Grand Rapids commission confirms slate of advisory-board appointments, youth council roster

The Grand Rapids City Commission on Oct. 21 approved a series of appointments to city advisory bodies, confirming members for the mayor’s youth council, the Water System Advisory Council, the Utility Advisory Board, the Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees, the Housing Appeal Board, the Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the South Division Granville Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority.

City staff said the mayor’s youth council will meet with the mayor, commissioners and staff to learn about municipal functions and to advise on issues that affect young people and their families. A program staff member said, “We have a wonderful group of young people this year who are eager to learn about the functions of city government and to be a voice to city officials about issues that impact their lives and the lives of their families.” Commissioners expressed support for continued engagement with the youth council and its annual “Kids Speak” culminating event.

Commissioners also confirmed Rocio Rodriguez to the Grand Rapids Water System Advisory Council in a seat reserved for a neighborhood organization representative; staff noted the Water System Advisory Council was established to satisfy state lead-and-copper rule requirements. The commission approved Nick Fisher as an alternate to the Utility Advisory Board and named Peggy Korzen as a citizen trustee to the Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees. Commissioners confirmed Peter Brunson Brunsma and Wesley Wilson to the Housing Appeal Board; Orlando Money Facio to the Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority; and Rosalind Harris to the South Division Granville Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority.

Commissioners and staff noted that some appointments fill seats that had been vacant after retirements or transfers (staff said Peggy Korzen succeeds a longtime trustee and that the Water System seat is the neighborhood representative). Several commissioners thanked volunteers and staff who recruited candidates; staff credited program coordinator Zach Leraway for youth-council recruitment.

All motions were moved and supported on voice votes and recorded as carrying by the committee.

The committee on appointments adjourned after discussion about moving remaining vetting work forward and returning a smaller vacancy list to the commission in November.