Boards and Commissions
The following information provides an overview of the various boards, commissions and committees that exist within the City of Novi. These bodies provide an opportunity for citizens to participate in their local government and at the same time help to insure that the Novi City Council receives a broad spectrum of public input. Citizen involvement in local affairs is essential in keeping the city responsive to the needs of its citizens.
Anyone interested in applying for membership to Novi's boards, commissions or committees should complete an application and return it to the City Clerk's office. The application is then forwarded to City Council for their review and eventual appointment decision. These reviews take place three times per year at special council sessions that are listed in the city calendar.
Application for City Boards and Commissions
| Beautification Commission | |
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TermThree years MeetingsSecond Monday of each month at 4:00pm WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately one hour, depending on agenda. Current MembershipRegina Gibson Staff LiaisonDavid Beschke Student Representatives - Two Year TermsKimberly Louis |
The Beautification Commission
consists of nine members. The commission holds an annual
Beautification Awards event judging neighborhood entrances,
businesses and several other entities within the city by a
predetermined set of guidelines. The commission is also
responsible for the inception, design and coordination of the
“Beautiful Half Mile” which features various plantings in front
of the Novi Civic Center and Police Station, and extends west on
Ten Mile Road. The commission is also involved in various
beautification projects and public events.
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 Board of Review |
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TermThree years MeetingsSecond week in March for three to five days WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily, depending on the agenda. This is the only board that is compensated. One of the sessions will meet from 1:00pm to 9:00pm. The Board will also meet for one morning in July and December for corrections to the assessment roll. Current MembershipErnest Aruffo AlternatesDale Holdaway Staff LiaisonGlenn Lemmon |
The Board of Review is comprised of three to six members and one to three alternates appointed by the City Council. The Board of Review is created by the state statutes that govern assessment appeals, and Section 9.6 of the Novi City Charter. The Board reviews property assessments as set by the City Assessor and hears appeals by individual property owners; then reduces, adds to or denies said appeal. A certification of the assessment role is required by the Board of Review per the state statute. |
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Building
Authority (Novi Public Library) |
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TermTwo years (residents) MeetingsScheduled by the chairperson WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately two hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipLarry Czekaj, Chairman |
The Building Authority is a Commission that oversees the issuance of
financing bonds for special projects within the City of Novi. The
most recent project is the newly constructed Novi Public Library,
which successfully opened in June 2010. Comprised of seven members, two (residents) have three year terms, five (City staff) have two year terms.
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Construction
Board of Appeals |
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TermFour years MeetingsOn call, scheduled by the chairperson on as needed basis WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately one hour, depending on agenda. Current MembershipJeffrey Bowdell AlternateKamran Qadeer Staff LiaisonCharles Boulard |
The Construction Board of Appeals consists of five members and one alternate appointed by City Council. Board members must have expertise in a building trade or profession. The board exists as a “fact finding” body for builders and developers. Appeals are usually heard by the board within fifteen days from the date of the actual appeal. The appeals process is for questions of interpretation, proper application and equivalency only. If the board has cause to avoid the strict application of a particular section of the codes, they may grant a waiver of specific code requirements. |
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Economic
Development Corporation |
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TermFive years MeetingsMeets annually as required WhereNovi Civic Center Current MembershipRobert Churella Staff LiaisonAra Topouzian |
The Economic Development
Corporation (EDC) consists of nine members. The EDC is a
resource for reviewing requests for Industrial Revenue Bonds and
for other economic development initiatives, as needed. Currently there are no openings for EDC members. |
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Election
Commission |
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TermThree years MeetingsScheduled by the chairperson WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately an hour, depending on agenda. Current MembershipPamela Superfisky Staff LiaisonMaryanne Cornelius, City Clerk |
The Election Commission consists of
the City Clerk and two members appointed by City Council.
The Commission has the duties and powers conferred on City
Election Commissioners by statute. The City Clerk is the
chairman of the Commission. The Election Commission shall,
before each election, appoint for each precinct of the city a
Board of Inspectors. The Board of Inspectors consists of
not less than three qualified electors.
