Birmingham City Commission candidates

Four-year terms, non-partisan, vote for three

ANDREW HAIG

Andrew Haig is a Senior Engineering Manager at Westinghouse Electric Company. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering manger from the University of Sussex and the University of Hertfordshire and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. Haig has been a member of the Birmingham City Commission since 2021 and was a member of the Multi Modal Transportation Board from 2001-2002. He has also been involved in a number of community organizations.

UNIMPROVED STREET PLAN

Birmingham in 2018 began studying in earnest the unimproved streets in the city and at the end of 2020 adopted a plan to address 26 miles of unimproved roads which are essentially gravel roads with coats of sealer on top. The total cost per mile is estimated to be $4.55 million, which includes road costs and infrastructure (water/sewer) updating. The plan adopted by the city provides homeowners fund 85 percent of the cost, with the city paying 15 percent which has drawn complaints from some homeowner groups. In one recent case the city commission relented and agreed to pay 50 percent of the cost. Should the city revisit the cost sharing for future roads? Would you support a bond proposal that some have suggested to cover the city-wide total costs which are estimated to be over $110 million?

Yes, cost sharing must be reexamined. A $110M+ bond is staggering, and Birmingham deserves fair funding models that don’t overburden property owners, especially those who’ve already paid special assessments or live on unimproved streets. I’ve submitted alternative proposals that reflect our city’s varied conditions. Before any bond is proposed, we need a transparent Municipal Capital Needs and Reserve Study, guided by public input. That’s why I initiated the resident survey, to ensure citizen priorities lead the way. Aging infrastructure like sewers and water mains must be addressed as part of resurfacing roads. However, necessary major projects like City Hall renovations and Derby Bridge replacement add complexity. With rising property values and recurring millage’s, we risk taxpayer fatigue and losing the age and economic diversity that define Birmingham. Transparent, inclusive planning will help residents understand the balance between community desires and municipal necessities, without compromising fairness.

CITY RESIDENTS SURVEY

One member of the current city commission has suggested that Birmingham should consider conducting a formal survey of local residents. Would you support a professional survey by an outside firm of city residents to more accurately gauge resident opinions on a variety of city issues or priorities? Explain your answer.

As the commissioner who introduced the motion and earned unanimous support, I believe in responsive leadership. I said at the time: we’re elected to represent our residents, so why wouldn’t we ask what they want? Public input is essential to shaping policy and setting priorities that reflect the needs of our entire community. I believe a professional firm should conduct something this important, doing it properly while also sharing our fundamental municipal needs and financial constraints. I don’t just listen to what people say, I also quietly visit neighborhoods and see things firsthand. When we take time to understand residents’ concerns, we gain clarity on what truly matters. That insight helps us make smarter decisions with our limited resources and builds public trust. Staying connected ensures we’re not just governing, we are collaborating. This is about moving Birmingham forward together, hearing, respecting and considering every voice.

NEXT SENIOR SERVICES

The city commission for the past two years has been grappling with the task of finding a home for the Next group, an independent non-profit which for decades has provided services for the growing senior population in the city and some adjacent communities. As part of this effort, the city purchased the existing YMCA building, which will be the new home for Next, using the voter-approved millage for some improvements to the building. Do you think in general that municipalities today must make the senior population’s needs a consideration? Explain.

Yes, I do. Seniors are members of our community. The commission-appointed Aging In Place Committee developed a survey for that very purpose, to understand our senior’s needs with almost 700 seniors responding. Our primary obligation is to all Birmingham residents. I have been vocal about the lack of equitable financial support from interlocal agreement municipalities, as well as people residing outside of our agreement areas. Every commission decision embeds consideration for vulnerable populations, whether in parks and recreation, assessments and millages, safety, parking or walkability. For example, the commission recently took a strong stance for seniors at the Baldwin House. In general, we should, and already do, make seniors needs a priority. We should also leverage, without duplicating, senior dedicated resources available at the federal, state and county level. Fortunately, Next has been a dependable contracted provider in coordinating these services locally.

TRIANGLE DISTRICT

Can you tell us how familiar you are with the Triangle District plans? As part of what is proposed, the plan includes parking decks for the Triangle District. First, are they needed now and, if so, how should construction be funded?

I am well acquainted with the proposals and how they were most recently addressed in the 2040 Plan. At this time, I am not convinced parking is needed in that area –- yet. Growth in this part of town differs from the downtown core: new developments have included on site parking and our current parking decks are not at capacity. I believe it’s more prudent to monitor how the district evolves. This measured approach ensures that future decisions regarding parking infrastructure are based upon actual demand and continuing thoughtful planning, not premature assumptions. This also ties directly into our broader conversation about public spending and priorities. When the time does come, we must carefully evaluate the taxpayer burden against the tangible benefits of any proposed initiative, remaining fiscally responsible and focusing our limited resources on the areas of greatest community need.

