Boards and commissions
Residents serve on these boards. Appointments are made by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.
Apply for a board seat
The City of Plainwell strives for all voices to be heard and encourages residents and business owners to continue to be engaged in the democratic process. The City is now accepting applications for appointment to various advisory boards and commissions. If no seats are available at the current time, interested parties’ applications will be kept on file for one year.
Complete the board and volunteer application, or contact the City Clerk, JoAnn Leonard, or call 269-685-6821 for more information.
Board member expectations
Persons wishing to be considered for appointment to a board or commission can apply online or submit an application to the City Clerk. Applications remain on file and active for one year. Appointments are made by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. The length of the appointment term varies by board; some members may be appointed for a shorter time to fill a vacant unexpired term. Persons appointed to most boards and commissions of the City must be qualified and registered electors of the City on the date of appointment and throughout the tenure of the office. In some cases, state law supersedes this Charter requirement, where specialized knowledge or experience is required. When a member is no longer able to serve the City due to a change in residency or another reason, a letter of resignation should be sent to the City Clerk’s Office.
Planning Commission
The City Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to three-year terms by the City Council. The Planning Commission meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 PM as needed at City Hall, located at 211 N. Main Street in downtown Plainwell.
Commissioners
- Kevin Hammond, Chair
- Rachel Colingsworth, Vice Chair
- Elizabeth Raich
- Stephen Bennett
- Jay Lawson
- Susan Charkowski
- Lori Steele, City Council Representative
- Non-voting staff: JoAnn Leonard, Recording Secretary
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Meetings of the ZBA shall be held at the call of the Chair and at other times as the Board may specify. The business which the ZBA may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting held in compliance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Public notice of the time, date, and location of the meeting shall be given in a manner as required by the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. All meetings of the ZBA shall be public. For the ZBA to conduct business or take official action, a quorum consisting of at least 3 members shall be present.
To confirm with the City: the old ZBA page lists no members. Send the current ZBA members to add here.
Parks and Trees Commission
The Parks and Trees Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 5 PM in the City Hall Conference Room.
Members of the Commission serve two-year terms; members are appointed by Plainwell’s Mayor, then approved by the Council.
Commission members
- Matthew Bradley, Chair
- Bunny LaDuke, Vice Chair
- Terry Pickett, Commissioner
- Cory Redder, Commissioner
- Vacant, Commissioner
- Robert Nieuwenhuis, DPW Superintendent
- Cathy Green, Council Representative
Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Financing Authority
The DDA, BRA and TIFA boards meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Board members
- Adam Hopkins, DDA Board President. Co-Founder, Design Street, 115 W. Bridge Street
- Nick Larabel, BRA Board President. 125 Floral Avenue
- Paul Rizzo, TIFA Board President. Owner, Rizzo Packaging, 930 Lincoln Parkway
- David Steffen, Owner, NAPA Auto Parts, 155 S. Main St.
- Cathy Green, Owner, Bridge St. Gallery, 111 N. Main St.
- Jim Turley, Owner, FBN Sales, Inc., 928 Industrial Parkway and 137 E. Bridge St.
- Vacant
- Randy Wisnaski, City Council Representative
- Justin Lakamper, City Manager
All addresses are in Plainwell, MI 49080.
Board of Review
The Board of Review meets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.
Public meetings commence on the second Monday in March, lasting not less than two (2) days.
Board members serve three-year terms.
Board members
- Jerome Westergaard
- Courtney Andrie, Secretary
- Derek Carter
- Alternate: Holly Harrison
The City Assessor convenes the Board of Review. See Assessor and Treasurer.
Compensation Board
The Compensation Board meets odd-numbered years with the first meeting to commence prior to April 15th.
Board members serve four-year terms.
Board members
- Sherry Pallet
- Bill Parsons
- Joe Smith-Risk
- Barbara Seekman
- Molly Wright
- Non-voting staff: JoAnn Leonard, Recording Secretary
Ransom Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM. One Council member representative is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council; they serve four-year terms.
Trustees
- Alan Asselmeier, President
- Tom Klein, Vice President
- Connie Haan, Secretary
- Melissa Gelbaugh, Treasurer, City of Plainwell Designee
- Roger Keeney, City of Plainwell Council Member
- Lee Klade
- Pat Vance
- Bill Parsons, City of Plainwell Designee