Several additional boards and commissions have been created (either by City Charter, ordinance, or resolution) to serve an advisory role to the City Commission. Membership requirements and term lengths vary, and appointments are ultimately made by the City Commission. Interested residents can apply online or contact the City Clerk's Office for more information.
pdf Schedule of Upcoming Meetings (178 KB)
Apply Online to Join a Board or Commission Application Process for Boards & Commissions
Board of Review for Assessments
The Board of Review meets for three weeks each March to hear citizen appeals regarding property assessments. This board has the power to raise or lower the assessed value of properties in light of the evidence presented and in accordance with state law. (documents)
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
The BRA was established to promote the revitalization of environmentally distressed, contaminated or blighted areas of the City of Kalamazoo. The BRA develops and implements a plan for the utilization of tax increment funds to ameliorate environmental contamination on development sites. The membership of the BRA Board is the same as the Economic Development Corporation Board. (documents)
Building Board of Appeals
This Board conducts hearings at the request of property owners who have been put on notice that the structures on their properties have been determined to be “dangerous buildings” as defined in Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances (The Building Code). This board also considers appeals regarding the requirements, determinations, and decisions made by the city’s inspectors in their enforcement of Chapter 17 of the Code of Ordinances (The Housing Code). Also, the board grants variances to elements of The Housing Code in instances where literal application of the code would result in exceptional practical difficulty. (documents)
Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board
The purpose of the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board (CPSRAB) is to provide an opportunity for the City Manager to receive input from a citizen board prior to deciding appeals filed with him/her pursuant to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) General Order 16 and to request that the City Manager inquire into any conduct of a public safety officer in the absence of a complaint ( folder documents ).
Civil Rights Board
The Civil Rights Board was created with the approval of updates to Chapter 18 of the City's Code of Ordinances in September 2020. The board review allegations and violations of the ordinance and makes recommendations to the City on how practices or policies that lead to discrimination can be changed. (documents)
Civil Service Board
This Board reviews and investigates complaints from the city employees who allege discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex or age. The Board reports the findings of its investigations to the City Manager or City Commission. The CSB also serves as a board of appeal for city employees concerning findings and decisions of the City Manager.
Community Development Act Advisory Committee
This Committee’s primary responsibility is to review applications from community organizations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and to make recommendations to the City Commission for the allocation of these funds. (documents)
Construction Board of Appeals
This Board considers appeals regarding the requirements, determinations, and decisions made by the city’s building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire inspectors. Also, the board grants variances to elements of the building and fire codes in instances where literal application of the code would result in exceptional practical difficulty. In granting variances, the board may approve alternate materials and methods of installation.
Downtown Development Authority
This Board is the governing body of a special purpose local authority established under state enabling law to halt deterioration and to foster development of the downtown business area. The DDA contracts with Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership to administer the city’s parking system and to manage the economic development programs. These activities are funded by revenue from a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and a 2 mill tax levy on property in the Downtown Development District. (documents)
Downtown Economic Growth Authority
The Downtown Economic Growth Authority (DEGA) was established by the Kalamazoo City Commission in October 2018 under the Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) Act. Downtown authorities are designed to be catalysts in the development of a community’s downtown district and to assist with funding improvements along commercial corridors. Under the Act the DEGA has the authority to create a development plan, mapping out specific investments and improvements to be made within its boundaries, and to create a tax increment financing (TIF) plan identifying funding mechanisms. ( folder documents )
Economic Development Corporation
Governing board of a special purpose corporation established under state enabling legislation to set up project areas and to provide financing and other assistance for commercial and industrial development projects. Members of the EDC are also members of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board. (documents)
Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees
The Pension Board oversees all matters relating to the administration of the city’s pension system. These matters include approving the disbursement of funds, pensions, and rendering decisions in duty disability and buy-back cases. (documents)
Environmental Concerns Committee
The ECC monitors significant environmental trends affecting the City of Kalamazoo and advises the City Manager and City Commission regarding environmental matters. The Committee also serves as a citizens’ forum for environmental issues. (documents)
Investment Committee of the Retirement System
The Investment Committee manages the assets of the Employees’ Retirement System and has full authority to invest and reinvest those assets according to the policies, strategies, and guidelines approved by the City Commission. (documents)
Kalamazoo Historic District Commission
The Commission conducts design review hearings in a quasi-judicial capacity to decide issues relating to the enforcement of the Historic District ordinance and to permit, within standards established by the ordinance, exceptions to strict compliance with the terms of the ordinance in recognized historic districts and as applied to designated landmarks. (documents)
Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission
This body advises the City Commission on historic preservation issues including the establishment of historic districts and landmarks and the nomination of such districts and landmarks to the National Register of Historic Places and the state register. The HPC encourages and promotes historic preservation through publications, education, the collection of historical materials, and the identification of historical resources which warrant preservation. (documents)
Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association
The KMGA Board of Governors oversees the operations of the city’s three public golf courses (Red Arrow, Milham Park, and Eastern Hills). The Board adopts an annual budget, sets the greens and membership fees, and establishes rules and regulations for the grounds and the behavior of members. (documents)
Kalamazoo Transit Authority Board
Local Development Finance Authority
Established under state enabling legislation, the LDFA exists to foster economic growth through the development of land and facilities within the Business, Technology and Research (BTR) Park located at the intersection of Drake Road and Parkview Avenue. Revenue from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District located at the BTR Park is used to fund the Authority’s projects. The LDFA is no longer active.
