Kalamazoo City Commission - April 20, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated about 10 hours ago

The Kalamazoo Committee of the Whole Meeting included discussions on strategic goals for the city, including effective operations, housing, and community trust and safety. Later on, the Western Student Association presented their priorities, seeking to strengthen partnerships with the city and improve student safety and connectivity. City Manager Malcolm Hankins outlined the process for developing strategic goals and ensuring alignment with community needs.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:03:43)
The meeting of the committee of the whole was officially called to order for Monday.

The meeting of the committee of the whole was officially called to order for Monday by the chair.
Roll Call (00:03:49)
Roll call was conducted with all commissioners present, including the Mayor and Vice Mayor.

Clerk Bling conducted the roll call. Commissioners Cradle, Slaby, Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and Mayor Anderson were present.
Public Comments (00:04:09)
The floor was opened for public comments, but no one came forward to speak.

The chair reminded the public that the comment period is two minutes at the committee of the whole, with an additional period at the regular business meeting. No public comments were made.
Proclamation Honoring Western Michigan University Dance Team (00:05:00)
A proclamation was presented to honor the Western Michigan University Dance Team for winning the national championship.

The city recognized the Western Michigan University Dance Team for winning the Division One Jazz National Championship for the second consecutive year. The team was praised for their talent, discipline, and spirit, bringing distinction to the university and community.
Discussion with Western Student Association (00:09:40)
Western Student Association representatives presented partnership ideas and safety concerns to the city commission.

Representatives from the Western Student Association, including President Luke Kitzman, discussed pedestrian safety, ongoing partnership with the city, and a proposal for a working group to enhance student engagement and community safety. They highlighted the university's economic and cultural impact and presented specific asks for city support in improving pedestrian safety and forming a lasting partnership.
Introduction by City Manager (00:37:30)
City Manager introduces the meeting and thanks the commission for the opportunity to discuss community engagement and feedback from the retreat.

City Manager Malcolm Hankins introduces himself and thanks the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the commission for the opportunity to speak. He envisions a community where residents feel engaged and connected to decision-making. The discussion will cover feedback from a recent retreat and outline plans for using that input to enhance community engagement.
Feedback from Retreat and Strategic Planning (00:38:40)
Discussion on feedback received from a community retreat, including priorities, goals, and strategic planning efforts for the city.

The City Manager discusses key takeaways from a recent community retreat. There was alignment around prioritizing city operations and accountability. Feedback indicated a commitment to service excellence and measurable outcomes. The retreat highlighted community trust, safety, housing, economic vitality, and youth and family as priority areas. The City Manager emphasizes the importance of aligning operations with these priorities to achieve the city's vision.
Commission Discussion on Strategic Goals (00:50:02)
Commissioners discuss the need for SMART goals at the strategic level and the importance of understanding existing conditions to set realistic goals.

Commissioners express the need for strategic goals to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and stress the importance of having data on existing city conditions to inform these goals. They discuss their role in setting high-level goals and the role of city staff in operationalizing these goals with specific strategies. There is an emphasis on ensuring that strategic goals are well-defined to guide the city's vision effectively.
Public Engagement and Process Timeline (01:05:51)
Discussion on the timeline for strategic visioning and the opportunities for public engagement in the planning process.

The timeline for the city's strategic visioning process is outlined, highlighting key stages such as the staff retreat and the subsequent report to the commission. There is an emphasis on engaging the public throughout this process, ensuring that community input continues to shape the strategic goals and plans. Commissioners inquire about public involvement opportunities and the City Manager confirms the importance of public engagement.
Questions and Feedback from Commissioners (01:07:02)
Commissioners provide feedback on the presentation and discuss the need for data-driven decisions in strategic planning.

Commissioners ask questions and provide feedback on the presentation. They express the importance of having access to data to make informed decisions about strategic goals. There is a consensus on the need for data to back strategic decisions and a request for more detailed information on the current state of the city to aid in setting realistic and achievable goals.
Discussion on Housing and Smart Goals (01:08:04)
Discussion on setting smart goals for housing priorities and operational goals within the city, focusing on the role of current documents and surveys.

The meeting discusses the importance of aligning existing documents with smart goals for housing, emphasizing the role of staff in operationalizing these goals. Commissioner Slaby raises concerns about the city's responsibility in housing priorities, leading to a broader discussion on how to effectively set smart goals for city operations.
Operational Effectiveness and Community Goals (01:09:02)
The focus is on operational effectiveness, community feedback, and the importance of setting ambitious goals for city development.

The conversation highlights the need for operational effectiveness and the role of staff in implementing city goals. There's an emphasis on setting ambitious goals to drive community development and ensuring goals are clearly defined and measurable. Feedback from smaller developers is also discussed, highlighting the need for efficient processes and adequate resources.
Strategic Goal Setting and Community Feedback (01:11:02)
Debate on setting high-level strategic goals and incorporating community feedback into the planning process, ensuring flexibility and adaptability.

The meeting explores the importance of strategic goal setting, with a focus on maintaining flexibility to adapt to community needs and feedback. There's a discussion on the challenges of setting specific goals versus broader goals, and the role of city staff in operationalizing these goals. The need for community involvement and feedback in setting these priorities is emphasized.
Environmental Goals and Resource Management (01:13:02)
Consideration of environmental goals, resource management, and the flexibility needed to address community priorities effectively.

The conversation centers on setting environmental goals that align with community priorities, discussing the flexibility needed to manage resources effectively. There's a dialogue on the challenges of shifting priorities, such as focusing on trees, bees, or birds, and the importance of maintaining strategic goals that guide operational decisions.
Discussion on Baselines and Performance Measures (01:15:45)
Commissioners discuss the need for establishing baselines to measure performance accurately and setting realistic smart goals.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of having accurate baselines to measure city performance and the effectiveness of strategic goals. Commissioners express the need for data to support decision-making and the challenges of setting priorities without clear baselines. There's a consensus on the need to work collaboratively to identify critical performance measures.
Commissioner Comments and Next Steps (01:17:48)
Commissioners provide feedback on the discussion, highlighting the need for clarity in goals and the importance of continued collaboration.

Commissioner comments focus on the need for clarity in setting strategic and operational goals. There's an emphasis on the importance of ongoing collaboration among commissioners and staff to ensure effective decision-making. The discussion concludes with a commitment to continue refining goals and incorporating community feedback.
Adjournment (01:20:55)
The meeting is adjourned after a discussion on strategic goals, performance measures, and community feedback.

The meeting wraps up with a summary of key discussion points, including the need for strategic goal setting, performance measurement, and community engagement. Commissioners express their commitment to working collaboratively to address city priorities and ensure effective governance.