Kalamazoo commission interviews three city‑manager finalists, delays fourth to Friday Zoom session

The Kalamazoo City Commission on Oct. 15 conducted Committee of the Whole interviews with three finalists for the next city manager and unanimously voted to recess the meeting and hold the fourth finalist’s interview by Zoom at 7 a.m. Friday.

The interviews were part of a national recruitment led by consultant Pamela Weidman of Raftelis. Weidman told the commission the search drew more than 400 community survey responses and that the public could submit feedback on candidates through Friday, Oct. 17; the commission is scheduled to make a final selection at its Oct. 20 meeting.

The interviews were conducted in a round‑robin format with a 50‑minute allotment for each candidate. Mayor Anderson opened the session and introduced Raftelis’ Weidman, who said the community meet‑and‑greet the previous evening and the survey responses helped inform the commission’s questions.

Candidate highlights

- Malcolm Hankins emphasized neighborhood engagement and housing work, saying, “I have 35 years in government,” and describing experience with neighborhood services, permitting and affordable‑housing strategies. He said he would start by reviewing Kalamazoo’s existing plans and road maps and focus on intentional outreach to residents not usually at decision‑making tables.

- Elizabeth (Liz) Lam, who identified herself as a long‑time Kalamazoo resident and senior city official, said poverty, housing and trust are the community’s top challenges. She highlighted local efforts such as Rx Kids Kalamazoo — which she said has deployed more than $2 million to more than 700 families — and said improving customer service, staff support and transparent measurement of results would be priorities.

- Otis Jones Sr. described a long career in municipal management and economic development, and urged inclusive redevelopment practices. He said past projects he managed included workforce and small‑business lending tools and neighborhood revitalization programs that sought to bring women‑ and minority‑owned firms into contracting opportunities.

One finalist, the candidate identified as Al Cole, was unable to participate because of an unforeseen circumstance. Commissioners discussed options for accommodating her and, after a procedural motion, voted to recess the Committee of the Whole and reconvene Friday at 7 a.m. for a Zoom interview so the public can view the session.

Public comment and community concerns

Members of local community groups raised concerns during public comment about the meet‑and‑greet the night before, held at the Catalyst Center. Several speakers affiliated with ISAAC (the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community) said the meet‑and‑greet was loud and hard to hear, and that some city officials and staff followed attendees from table to table in a manner that felt intimidating.

“I appreciated the meet and greet last night, but I left with some mixed feelings,” said Maggie Adams, identifying herself as an ISAAC member. Kathy Faison, who said she leads a housing task force and is executive director of a local participatory defense group, urged candidates to be willing to face “uncomfortable questions” and said the tone set by a city official at the meet‑and‑greet discouraged that.

Commissioners responded to the critiques by thanking residents for attending and by encouraging further feedback. Vice Mayor Hess said the commission had intentionally scheduled public comment and other opportunities so community input could be considered before the Oct. 20 decision.

Formal action

The only formal motion taken at the meeting was to recess the Committee of the Whole and reconvene Friday at 7 a.m. for the final candidate’s interview via Zoom, hosted in the adjacent community room. The motion passed unanimously on a roll‑call vote with the commissioners present recorded as voting yes: Commissioner Decker, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Bridal, Commissioner Wilson, Vice Mayor Hess, Commissioner Cooney and Mayor Anderson.

What happens next

Commissioners said they will review community survey feedback, re‑watch interviews as needed and consider public comment during deliberations ahead of the Oct. 20 meeting when they plan to make the hiring decision. Community members were reminded that written feedback submitted through the online or paper survey would be accepted through Oct. 17.

The commission also discussed logistics if there is a transition gap after the incumbent city manager’s announced Nov. 18 retirement; they said an interim manager would be appointed if necessary and that there would likely be an opportunity for overlap or handoff between outgoing and incoming managers if schedules allow.

The commission’s action and the community’s concerns are likely to factor in final deliberations as commissioners weigh candidate responses on housing, downtown development, equity and organizational leadership.