Kalamazoo River Greenway Request for Funding and Advisory Board Appointment. (Roll Call)

City Council Agenda Item Report FROM:

Ryan Cummins, City Manager

MEETING DATE:

Jume 23, 2025

SUBJECT:

Kalamazoo River Greenway Request for Funding and Advisory Board Appointment

DESCRIPTION: In 2018, in partnership with the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) and municipalities throughout the County, a lower Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan was created. In 2019, City Council endorsed the plan as an advisory document to guide a comprehensive approach to restoring the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries and help engage public involvement to determine financial feasibility of any proposed projects. A copy of the plan can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/ry4r7s The ODC recently held a meeting with other tri-community stakeholders to discuss the progress we have made on the plan. The City had a lot of great progress to report on the goals of the plan including: •

Intercommunity Pathway o We remain hard at work on this with the Township, Douglas and Friends of the Blue Star Trail. Accessible launch o We continue to have a boat launch on Spear and we have now transient/shopper boat docks installed outside of Coughlin Park. Habitat Restoration in Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area o We had the Land Conservancy do an updated assessment of SHNA and incorporated their assessment into updates of the SHNA Master Plan. o The wildlife committee has made recommendations on the deer concerns. Harbor Sediment Removal/Management o The Harbor Authority has requested funding support for consulting services to define goals and work that is needed in the harbor.

o The Township Manager and I recently met with the Army Corps staff to discuss regular dredging of their areas of responsibility and to discuss a request to conduct further sediment testing. Invasive Species Treatment in Habor o We have been treating for Milfoil. Green Stormwater Infrastructure o We now have our engineer reviewing new building or extensive addition plans and making sure that proper stormwater is incorporated into the plans. We have previously allowed ODC to install temporary rain barrels around downtown for education. The Parks and Public Works Committee recently received an educational presentation on stormwater management. Concrete repairs are in the works for the boardwalk. Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve will be opening soon to the public. Improvements to the Mt. Baldhead restrooms and upper platform are actively being worked on. The City Council approved a new Waterfront Preservation zoning ordinance.

Workshop Meeting At the workshop meeting, the Outdoor Discovery presented the attached update and financial request to help fund future projects. They advised Douglas, Fennville, Saugatuck Township, and Rotary have all made funding commitments. The consensus at the meeting was to make a $5,000 funding contribution for FY 25-26, and that Mayor Pro Tem Stanton would be best to serve on the advisory board as she is also the Council’s liaison to the Parks and Public Works Committee. BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: Going into the new fiscal year, we have sufficient contractual dollars appropriated that can cover the cost. If needed, a budget amendment will be presented at a later date. LEGAL REVIEW: N/A at this time. Legal will be at your meeting if you have any questions. SAMPLE MOTION: Motion to approve $5,000 in funding to the Outdoor Discovery Center for Kalamazoo River Greenway plan projects, and to appoint Council Member Stanton to serve on the Kalamazoo River Greenway Advisory Board.

May 19, 2025 Ryan Cummins, City Manager Holly Anderson, Mayor 102 Butler St Saugatuck, MI 49453 Dear Ryan and Holly, On behalf of ODC Network, I would like to express our gratitude to Saugatuck for collaborating with us on many community initiatives. We would like to thank Saugatuck for your interest in partnering with us in the important work to implement a greenway corridor along the Kalamazoo River addressing environmental restoration, recreation, conservation and education. The Kalamazoo River Greenway plan was completed in 2018 with the goal to bring communities together with a shared interest in environmental stewardship and economic vitality. Saugatuck established a resolution to endorse the Lower Kalamazoo Greenway Plan on June 10, 2019 to be used as an advisory document guiding public officials on a comprehensive approach to the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries and engage public involvement to determine financial feasibility of any proposed projects. If Saugatuck were to establish financial support of the Kalamazoo River Greenway it would be pivotal in the advancement of the plan’s goals. We are excited to work on issues of importance to Saugatuck, including but not limited to: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Habitat conservation Invasive species consultation Recreation programming Project management Grant writing for the KRG Mission Inter-park pathway planning/development

Trail development & review EPA Superfund coordination Educational programs Water trail establishment Property acquisition planning Community/school collaboration