CITY BISTRO PROGRAM

Birmingham created a bistro program in 2007 which was designed to bring a variety of dining options and help animate the streets of the city. Is there a saturation point where the downtown area has a sufficient number of bistros and restaurants in general? Explain.

The growth in dining establishments has intensified competition, with many businesses now vying for the same group of patrons. Outdoor dining, while popular, has slightly reduced centrally located street parking, adding to the challenge for visitors and residents. Food and drink account for 12 percent of Birmingham’s 600 businesses, and some residents and business owners worry this concentration is diluting the unique character of our downtown experience. While the city may grant up to two bistro licenses per year, there’s no obligation to do so simply to meet a quota. Our goal should be to support a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable business environment. Variety is valuable, but we must also consider the impact on long standing establishments. A more measured pace in issuing new licenses may help preserve the strength and stability of existing dining businesses, ensuring that growth continues to enhance, not undermine, our downtown vitality.

TOP THREE ISSUES

If elected what are your top three issues that you would like to address as a commissioner?

As a commissioner, my core responsibilities are clear: build public trust, safeguard health and safety, allocate tax dollars thoughtfully and address our urgent needs with fiscal discipline. Financial transparency is essential for earning public trust. I have already requested benchmarking of Birmingham project costs versus other communities, to continue driving the best value for our tax dollars. Roads must be safe and well maintained for all users – drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, with unimproved streets being more affordable to replace. Water and sewer systems are interlinked and must function reliably within the regional network ensuring high quality and volume essential for public health, safety and daily life. While, the proposed resident survey will help clarify community priorities, I see these core needs forming the foundation for future decisions, ensuring we support what matters most to Birmingham’s residents.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Why should voters select you in this election?

It takes time to understand the unique workings of local government, which differs significantly from private enterprise. I bring hard earned experience and insight to continue serving as your voice. As the only incumbent in this election and the only remaining commissioner raising young children while caring for my senior mother, I understand our community needs. I bring continuity, knowledge, an engineer’s analytical mindset and a proven commitment to what Birmingham residents value most. Thanks to past commissioners, our downtown thrives, drawing praise and visitors. My focus is ensuring the residents who made those improvements possible, receive the attention they deserve. I remain committed to being accessible, listening, and advocating for your needs. I initiated the resident survey to ensure our priorities reflect your voices. Continuing to serve means keeping residents at the heart of every decision, guiding progress with transparency, fiscal discipline while upholding our community values.

ZACHARY JENNINGS

Jennings is a Human Resources Coordinator at the University of Michigan. He holds a masters from Michigan State University in Human Resources and Labor Relations.

UNIMPROVED STREET PLAN

Unimproved streets are a major concern for our residents — they affect safety, property values, and the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The estimated total cost suggests that this is no minor decision; it’s a big investment that will impact all of Birmingham. I believe the current 85/15 ratio places an unfair burden on individuals who own homes. I would be more in favor of modifying the 50/50 split to better reflect a fair and balanced arrangement. I would hope that we develop a plan which responsibly phases in enhancements, pursues outside funding whenever possible, and distributes costs so they are perceived as fair to residents but also protects the financial future of the city. 

CITY RESIDENTS SURVEY 

A professionally conducted survey could give us valuable data on what our community prioritizes, and it would ensure that we are hearing from a broad cross-section of residents — not just those who are able to attend meetings or speak out publicly. Alongside any formal survey, I believe we should also strengthen engagement efforts by having neighborhood meetings, digital tools, and open forums, so that residents always have accessible ways to share their perspectives. In short, I would support a professionally conducted survey if it’s thoughtfully designed, fiscally responsible, and tied directly to decisions that impact Birmingham’s future. 

NEXT SENIOR SERVICES 

I believe that the seniors are a growing share of Birmingham’s community, and they have helped build the city we all enjoy today. Making sure they have access to programs, services, and spaces where they can stay active and connected is the right thing to do for the long-term health of our community. The city’s work to support Next and provide them with a permanent home shows how partnerships between government and nonprofits can meet these needs effectively. At the same time, I believe we need to think about seniors within a broader framework that serves residents at every stage of life — from young families to older adults. That means designing our city to be walkable, accessible, and welcoming for all ages.

