KALAMAZOO, MI -- A pensive City Manager Jim Ritsema quietly looked across a rectangular table to the mayor, vice mayor and other Kalamazoo officials assembled in his office Friday evening.

The group lamented small gains made after three full days of negotiations with protesters occupying Bronson Park. Leaders of the encampment will not leave the park until the city addresses its demands, but Ritsema said protesters' peremptory demands keep changing while he attempts to broker a compromise.

Hours earlier, Ritsema's offer to set up an encampment with amenities at a Kalamazoo County Land Bank property off East Michigan Avenue was declined. It was the third offer to move the tents from Bronson Park to vacant land where the protest can continue with amenities provided by the city.

Meetings with representatives of the encampment are going in circles, city officials at the table agreed.

Ritsema solemnly concluded what most in Kalamazoo probably already knew: Sooner rather than later, those camping in the park will need to move.

He didn't say when, but ordinances related sleeping and camping in parks will be enforced this week. Those who stay will face a misdemeanor charge, which carries up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

"I've been clear they are (in Bronson Park) illegally," Ritsema said. "We've shown patience. We've got to act and do what we've got to do."

Protesters will still be able to move to a city-approved encampment site, located across from Arcadia Ales on the east edge of downtown Kalamazoo.

Ritsema said the city will "absolutely" help people who are involuntarily living on the streets. But he can't work with people who are being provided options and still decide to remain in the city park.

More meetings between both parties are scheduled Friday. Meanwhile, the occupation of Bronson Park enters its fourth week.

Between 60-100 people are considered to be a part of the encampment, and its physical presence in Bronson Park appears to be growing.

Ritsema said there are 75,000 other people to whom he needs to provide services. He acknowledged many citizens think the city is being "cowardly" and appeasing protesters.

Demands and decisions

City officials said Ritsema has expressed patience while trying to understand the complicated dynamics of displaced residents in the encampment. The city manager acknowledged it has been a messy process.

"These people are in crisis," Ritsema said. "To expect these people to be negotiators -- that's not what they're used to. We gotta adjust our thinking about negotiation. I've been trying to do that, but it becomes more and more difficult as the target keeps moving."

Homeless activists are holding the city of Kalamazoo responsible for issues that city officials say extend beyond the influence of City Hall. While the city has goals to increase affordable housing and shared prosperity, officials said there is little they can do to establish brick-and mortar-projects, fix wage inequality or solve larger economic issues.

Nonprofit agencies and Kalamazoo County's government are better equipped to provide social services at the local level, Mayor Bobby Hopewell said.

Last week, Ritsema pulled together representatives of community service organizations, including the county's public housing commission.

"The city is not equipped to be a social service provider," the city manager said. "We just don't have that infrastructure or capacity. We've been kind of thrown into that space. We have to retreat and get out of that discussion."

Ritsema and Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain met with Art Morelock at the entrance to City Hall Friday afternoon. Morlock, one of three people chosen to speak on behalf of protesters, said the group is divided between people making a political statement and others who are seeking immediate housing.

The protest had a political bent since it began on the steps of City Hall on Aug. 19. It's since been supported by local activists and organizers of the 2012 Occupy Kalamazoo protests in Bronson Park, which ended when demonstrators were arrested.

Commissioner Shannon Sykes Nehring joined protesters last week after blasting her colleagues in a public meeting, criticizing the city government for failing to create more affordable housing. The city commissioner is a regional organizer with community activist organization We The People.

Michael Rizor, a member of the encampment, said the group discussed long-term and short-term goals to turn the movement into a national protest. Out-of-state media coverage has been highlighted in meetings with city officials.

A list of demands presented to the city clerk were not discussed by the commission at its last business meeting on Sept. 4. Subsequent negotiations have focused on providing immediate resources while the city organizes long-term housing solutions with local agencies.

Vice Mayor Erin Knott said there has been an "absolute awakening" that more needs to be done. The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, in particular, needs to do more to advertise that it is fixing problems that eroded its reputation among some people experiencing homelessness.

One positive outcome is a direct line of communication has been established between the city and homeless citizens, Knott said. There was no dedicated forum for the public to bring these issues forward previously.

The protest started in Bronson Park but agreed to move to Cedar Street Friday, Aug. 31, under threat of arrest. The group prioritized safety and visibility at the time, but then demanded amenities like portable toilets, shade, showers, laundry facilities and other needs as the days went on.

Knott said the goal post continues to move.

"In these negotiations ... we have tried to meet them far past the middle," she said.

Over the weekend, the group wrote a new list of demands. Michael Rizor shared the list with MLive Monday morning, Sept. 10. It includes: