City of Kalamazoo - Civil Rights Board

City of Kalamazoo - Civil Rights Board - April 1, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 1 hour ago

Updates from the Education Subcommittee include new methods to gather community feedback. The Ordinance Review Subcommittee thanks City Manager Hankins for his engagement and discusses investigational procedure training. The Board reviews recent civil rights complaints and reports on the resolution of two formal complaints. Additionally, they discuss the difficulties of website navigation for accessing board information. The meeting concludes with public comments emphasizing the importance of accessible board information and community engagement.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:01:40)
Roll call was conducted, confirming the presence of board members including Chairperson Faison and Vice Chair Sling. All members were accounted for.

The meeting commenced with a roll call to confirm attendance. Chairperson Faison and Vice Chair Sling were present, along with Directors Madison Luman, Calderone, Moore Doyle, and Debo. Each member confirmed their presence verbally.
Adoption of Agenda (00:02:08)
The agenda for the meeting was reviewed and adopted without any additions or corrections. A motion was made by Director Debore and seconded by Director Moore Doyle.

The agenda had been previously distributed to the members. No additions or corrections were proposed, leading Director Debore to move for its adoption, which was seconded by Director Moore Doyle. The agenda was officially adopted as it stood.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:51)
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved. Director Debore moved to adopt the minutes, seconded by Vice Chair Sling.

The minutes from the preceding meeting were presented for approval. Director Debore initiated a motion to adopt the minutes, which was seconded by Vice Chair Sling. The minutes were adopted following the motion and second.
Public Communications (00:03:36)
The board invited any public communications. None were presented at this time.

An invitation was extended for any public communications to be brought forward. However, no public comments or communications were received during this segment of the meeting.
Education Subcommittee Update (00:03:44)
Vice Chair Siping updated on new feedback methods, seeking more community partners. Monthly meetings are set to gather feedback from community members.

The Education Subcommittee, led by Vice Chair Siping, has implemented new feedback collection methods from community members to improve communication processes. The subcommittee seeks more community partners and has scheduled monthly meetings for broader engagement.
Ordinance Review Subcommittee Update (00:06:12)
City Manager Hankins met with the subcommittee to discuss ordinance review and investigational procedure training for the board.

The Ordinance Review Subcommittee is collaborating with City Manager Hankins to better understand and engage with the ordinance. Discussions included investigational procedure training for board members, and ongoing efforts to ensure board members are well-informed.
Board Member Nominations (00:09:05)
Nomination of Keisha Dickinson for board membership was discussed and approved to proceed to city commission for appointment.

The board discussed the nomination of Keisha Dickinson, whose resume and application were reviewed. The nomination subcommittee recommended her addition to the board. A motion to move forward with her candidacy to the city commission was made and approved.
Navigating City Platforms (00:13:29)
Discussion focused on improving access to city information online, particularly for navigating board minutes and agendas.

The board addressed issues related to the accessibility of city information on the website, particularly regarding the location and navigation of board minutes and agendas. Suggestions for improvement were discussed, and feedback was encouraged to enhance user experience.
Civil Rights Complaint Update (00:18:33)
Updates on formal and informal civil rights complaints received by the board, including current review statuses.

The board received updates on civil rights complaints, detailing two formal complaints under review and issues with a third complaint where no formal submission was made. Efforts to resolve and follow up with complainants were outlined.
Public Comments (00:24:22)
Members of the public provided comments on website accessibility, inmate medication issues, and traffic safety concerns. Acknowledgments of the board's work were also expressed.

Public comments addressed issues such as the difficulty in navigating the city website, concerns about inmate medication access, and traffic safety for children. Suggestions for improvement and appreciation for the board's efforts were communicated by community members.
Board Member Comments (00:33:43)
Board members commented on public feedback, website navigation improvements, and thanked community members for their involvement.

Board members shared their thoughts on the public comments, emphasizing the importance of feedback and acknowledging the need for continued improvements in website navigation. Appreciation for community engagement and participation was reiterated.