(Once link above clicked, go to "I Want To..." at top of page, then "Report...")
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* Changes Coming to Winchell Avenue!
Traffic Calming & Added Bike Lanes The ODWNA continues to work with the city on implementing the goals and actions of our Neighborhood Plan. “Increasing Traffic Safety” was ID’ed as one of the neighborhood’s main goals. To that end, in the week of 10/18 you will see major changes to Winchell Avenue:
See the flyer HERE for information and upcoming projects that fulfill our Neighborhood Plan goals and help make our streets safer for ALL users! Note that this initiative aligns with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan Connected Neighborhood section, "Increasing Traffic Safety" *Halloween - Winchell Trick or Treating
Sunday October 31 We are asked this question every year; when is trick or treating in Winchell? The ODWNA does not set or regulate any trick or treating events; traditionally, everyone has always celebrated Halloween on Halloween. This year that is on Sunday 10/31. Kzoo Parks, however, is holding a FREE "Halloween Forest" in Milham Park on Saturday October 30 from 2-4pm. All details can be found HERE *Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Community Read
One of our neighbors is starting a "neighborhood read" and all are invited to participate! Why a Neighborhood Read?
Where? We will meet in person at a location in the neighborhood or via Zoom, whatever Covid allows. How can I get a copy?
Note that this project aligns with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan Environmental Responsibility section, "Conduct neighborhood outreach and education to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability". * Residents can now 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 said 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): *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 *ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20 Our Neighborhood Plan is now a part of the City's Master Plan!
*City & 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! "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 |
Our next ODWNA Association meeting is Wednesday November 17, 2021
Speaker: Derek Nofz, Consumers Energy, Community Affairs Manager Topic: Alternative Energy Sources Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE *Inventory Kalamazoo 2022
Winchell Neighborhood is Coming Up! 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. To find out more or to volunteer to be a surveyor, go HERE for all of the details *Kalamazoo Sustainability Strategy Coming Soon
City staff is finalizing a draft Sustainability Strategy for Kalamazoo. The draft will be available for review in October and November and will seek approval from the City Commission by the end of this year. Learn more and sign up to receive updates HERE The ODWN Neighborhood Plan supports the City's sustainability strategy in our "Environmental Responsibility" section *Leaf Collection
Starts Monday November 1 Each household will have two scheduled pickups - one near the beginning and one near the end of the program. You can find the full program details, MAP, and schedule in the View from the Curb or at www.kalamazoocity.org/leaves Make sure you place your leaves out for collection by 7 a.m. on the Monday designated for your area. Keep leaves away from mailboxes, utility poles, landscaping, or other areas that are sensitive or might make collection difficult. Help keep leaves away from storm drains too so that water will drain properly from the road way! *Two FREE Maintenance Programs Available to Kalamazoo Residents
The city is currently offering the following two home improvement programs free of charge to you! This is a 2021 program with limited funds. These programs will carry over into 2022 if funding still available, so act now if you need this help!
Note that these programs also align with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan Quality of Life section, "Encourage Regular Property Maintenance" *Absentee Ballots Now Available for November 2 Election
Registered voters in Michigan may request an absentee ballot for any reason. To obtain an absentee ballot, voters must complete an Absent Voter Ballot Application, which are available from the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (241 W South Street), Offices of the Michigan Secretary of State, or online. Voters can also call 311 to request an application be mailed to them. *Independent Review of KDPS actions During Summer of 2020 Released to Public
The OIR Group’s independent review of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s (KDPS) handling of two critical events during the summer of 2020 has been completed and released. The OIR Group’s report detailed a series of 40 recommendations based on its comprehensive analysis which included review of videotaped evidence, written evidence, numerous interviews and listening sessions. The full report can be found on the City of Kalamazoo’s website HERE 
NEW: The Fall/Winter 2021-22 View From The Curb
is now available and full of very helpful information! Download it HERE *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) 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.
-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.
2021-22 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
