City confirms four volunteer appointments and administers oaths

The Birmingham City Commission on July 28 confirmed four volunteer appointments to local advisory bodies and administered the oath of office to those appointees.

Camilla Cummings, who said she owns Luxe Travel Bureau and has run a luxury travel and concierge business in Birmingham since 2021, was confirmed to the Birmingham Museum board as a regular member for a three-year term expiring July 5, 2028. Cummings told commissioners she wants to help bring visitors to the city and support the museum’s work: “Birmingham being such a walkable town for people to come here for staycations … I love art. I love history,” she said.

The commission also confirmed William Atkinson as an alternate member of the Board of Review to serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2025. Atkinson introduced himself as a Birmingham resident since 1996 and described his background as an attorney and current employment with the state of Michigan as a magistrate judge. “I have a little more time to volunteer to do things in my community,” Atkinson said.

Two appointments were made to the Historic District Study Committee. Margie Duncan, a Realtor who said she has lived on Lakeview for 33 years and will begin her 30th year in real estate in September, was appointed to a three-year term expiring June 25, 2028. Jenny Rausch, who said she has served on the committee since 2020 and previously worked as a museum intern and interim director, was reappointed for the same term.

All appointees signed the oath of office administered by the city clerk and were thanked by commissioners for volunteering. The clerk indicated all new appointees would sign the documentation and be sworn in together.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting show each of the four appointments was moved and seconded and approved by the commission during the consent or appointment portions of the meeting.