergency, call 911. To report a malfunctioning traffic light or other equipment issues, call 311.
*Native Plants
Update: Further Info. and Plant Sales

We had a great turnout (and interest!) in our February 2021 ODWNA meeting relating to native plants.  As a follow up, you will find below further information regarding native plants, as well as opportunities for you to purchase native plants for this year!

1) Native Plants "Cheat Sheet" - thanks to our February speaker Linda Whitlock, you can download HERE a "cheat sheet" of native plant information for our area, as well as other valuable resources.

2) Local Native Plant Sales (click on the links for details):
*ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20

Our Neighborhood Plan is now a part of the City's Master Plan!
  • You can download the FINAL approved plan HERE
*City & Neighborhood: Site Plans, Road Projects, Other Projects
​
1) Site Plans: The city regularly posts to their website active site plans for review and comment by the public. 

You can find all site plans HERE

You can send any comments regarding a site plan to: siteplan@kalamazoocity.org

2) Road Projects: You can find information about road construction and other projects HERE

3) Other Projects: All other "Imagine Kalamazoo" city projects can be found HERE
"Quality of Life" Issues/Who to Contact
Ordinance Enforcement

As a follow-up to recent neighbor concerns regarding nuisance/quality of life ordinance adherence,  we have listed on our Resource Links page the areas of concern as well as the City contact phone number you may call to report any perceived violations.  Our City Rental Inspector has assured us that any complaints registered with the city will be followed up on, and the person reporting the violation will remain anonymous.

You can also report violations via the City's website with their Report It! link 
As always, feel free to email us with your thoughts for the neighborhood!
Our next ODWNA Association meeting is:
​Wednesday January 18, 2023
Meeting starts at 7:00pm (Meet Your Neighbors @ 6:30pm)

Location:
Third Christian ​Reformed Church
​(NW corner of Winchell/Broadway - enter from back parking lot thru wooden doors)

Speaker - Paul Seldon, Board Chair & President
Topic - Bike Friendly Kalamazoo
​
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Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE
NEW:  2022-23 Fall/Winter View From The Curb is now available and full of very helpful information!  Download it HERE ​​
*2023 Proposed Budget Presented to City Commission
 The City Commission held a work session on December 12 to review the 2023 Proposed Budget. City staff provided an overview of the $299.9 million budget and discussed capital plans and some projects that are scheduled for 2023.

The City Commission is expected to set a public hearing on the 2023 Proposed Budget for its January 3 meeting and vote on the proposal on January 17. 

View the proposed budget here
*Kalamazoo Craft Beer Week
January 13-21
 Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week, now going into its 13th year, is a weeklong series of events that celebrate the craft beverage industry. This celebration is for anyone who shares a passion and an affinity for hand-crafted products, made by people who care about an enriching experience and carefully fashioned flavor profiles. 
Patrons will meet the brewers, distillers, or winemakers themselves, learn about what it takes to develop these kinds of intricate, highly desired products, and hopefully achieve a greater sense of the craft beverage industry.

Get all the details here!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Downtown Chili Cook-Off 
January 28; 11am-2pm

For 18 years, the free and family-friendly Downtown Kalamazoo Chili Cook-Off has been a community favorite for exploring downtown Kalamazoo, sampling yummy chili, and crowning the winner of Overall People’s Choice. You won't want to miss it!

All the details are here!
*2022 FFE Newsletter Explores Five Years of Historic Investments

In its first five years, the Foundation for Excellence has committed more than $150 million to achieve our community's goals, stabilize our core city services, and reduce taxes for all property taxpayers.

The fifth annual FFE newsletter will be mailed to all residents in the city to share this work; it can also be viewed HERE. Read about how FFE has made a difference for the people of Kalamazoo since it was created five short years ago.
 *Remember to Keep Your Sidewalks Clear This Winter!

Winter weather is here - Do your part and keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Many people depend on them to get around all year (plus city ordinance requires property owners to clear them within 48 hours of snowfall).

Residents are encouraged to be cautious when shoveling, especially during extreme cold. Always dress appropriately for the conditions. If you can, lend a hand to family, friends, or neighbors who may have difficulty shoveling.

Community members can report uncleared sidewalks online here, by calling 311, or (269) 337-8000 during business hours.
*Recycle Coach App
FREE App For Personalized Trash, Recycling Info. And More!
The City of Kalamazoo has launched of a mobile app (iPhone & Android) and website plug-in containing all of the information residents need to know about residential trash and recycling services, tailored specifically to your neighborhood.

Other features include:
  •  Search function, which allows the user to look up a specific item and find out if it is recyclable or not
  • "Report-a-problem" function that allows residents to report non-emergency municipal problems such as:  missed collections, illegal dumping, overflowing public garbage or recycling bins, potholes, burned out traffic or street lights, and more.
    • The "report-a-problem" feature utilizes the smartphone’s GPS and camera to locate and capture an image of the problem and sends the information directly to city staff.
  • Receive notifications regarding:
    • Emergencies (weather-related, water main breaks, boil water advisories)
    • Trash/recycling schedule changes
    • Sorting and/or collection tips & reminders

​The app is available for Android and iPhone users and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play for free by searching for “Recycle Coach”
*Upcoming City Projects

Curious about a project that is happening in the City? Want to find out what street construction projects are planned this year? Wondering about upcoming parks projects?

All City projects can be found at: www.kalamazoocity.org/projects

Projects are identified on an interactive map that includes the project scope and estimate start and completion dates (actual dates are dependent on weather and other factors and may differ). You can also sign up for email updates on road construction at that website that will be provided approximately every two weeks.
*Kalamazoo County Smart911 Available
Now Available!

Public Safety Officials Encourage Residents to Sign Up For the Free Service That Provides Emergency Responders with More Information in the Event of an Emergency 
Public safety officials in Kalamazoo County announced today that Smart911 is now available to all individuals in Kalamazoo County.  Smart911 is a free service that allows individuals and families to sign up online to provide key information to 9-1-1 call takers during an emergency.
Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile at   www.smart911.com for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information.
*Are Your Service Water Pipes Made of Lead?
Check the map and database link below

​Kalamazoo's municipal water system has about 4,300 known lead service lines at about 2,800 addresses out of a total of more than 46,000 service lines in the system.

At about 1,600 addresses, both the yard service lines and street service lines are lead. Of those addresses with one or the other, most of the lead pipes are yard service lines, according to city records.

You can go to an MLive article HERE to access the map and/or search the database to see if your address is listed.

Lead and Copper Program
The City offers free lead and copper testing kits to City of Kalamazoo water customers. In an effort to streamline the City’s Lead and Copper program and respond timely to customers, the City requests that all calls and inquiries be directed to (269) 337-8550.

==================
Here is a guide from the EPA, supplied to us by the City, that explains:
• How lead gets into the body
• About health effects of lead
• What you can do to protect your family
• Where to go for more information
Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
* Connect With City Government!
Connect with the city to receive news, updates, and alerts
​
1)  General Questions / Comments?
(269) 337-8000 or 3-1-1 within city limits
-or- www.KalamazooCity.org/contact

2) Foundation For Excellence website

3) www.ImagineKalamazoo.com where the public can connect and collaborate with local decision makers and other residents on the future of our community.

4) www.kalamazoocity.org/connect  provides information on how residents can connect with the city to receive important information and updates.

5) The city has created an online newsletter. This bi-monthly publication will contain information about what is happening around the City and include news, alerts, meeting schedules & agendas, and events. Go HERE to sign up.

ODWNA Statement of Purpose

-Preserve and enhance the neighborhood living concept in the area.
-Protect the natural beauty of the area.
-Encourage the beautification, physical well-being and neighborhood spirit of the residential area.
-Constructively assist the Kalamazoo City and County Planning Commissions.
-Provide a forum for open and frank discussion of different points of view on neighborhood development.
-Provide for communication on matters of neighborhood interest to residents.

The Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association was founded in 1973 in response to the City of Kalamazoo's proposal to widen Oakland Drive, which would have required the removal of many trees.
2022-23 ODWNA Board Members
President - Peter Kushner
Vice President - Chris Shook
Treasurer - Kathy Shook
Secretary - Chris Bovid

Board Members at-large:
Eric Boersma
​Diana Morton-Thompson
Paul Scott

Oakland Drive / Winchell Neighborhood Map

______________________________________________________________
ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019