Committee on Appointments - June 2, 2026: Six Appointments Approved and Board Vacancy Discussed
Committee on Appointments - June 2, 2026
The Committee on Appointments met from 8:00 AM to 8:10 AM on June 2, 2026, to confirm six appointments to city boards and commissions and to discuss the current vacancy list and communication practices with liaisons. All appointments were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Dean Pacific (reappointment by Mayor LeGrand) to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board. A commissioner noted Pacific's legal expertise and prior service.
- Danielle (Dan) Cope (appointment by Commissioner Belchak) to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board. Commissioner Belchak highlighted Cope's critical thinking and data review skills.
- Veronica Candle (appointment by Mayor LeGrand) to the Grand Rapids Historical Commission.
- Christopher Herwire (appointment by Mayor LeGrand) to the Grand Rapids Historical Commission.
- Peter Brunswick (appointment by Mayor LeGrand) to the Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
- Eric Howard (appointment by the City Commission) to the Board of Art and Museum Commissioners.
Discussion Items
- Vacancy List Update: Ms. Bosker reported that the Historical Commission, the Brownfield/Economic Development Corporation, and the Board of Art and Museum Commissioners are now full after the day's appointments. Upcoming reappointments will address terms ending in late June/early July for the Land Bank and Grand Valley Biosolids. A new vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission resulted from a member's passing; the liaison will work to fill it in the coming months.
- Liaison Communication & Guidelines: The Clerk recounted that Dale Robertson, liaison to the Art and Museum Commissioners, had inherited the role without notice and is now leaving. The Clerk appreciated his service. Commissioner Isasi raised concerns about communication when board members turn over, noting that the current practice is not to give advance notice to appointees until decisions are finalized. She suggested providing liaisons with clearer guidelines on their role, especially regarding special projects. Commissioner Belchak asked if more formal guidelines would be developed. Ms. Bosker committed to including a reminder to liaisons about their role in the upcoming end-of-year appointment process communications.
Key Outcomes
- All six appointments were approved unanimously by voice vote, with no dissent.
- Next steps: The clerk's office will incorporate guidance for liaisons in communications for the end-of-year appointment process. The committee will continue to fill remaining vacancies in the coming months.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good morning. We will call the committee on appointments to order at 8 a.m. I want to wish all of Grand Rapids a very happy Pride Month. And we will begin rolling on our agenda this morning. First resolution on our agenda is confirming Mayor LeGrand's reappointment of Dean Pacific to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board. So moved. Moved and support it. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. Yes, Commissioner. I'll just say that Dean's been serving on this board for some time. I think this is his second first or second renewal. So it's really great to have a lawyer who has some expertise to be able to be on that. Sounds good. Thank you. Seeing no further, all those in favor, aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Brings us to our second resolution recognizing Commissioner Belchak's appointment of Danielle Cope to the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board. So moved. Support? Moved in support it. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. Since it's my appointment, I'll just say that this is one that we've been um waiting on and working on for some time, and I'm really proud to be welcoming Danielle to that. She goes by Dan. And I think she'll be a great addition. Very um critical minded being able to look at things. This is a really important appointment with the civilian appeal board, and it's important to be able to look and review at the data and and look for what could be done better as well as what's being done now. Thank you, Commissioner. Any further comments? Seeing none, all those in favor. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Brings us to our third resolution confirming Mayor Le Grand's appointment of Veronica Candle to the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. So moved. Support. Moved and support it. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Brings us to our fourth resolution confirming Mayor Legrand's appointment of Christopher Herwire to the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. So moved. Moved and sorry. You all are on it. All right. Moved and support it. Comments on this appointment, colleagues. Seeing none, all those in favor, aye.
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