Committees and Boards of the City of Walker

Click here to view/print the PDF Application for Commission Approved Appointment

Boards and Appointment Procedure Policy

Applications are submitted to Clerk’s office – ongoing process – newsletter, newspaper, website. May need to be more publicized for certain openings. Will put a note on website of current board and committee openings (like we do for employment).
Clerk/CC/Board Chair is notified of an opening on a board or commission.
Clerk reviews all applications on file to make sure all required information is provided. Clerk will then scan and email copies of all new applications to Mayor, Commissioners, and city managers. Clerk will also notify applicant that application was received and we will keep on file for possible openings.
Clerk will forward a copy of current applications (specified for that particular committee or those with no preference) to CC/Committee chair for review when there is an opening.
Chair and Commissioner (with input from others as necessary) review potential candidates. Select top candidates and conduct short interviews. Some positions may require more in depth interview process.
Those performing interview provide recommendation to Mayor who brings to CC for approval.

Should provide a timeframe for filling certain openings – especially statutory boards like PC and ZBA.

Some positions like PC and ZBA should require a commitment to training. For example, complete some citizen planner courses or attend New ZBA Member Seminar within a certain time period after being appointed. Recommend within 1 year of appointment.

How long do we keep applications on file? Recommend 2 years.

Standing Committees
Advisory Committees
Statutory Boards

Updated January 10, 2012

Standing Committees

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Commissioner Dan Kent 01/2013
Commissioner Chuck Deschaine 01/2013
Commissioner Cyndy Stek 01/2013
Commissioner Mark Huizenga ALTERNATE 01/2013

Staff: City Manager Vander Meulen, Assistant City Manager Darrel Schmalzel, Jeff Nelson, Scott Conners, Mark Koning, Frank Wash, Bob Walker, Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom, Gordon Hicks, and City Clerk: Sarah Bydalek

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mayor Rob VerHeulen 01/2013
Commissioner Chuck Deschaine 01/2013
Commissioner Cyndy Stek 01/2013
Commissioner Barb Holt ALTERNATE 01/2013

Staff: City Manager Cathy Vander Meulen, Assistant City Manager Darrel Schmalzel, and City Clerk: Sarah Bydalek

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE

Commissioner Barb Holt 01/2013
Commissioner Cyndy Stek 01/2013
Commissioner Mark Huizenga 01/2013
Commissioner Al Parent ALTERNATE 01/2013

Staff: City Manager Vander Meulen, Asst. City Mgr Schmalzel, Jeff Nelson, Frank Wash, Scott Conners, Bob Walker, Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom, City Clerk: Sarah Bydalek, and City Attorney: Jeff Sluggett.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Mayor Rob VerHeulen 01/2013
Commissioner Mark Huizenga 01/2013
Commissioner Dan Kent 01/2013
Commissioner Chuck Deschaine ALTERNATE 01/2013

Staff: City Manager Cathy Vander Meulen, Assistant City Manager Darrel Schmalzel and City Clerk: Sarah Bydalek

MAYOR PRO TEM (2 Year Term)

Commissioner Barbara Holt 11/2013

Advisory Committees

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE (3 YEAR TERM)

Pam Bennett 01/2015
Cheryl Hews 01/2014
Kim Gibson 01/2014
Tom Bertram 01/2015
Brian Gibson 01/2015
Eddie Staskiewicz 01/2014
Commissioner Al Parent 01/2013

EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Chuck Deschaine, Commissioner
Cathy Vander Meulen – City Manager
Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom – Public Safety Director
Bob Walker – Deputy Director of Fire Services
Art Tanis – Resident
Scott Conners City Engineer
Mark Koning DPW Director
Sarah Bydalek City Clerk

HISTORICAL COMMISSION (3 YEAR TEAM)

Stan Stek CHAIR 01/2015
Donna Meeks 01/2014
Carolyn Batema 01/2014
Vera “Peg” Weiber 01/2014
Mary Beth Kolenda 01/2015
Gary Carey 01/2013
Kyra Fleming 01/2014
Liz Greer 01/2014
Bruce De Wit 01/2014
Mary Gramprie 01/2015
Commissioner, Cyndy Stek 01/2013

FESTIVAL COMMITTEE (3 YEAR TERM)

Commissioner Chuck Deschaine CHAIR 01/2013
Roxanne Deschaine 01/2014
Sarah Bydalek, City Liaison 01/2015
Anna Rogers, Secretary 01/2013
Samantha Bruin 01/2014
Mark Bydalek 01/2014
Reinhard Ludge 01/2015
Elaine Tainter 01/2013
Sharon Zuyddyk 01/2013
Mary Meyering 01/2014
Amanda Jakabowski – School Liasion 01/2013

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 YEAR TERM)

Amanda Acker 01/2013
Carol Kent 01/2013
Bruce Wagner, 01/2015
Julia Bierema 01/2014
Commissioner Dan Kent 01/2013

TRAFFIC COMMITTEE (2 YEAR TERM)

Darrel Schmalzel – Asst. City Manager
Scott Conners, Chair – City Engineer
Travis Mabry – Staff Engineer
Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom Public Safety Director
Jason Howe – Police Department
Mark Koning – DPW Director
Frank Wash – Planning Director
Mike Dykstra, Resident
Missy Dyke, Resident 1/2014