Our continued partnership with Saugatuck is very important for our organization and the community. In light of this, we respectfully request a 2025 financial investment of $5,000-$10,000 for the Kalamazoo River Greenway. By collaborating with local units of government, corporations, foundations and individuals, we can create a vibrant community for people to live, work, play and learn. Thank you again for your support and leadership in our community. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. Sincerely,

Dan Callam, ODC Greenways Manager

Kalamazoo River Greenway June 18, 2025

�----------Meeting Outline

• Kalamazoo River Greenway (KRG) Plan • Municipal Resolution • ODC Network Scope of Work

• Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan Stakeholder Update • Funding Framework •Long-Term Goals

TRI-COMMUNITY PARKS AND RECREATION VISION Cultivate a unified park system that offers diverse recreational opportunities for our vibrant and engaged community, expands upon our legacy of coastal conservation and environmental stewardship, and welcomes and inspires all who visit.

NURTURE EXISTING GREEN SPACES

INTER-LOCAL COLLABORATION

FOSTER COMMUNllY WE�L-BEING

IMPROVED CONNECTMlY

COASTAL CONSERVATION ANO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Created by the Tri-Community Parks and Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee, 2023 w

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Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan

�----------History • Established the plan in 2018 • Designed for collaborative planning efforts addressing environmental restoration, recreation, conservation and education • 300+ stakeholders engaged over 15 months • Resolutions signed by municipalities 2019-2020

Legend

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STUDYAREAS

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�----------Update to Activities Along the River

• Calkins Dam

• Consumers evaluating dam fleet, decision in Q2

• City of Allegan Dam

• City planning for dam removal with help from EPA, DNR

• Trowbridge Dam

• Removal currently underway

• Longer-term restoration work in Otsego, Plainwell • Agriculture's ongoing impact • Kalamazoo River Watershed Council

City of the Saugatuck Resolution No. 190610-A • •

Signed June 10, 2019 Whereas, the Greenway Plan was designed to bring together the diverse communities scattered along the Kalamazoo, Rabbit and Gun Rivers to coordinate planning efforts and work together as a unified county on addressing ecological, educational, and developmental issues related to the river... • Whereas the Greenway Plan address issues related to environmental restoration, recreation, conservation and education which may include seeking collaboration and funding for projects such as... • Be it resolved the Saugatuck Council hereby endorses the Lower Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan to used as an advisory document guiding public officials on a comprehensive approach to restoring the Kzoo River and its tributaries and help engage public involvement to determine financial feasibility of proposed projects. �� Kalamazoo River

'-:J,eenway 172

ODC Work Scope (not Limited to... ) • Habitat conservation • Invasive species consultation • Recreation programs • Project management with annual report and meetings • Grant writing related to KRG m1ss1on • School partnership • Multi-community collaboration for regional plan

• EPA Superfund coordination • Educational programs • Water trail establishment • Natural area consultation • Trail development and review • Property acquisition planning • Inter-park pathway planning and development • Sustainability support

�KRG Update/Outcomes • Area stakeholder meeting April 22, 2025 o Short-Term Ideas ■ Advisory Board ■ Universal logo on tri-community signage ■ ODC funded to manage plan ■ Water Trail ■ Education/Access to River o Long-term Ideas ■ Land Acquisition ■ Connectivity of trails, parks, downtowns ■ Pure Michigan Trail Town

Funding Framework •

Municipalities: $5,000-$10,000 annually o o o o

City of Saugatuck Saugatuck Township -Committed City of the Village of DouglasCommitted FennvilleCommitted

S/D RotaryVerbal Commitment, Vote 6/24

Non-profits: $5,000-$10,000 annually Business Endowment

Project Possibilities

�-------------• Water trail o Mapping/Signage • Community Clean-ups • Educational programs • Green Stormwater projects o Rain gardens/barrels • Pocket prairies • Collaborate with SPS students • Reforestation • Meadow restoration • Water Quality Studies • River Restoration

• Conservation • Wayfinding and Signage o Universal across towns

• Best Management Practices w/ agriculture or homeowners • Land Acquisition • Connectivity of Trails • Dark Sky Initiatives • Pure Michigan Trail Designations • Safe River Access Points

,eeTiway Kalamazoo River

Next Steps ... • • •

Presentations to KRG funding partners (May-June) Funding decisions made in June4 Partners Committed Meet individually with partner/stakeholders to determine their key priorities • Host first Advisory Board meeting to define KRG Plan update, process and goals for 2025 • Continue to build an incredible, collaborative quality of life for our community