★ ★ ★PUBLICRECORDMAR 17 2026

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Record of Proceedings

Committee on Appointments Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, March 17, 2026

BodyGrand Rapids, Michigan

SessionMeeting Portal

DateTuesday, March 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

0:00

Everyone, good morning.

0:00

We will call the committee on appointments to order at 8 a.m.

0:05

We have a few things on our agenda today, starting with the a resolution recognizing Commissioner Kilgore's appointment of Kimberly Williams to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board.

0:14

So moved.

0:16

Moved and supported.

0:17

Comments on this uh resolution, colleagues.

0:21

Seeing none.

0:22

All those in favor?

0:23

Aye.

0:24

Aye.

0:25

Those opposed.

0:26

Motion carries.

0:27

That brings us to our second resolution confirming Mayor Le Grand's appointment of Sarah Noster.

0:33

Kanooster.

0:34

Thank you all.

0:35

To the South Town Corridor Improvement Authority.

0:38

So moved.

0:39

Support.

0:39

Moved and supported.

0:40

Comments on Miss Canooster.

0:43

There we go.

0:44

Yes, Commissioner Sassy.

0:46

Well, I knew uh Miss Knooster when she had a different name that was a little bit easier, but that's somebody with the last name.

0:52

I shouldn't be saying that.

0:54

Um but Miss Knooster has been very uh uh a longtime business owner.

0:59

Um I can't rem I don't remember how long she's been in Southtown.

1:02

Um but her business mixed staffing has worked with a number of businesses to really uh work to get folks in employment and work with employers who are part of second chances um and more supportive employment.

1:15

So I think should be a great addition to that body.

1:17

Thank you.

1:17

Thank you, Commissioner.

1:19

All right, seeing no further comment, all those in favor, aye, those opposed, motion carries.

1:25

Bring us us to our third resolution confirming Mayor LeGrand's appointment of Rachel Wingo to the Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority.

1:32

So support.

1:34

Moved and supported.

1:35

Comments on this appointment, colleagues.

1:38

I just will say it's nice to see the uptown corridor getting filled up.

1:42

Let's be great.

1:43

Yeah, we've been doing really good.

1:45

I'm on Uptown and Uptown has um had a steady uh amount of folks who who uh step up to serve, and uh I think we in my year serving on that we've only not had quorum once, which is really nice.

1:58

Okay, so I'll call the question.

1:59

All those in favor, aye, those opposed, motion carries.

2:03

Brings us to our fourth resolution confirming Mary Legrand's appointment of RL Ullis to the Vitals Streets Oversight Commission.

2:11

So moved, supported, moved and supported.

2:13

Comments on this appointment, colleagues.

2:15

I just had yeah, so we've had this one kind of out there.

2:19

We're trying to figure out if there's conflicts based on her work and various other things.

2:23

And I think it comes down to um we have we ask every member to put a conflict resolution together.

2:30

So if as long as she declares that, and if something comes between vital streets and she has a conflict, then we'll just work through the regular process.

2:36

Okay, thank you, Mr.

2:37

Clerk.

2:38

Further comment, colleagues.

2:40

Yes, Commissioner.

2:41

I just think that she's uh very brilliant.

2:43

I'd be curious, like is are you just talking about because of her employer as a potential conflict?

2:48

Okay, that makes sense.

2:49

Um yeah, I think she'll be a great addition if you can work that out, and it'll be uh good to have the vital streets fully staffed as well.

2:57

Yeah.

2:58

Okay, seeing no further comment, all those in favor?

3:01

Aye, those opposed, motion carries.

3:04

Moves us to our fifth resolution, approving the city commission's appointment of Nate Rowberry to the Vital Streets Oversight Commission.

3:11

So moved.

3:11

Support moved and supported.

3:13

Uh I have worked with Mr.

3:14

Roberry in multiple uh capacities and uh really appreciate his service to community.

3:20

He also serves um as a member of the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition, so it'll be a uh welcome addition to uh this commission.

3:30

Yes, Commissioner.

3:31

I'll just you know hearken back.

3:32

Uh he's also on uh being appointed, even though it's a mayor appointment.

