KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to adopt three different “notice of intent” resolutions for bonds to fund several water and infrastructure related projects.
The move came during their meeting on Monday, March 2.
Details about each bond adopted can be read below:
- Notice of Intent Resolution for 2020 Wastewater System Revenue Bonds – $11,000,000. The funds will be used for projects such as new and replacement mains, treatment plant improvements and other facilities improvements, and more.
- Notice of Intent Resolution for 2020 Water Supply System Revenue Bonds – $45,500,000. The funds will be used for projects such as water main and service line improvements and replacements, elevated storage, booster improvements, well replacement and water meter improvements, and more.
- Notice of Intent Resolution for 2020 Capital Improvement Bonds – $11,750,000. Funds will be used for project such as traffic signal upgrades, acquiring and constructing major street and local street improvements, public safety facilities improvements, and more.
The three bonds are “notices of intent,” and require the city to inform citizens through the Kalamazoo Gazette.
According to city documents, all three of these bonds are included in the Adopted FY (Fiscal Year) 2020 Budget. The Water Supply System Revenue Bonds are also covered in the 2021 budget.
The projects will be supported in part by a recently approved utility rate increase, which was issued during a meeting last month.
“Two big projects this year [include] Cork Street and Oakland Drive,” Kalamazoo Department of Public Services Director James Baker said of the utility hike. “We’re replacing cast iron water main that has a history of main breaks, we’re digging the road up, so those are two major projects in the city.”
City documents indicate that the Bonds can be issued without a vote of the City electors, unless a petition is filed with the City Clerk within 45 days of publication of the notice with signatures from 10% of the electorate.
If no such petition were to be filed, the bonds could be sold in April 2020.
The news of intentions to improve water-related infrastructure comes after a boil water advisory was extended for parts of South Westnedge Avenue Monday.
