Kalamazoo election workers approved for Nov. 3; data center moratorium hearing tops City Commission agenda
Kalamazoo's Election Commission approved the roster of election workers for the Nov. 3, 2026 election and certified the results of public accuracy tests for tabulators and voter assist terminals, according to minutes of its Oct. 8 meeting. The commission also approved minutes from its July 9 meeting. Both approvals were by voice vote.
Election preparations
The Election Commission's actions are the only items in the past two weeks' records that official minutes show as decided. The worker roster and the accuracy testing cover the equipment voters will use in the November 3 election.
Data center moratorium gets a public hearing
The City Commission's Oct. 5 agenda included a public hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 50, Article 4.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to impose a moratorium on data centers and similar uses. Minutes for that meeting have not been published, so no outcome is available.
The same agenda bundled eight consent items, including:
- A change order with Pavement Maintenance Systems, LLC for East Michigan Avenue Fog Sealing: $28,500, bringing the contract total to $134,922
- A contract supplemental with Big Truck Rental for packer truck rental: $168,600
- A 12-month Oracle Cloud Migration purchase through MiDEAL: not to exceed $220,000
- A professional services agreement with Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd. for wells 5-8 replacement at Water Treatment Plant No. 25: $385,500
These are agenda listings. The record provided does not show whether the commission approved them.
Work session draws no votes
Also on Oct. 5, the Commission met as a Committee of the Whole to receive a presentation from Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates on legislative issues. Minutes state that no formal votes or legislative actions were taken. Members discussed legislative issues and the Public Safety Trust Fund.
Other boards: budgets, permits and quorum rules
Agendas for several boards and committees were also filed, with minutes not yet published:
- The Foundation for Excellence Finance Committee was scheduled to consider a recommendation to approve the 2027 FFE budget. No dollar figures appear in the agenda text.
- The Civil Rights Board was set to take up a nomination for a new board member, announce an open board position, and hear updates on proposed Chapter 18 and 18A edits and a civil rights complaint.
- The Historic Preservation Commission was to review its 2026 budget and consider a motion changing its quorum from five members to four.
- The Economic Development Corporation Board was to consider a one-year renewal of the Adult Use Retailer permit for Great Lakes Holistics Kalamazoo, Inc. dba GLH, along with budget approvals and a 2027 social equity program plan.
- The Northside Cultural Business District Authority Board was to approve 2027 meeting dates and review its 2027 budget as unfinished business.
- The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board was to consider the revised FY 2027 budget for Fund 243 and a resolution approving assignments of the Brownfield Plan Development Agreement for the Former Wayside Redevelopment Project.
Coming up
Oct. 19 — City Commission. The commission is scheduled to consider adoption of the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 Strategic Vision and a resolution opposing a City Charter Amendment regarding healthcare. Contracts on the agenda include Elhorn Company for liquid Phosphate for water treatment at $1,965,785; a grant agreement with United Way of South Central Michigan for winter shelter services at $450,000; an MDOT contract for safety improvements on Cork Street between Westnedge Avenue and Portage Street at $403,065; Rowell Chemical for sodium hypochlorite for wastewater treatment at $645,525; and the Oracle Cloud Migration Services purchase not to exceed $220,000. A Committee of the Whole work session on the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 Update is also scheduled that day.
Oct. 19 — Downtown boards. The Downtown Economic Growth Authority Board takes up the 2027 DEGA budget and the August 2026 financial statement. The Downtown Development Authority Board reviews July and August 2026 financial statements.
Oct. 20 — Historic District Commission. Four applications are scheduled: 704 Oak (porch rebuild damaged by a falling tree), 1417 Academy (new small house construction in the rear of the lot), 613 Douglas (retroactive review for rear building window installation), and 206 Woodward (window replacement, framing and glass block installation).
Oct. 21 — Environmental Concerns Committee. A vote is scheduled to appoint a committee member to the Data Center and BESS Moratorium Working Group.
Oct. 26 — Foundation for Excellence Board. The board is scheduled to vote on the 2027 FFE Budget, the 2027 Aspirational Grant Agreement with the City of Kalamazoo, and renewal of the Annual Service Agreement with the City of Kalamazoo.