3:36

He's uh a representative of Weemia uh representation, which always feels good too.

3:41

So awesome.

3:43

Okay, seeing no further comment, all those in favor?

3:46

Aye, aye, those opposed, motion carries.

3:50

Brings us to our last resolution, approving the city commission's appointment of Wayne.

3:54

Um goodness, I am butchering Jernberg.

3:58

I don't want to butcher anyone's name.

4:00

We want to make sure everything's okay this morning to the Grand Valley Regional Biosolids Authority.

4:07

So moved.

4:08

So moved.

4:09

You're gonna have them come up defend his opponent.

4:11

No.

4:12

Moved in support, thank you.

4:14

All right.

4:15

Um comments on this appointment.

4:18

Do you accept?

4:24

Okay, being voluntary, right?

4:26

Okay, all those in favor, aye, those opposed, motion carries.

4:30

And uh, Mr.

4:30

Clerk, if you could guide us through a discussion on our current board and commission vacancy list.

4:35

Yeah, so obviously we just got a few appointments done there, and I know that we have some others uh in the hopper as we're moving through.

4:42

Um everything is looking really good as far as filling vacancies.

4:48

There's the I mean it shows civilian appeals board, but though everybody serves until their replacements done, so every commissioners are in the point of doing theirs, you had yours up today.

5:00

So uh yeah, so um so as people are working through those, so it looks like that's a lot, but it's they're meeting and they have a quorum because people serve until they're replaced.

5:09

Wonderful.

5:09

And there were some resignations as well.

5:11

Yep.

5:12

Um so we had uh two resignations that for this one.

5:16

Um Nathan Hirsch Henschel um regarding his resignation from Southtown and Brooke O' Osterman from the Grand Rapids Housing Commission.

5:27

Wonderful.

5:27

Thank you very much, Mr.

5:28

Clerk.

5:29

Okay, further comments, colleagues?

5:31

Yes, Commissioner.

5:32

Um I know that the we have our museum and art uh board and there were some new PIFs that were brought to us.

5:40

Um so I just put it in the email, but I don't know if the clerk got to say it because I don't know if you were copied in on that, but um just weighing in on those that were sent in.

5:50

And there were a couple that I would like to follow up with, but mostly I think there's a clear contender to to lead the front pack of that.

5:57

And um do we want to say that now or just talk about it?

6:02

Okay.

6:04

I think they usually wait because we want to make sure they're fully vetted before we put their name out there.

6:08

It's just more of a courtesy to the applicant.

6:10

Thank you.

6:11

Thanks.

6:11

Thank you, Commissioners.

6:13

Okay, seeing oh, yes, Mr.

6:15

Clerk.

6:16

So the so let's talk about first ward vacancy a little bit while we're while we're here.

6:21

So we do have a we do have a we have we have a process.

6:24

Um we have two full applications.

6:26

Well, I haven't fully reviewed them, but we have two applications that have been turned in.

6:29

Um so we have a whole not we have another week.

6:32

Um we have times on your calendars for the initial interviews and then we have a time on the calendar for the full commission.

6:38

So we'll be approving that at Cal today to set those special meetings.

6:42

Um so the so the process is working its way through and then as soon as we have those in and I'll have them vetted, and then we'll share them with you so you can prepare yourself for that interview on the 17th, April 17th.

6:57

Yes, thank you, Mr.

6:57

Clerk, and thank you to your office uh for the the work on that.

7:01

We're looking forward to that.

7:02

Uh and seeing no further uh comment, we will adjourn the committee on appointments at 807 a.m.

7:08

Have a great day.

7:09

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

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Summary of Proceedings

Committee on Appointments Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

The Committee on Appointments met at 8:00 AM on March 17, 2026, to confirm several board and commission appointments, discuss vacancy lists, and receive updates on the first ward vacancy process. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 AM.

Consent Calendar

All appointments were approved via unanimous consent; no opposition was noted on any item.

