AUDIO: Tensions between Kalamazoo Civil Rights Board, city commission

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo officials are looking for solutions to end months of tension between Kalamazoo’s Civil Rights Board and the city commission, over who should sit on the panel, and what their authority should be.

City Attorney Aaron Leal says there has been a failure to communicate that needs to be resolved.

He says 69 of the 126 civil rights complaints they received were dismissed out of hand, because they didn’t fit within the scope of their Civil Rights and Housing Ordinances, and that has to be frustrating for complainants.

CRB member Cathy Phason thinks it goes deeper than that.

Leal is suggesting that the city embark on an educational campaign to make it clear to the public what the CRB can and cannot do.

Leal says several opinions from the Michigan Attorney General limits the CRB to an advisory capacity and suggestions from CRB members that they be given judicial authority wouldn’t be legal.

Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman says she would like to see the commission push the envelope, because what the city is doing isn’t working.

Commissioner Don Cooney suggested that they create a subcommittee to find out what other cities are doing.

Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess endorsed the education campaign.

Commissioners took no action Monday, but Mayor Dave Anderson suggested they look into both ideas.
Anderson also says he is willing to sit down and discuss other options if these don’t work.