KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — City commissioners will not be meeting next week as officials consider how to conduct important business while maintaining social distance.
Due to the ongoing closure of Kalamazoo city buildings, the city commission is required to hold meetings virtually that remain open to public participation under state law.
City officials have announced that the previously scheduled Monday, April 6th business meeting has been cancelled, with the next meeting planned to take place on April 20th.
A recent March 31st commission meeting held on the streaming platform Zoom was disrupted by trolls spewing profanity and offensive statements on the website comment board. City officials are now reaching out to the state government to find a legal solution allowing them to filter inappropriate comments while still hearing from the public.
On March 18th Governor Gretchen Whitmer temporarily suspended portions of the Open Meetings Act, allowing certain state, county, and local governments to hold meetings remotely using digital technology.
Despite the technology issues, commissioners were able to approve $2 million dollars in small business loans for local companies negatively affected by COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for loans between $5,000 to $50,000 to cover payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other costs.
Funds were allocated from the city’s Foundation for Excellence, and the relief program will be managed by the United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
The city commission passed a temporary measure in March that give City Manager Jim Ritsema authority to make spending decision in case future meetings were canceled. Ritsema will be able to make purchases and approve contracts of up to $5 million dollars for projects in the 2020 Kalamazoo budget. Previously the spending limit for the city manager was placed at $100,000.
City officials say that any funding decisions made by Ritsema will be notified to commissioners and the general public within 24 hours of being made.