TRIANGLE DISTRICT 

Parking is an important part of keeping Birmingham vibrant and accessible, and we should always be responsive to residents, businesses, and visitors who need it. That said, adding new parking decks is a very costly step, and before making that kind of investment we need to be sure the demand truly justifies it. 

CITY BISTRO PROGRAM 

The bistro program has helped make our downtown lively, walkable, and a destination for residents and visitors. Restaurants play a vital role in keeping our streets active and supporting other local businesses. At the same time, I do think it’s important to consider balance. A downtown that relies too heavily on one type of business, like restaurants, can be vulnerable. A strong downtown also needs a mix of many other cultural spaces and community gathering places. I don’t believe the city should put a hard cap on bistros or restaurants. But I do think the commission should be thoughtful in encouraging a healthy mix so that Birmingham remains vibrant and resilient for the long term. 

TOP THREE ISSUES 

My biggest issue I would like to address is finding ways to actively involve and respect the community’s voice. I grew up in Birmingham and the people are what make it such a great community. I want to be involved with plans to continue to make Birmingham distinct. My next issue would be safety, especially during heavy hours of traffic. Making sure we continue to have safely designed sidewalks, implementing speed bumps, just keep making Birmingham a safe and great place to live. My last issue is parking, making sure that we find solutions that are economically friendly while still making residents feel at ease. 

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS 

Voters should select me because I bring a genuine commitment to this community and a fresh perspective to city leadership. While I don’t have political experience, I believe that’s a strength, as I approach issues as a resident first.

BILL KOLB

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Bill Kolb is the former Chairman and CEO of the McCann Worldgroup creative agency. He is on the board of directors of Project Healthy Minds, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and the metro Detroit Women of Tomorrow. Kolb is an alternate member of the Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee.

UNIMPROVED STREET PLAN

The streets, homes and public services of our community are a real part of the attraction - and retention - of our residents. It’s important our city leaders continually examine the needs and improvements our city requires balanced with equitable methods to pay for these upgrades. A bond proposal affords our residents the option to weigh in on the importance they assign the upgrade; and stretch the costs in different ways aligned with community desires. There’s a case for residents questioning why the roads weren’t improved on a regular basis - as part of on-going annual capital expenditures. It’s important our residents have a say in improvements and financial planning, and a bond proposal gives them that opportunity.

CITY RESIDENTS SURVEY

This is an absolutely fantastic idea and I enthusiastically support a comprehensive independent formal professional survey of our community to understand what local residents think, want, expect and where their interests and priorities lie. This kind of data drives better outcomes for our community and its residents and gives them a platform to be heard and for the commission to understand where consensus lives. Further, I would suggest a regular, disciplined cadence of surveys over time. We all benefit from an on-going and deeper, more granular understanding of what our community needs and wants- and how that informs our vision for the city and our annual budget. The city commission represents the needs, wants and priorities of the city residents, so anything that gives the commission greater insight provides a huge value to all residents and businesses, and to the elected commission representatives.

NEXT SENIOR SERVICES

I believe it is the responsibility of the commission to meet the needs of all its residents which includes the senior populations. The commission represents the needs of all residents and wherever possible should provide solutions that meet the needs of the diverse community we want to create and serve to create the most welcoming and inclusive environment for all our residents. Some of what makes Birmingham so attractive are its city services, its walk-ability and its support of all age groups, including the elderly. Many of our elderly are long-time residents of Birmingham and how we accommodate them now in their advanced years is a signal of who we are as a city.

TRIANGLE DISTRICT

I am very familiar with the Triangle Plan the city commission approved on August 20, 2007 and am impressed with the engagement of the community in developing this plan. As the plan outlines the funding/development is set up as public and private partnerships across the district. Given there is significant development currently across the city the model works and proves that the public private collaboration is appropriate.In terms of parking, I do believe with the development of the Triangle District additional parking facilities will be required. As a resident on South Old Woodward, parking is very congested and with additional development attracting additional visitors we must make ease of access and parking a key component of building out the district.

CITY BISTRO PROGRAM

I believe attracting new and diverse dining experiences into Birmingham is an important part of creating a thriving downtown environment and a walkable city where people can enjoy our city then relax over a meal without previous reservations. At this point in time I do not believe we are anywhere near a saturation point. I eat out in Birmingham frequently and have regular challenges getting seats. Will there be a point at which Birmingham is saturated, yes, but business conditions and business choices will self-select out too much bistro development – and the laws of supply and demand make this inevitable. Recently opened new restaurants are quite busy, so the environment created by the community has created the demand and the customers to make these businesses successful. I am fully supportive of the Bistro program and believe it should continue for the foreseeable future. Market forces always take control over time.

