This was the forty second 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 Disch called in from Chicago, IL
CM Song called in from Honolulu, Hawaii
APPROVED: Masks will be required for those attending in-person City Council meetings, starting in January 2022. Free masks will be provided. Remote public comment will be available outside of City Hall. An area at City Hall will be established for unmasked members of the public to watch meetings live and provide comment. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Council approves an employment contract with Atleen Kaur, who will serve as the Ann Arbor City Attorney, starting April 11, 2022. (Legistar)
Two items related to the proposed Mill Creek Townhomes development:
- APPROVED: Rezoning of 32.6 acres at 3002 Chelsea Circle from R3 (Townhouse Dwelling) to R4B (Multiple Family Dwelling) to allow for infill development of apartment buildings (Mill Creek Townhomes). Current zoning allows for the development of ten housing units per acre and the new zoning permits up to fifteen housing units per acre. (Legistar)
- APPROVED: A site plan for Mill Creek Townhomes that includes 383 dwelling units and 669 parking spaces with a 5,000-square foot community center at 3002 Chelsea Circle. This development will not fully comply with Electric Vehicle (EV) parking requirements but this site plan was granted a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals. (Legistar)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/12/15m-apartment-development-gets-ann-arbor-councils-final-ok.html
APPROVED: The PUD zoning of Monroe and Tappan (“Casa Dominicks”) is modified to delay closure of a curb cut that is recommended in the Supplemental Regulations. Supplemental Regulations were written in 2010, as requirements to be implemented with a site plan for expansion. That expansion never took place, but a site plan was required as part of licensing for a provisioning center on the property. The curb cut currently provides access for a residential tenant. At first reading (11/15/21), the PUD was amended to require the removal of all impervious surface currently used as parking. At second reading, the PUD was further amended to remove two parking spots that have existed since the 1960s. (Legistar)
Two items related to allowing customers to opt out of automatic water reading:
- APPROVED: An ordinance amendment creates an “Opt out” provision for properties that are not equipped with a device that allows automatic or remote reading of a water meter. Where the public services area is not able to install, repair or replace a meter, water may be cut off or property owners may be assessed a surcharge under an “opt out” provision. (Legistar)
- APPROVED: A set of new fees and regulations is established for utility customers who wish to opt-out of the city’s current automatic remote meter reading equipment. Two options for opt-out are proposed. Customers may relocate the meter transmitter unit to an outside location and will be charged $115 as a one time fee (homeowners would be required to install an exterior wire to accomplish this). Alternatively, customers who wish to remove the meter transmitter unit will be charged $399 as a set up fee for installation of reading display equipment outside of the home, plus a $58 quarterly meter reading fee. (Legistar)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/12/ann-arbor-homeowners-who-dont-want-smart-meters-must-pay-extra-fees-city-decides.html
APPROVED: An ordinance amendment updates the list of substances considered intoxicating agents, clarifies that operating a motor vehicle while under their influence is a violation whether or not they were ingested legally, and updates pronouns for gender neutral language. (Legistar)
APPROVED: An ordinance is repealed and replaced to add Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day to the list of referenced national holidays, add forfeiture of a firearm to penalties, incorporate state law and International Fire Code (IFC) definitions, and update pronouns for gender neutral language. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The City of Ann Arbor will participate in a settlement of national prescription opiate litigation. Per the settlement, three pharmaceutical distributors and one manufacturer will pay up to $26 billion over 18 years, which will be distributed to state and local governments. The state of Michigan expects to receive up to $800 million. Ann Arbor’s participation means that the City would receive funds for abatement of the opioids epidemic, e.g. treatment and prevention. (Legistar)
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
