Schoolcraft village will reapply for a state grant next year to offset costs of replacing lead and copper water service lines as mandated by the state, Village Manager Cheri Lutz said at an August council meeting.
The topic, for months a sore point for village officials, was raised by a resident at the meeting. The resident noted that Vicksburg had been awarded a state grant for similar work.
The village had applied for the grant. As discussed and reported at several meetings, it received nothing. It met with county and state officials without success.
Lutz said the village has been more active in contacting state representatives to ensure that they understand the village’s need for assistance in funding the state requirement.
The same resident thanked the village Department of Public Works for its monthly collection of brush.
And three other residents spoke in support of allowing golf carts to operate on village streets. The Council had asked the chief of police if the village should adopt a policy regarding operation of golf carts. They learned the state doesn’t regulate carts on public roads, leaving it up to local jurisdictions. The council has made no decisions about the matter.
The Council granted a request by a village resident to hold an annual street party in September for residents located on West Street.
Trustee Kathy Mastenbrook said members of the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority were told that requests for proposals for ambulance services have been sent to providers from the Kalamazoo Valley Intergovernmental Ambulance Agreement.
The city of Kalamazoo’s Financial Department is handling the request and review of the proposals on behalf of those involved in the ambulance agreement.
The Dome Sports Center, an airy structure, has become a staple of Schoolcraft. Constructed in the late ‘90s, the Dome had been up for about 25 years until it was deflated in early July.
Staff at Next Level Performance deflated the original Dome so they could lay the foundation work for a newer one much larger than the original. The expansion will allow for a broader range of activities at the Dome, including pickleball, volleyball, and basketball, and will create opportunities for Next Level to help the people they say they value most: their community.
“At the highest level, we’re a sports and athletics campus, but we’re really focused on training and development opportunities that blend the opportunities that sports bring to a community with life lessons,” explained Josh Baird, the Dome’s president and managing member—or, as he likes to call himself, the “community catalyst.”
“What I mean by that is that all the programs we have—especially those that serve youth and kids—are integrated with character and leadership development. We just find unique solutions to the different opportunities there are to serve kids and the people in the community in different ways.”
Next Level’s staff make it a goal to help everyone who comes to the Dome take themself to that next level. Marketing director and volleyball coach Nikki Hackworth said, “One of the things we always talk about is that your next level is different than mine, and that’s okay! There’s no reason I shouldn’t help you achieve that next level as I’m striving to achieve mine. That’s something that we’re really passionate about in all capacities, in all sports and all ages and all ways.”
Alongside the addition of more courts, the Dome expansion will create a more comforting environment for a diverse group of athletes. They will have an air conditioning unit in the Dome to create a cooler setting for inside activities, a larger airlock door to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, and more opportunities for individuals with special needs or disabilities to participate in sports in a safe, caring environment.
“There are so many things in this world today that you can go do that maybe aren’t the healthiest, and that’s one of the things that we want to do,” Baird said. “We want to provide that opportunity. It doesn’t matter what your ability or your disability is. It doesn’t matter what your age is, it doesn’t matter what your sport is. There’s something here for you.”
The Dome expansion will even benefit the village itself.
Hackworth explains, “[A bigger Dome] means I’m bringing my volleyball community that’s been scattered at a lot of churches and high schools throughout Southwest Michigan here. That means it’s going to bring people to Harding’s to shop and get stuff for dinner, or to Biggby to go grab a coffee while they’re waiting. Hosting volleyball tournaments, you’ve got hundreds of people coming to the Dome to participate. What does that mean for the community? Nothing but community-boosting activities.”
The new Dome is scheduled to be inflated towards the middle of August, and final touches will be made from then until the grand opening November 1. Until then, the staff at Next Level Performance encourages anyone with questions to contact them. Baird said, “We are an open book, and so if there’s ever curiosity and you would like to have a deeper peak underneath the hood, give us a call or email us and we will make time to try to [explain] what we’re doing and how to serve [the community] and their needs.”
Dimensions of the deflated dome were 212 feet long, 161 feet wide and a maximum height of 70 feet. The replacement will be 212 feet long, 263 feet wide and a maximum height of 60 feet.
