This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

CM Disch was absent

A2Council Update Video

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An Ordinance amendment to add Chapter 124 (Initiation of Traffic Stops) of Title IX (Police Regulations) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Legistar)

• The ordinance amendment will specifically prohibit law enforcement from making traffic stops based solely on the following circumstances:
  • Cracked/chipped windshield
  • Loud exhaust
  • Tinted windows
  • Object hanging from rearview mirror (unless obstructing vision)
  • Cracked tail lamp
  • Registration plate violations (lighting, height, attachment)
  • Registration sticker location or expiration within prior 60 days.
• Language approved at first reading at the June 20, 2023 Council meeting included a list of exceptions, allowing that law enforcement may stop, detain, or issue a citation for the offenses above if:
  • The motor vehicle has been lawfully stopped for another civil infraction or criminal offense.
  • It is a commercial motor vehicle
  • The driver or vehicle matches the description of a driver or vehicle involved in a criminal offense
  • The officer is investigating a traffic crash.
• At second reading in the July 6, 2023 Council meeting, the language enumerating these exceptions was removed and new language substituted (by friendly amendment) requiring that “an officer reasonably believes based on articulable facts” that the violation is of a nature or magnitude that it poses an immediate risk of harm.
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/06/proposed-ann-arbor-law-aims-to-restrict-police-traffic-stops.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/06/ann-arbor-police-will-no-longer-pull-over-drivers-for-minor-offenses-chief-says.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/06/non-white-motorists-in-ann-arbor-stopped-and-searched-more-often-study-finds.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/michigans-first-driving-equality-ordinance-gets-10-0-final-ok-in-ann-arbor.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/how-to-report-police-officers-if-they-violate-ann-arbors-new-traffic-stop-law.html

APPROVED: The City ordinance for Solid Waste management will add a category – “Household Items” – that may be placed on the curb (public right of way) for up to 48 hours for the purpose of donation or re-use. (Legistar)

• The ordinance cites examples of “Household Items” in good condition (suitable for re-use) that may be placed in the public right-of-way. Toxic, hazardous, construction, commercial, and demolition waste are specifically prohibited. The City reserves the right to remove any item that’s an interference to use or maintenance of the public right-of-way, a safety hazard, or otherwise not in compliance with the definitions for “Household Items.” In order to prevent illegal street parking or blockage of bike lanes, residents and property owners consent to the use of their driveways by anyone interested in viewing or taking an item. Within ten feet of a crosswalk or sidewalk/road intersection, household items may not exceed three feet in height.
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/06/putting-household-items-at-curb-for-others-to-take-no-longer-illegal-in-ann-arbor.html

APPROVED: An agreement to transfer all FY24 marijuana excise tax rebate funds – $1,375,000 – to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation. (Legistar)

• On March 15, 2021, City Council unanimously approved a resolution directing that these Marijuana Excise Tax Funds be used for:
  • Emergency Services response that include mental health and substance use disorder professionals
  • Programs for substance abuse intervention, treatment and recovery support services
  • Education and enrichment programs for at-risk youth
  • Innovation grants toward promoting criminal diversion and expungement, support for formerly incarcerated members of our community, and other criminal justice reform initiatives
  • Legistar link to March 15, 2021 resolution: https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4819759&GUID=C4559926-7EB4-4FBD-9B56-ED17870D4972&FullText=1
• The agreement with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission/Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation directs that these funds be used for:
  • $150,000 for planning, organizational development and design of the non-residential community space at 121 Catherine Street.
  • $325,000 for build out, furnishings, and equipment at 121 Catherine Street
  • $250,000 for eviction prevention
  • $250,000 for low-income youth services
  • $400,000 for case-management at tenant-based voucher households with a member involved in the carceral system

APPROVED: $4,613,300 construction contract with Cadillac Asphalt for street resurfacing, sidewalk gap filling, crosswalk improvements, storm inlet replacements, three mini-roundabouts, and widening to accommodate protected bike lanes at Earhart Road. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/new-roundabouts-bike-lanes-part-of-ann-arbor-earhart-road-project-set-to-start.html

APPROVED: $150,000 Professional Services contract with Live Zero Waste ($75,000 per year for two years) for “various efforts” to promote the circular economy. This item includes Council authorization for administrative one-year extension. (Legistar)

• Support the returnable container (A2R3) program and help scale the program
• Support and scale zero-waste challenges
• Organize, coordinate, and conduct education on the circular economy
• Support and host neighborhood swap days
• On demand support to advance circular economy efforts
• Weekly check-ins to align work and coordinate
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/neighborhood-swap-days-part-of-ann-arbors-new-150k-circular-economy-effort.html

APPROVED: $135,000 Professional Services contract with VegMichigan ($45,000 per year for 3 years) for “various efforts” to promote plant-forward diets. This item includes Council authorization for 2 one-year administrative extensions. (Legistar)

• Design community educational materials
• Host plant-based challenges
• Conduct local business engagement
• Provide plant-based policy support
• On demand support to expand plant-based diets
• Biweekly check-ins
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/want-to-go-veg-ann-arborites-can-get-free-plant-based-foods-via-new-city-effort.html

APPROVED: $225,000 Professional Services contract with Community Action Network ($75,000 per year for three years) to “support and advance” the Bryant Neighborhood Decarbonization Project. This item includes Council authorization for 2 one-year administrative extensions. (Legistar)

• Sustained community engagement education
• Identification of strategies for scaling Bryant work to other neighborhoods
• Support initiating decarbonization efforts in other neighborhoods
• Storytelling support
• On demand support to continue growing the work in Bryant and beyond

APPROVED: $225,000 Professional Services contract with 2030 District ($75,000 per year for three years) to develop programs to support commercial decarbonization. This item includes Council authorization for 2 one-year administrative extensions. (Legistar)

• Energy benchmarking assistance
• Commercial energy saving assistance
• Conduct energy education and engagement with commercial entities
• Reporting and accountability
• On demand support related to commercial decarbonization

APPROVED: A cost-sharing agreement with the Downtown Development Authority to conduct a Downtown Area Circulation Study. The total cost of the study is $577,613. The City contribution is $209,674. (Legistar)

• The study will prioritize bike connection into and through downtown at locations on First Street, the Broadway bridge, Fifth Avenue, Catherine and Ann, Miller Street, Washington Street, and South Main. The study will also consider the feasibility of two way traffic on Fifth Avenue and Division Street as well as the feasibility and trade-offs of shared streets, pedestrian malls, and curbless street designs.
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/more-space-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists-ann-arbor-to-reimagine-downtown-streets.html

APPROVED: $4,750,000 is allocated toward speed management, quick builds, and near-miss evaluation to advance the City’s Vision Zero transportation safety initiatives. Funding comes from a federal grant of $3,800,000 through the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The City will provide matching funds of $950,000 out of proceeds from the Climate Action Millage. The grant requires that work happen in the next four years. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/smart-traffic-cameras-reducing-vehicle-speeds-part-of-475m-ann-arbor-project.html

APPROVED: $800,000 will purchase a new custom pumper fire truck with idle reduction technology and up to three hours of operation from lithium-ion batteries. The City’s oldest pumper fire truck (from 2005) will be sold at auction. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/new-hybrid-engine-approved-for-ann-arbor-fire-department.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart