KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — In accordance with an emergency measure passed recently, Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema has approved $7.2 million in city spending.
Under this measure, Ritsema can authorize purchases on behalf the city as a back-up plan in the event of a canceled meeting. City Commissioners did not meet on Monday, April 6.
“In the event that a commission meeting has to be rescheduled or cancelled, it would allow myself to execute any documents and contracts to purchase and enter into contracts,” Ritsema previously said of the measure. “A key to this is first, its any budgeted items in the 2020 budget. The reason the amount is so high is because we have some fairly significant capital improvement projects coming up in those dollar amounts, and we want to continue working on those behind the scenes so that we don’t lose the construction season that’s coming up.”
Ritsema must notify the commission of any such spending within 24 hours before execution.
“The idea here is accountability, but recognizing that we are in unprecedented times, so it’s critical that we continue operations in the city.”
Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain provided WKZO with a document of the measure that was reviewed by city staff. Ritsema approved a total of eight items that would have been on the agenda.
- Approval of the purchase of Poured in Play Surfacing at the Upjohn Park playground from Penchura LLC in the amount of $199,447.
- Approval of the purchase of Cisco Network Equipment from CDWG through the Michigan Master Computer (MiDeal) contract # 071B6600110 in the amount of $307,527.52.
- Approval of a Professional Service Agreement with Wightman & Associates, Inc., for professional construction engineering services related to the Oakland Drive Improvements from Parkview Avenue to Howard Street, in the amount of $324,700.
- Approval of a one-year contract extension with Consumers Concrete Corporation for ready-mixed concrete in the amount of $416,900.
- Approval of a Professional Service Agreement with Wightman & Associates, Inc. for professional construction engineering services related to the Cork Street Improvements from Portage Street to Sprinkle Road in the amount of $491,200.
- Approval of a change order to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract 19-5350 and subsequent change order to the purchase order with MDOT in the amount of $740,208.70 for the Cork Street improvement project, from Portage Street to Sprinkle Road.
- Approval of a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Oakland Drive Improvement Project in the amount of $4,032,191.25.
- Approval of an interfund agreement to advance the amount of $700,000 to the Downtown Economic Growth Authority (DEGA), which would allow the DEGA to continue with planned operations.
The last city meeting to be held was conducted virtually over the application Zoom, which was interrupted repeatedly by internet trolls.
— Joshua Scott Contributed to this article. —