KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo will open contract negotiations with Des Moines Assistant City Manager Malcolm Hankins to be their next city manager. It was a close vote by the city commission.
After over two hours of public comment, and lengthy commissioner discussion, it became clear that the vote would go to Hankins over the city’s chief operating officer Laura Lam, 4-to-3.
None of the commissioners supported Saline’s acting City Manager Elle Cole for the job.
City commissioner Chris Praedel was the fourth commissioner to favor Hankins, giving him the majority.
Mayor Dave Anderson proposed that they agree to vote unanimously for Hankins to demonstrate their support.
Commissioner Qianna Decker refused to make the concession.
The final vote was 6-to-1.
The commission only has a few weeks to nail down an agreement before the city election early next month and may have to call a special meeting to finalize the contract between the city and Hankins.
Comments