Appointments

Commissioner Kilgore's Appointment – Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board: Kimberly Williams was appointed to the board. The resolution passed unanimously.
Mayor LeGrand's Appointment – South Town Corridor Improvement Authority: Sarah Noster (Kanooster) was appointed. Commissioner Sassy noted that Noster is a longtime business owner whose company, Mixed Staffing, works with employers on second-chance and supportive employment. The resolution passed unanimously.
Mayor LeGrand's Appointment – Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority: Rachel Wingo was appointed. Commissioner Sassy commented on the positive trend of filling uptown corridor positions, noting that in her year on that body, quorum was missed only once. The resolution passed unanimously.
Mayor LeGrand's Appointment – Vital Streets Oversight Commission: RL Ullis was appointed. Discussion included potential conflicts based on her work; the clerk noted that all members complete a conflict resolution form, and conflicts will be handled through the regular process. Commissioner Sassy expressed confidence in Ullis's brilliance and anticipated a strong contribution. The resolution passed unanimously.
City Commission's Appointment – Vital Streets Oversight Commission: Nate Rowberry was appointed. Rowberry also serves on the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition and is a representative of Weemia. The resolution passed unanimously.
City Commission's Appointment – Grand Valley Regional Biosolids Authority: Wayne Jernberg was appointed. The resolution passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Board and Commission Vacancy List: The clerk reported that most vacancies are filled or in process, with many members serving until replacements are appointed, ensuring quorum. Two resignations were noted: Nathan Hirsch Henschel from Southtown and Brooke O. Osterman from the Grand Rapids Housing Commission.
Museum and Art Board Vacancy: Commissioner Sassy noted that new PIFs had been submitted and suggested there is a clear leading candidate, but the group agreed to wait until full vetting is complete before naming the applicant.
First Ward Vacancy: The clerk reported that two applications had been received, with one week remaining for submissions. Initial interviews are scheduled for April 17, 2026, and the full commission will approve special meeting dates at that day's calendar meeting.

Key Outcomes

All six appointments were confirmed unanimously.
The clerk will continue processing applications for the first ward vacancy, with interviews set for April 17, 2026.
The committee noted two resignations and asked the clerk to continue managing the vacancy process.

Meeting Transcript

Everyone, good morning. We will call the committee on appointments to order at 8 a.m. We have a few things on our agenda today, starting with the a resolution recognizing Commissioner Kilgore's appointment of Kimberly Williams to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board. So moved. Moved and supported. Comments on this uh resolution, colleagues. Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Those opposed. Motion carries. That brings us to our second resolution confirming Mayor Le Grand's appointment of Sarah Noster. Kanooster. Thank you all. To the South Town Corridor Improvement Authority. So moved. Support. Moved and supported. Comments on Miss Canooster. There we go. Yes, Commissioner Sassy. Well, I knew uh Miss Knooster when she had a different name that was a little bit easier, but that's somebody with the last name. I shouldn't be saying that. Um but Miss Knooster has been very uh uh a longtime business owner. Um I can't rem I don't remember how long she's been in Southtown. Um but her business mixed staffing has worked with a number of businesses to really uh work to get folks in employment and work with employers who are part of second chances um and more supportive employment. So I think should be a great addition to that body. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. All right, seeing no further comment, all those in favor, aye, those opposed, motion carries. Bring us us to our third resolution confirming Mayor LeGrand's appointment of Rachel Wingo to the Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority. So support. Moved and supported. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. I just will say it's nice to see the uptown corridor getting filled up. Let's be great. Yeah, we've been doing really good. I'm on Uptown and Uptown has um had a steady uh amount of folks who who uh step up to serve, and uh I think we in my year serving on that we've only not had quorum once, which is really nice. Okay, so I'll call the question. All those in favor, aye, those opposed, motion carries. Brings us to our fourth resolution confirming Mary Legrand's appointment of RL Ullis to the Vitals Streets Oversight Commission. So moved, supported, moved and supported. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. I just had yeah, so we've had this one kind of out there. We're trying to figure out if there's conflicts based on her work and various other things. And I think it comes down to um we have we ask every member to put a conflict resolution together. So if as long as she declares that, and if something comes between vital streets and she has a conflict, then we'll just work through the regular process. Okay, thank you, Mr. Clerk.

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