TOP THREE ISSUES

Easily accessible parking in adequate amounts. Making Birmingham accessible to young families so that we continue to build value in our homes and schools. Continue to drive the quality of our education system, our public services and accessibility of our community to all that are interested.

WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED

I am a new voice to the city but a longtime resident. I ran one of largest employers in Birmingham (in the old Jacobsen’s building). I’m the recently retired Global Chairman and CEO of McCann Worldgroup and have chosen to live in Birmingham for the remainder of my years. It is a wonderful city, with incredible people and I provide a fresh voice with an extensive amount of experience and insight. My business experience speaks to financial acumen, but also how to consensus-build, prioritize, manage varied personalities and expectations, and motivate teams. Other relevant experience: currently I am the chairman of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, a board member of Project Healthy Minds, an organization working to make mental health service widely accessible to all people and on the board of Women of Tomorrow in Detroit. I am committed to Birmingham, committed to making this an even greater place than it currently is and building a future that we can all be proud of, raise families, have our children go to college, get a job and come back and raise their families in the Birmingham community. It would be a great honor to serve the residents of Birmingham and as a long-time resident and employer in this town I feel I bring unique perspective to the position that is new and fresh.

KEVIN KOZLOWSKI

Kevin Kozlowski is a software developer at Glencoe Software. He holds a bachelors degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan and a masters in finance from Case Western Reserve University. He is the chair of the Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee.

UNIMPROVED STREET PLAN

Both the special assessments and the bond issue face the same underlying problem: roads only last 30 years. Treating them as one-time expenses is a guaranteed way to find ourselves with budget shortfalls when we must repair and replace them. The special assessment approach feels unfair. It can put young families and seniors on fixed incomes in stressful situations they did not foresee. A bond would remedy that, but still does not cover the recurring costs of maintaining and replacing the road. As a commissioner, I would support revisiting the cost sharing split for unimproved roads in need of urgent replacement. This would encourage the city to reallocate funds for critical infrastructure work without taking on additional debt. My primary focus would be on smart ways to increase the city’s revenues and the share spent on infrastructure to ensure future generations do not find themselves in the same situation. 

CITY RESIDENTS SURVEY  

Understanding what residents want from the city is obviously essential for city commissioners. However, I am skeptical of the value of such a survey. I think most citizens of Birmingham broadly agree on priorities. We don’t need a survey to know that citizens care about public safety, great parks, and quality infrastructure. The commission’s work is to deploy the city’s limited resources in a way which balances all these desires. The devil is in the details, which a broad survey would fail to capture. We also have Engage Birmingham as a platform to get rigorous citizen feedback on specific projects, like park improvements. As a commissioner, I will always listen to and value citizens’ concerns, ideas, and opinions, but I will also strive to be someone they can trust to have their best interests at heart, so they can focus on their lives and their families.

NEXT SENIOR SERVICES

Yes - the city must take the needs of seniors into consideration. Seniors are an essential and growing part of our community, and often require or benefit from public services which the city does not otherwise provide. Things like rides, home visits, and meals on wheels are services provided through Next that some seniors in Birmingham depend on. Next also serves as a gathering point for seniors. These resources are particularly important because without them, some seniors can be isolated and vulnerable. If it becomes necessary to make capital investments in Next’s new home that go beyond the current voter-approved millage, I believe we need to stay sharply focused on seniors. This would give voters clarity when they vote on a new bond. 

TRIANGLE DISTRICT

The Triangle District Plan envisions a mixed-use, walkable neighborhood east of Woodward. It suggests locations for two new parking decks that would help the district meet its parking needs once it is fully built out. However, we are not close to a full build-out, and parking is generally available now. As chair of Birmingham’s Advisory Parking Committee, I know that parking availability can change quickly, so we should prepare for future demand today. A barrier in the Triangle District is that the city does not own land there. We should keep open lines of communication with commercial property owners to either purchase land or partner to supply public parking as part of new developments. Any parking project should be financed by special assessment of the commercial properties which will benefit from the parking or through a public/private partnership.

CITY BISTRO PROGRAM

I enjoy our outdoor dining options downtown and believe they succeed in energizing our streets and encouraging community. As Chair of the Advisory Parking Committee, I look at parking occupancy data regularly. While spaces can get scarce around lunch time, evenings tend to be only modestly busy and weekend parking is plentiful. Restaurants and bistros bring life to our streets in times when they might otherwise be empty. We need to be mindful of sidewalk accessibility and late night noise, but these are issues we can manage. As someone with a young family, I sympathize with residents who wish there were more family-friendly options downtown, but I do not believe a hard limit on the number of restaurants or bistros would change that.

