Kalamazoo Planning Commission recommends Roland Bissonnette to city commission to fill vacant seat

The Kalamazoo City Planning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 4 to recommend Roland Bissonnette to the Kalamazoo City Commission to fill a vacant planning commission seat created when Ian Smith moved to Minneapolis.

The recommendation came after an interview process conducted by an interview committee that included Commissioner Anne Tolbert and Commissioner Curtis, who told the commission they had interviewed Bissonnette and supported forwarding his name to the city commission. Commissioner Wendell said Bissonnette "embodies much of what's already in the master plan" and that his experience aligns with the commission's values. Tolbert disclosed a prior relationship, saying she knew Bissonnette when he was a freshman at Western Michigan University and described his background and preparation for the role.

The commission moved to recommend Bissonnette and recorded a roll-call vote with five yes votes: Audette Baumann, Curtis, DeCenzo, Castreva and Anne Tolbert. No nay votes or abstentions were recorded in the meeting record. Commissioners said the recommendation will be placed on the Sept. 15 City Commission agenda; if the city commission acts, the seat would be available for the Planning Commission's October meeting.

The interview committee said the panel planned a brief introduction to the candidate before the city commission meeting. The commission's action on Sept. 4 was only a recommendation; final appointment is subject to action by the Kalamazoo City Commission.

No formal objections or recorded dissent were made during the commission's discussion on Sept. 4.