(Once link above clicked, go to "I Want To..." at top of page, then "Report..."
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* Addressing the Deer Issue in Our Neighborhood
January 2021 Update As many of you are aware, the deer population in our neighborhood (and other areas of the city) has been an increasingly hot topic. City staff has received numerous complaints, and neighborhood Facebook posts are frequently filled with concerns. In response, the ODWNA has been engaged in ongoing discussions with City staff to not only bring this issue to their attention but also to find a way to work with the City to build and support a coalition of neighborhood leaders and interest groups with different points of view to research the issue and find acceptable ways to address this problem. The result is the start of a process that will be led by a community-based ad hoc committee with City staff support. We are at the beginning, and it is anticipated that the full information-gathering, community-feedback outcome could take up to 12 months. The ultimate goal is to establish proper, successful, and doable short-, medium-, and long-term methods of best co-existing with our urban deer population. Much more information will be forthcoming in the weeks and months to follow but be assured that there will be ample opportunities for all voices to be heard on this issue. It is also worth noting that the ODWNA, Oakwood, and Parkview Hills City-approved Neighborhood Plans all include action items to "pursue a regional approach to maintaining the deer population at a safe level for deer and residents". *Proposed S. Glen Park Bike Trail
February 2021 Update The ODWNA Board held a Zoom meeting with members of the City's Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and the Parks & Recreation Director on February 4th to discuss outstanding questions, issues, and concerns both the board and neighbors we have heard from have regarding this proposed project. Our board's goal for meeting was to let PRAB and Kzoo Parks know and understand that we need much more detailed information regarding their proposal (trail parameters, NFP adherence, alignment to the ODWN Neighborhood Plan, etc.) than we have received to-date before we can accurately assess the project. The meeting was productive and all voices were heard. Next steps: the board is awaiting detailed answers to our written questions. Once we can review those, we will work to insure that a neighborhood meeting is held so all neighbors can weigh in on this proposal. ------- The ODWNA board will continue to communicate with Parks & Rec to gather additional proposal information and ensure that this (or any) proposal aligns with our Neighborhood Plan, and that two-way communication with our neighborhood takes place. *Inventory Kalamazoo 2022
Inventory Kalamazoo 2022 is a reconnaissance level history resource survey that photographs and documents the existing condition of structures made by people (houses, schools, stores, gas stations, parks). Every resource of any age within the City will be documented from the public right of way. Citizen volunteers will work in pairs to collect data in person for each structure. Looking for a way to get your steps in and enjoy new or familiar parts of the City? If so, you can get full details, review the training presentation, and sign up HERE *Need Help With Snow Shoveling?
The Volunteers at Third Reformed Can Help! We'd like to relay to you a very generous offer to those of our neighbors in-need from our friends at Third Reformed Church: As a fellow member of the neighborhood, the Third Christian Reformed Church (located on Winchell Ave.) would like to offer our help to those of you that might need assistance this winter to shovel your snow, free of charge, as a way of grateful service to our neighbors. If you (or you know of a fellow neighbor that might need our help) would like our volunteers to clear the snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk, please contact the church (email: office@3rdcrc.org; call: 269-343-2400) and let us know your details (address, contact info, preferred days for raking, etc.) *A Win/Win for YOU and the Oakwood Neighborhood Association!
Help the Oakwood Neighborhood Association earn up to $5,000...and save yourself energy at the same time! Call 888-316-8014 for a FREE Home Energy Analysis (HEA) from Consumers Energy. Use the Promo Code: ONA20 so the Oakwood Neighborhood Association receives credit from CE for their fundraiser More details HERE 
*Land Preservation Initiative by
Stewards of Kleinstuck If you would like more information about this project to save and protect 12 acres of woodland next to the Kleinstuck Preserve, and/or donate to their cause, you can visit their "Keep Kalamazoo Wild" website HERE The Stewards of Kleinstuck is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization *ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20 Our Neighborhood Plan is now a part of the City's Master Plan!
*Neighborhood 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 COVID-19 Information
- Updated City information can be found here: https://www.kalamazoocity.org/news - Updated State of MI COVID-19 information can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus -Updated KPS news can be found here: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Home.aspx * You can find a full list of COVID-19 resources HERE Stay safe, wash your hands, and take care of your family, friends, and your fellow citizens! 
