Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Votes at a glance: Birmingham City Commission approves appointments, postpones Old Woodward land-use case, orders closed-session review
Summary
At its July 28 meeting, the Birmingham City Commission approved multiple board appointments, postponed a special land-use application for 298 South Old Woodward to Aug. 25, named voting delegates to the Michigan Municipal League meeting, and voted to enter closed session on pending litigation.
Birmingham City Commission members on July 28 approved a slate of routine appointments, postponed a special land use application for 298 South Old Woodward to Aug. 25, 2025, appointed the city—s voting delegate to the Michigan Municipal League annual meeting and voted to meet in closed session to discuss pending litigation.
The actions were taken during the commission—s regular meeting at the Municipal Building, 151 Martin St. Most votes were by roll call or unanimous voice vote.
Appointments and confirmations: The commission concurred with the city manager's appointment of Camilla Cummings, owner of Bucks Travel Bureau, to the Birmingham Museum Board as a regular member for a three-year term ending July 5, 2028. William Watkinson was appointed as an alternate member of the Board of Review to fill the remainder of a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025. Margie Duncan and Jenny Rausch were appointed as regular members of the Historic District Study Committee to three-year terms expiring June 25, 2028. Newly appointed members were sworn in by the city clerk during the meeting.
Land-use postponement: The commission adopted a resolution to postpone consideration of the special land use, permanent amendment, final site plan and design review application for 298 South Old Woodward — a request to modify an existing off-street loading facility to accommodate in-house laundry facilities and a trash compactor — to a date certain of Aug. 25, 2025. Planning Director Nick Dupuy told the commission the applicant requested the extension to finalize corporate structure and related contract review. The resolution passed by roll call vote.
Delegate appointment: The commission appointed Melissa Fairbairn, assistant city manager, as the city's official voting delegate to the Michigan Municipal League annual meeting in Grand Rapids on Sept. 17, 2025, with Commissioner Host named as the alternate. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Closed session: The commission voted to meet in closed session under the Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.268(8)(e) and (h)) to discuss pending litigation (Nicole Stone v. City of Birmingham) and two attorney-client privileged communications. The commission returned to open session later and reported no formal action resulting from the closed session.
Other procedural items: The consent agenda was approved by roll call. The commission also approved a stage-one request to place the city—s infrastructure master plan on a future agenda for further discussion.
Votes at a glance (selected) - Consent agenda: approved (roll call) - Museum board appointment, Camilla Cummings (term to 07/05/2028): approved (voice vote) - Board of Review alternate, William Watkinson (term to 12/31/2025): approved (voice vote) - Historic District Study Committee, Margie Duncan and Jenny Rausch (terms to 06/25/2028): approved (voice vote) - Postpone 298 South Old Woodward matter to 08/25/2025: approved (roll call) - Michigan Municipal League voting delegate (Melissa Fairbairn) and alternate (Commissioner Host): approved (voice vote) - Enter closed session under Open Meetings Act for litigation and privileged communications: approved (roll call)
The commission adjourned after returning from closed session.
