City of Kalamazoo - August 5, 2026 City of Kalamazoo Civil Rights Board

Updated 1 day ago

The board reviewed the nomination process for new members, considering three candidates: Sharday Chambers, Ana Johnson, and Ella Burrell. The meeting highlighted the need for clear procedures and equitable practices in nominations. The board also discussed proposed ordinance changes to improve enforcement of civil rights protections and emphasized the importance of community engagement, citing recent events in Spring Valley Park. The meeting underscored the board's commitment to transparency and responsiveness to community needs.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:01:10)
The Civil Rights Board meeting begins with a roll call of members. Some members are absent or excused.

The meeting begins with a roll call. Director Calderone, Director Debore, Vice Chair Sling, and Chair Faison are present. Director Dickinson and Director Moore Doyle are absent. Director Luman is excused.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:14)
The agenda for the meeting is reviewed and approved after a motion and a vote.

The agenda has been distributed. There is a discussion about possible additions or corrections. It is clarified that some community members present are not on the agenda. An item related to the nominations committee is clarified. A motion to adopt the agenda is made and seconded. The agenda is adopted after a vote.
Approval of Minutes (00:05:23)
The minutes from the last meeting are reviewed and approved without corrections.

The minutes from the last meeting are presented for approval. There are no corrections. A motion to approve the minutes is made and seconded. The minutes are approved after a vote.
Public Announcements and Communications (00:06:46)
No public announcements or comments are made at this time.

The chair asks if there are any public announcements or communications. There are none at this time.
Education Subcommittee Update (00:07:30)
Director Sling provides an update on the education subcommittee's work on brochures for tenants and landlords.

Director Sling reports on the education subcommittee's progress. They have been developing informational brochures for tenants and landlords. The subcommittee gathered community feedback and worked with a design team on the brochures, which will be shared with community partners and made available at various locations. This item is not for voting.
Ordinance Review Subcommittee Update (00:11:19)
Discussion about proposed changes to city code and the process for board approval.

Director Siping gives an update on the ordinance review subcommittee's work. They have been working on proposed text changes to city code. The board will discuss and vote on these changes before they are sent to the commission.
Expectations of Board Members (00:13:00)
Discussion on expectations for board member communication and participation.

Willow and the chair discuss the expectations for board members regarding communication and attendance. Members are expected to respond to emails promptly, and notify the chair or Willow if they cannot attend meetings. Communication is emphasized as being important for effective board function.
Nominations Committee and Board Positions (00:15:30)
Three candidates for board positions are discussed, but no decision is made due to process concerns.

The nominations committee reports on three candidates for board positions: Charade Chambers, Ana Johnson, and Ella Burle. There is discussion about the interview process and the qualifications of the candidates. Concerns are raised about changes in the process and the lack of a clear nomination from the committee.
Discussion on Meeting Schedule and Vacancies (00:43:36)
Discussion on meeting scheduling, term expirations, vacancy anticipation, and proactive strategies.

The meeting started with a discussion on the current scheduling of meetings, with the next meeting scheduled for October. There was a clarification about term expiration dates and the need to anticipate and be proactive about upcoming board vacancies. Concerns were raised about past practices of filling vacancies and the need for a more organized process. There was also mention of the possibility of holding a special meeting to address these issues.
Nominations and Recommendations for Board Members (00:52:02)
Discussion and recommendations for board member nominations including candidates' qualifications.

The board discussed the nomination process for new members. There were recommendations for candidates Ms. Burrell and Ms. Chambers. The board reviewed the qualifications and community involvement of the candidates, with emphasis on the importance of a fair and transparent process for nominations. There were concerns about past practices and the need for a consistent nomination process.
Motion to Table Nomination Vote (01:03:10)
A motion was made to table the decision on board nominations until a future meeting.

Commissioner Hoffman recommended tabling the decision on board nominations to allow for a more equitable and transparent process. There was a discussion on the importance of waiting until all necessary information and perspectives could be considered. The motion to table was eventually carried, with the understanding that the nomination committee would reconvene and potentially hold a special meeting to finalize recommendations.
Civil Rights Board Email Contact Update (01:10:48)
Discussion on establishing a direct email contact for the Civil Rights Board to improve community communication.

There was a discussion on the need for a direct email contact for the Civil Rights Board to facilitate communication with the community. The current process involves emails being sent to the civil rights division and then forwarded to the board. Ideas for a more direct contact method, such as a dedicated email or web form, were discussed, with considerations for cybersecurity and city policy compliance.
Ordinance Language Update Discussion (01:18:22)
Proposal for changes to ordinance language to improve the enforcement of civil rights protections.

The board reviewed proposed changes to ordinance language to enhance the enforcement of civil rights protections at the local level. The proposed changes include a review process for complaints and the involvement of city departments in enforcement. The aim is to address community concerns about discrimination and improve the board's ability to act on complaints.
Discussion on Handling Complaints and Referrals (01:24:06)
Discussion on how the city handles complaints, referrals to external agencies, and the decision-making process regarding investigating or dismissing complaints.

The meeting discusses the process of handling complaints within the city, including clarification on whether complaints are investigated internally, referred to external agencies such as the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, or dismissed. The board emphasizes the need for clearer documentation and communication with complainants about their rights and the status of their complaints.
Proposal to Submit Language to City Commission (01:31:12)
The board discusses proposing language changes to the city commission regarding complaint processes, with a focus on being bold and audacious.

The board considers whether to propose new language to the city commission that has been researched and is in line with practices in other municipalities. There is a debate about whether to proceed without further review by the attorney's office or to involve them for feedback before submission. Commissioner Hoffman encourages the board to take bold steps.
Motion to Approve Language Submission (01:39:19)
The board votes on whether to approve the current language for submission to Commissioner Hoffman and Attorney Jones for review.

A motion is made and passed to approve the language changes proposed by the Vice Chair, which will be submitted to Commissioner Hoffman and Attorney Jones for review. This approval does not preclude further modifications during the review process.
Meeting Location and Bylaw Changes (01:45:26)
Discussion on bylaw changes to allow meetings to be held at locations other than City Hall, including emergency locations.

The board discusses changes to their bylaws to allow meetings to be held at alternative locations, such as the Crosstown Police Station, instead of being restricted to City Hall. This change is to accommodate situations where City Hall is unavailable and to provide flexibility for meeting locations.
Public Comments (01:50:11)
Public comments were made, including an invitation to an event and feedback on the nomination process.

Public commenters provided feedback on the meeting and the nomination process, and invited the board members to attend the ISAAC annual meeting. There was also discussion about the need for clear nomination processes and ensuring inclusivity.
Board Member Comments and Closing (01:56:27)
Board members discuss next steps, committee involvement, and express gratitude for community involvement.

Board members provide comments on the meeting process, discuss committee vacancies and assignments, and express appreciation for community participation and involvement. The Chair thanks everyone for their patience and contributions during the meeting, and notes the importance of community feedback in driving positive changes.