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Kalamazoo Commission votes to negotiate with Malcolm Hankins for city manager
Summary
After public comment and a weeklong national search, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted to offer the city manager role to Malcolm Hankins and authorized contract negotiations; one commissioner opposed and one abstained on later procedural motions. Commissioners said rebuilding trust was a decisive factor.
The Kalamazoo City Commission voted Monday night to recommend Malcolm Hankins as the city’s next city manager and authorized negotiators to begin contract talks.
The vote followed three public forums, a community meet-and-greet and a national recruitment process managed by the consulting firm Raftelis. Commissioner Erica Prado moved to recommend Hankins; Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman seconded the motion. The roll call vote recorded six yes votes (Mayor David F. Anderson, Vice Mayor Hess, Commissioner Don Cooney, Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman, Commissioner Bridal, Commissioner Alonzo Wilson) and one no vote (Commissioner Keanna Decker); the motion passed and commissioners directed staff to begin negotiated terms.
Commissioners and dozens of public commenters framed the decision around community trust. Multiple residents and neighborhood leaders urged the commission to pick a…
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