*Neighborhood Crime
Here's a great new (FREE to you) initiative that partners KDPS and "Ring!" * You can also put the FREE app on your PC or Mac if you don't have a smartphone! Just go HERE ================== What should you do to report something that is of a non-emergency nature? Well, our friends at KDPS tell us you should:
KDPS is here to help us...but they need our help as well! By reporting non-emergency issues, KDPS can track and identify trends in our neighborhood, and not only respond, but understand how to best be pro-active to prevent crimes as well! *City Contacts
"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 |
Wednesday March 17, 2021
*via ZOOM - 7:00PM TOPICS - 1) KDPS: Public Safety Update and Q & A 2) NFP: Phase 2; Update by Jamie McCarthy SPEAKER - TBD ======== ** Check back HERE in Mid-March to register for our March 17th Association Zoom meeting! (*we are limited to 100 participants) You will have the chance to sign up, listen to our monthly speaker (see our great 2020-21 lineup HERE), and virtually raise your hand to ask questions. ======== With COVID-19 still an issue, our board will continue to hold our monthly Association meetings remotely via ZOOM. A week or so before each Zoom meeting, we will post the meeting link to our website, Winchell FB page, and put it in our monthly eNews. ======================== ** Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE The FALL/WINTER 2020-21 View From The Curb
is now available and full of very helpful information! Download it HERE *Kzoo Parks to Host Winter Family Scavenger Hunt
Monday, February 15 thru Monday, March 1 An adventure through city parks with clues, maps, prizes! 30 items will be hidden in 15 participating parks throughout the City for residents to discover for a chance to win prizes. The scavenger hunt is free, and all community members are invited to participate. A Scavenger Hunt Guide will be posted to the Kzoo Parks website at Monday, February 15 at 3 p.m. to launch the scavenger hunt. The guide will include the list of participating parks, clues, and maps. Families can use the guide when exploring participating parks to find hidden items and take a photo with them. Once they have found and photographed seven items (each in a different park) participants can upload their photos through the submission form to enter the prize drawing. The submission form link will be posted to the scavenger hunt page along with the guide. Five winners will be randomly selected to win their choice of a Family Season Pass at Kik Pool or a week of summer camp for one child. The first 50 participants will also receive a free scavenger hunt t-shirt for each participating family member. All submissions must be made by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 1. Winners will be contacted via email and announced on social media Wednesday, March 3 at 12 p.m. *Neighborhood Voices Network (NVN)
Next Training Session Starts March 2nd Neighborhood Voices Network is beginning its second training cohort this March. The Neighborhood Voices Network is a program created by the Public Media Network to give community members the tools to represent their community using journalism. We provide free training, tools, and a platform so that more voices can be part of the news narrative. Therefore, local news will become more representational of the community as a whole, rather than letting the voices of a few speak for all. Anyone interested in telling a story, and is aged 14+, is invited to become a Neighborhood Journalist for Public Media Network. More program information, dates, and signup link can all be found HERE. It is important for communities to have the tools and know-how to share their stories, struggles and triumphs in the media from their own perspectives. *Kzoo Parks Invites Public Comment for MDNR Grant for Farmer's Market
At March 2 PRAB Meeting Kzoo Parks will be applying to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for grants to support improvements to the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market. The department will apply for a Trust Fund Development and Recreation Passport grant to add a fruit and vegetable-themed playground and replace the current restroom building. The playground will provide a space for children to play while parents do their shopping and will be accessible to youth year-round in the Edison neighborhood. The new restroom building will double the current restroom capacity, provide a larger office, and increase storage by more than 50%. Kzoo Parks will invite public comments on this project at the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will be streamed live on the City’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Community members who wish to comment on this project may do so by calling (269) 226-6573 starting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2 through the end of the meeting's public comment period. * City Residents Reminded to Keep Sidewalks Clear of Ice & Snow
City ordinance requires property owners to clear snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 48 hours of snowfall. Property owners are also responsible for applying salt, sand, or other material to prevent the sidewalks from being slippery within 12 hours of snowfall. Violations of this ordinance are a municipal civil infraction and carry a penalty starting at $50 for the first offense. If the issue is not addressed, the City may arrange for snow removal at the owner’s expense. Community members can report violations of this ordinance during business hours by calling 311 or (269) 337-8000, or by going to: www.kalamazoocity.org/report *Kalamazoo Public Safety Policies and Documents
Now Available for Public Review The City of Kalamazoo has published on their website Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) policies, training and recruiting documents, budget information, and union contracts and other information for public review at: www.kalamazoocity.org/kdpstransparency These documents are provided along with other relevant information such as: links to submit a FOIA request, information about the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals board, and crime statistics. Additionally, the KDPS hiring process, the Department’s recruiting plan for 2020-2022, and a summary of the KDPS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Program are available for download. *Recycle Coach
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:
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-planned 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) Foundation For Excellence website 2) www.ImagineKalamazoo.com where the public can connect and collaborate with local decision makers and other residents on the future of our community. 3) www.kalamazoocity.org/connect provides information on how residents can connect with the city to receive important information and updates. 4) 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.
-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.
2020-21 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
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
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ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019
ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019
