City of Kalamazoo - October 20, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated 3 days ago

The Commission focused on the selection of a new city manager to replace the retiring Jim Ritsema. The meeting provided an opportunity for public comments, with many community members expressing support for candidates Malcolm Hankins and Laura Lamb. The commission is set to deliberate and make a decision during the business meeting later in the evening.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:05:43)
The meeting was officially called to order for the City of Kalamazoo committee of the whole.

The City of Kalamazoo committee of the whole meeting was officially called to order by the presiding officer.
Roll Call (00:05:57)
Roll call of commissioners was conducted, confirming attendance of all members.

Clerk Bley conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of commissioners: Cooney, Decker, Hoffman, Cradle, Wilson, Vice Mayor Hess, and Mayor Anderson.
Communications (00:06:12)
No communications from the Mayor were presented during this agenda item.

The Mayor was asked if there were any communications to be shared with the commission, to which he responded there were none.
Public Comments (00:06:14)
Public comments were heard, focusing on the selection of a new city manager, with various community members expressing their candidate preferences and concerns.

The meeting opened for public comments, allowing community members to express their views on the upcoming selection of a new city manager. Many speakers shared their support for candidates, particularly emphasizing the choice between Malcolm Hankins and Laura Lamb. Concerns about transparency, leadership, and community engagement were voiced, highlighting the significance of this decision for Kalamazoo's future.
Discussion on City Manager Selection Process (00:06:20)
The Mayor explained the process for selecting a new city manager, including the agenda for the evening and the opportunity for community feedback.

The Mayor elaborated on the process of selecting a new city manager. He mentioned the retirement of the current city manager, Jim Risma, and outlined the steps taken to evaluate candidates. The committee of the whole meeting was highlighted as a platform for community feedback and questions, with the actual voting scheduled for the seven o’clock business meeting. The Mayor also informed attendees about the agenda arrangement for the business meeting.
Public Comments on Neighborhood Safety (00:38:07)
Residents of the Stewart neighborhood express concerns over safety and traffic issues, requesting measures such as speed bumps and traffic signs.

Gary Wark and Jessica Van Stratton from the Stewart Neighborhood Association present concerns about safety and traffic calming. They request the installation of speed bumps and traffic signs on various streets to address the lack of response to safety issues. They emphasize the importance of these measures to prevent accidents and improve community safety.
City Manager Selection Discussion (00:42:13)
Citizens express appreciation for the commission's diligence in selecting a new city manager and stress the importance of the decision.

Drew Duncan commends the commission for their thorough search for a new city manager. He acknowledges the weight of the decision and encourages commissioners to consider the future implications. Rochelle Beck from the Isaac task force highlights the importance of the selection and suggests taking a risk to bring new perspectives to the community.
Final Remarks and Meeting Adjournment (00:45:02)
Commissioners and mayor express gratitude for community involvement and prepare for the upcoming regular meeting.

Commissioners and the mayor thank the public and city staff for their involvement in the city manager selection process. They emphasize the importance of community input and express confidence in the candidates. The meeting is adjourned with a reminder of the upcoming regular business meeting.