YOUTH COMMITTEE (3 YEAR TERM)

Eunice Evans 01/2013
Barb Scott 01/2014
Jenny Baker 01/2014
Rebecca Pennell 01/2014
Cindy Mielke, City Staff 791-6799
Commissioner Barb Holt 01/2013

Statutory Boards

BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS (5 YEAR TERM)

Dennis Bass 01/2013
Charles Brown 01/2015
Robert Beaudry 01/2015
Louis Randall Smith 01/2016
Thomas Byle 01/2017
Vernon Farmer ALTERNATE

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (3 YEAR TERM)

Robert Marz CHAIR 01/2014
James Hickey 01/2015
Elizabeth Rogers 01/2015
Randy Smith 01/2014
Roger Crabtree 01/2013
Brian Boelens 01/2013
Heidi Hohendorf ALTERNATE 01/2015
Sandra Howland ALTERNATE 01/2014
Commissioner Charles Deschaine 01/2014

BOARD OF REVIEW (1 YEAR TERM)

Jean Wesorick 01/2013
Ernest Shusta 01/2013
Kim Rypma 01/2013

BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTH (3 YEAR TERM)

Frank Wash, Planning Director 01/2014
Cathy Vander Meulen, City Manager 01/2014
Darrel Schmalzel, Asst. City Manager 01/2014
Robert Marz 01/2013
Dan Engelsma 01/2015

INCOME TAX BOARD OF REVIEW (3 YEAR TERM)

Mark Davey 01/2013
Frank Kosak 01/2015
Vacancy

ELECTION COMMISSION (1 YEAR TERM)

Sarah Bydalek, City Clerk (by virtue of office) CHAIR
Darrel Schmalzel 01/2013
Dan DeVries 01/2013
Alt: Shannon Bales

LOCAL OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION (7 YEAR TERM)

George Ferris, 1st Ward CHAIR 01/2017
Miro Kubala, 3rd Ward 01/2019
Gary Lorenz, 3rd Ward 01/2013
Bruce Haveman, 2nd Ward 01/2014
Jack Stewart, 2nd Ward 01/2015
Joe Taylor, 3rd Ward 01/2016
James Berg, 1st Ward 01/2017

Next Meeting will be held in May 2013 prior to new Fiscal Year.

MINERAL MINING REVIEW BOARD (Ord. 91-396)

Mark Koning, DPW Director
Bonnie Broadwater, Engineering Program Coordinator
Scott Conners, City Engineer
Frank Wash, City Planner
Commissioner, Cyndy Stek

PLANNING COMMISSION (3 YR TERM)

James Hickey, 3rd Ward, (CHAIR) 01/2014
Curtis Rypma, 2nd Ward, 01/2013
Deborah L. Brown, 2nd Ward, 01/2015
Carol J. Gornowich, 1st Ward, 01/2014
Terry Schweitzer, 3rd Ward, 01/2014
Tom Byle, 1st Ward, 01/2014
Tyler Korfhage, 1st Ward, 01/2013
Jason Nyhuis, 3rd Ward 01/2015
Commissioner Al Parent, 01/2013

WALKER/STANDALE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (4 YEAR TERM)

“By virtue of their membership on the Walker DDA, the DDA members also serve as the Downtown Redevelopment Management Board pursuant to State law”.

Gordon Hicks CHAIR 01/2014
Jim Veldheer 01/2014
Brandon Berg 01/2015
Tom Bart 01/2014
J. William Cornell 01/2013
Jack McIsaac 01/2016
Lisa Rios 01/2015
Pat Goodale 01/2014
Leonard Adams 01/2012
Mark Neal 01/2015
Jennifer Bystry 01/2015

Cathy Vander Meulen, City Manager
City Staff: Frank Wash, Scott Conners, Mark Koning, Cindy Mielke

STATE AND METRO AREA COMMITTEES

Rob VerHeulen
Grand Valley Metro Council (GVMC)
Grand Valley Metro Council City/Township
Urban Cooperation Board
MML Association of Mayors
(2 yr term) 12/2012 ITP Board

Cyndy Stek
Kent District Library Board Liaison

Barbara Holt
Kent County Ground Water Stewardship
Grand Valley Metro Council Legislative Committee,
Public Transportation Tomorrow Major Corridor Task Force,
(2yr term) 12/2013 Interurban Transit Partnership Board

Al Parent
Kent County Waste Management

Darrel Schmalzel
MML Transportation and Infrastructure Sub Committee,
GVMC Transportation Policy Committee

Cathy Vander Meulen
MML Legislative Liaison
Utility Advisory Board
Kent County Enhanced Access Board (e-government),
Grand Valley Metro Council REGIS Board

Scott Conners
GVMC Transportation Tech Committee
Lower Grand River Watershed Steering Committee,
Utility Advisory Board

Chuck Deschaine
Kent County Local Emergency Planning Commission,
Kent County Dispatch Authority Administrative Policy Board

Sarah Bydalek
KCCA. MAMC, IIMC, MML

Note: All elected officials are members of the Michigan Municipal League

The City of Walker, Michigan
4243 Remembrance Rd. NW
Walker, MI 49534
(616)453-6311
Effective April 9, City Hall will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 5:00am,
and on Fridays from 7:30am to 11:30am.

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