TOP THREE ISSUES

I want Birmingham to live up to our motto of “A Walkable City.” Therefore, my first issue is street safety. There are many opportunities for small, inexpensive improvements with big impacts like adding signage and striping crosswalks. Second is infrastructure. The simple truth is that we need to permanently increase the amount we spend on road, water, and sewer maintenance to address our backlog. Instead of increasing our already high taxes, I will push for alternatives like (1) raising city revenues through strategic development in downtown and mixed-use areas and (2) transfers from the parking fund to ensure commuters and shoppers contribute their share. Third is Woodward. As a Poppleton Park resident, I know firsthand that it is our biggest obstacle to community, connection, and walkability. The commission must put relentless pressure on MDOT to mitigate speeding, reduce noise, and mend the cleft this road cuts through our home.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

As a father to three-year old Blaise and one-year old Stella (who won’t graduate from Seaholm until 2042), residents can trust that I will always take the long-term view when balancing tradeoffs on the commission. I also bring a unique skillset. As a software engineer with degrees in math and finance and experience working at Bloomberg and Amazon, it’s safe to say I’m a numbers guy. I’ve already been able to use these skills to serve Birmingham as the chair of our Advisory Parking Committee. I’ve focused on data integrity and long-term planning, re-instituting regular reviews with the city’s finance department and creating monthly usage reports to inform commission policy decisions about this multi-million dollar business. I am committed to bringing the same combination of dedication, vision, pragmatism, and analytical rigor I have shown leading the APC to the city commission. It would be my honor to serve.

DOUG WHITE

Doug White is the manager at OEM Sales. He has a business degree from Washington & Jefferson College. White is the past chairman of the Birmingham Multi-Modal Transportation Board.

UNIMPROVED STREET PLAN

I believe the city should revisit the cost sharing for future roads. There needs to be a consistent process that is fair to the city, unimproved street homeowners as well as residents who are already on improved roads. I do not support a bond proposal to cover the projected costs of over $110 million.

CITY RESIDENTS SURVEY

I support a survey to better gauge the opinions of Birmingham residents on city issues and priorities. My experience with resident surveys on the Multi Modal Transportation Board is that you are able to garner incredibly valuable thoughts and opinions. The key is strong engagement to achieve an elevated response rate that best represents all demographics our our city.

NEXT SENIOR SERVICES

I do think it’s incumbent upon municipalities to ensure their senior population needs are an important consideration. Birmingham is an incredible place for families with great schools supported by wide ranging community activities. For empty nesters there is a vibrant downtown, strong amenities and many opportunities for social engagement. We do a great job with those two population segments. I believe our seniors have earned the right to have their needs considered. Nearly 40 percent of our residents are over 50 and today’s population is living longer, healthier lives. I recently visited Next and witnessed first hand our seniors enjoying the wonderful programming available. And the support services offered like transportation, Meals on Wheels, medical equipment loans and benefit navigation are critical and something I wish my parents had access to in their community.

TRIANGLE DISTRICT

Parking is an issue in many of the dense and developed cities I’m familiar with, especially those with an active downtown area. There is considerable untapped opportunity for the Triangle District and parking is a key element. I don’t think traditional parking structures are always the answer and believe there are opportunities for innovative solutions, including potential public/private partnerships.

CITY BISTRO PROGRAM

Birmingham’s bistro program has expanded the types of dining options available to our residents and visitors. It’s been a great opportunity for many of our restaurants. At some point there has to be saturation where the other businesses and residents/visitors are impacted. I believe careful consideration and planning is necessary for this successful and important initiative.

TOP THREE ISSUES

My top 3 issues to address are:

• Infrastructure planning and funding

• Next

• Balancing commercial and residential needs

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

I’ve lived in Birmingham for nearly 20 years and my wife and I raised two daughters here. It’s a fantastic place to live. For much of those 20 years I’ve been involved in our Tory Community Association and in an appointed position on the Birmingham Multi Modal Transportation Board. My experience with Tory Community Association has provided me with unfettered fellow resident feedback and how to successfully interface with the city on our issues and needs. As the Muti Modal Transportation Board Chairman I gained first hand experience in how the city operates, gains public input and makes and implements decisions. I will do my very best for my fellow Birmingham residents. I commit to become a student of the issues in order to effectively debate, decide and deliver optimal solutions for all of Birmingham.