She started at Kalamazoo County State Bank As a high school co-op about 50 years ago! She’s done a lot of jobs, been a friend to you, Her open house was held June 14th She’ll be missed by co-workers, customers too.
Deb took charge of the 4th of July parade It was always one of the best, She lined things up, kept it moving, There was never a moment to rest.
In 2018 we were voted as … The town “Citizens of the Year,” On a hot day she drove a golf cart I waved, as the crowd let out a cheer.
Did you know she is an animal lover? A bat was caught in the drapes one day, She made sure it was released unharmed As it safely flew away.
Times were very different then It was common to wait in line, Customers were mostly jovial The camaraderie was fine.
Often we went out together Maybe to a concert, dinner or show, After a busy day at the bank We were all friends, I want you to know.
I retired from KCSB 19 years ago It seems like such a short time, I ran the proof machine I learned to be quite speedy And was accurate with every dime!
For several years the retirees Have met four times a year, We share a meal and greet old friends And might even shed a tear.
We’ll welcome Deb, with open arms There is reminiscing to be done, How did we find time to work and have fun? I hope she won’t be too busy to come!
Schoolcraft school board met July 8 to discuss changes to the school’s budget in preparation for the upcoming school year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had not yet approved the new plan, though staff members were confident that she would do so. She did, in the last week of July.
The state budget provides no changes to the foundation allowance, which remains at $9,150 per student, but includes a sharp cut in state support for school safety and mental health funding. Schoolcraft will receive just $17 per student rather than a previous rate of $214 for those functions.
In recent years, said Finance Director Kendra Drewyor, “For safety we have spent on security cameras and a crossing guard at the four-way stops at Lyons and 14th. For mental health, we were able to continue a contract for a mental health coordinator, some resources, a wellness package for staff and calming corners.”
The biggest recent safety measure in the past year has been a lockdown system, capable of locking all outside doors and preventing access to them. It actuates flashing lights, an alarm and an audio announcement calling on occupants to lock down. Drewyor said this year’s remaining funds will be used along with an allocation from the district’s general fund.
The state budget provides a small increase in at-risk funding, used for teachers who work with children with reading or math problems, and an increase for the district’s pre-school program. Funding for free breakfast and lunch for students will continue. The state budget drops funding for a “Grow Your Own” program to attract and train new teachers and reduces funding for a robotics program.
New Superintendent Nate Ledlow spoke about his efforts to correct temperature issues in the elementary school building and his progress on plans to reinstate committees for student behavior and cell phone regulation.
Also discussed at the meeting was progress made on heightening security at Schoolcraft Community Schools, an update indicating that development on Schoolcraft’s sports fields is going well, and an announcement that two seats on the school board will be up for election this fall. Current board members Chris Blodgett and Wade Rutkoskie will be running for reelection.
The Vicksburg Foundation has approved a “Paving the Way” grant to Schoolcraft businesses affected by US-131 reconstruction, Village Manager Cheri Lutz told the Village Council at a July meeting. The money will be dispensed to businesses by the village, which is finishing preparation of criteria and procedures for the project.
In other business:
Michigan law allows communities to set limits on what they will spend on employee health care to 80% of the total, with employees paying the remainder. They can also set a hard cap on what they will spend, or opt out of such limitations entirely. The council opted out of the limitations, as it has done for the past dozen years.
Lutz confirmed that the structures at 203 East Pine Street have been removed and that the lot has been cleared and leveled.
Police Chief Scott Smith said that due to increased volumes of vehicles using 14th street as a means of bypassing the designated detour route during the last week of June, they were called to an accident each day at the corner of East Eliza and 14th Street. He also advised that he will be working with school administration in preparation for the opening of the new school year as the detour traffic will continue to be a challenge at the intersection of 14th and East Lyons streets. Village police continue to do what they can minimize the continued impact of the additional traffic in the village as the roadwork continues.
Trustee Mastenbrook said that at a recent South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority meeting the city of Portage thanked the Authority for its assistance during the recent tornado.
Council President Michael Rochholz reported that there are no updates regarding the Lockport Township water initiative. Lockport and nearby townships are considering expanding that township’s water system to make the area, including the US-131 corridor, more attractive to development. Rochholz also reported he had recently met with Kalamazoo County officials to improve communications between the Council and the County.