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Historical
Commission |
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TermThree years MeetingsFourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm WhereNovi Library DurationMeetings run approximately two hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipLynne Boyle Student Representatives - Two Year TermsAdithya Balasubramanian Staff LiaisonJulie Farkas, Library Director |
The Historical Commission is comprised of five voting members, of which one member is nominated by the Novi Historical Society. In addition, there are three non-voting liaison members representing the City of Novi, Novi Public Library and Novi Public School District. In cooperation with the Historical Society and the Novi Public Library, the Historical Commission is responsible for Old Township Hall (which serves as a museum), and for the collection, preservation and marking of historical sites. |
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Housing and
Community Development Advisory Committee |
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TermThree years MeetingsScheduled by the chairperson WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately two hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipDebra Blashfiled Student Representatives - Two Year TermsNirali Kadakia Staff LiaisonMarina Neumaier |
The City of Novi receives Federal funding called Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) on an annual basis. The Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCD) was formulated for the purpose of reviewing community development needs in regards to these CDBG funds. The committee works in conjunction with City administration to develop annual CDBG goals for the City of Novi. These goals are then used to determine a funding recommendation that is proposed to the citizens of Novi through a public hearing process. The Novi City Council authorizes the final recommendation that is submitted in an annual application. This committee is comprised of six members (5 residents and 1 Administrative). |
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Library Board |
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TermThree years MeetingsThird Wednesday at 7:00pm WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately two hours Current MembershipLarry Czekaj Student Representatives - Two Year TermsNishant Kakar Staff LiaisonJulie Farkas, Library Director |
The seven member Library Board serves as the governing body of the Library. The board approves payment of bills, acts upon recommendations of the Library Administrator and handles various other business matters. Committees of the board include: finance, which prepares the annual budget and oversees funds; policy, which sets the basic framework for library operations; and the planning process committee which focuses on future development. |
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Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Services Commission |
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TermThree years MeetingsHeld the second Thursday of every month at 7:30pm WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately three hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipJay Dooley Student Representatives - Two Year TermsKatelyn Kerbrat Staff LiaisonJason Mangum |
Comprised of seven members appointed by the City Council, the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Commission sets policy for and makes recommendations to the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department. The Commissioners work together with professional staff in the areas of programming, budget, facilities, planning and public relations. The Commission has the responsibility of meeting community recreational objectives, and reflecting community needs to the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department and City Council. |
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Planning
Commission |
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TermThree years MeetingsSecond and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately four hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipTony Anthony Staff LiaisonBarbara McBeth |
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of City Council. It is the function and duty of the Planning Commission to prepare a Master Plan For Land Use and to advise the City Council in regard to the proper development of the City of Novi. The Planning Commission reviews and recommends to City Council all requests for change in zoning and ordinance text amendments. The commission also reviews and approves industrial, commercial and residential development site plans within the City. Agendas/Minutes for Planning Commission meetings are available here. |
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Public Access
Promotion Committee |
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TermThree years MeetingsQuarterly WhereSWOCC Studio DurationMeetings run approximately two hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipCarol F. Spennacho Staff LiaisonSheryl Walsh |
The Public Access Promotion
Committee is comprised of three members and serves as a resource
to the Southwest Oakland Cable Commission (SWOCC) in promoting
access usage and access channel viewership in the Novi
community. Functions include, but are not limited to:
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Youth Council |
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TermTwo years Current MembershipAshi Arora |
Youth Council is comprised of 21
members, entering freshman and older. Click here for more information on Youth Council.
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Zoning Board of
Appeals |
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TermThree years for six regular members MeetingsSecond Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm WhereNovi Civic Center DurationMeetings run approximately three hours, depending on agenda. Current MembershipDonna Skelcy AlternateJames Gerblick Staff LiaisonCharles Boulard |
The Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of seven members and one alternate appointed by City Council. One of the seven members of the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be a member of the Planning Commission. The board authorizes use in a zoning district in which it is not otherwise permitted, provided it is clearly shown that the land cannot be utilized for a zoned use. The board is empowered to act on matters where thse zoning ordinance provides for administrative review, interpretation, exception or special approval permit, and to author a variance as defined in section 3104 of the Zoning Ordinance and Laws of the State of Michigan. Agendas/Minutes for Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are available here.
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