Grand Rapids Committee on Appointments Meeting - January 27, 2026
Grand Rapids Committee on Appointments Meeting - January 27, 2026\n\nThe Grand Rapids City Commission's Committee on Appointments met on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. to consider two mayoral appointments to the Mobile GR Commission and receive an update on board and commission vacancies. The meeting was brief, concluding at 8:05 a.m.\n\n### Discussion: Mayoral Appointments to Mobile GR Commission\n- Terry Baker was appointed to the Mobile GR Commission via resolution. A commissioner commented on the importance of the commission, noting recent news about doubling parking fees. The motion was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously (ayes, no opposition).\n- Andrew Roher was appointed to the Mobile GR Commission as a new appointment (not a reappointment). The motion was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously.\n\n### Discussion: Board and Commission Vacancy Update\n- Ms. Bosker provided an update: significant progress is being made, with February expected to address many vacancies. Planned appointments include North Quarter CIA, West Side CIA, Historic Preservation Commission, additional Mobile GR and Vital Streets (mayoral appointments), and a large batch of reappointments for economic development board members to align term end dates. The Civilian Appeals Board appointments are also in progress; a commissioner noted its importance and that each commissioner has an appointment slot for that board. One commissioner recalled serving on the Civilian Appeals Board starting in 2006.\n- Commissioners discussed recruiting efforts in neighborhoods (e.g., J Ban Swan, West Grand, Roosevelt Park) and the need for diversity, including Spanish-language representation. An emphasis was placed on directing interested individuals to submit applications through the city website.\n- When asked about resignations, Ms. Bosker confirmed there were none, but noted at least three new appointments to Mobile GR (possibly a fourth) due to term limits.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Resolution confirming Terry Baker to Mobile GR Commission: Passed unanimously.\n- Resolution confirming Andrew Roher to Mobile GR Commission: Passed unanimously.\n- Next steps: February 2026 will see multiple appointments processed; ongoing recruitment for diverse applicants across various boards and commissions.
Meeting Transcript
Appointments to order at 8 a.m. Right on time. Happy everyone made it in safe. Hope uh folks are safe out there uh watching. Please give yourself extra time and stay home if you can. Um in my newscaster weather voice. A lot of people and check the tires. Oh my goodness. Ball tires are dangerous. Okay. So we will we've only got a few things on our agenda today. We'll move to our first item, which is a resolution confirming Mare Legrand's appointment of Terry Baker to the Mobile GR Commission. So moved. Support. All right, moved and support it. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. Rather important commission that has a lot of uh important conversation going on, such as uh doubling parking fees currently. Uh that was an interesting conversation I saw on the news recently. So I will be paying attention to that commission even more. Uh so I'm hopeful that this person uh is also paying attention. All right, all those in favor. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Brings us to our second resolution confirming Mary Legrand's appointment of Andrew Andrew Roher to the Bobble GR Commission. So moved. Support. Moved and supported. Comments, colleagues. Yes, Commissioner. Remind me, is this one a reappointment or this is a new appointment? This is a new appointment. And this is a mayoral appointment as well, right? Yep, okay. Obviously, it's right there. Sorry. All right. Seeing no further comment, uh, all those in favor. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. And lastly, if Miss Bosker, if you could guide us through uh our vacancy on our board in commissions. Yes, we have quite a few vacancies. Um, but we are making lots of progress. And um pending just moving along with vetting February should clean a lot of this up. We have North Quarter CIA and West Side CIA appointments planned. Those are mayoral appointments. Um Historic Preservation Commission appointment. Um, another mobile GR and Vital Streets mayoral appointments are planned. Um, and then also I'm working on the large batch reappointment of the economic development department members to get them in line with that summer six month later term end date. Gotcha. Thank you so much, Ms.
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