Local Officers Compensation Commission
A special purpose body established pursuant to state law, the LOCC meets every two years to set the compensation for elected City officials. The City Commission, by a 2/3 vote, may reject the compensation levels recommended by the LOCC. (documents)
Natural Features Protection Review Board
The purpose of the Natural Features Protection Review Board is to assist staff in the Site Plan Review process by providing expert knowledge on relevant natural features and development or construction. Approval from the Board is necessary for a project to obtain full site plan review approval as part of the development, permitting, and construction process. The intent of the Board is to guide development of land in the Natural Features Protection Overlay District in order to protect natural features in the City. ( folder documents )
Northside Cultural Business District Authority
The goals of th NCBDA include supporting Northside resident owned businesses, creating an identity for the District, and improving building facades, and infrastructure such as sidewalks. ( folder Documents )
Odor Task Force
Formally originated in 2018, the Odor Task Force (OTF) is a technical workgroup of members from Graphic Packaging International, Inc., community committees, local and State agencies, elected officials, and the City of Kalamazoo. The primary goal of the OTF is to provide a collaborative forum to discuss the community’s concerns with and potential mitigation efforts regarding industrial odors emitted from the City of Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant (KWRP) and Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (GPI) as both industrial facilities have the potential to emit odors of differing compounds and of differing concentrations. Odors emitted to or generated within a community falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Environment (EGLE) Air Quality Division.
You can report an odor in the City of Kalamazoo at www.kalamazoocity.org/OdorObservation.
Questions or comments about the Odor Task Force, the odor observation form, or any odor issues should be directed to cokpublicservices@kalamazoocity.org.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Strictly an advisory board, PRAB makes recommendations to the City Manager and City Commission regarding parks and recreation planning and programming. (documents)
Perpetual Care Investment Committee
The Perpetual Care Investment Committee (PCIC) manages the assets of the Perpetual Care Fund and has full authority to invest and reinvest those assets according to the policies, strategies, and guidelines approved by the City Commission. Members of the PCIC are also on the Retirement Investment Committee. (documents)
Planning Commission
This body is required and regulated by state law. One of its major duties is the development of the city's Comprehensive Plan, a master plan for current and future land use. In accordance with this plan and the current Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Commission on re-zoning requests and changes to the Zoning Ordinance text. The Planning Commission also has responsibility for reviewing and approving Special Use Permits, and site plans for buildings within WMU's Business, Technology and Research Park.
View Planning Commission membership or apply to join
Submit an application for Planning Commission review
Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo Organizing Committee
Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo (SPK) is a bold and ambitious plan to transform our community into a place where every adult and every child thrives and prospers. You can learn more about SPK here.
Traffic Board
This administrative board hears citizen appeals/requests and considers recommendations from the Traffic Engineer regarding traffic control orders and parking regulations.
Tree Committee
The purpose of the Tree Committee is to develop guidelines, subject to City Commission approval, related to the implementation and enforcement of the tree ordinance and recommend modifications or changes as might become necessary to the Director of Public Works. A representative from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Environmental Concerns Committee, overhead and underground utility companies and the Public Works Department form the membership of the Tree Committee. ( folder documents )
Utility Policy Committee
Kalamazoo's water system serves many of the areas surrounding townships and villages in addition to residents within the City. The Water Service Agreement between these communities establishes a Utility Policy Committee (UPC), which consists of seven members. Three are appointed by the City of Kalamazoo and four are appointed from the other stakeholder communities. The UPC meets with City of Kalamazoo officials, including the City Manager or their designee and the Public Services Director, to review and discuss matters affecting the water system, including operations and maintenance, financial policy, utility rates, and capital planning. The committee must meet a minimum of four times per year, once per quarter. ( folder documents )
Water System Advisory Council
The Water System Advisory Council exists to advise and assist the Public Services Director with the creation of materials and plans to educate the community about the dangers of lead in drinking water. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Administrative Rule R325.10410 requires the establishment of an Advisory Council for water systems with a population of 50,000 or more. (documents)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals' primary role is to hear requests for variances from the Zoning Ordinance. The ZBA also provides interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance and hears appeals regarding administrative zoning decisions.
Zoning Board of Appeals documents