A2Council Meeting Summaries

Month: September 2021

Ann Arbor City Council Special Session: September 27, 2021

This was a special session of Ann Arbor City Council to determine next steps in the search for an Interim City Administrator and a new head City Attorney. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An offer is extended to Milton Dohoney, Jr. to serve as Interim City Administrator for a period of approximately one year.  A final contract for Mr. Dohoney’s employment will be negotiated and executed no later than October 18, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Two finalists (identified by number, only) were selected for further consideration to fill the position of head City Attorney. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Attorney is directed to advise Council on potential State restrictions on the City’s implementation of COVID vaccine mandates and databases of vaccine compliance for City employees. This resolution is a response to language in State Senate Bill 82 that withholds State funding to any “department, agency, board, commission, or public officer” that requires vaccination or proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 27, 2021

Ann Arbor City Council: September 20, 2021

This was the thirty sixth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

CM Eyer called in from Mackinac Island, MI

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A new ordinance will regulate the operation of “personal mobility devices” (e-scooters, bicycles, e-bikes, and skateboards) in the City of Ann Arbor, giving these devices the same rights and duties as motorists on the roadway. On sidewalks and at crosswalks, they must yield to pedestrians. Such devices should be parked in the manner that would be legal for a bicycle and they may also be parked on a highway or street where parking is allowed for motor vehicles. Personal mobility devices can be seized and impounded by the city. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City ordinance is amended to add definition of “Dangerous Animals,” including those that have “Repeatedly attacked, chased, provoked, or menaced any person or dog.” Violation of any city ordinance related to animals – birds, bees, chickens, ducks, dogs and other animals— will be subject to a fine of no more than $500. Violation of city ordinances related to poisoning animals, harming wild birds or their occupied nests, trapping animals, and owning a vicious dog shall be misdemeanors, subject to a fine (no more than $500) or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Renters Commission will be appointed by the Mayor and be “representative of various renter perspectives in the City, such as student, youth, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrant, persons with criminal records, persons receiving rental subsidies, cooperative or group housing, tenant advocacy groups, persons who have experienced homelessness, or historically underrepresented groups.” The Renters Commission will “advise the City Council and City Administrator on matters affecting renters in the City.” The eleven members will include no more than two (nonvoting) members who are representative of different landlord perspectives in the City. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: A $1,011,319.29 contract for engineering services related to rehabilitation and widening of the East Medical Center Drive Bridge. The University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor have been collaborating on this project for over two years, to address deterioration of the bridge as well as anticipated growth at the Michigan Medical Center. (It is part of the City’s capital improvement plan.) The University will be assuming 50% of the cost of rehabilitating the bridge and 100% of the cost of widening it. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution appointing members of the Hayden House Historic District Study Committee. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 20, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 20, 2021 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council Special Session: September 13, 2021

This was a Special Session of Ann Arbor City Council to consider one resolution: moving forward with a process for evaluating two candidates for the position of Interim City Administrator for a time period of up to a year. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

CM Disch was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Candidates Peter T. Burchard and Milton Dohoney, Jr will be evaluated in public interviews by City Council and interviews by the City Executive team before September 23, 2021, in order for Council to meet and reach a decision by September 27, 2021. The resolution was amended at the table to include staff input and (after recommendation from City Attorney Stephen Postema) clarify that the evaluation process will be overseen by the Council Administration Committee, the Acting City Administrator, and the City’s Director of Human Resources. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 13, 2021

Ann Arbor City Council: September 7, 2021

This was the thirty fifth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

Legistar
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Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The Energy Commission will send a recommendation to Council by December 31, 2021 as to whether or not the Commission believes the City should undertake a feasibility study to understand options related to creating a municipal utility, including traditional and non-traditional models. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to identify potential changes to City food purchases and submit a report to City Council before February 1, 2022 with recommendations, including an estimated cost. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: As part of a larger improvement project (installation of a larger pool pump house), the Racquet Club of Ann Arbor (3010 Hickory Lane) sought to waive the City requirement that they install sidewalks along Geddes Avenue and a portion of Hickory Lane south of their main entrance. City Staff recommended approval of this waiver; the Transportation Commission opposed it. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the Unified Development Code will regulate Home Occupations to ensure that these uses do not have adverse impacts on neighboring properties, infrastructure, and safety. The occupation can consume no more than 25% of gross floor area of a dwelling unit and is limited to a maximum of 2000 square feet in an Accessory building. There can be no more than 24 client visits per day with hours of operation limited from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Heavy vehicles (more than 10,000 pounds) may not be regularly parked on-site. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s Outdoor Lighting ordinance will further regulate illumination after sunset and before sunrise. Amendments reference color spectrum management, glare, illuminance, and specific standards for “light trespass” on neighboring properties. Illustrations define and regulate appropriate “shielding” of luminaires. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $60,000 will pay for environmental services and remedial investigation of 2000 S. Industrial, where a 1,000-gallon underground heating oil tank leaked and contaminated the surrounding soils. The tank has been removed. This remedial investigation will inform an anticipated remedial action plan. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 4

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My name is Elizabeth Nelson, and I believe that your local government should be accessible and transparent. Since 2018 , I have sent out a newsletter before every Council meeting with my summary of agenda items coming before City Council, plus news and events of interest to Ann Arbor residents.

After each Council meeting, I create and post voting charts so that you can easily see how Council voted, and update this website with meeting summaries that include links to the City’s Legistar website, CTN’s YouTube video, and articles published on MLive.

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