Planning commission recommends three candidates to mayor and city commission

The Kalamazoo City Planning Commission voted to recommend three candidates to the mayor and city commission for appointment to the planning commission.

Staff member (speaking for the interview committee) presented the committee’s findings and formally moved “Motion to recommend all 3 candidates to the city commission and mayor for appointment to the board.” Chair followed with a voice vote and declared the recommendation approved unanimously.

The staff member said all three candidates were “very, very strong” and would “fill a perspective and professional background that is currently not represented.” The committee noted timing constraints: three current commissioners will leave after March 31 (Jennifer and Brian are termed out; Christine has not sought another term), and staff asked that the appointments be placed on the city commission agenda for April 6 so onboarding can occur before the planning commission’s April 8 meeting.

The staff member also clarified that one candidate named Drew Duncan is a different community member and not city commissioner Drew Duncan; the record notes the commission’s rules prohibit a city commissioner from serving on the planning commission.

Procedure for selecting officers was discussed: commissioners agreed to start the April meeting with the acting chair (the ranking officer or secretary, per bylaws) and place officer elections high on that agenda so incoming members can participate after the city commission’s appointment decisions.

Next steps: staff will prepare the memo for the mayor and city commission, and the recommendation will move forward to the city commission for formal appointment.