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City of Kalamazoo - April 30, 2025 City of Kalamazoo Civil Rights Board

Updated about 14 hours ago

The board discusses the enforcement of the city's fair housing ordinance and the challenges faced in making it enforceable, including pushback from the city commission. A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to addressing board vacancies and the recent rejection of Attorney Lewis Smith's nomination by the mayor, which has caused concern among board members and the community. The meeting also highlights the importance of community engagement and education, with plans to increase outreach efforts. The board expresses frustration with the lack of communication from the city regarding nominations and emphasizes the need for transparency and cooperation to move forward effectively.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:00:49)
Director Hewitt Smith conducts roll call of board members.

Director Hewitt Smith calls the roll to verify the presence of board members, including Director Faison, Commissioner Hoffman, Director Calderone, and others.
Adopt Agenda (00:01:37)
Motion to adopt the agenda is moved and seconded.

The board moves to adopt the day's agenda. The motion is made by Vice Chair Luman and seconded by Director Burpee. Discussion is called for, and the agenda is adopted with no objections.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:17)
Minutes of the previous meeting are approved by the board.

A motion is made to adopt the minutes of the Civil Rights Board's previous meeting. The motion is seconded, and after a call for discussion, the minutes are approved without opposition.
Public Announcements and Communications (00:03:20)
Director Hewitt Smith gives announcements regarding board communications.

Director Hewitt Smith reminds board members to check and update their email and phone contact information to ensure effective communication with the DEI department and the board.
Ordinance Review Revision Update (00:03:56)
Discussion on the status of ordinance revisions and challenges faced.

The board discusses the ongoing efforts to revise ordinances, highlighting the lack of support from the city commission for a quasi-judicial board, and plans for addressing enforcement and source of income issues.
Education Subcommittee Next Steps (00:08:50)
Plans for the education subcommittee are discussed by Vice Chair Luman.

Vice Chair Luman discusses the need for an education subcommittee to inform the community about the ordinance and encourages board members to join and take active roles in the subcommittee.
Board Application Update (00:15:36)
Update on applications received for board membership.

The board discusses the current status of applications received for the Civil Rights Board and the plan to interview candidates within the next two weeks to fill vacant seats.
Nomination of Ursula Moore Dole (00:16:43)
Discussion and vote on the nomination of Ursula Moore Dole to the board.

The board discusses the nomination of Ursula Moore Dole, her qualifications, and her interview. The board votes to forward her nomination to the city commission for approval.
Meeting Schedule Discussion (00:21:19)
Discussion on whether to hold meetings monthly or every other month.

The board debates the frequency of future meetings, considering the current workload and upcoming tasks, with a leaning towards maintaining bi-monthly meetings until further notice.
Appointment and Nomination Process Concerns (00:24:57)
Concerns about the appointment process for board members are raised.

The board discusses issues with the appointment process, particularly the denial of Attorney Lewis Smith's application by the mayor, and considers how to improve the process to ensure board effectiveness.
Discussion on Board Communication Issues (00:45:18)
The board discussed issues with lack of communication about decision denials and the need for transparency from the CMO's office.

Commissioner Hoffman raised concerns about communication issues regarding decision denials that were not communicated to the board. The discussion emphasized the need for transparency and providing rationale for decisions from the CMO's office to the board. Suggestions included implementing a rubric for nominations to ensure future transparency.
Discussion on Tension within the Board (00:46:53)
The discussion addressed tensions arising from board nominations and personal feelings affecting decision-making.

The conversation highlighted tensions related to the nomination of Mr. Smith for the city attorney's role and the impact of personal feelings on board decisions. The need to address system glitches and ensure discussions are public and timely was emphasized. The board discussed the importance of working through tensions and meeting in the middle to move forward.
Public Comments (00:50:02)
Public comments were opened, allowing community members three minutes each to express their views and concerns.

The public comment period was opened, inviting community members to sign in and address the board. Individuals expressed gratitude for the board's work, concerns over communication, and questions regarding nominations and meetings. Community members voiced their support and emphasized the importance of addressing civil rights and housing issues.
Board Member Comments (01:09:57)
Board members provided their comments, expressing gratitude for community support and addressing concerns raised.

Board members expressed their appreciation for community support and addressed various concerns raised during the meeting. They discussed the importance of community involvement and collaboration to enhance the board's effectiveness and impact. The need to continue working towards making a difference in the city was emphasized.
Adjournment (01:15:50)
The meeting was adjourned with a motion to dismiss, concluding the session.

The meeting concluded with a motion to dismiss, marking the end of the session. Board members expressed gratitude for the community's participation and reiterated their commitment to continuing their work and making an impact in the city.