This was the first 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.
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: $115,000 for plans and specifications to fill the sidewalk gap on S. Main (Legistar)
APPROVED: $409,402 contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for repaving of road surface, replacement of pedestrian islands, and creation of buffered bike lanes for Plymouth Road Improvement Project (Murfin Rd./Upland Dr. to Nixon) (Legistar)
APPROVED: Special assessment district for Jackson Avenue Sidewalk Gap Elimination Project (Westover Ave. to Park Lake Ave.) (Legistar)
APPROVED: $396,752 agreement with Downtown Development Authority for design of South State Street and North University improvements, including: design for street resurfacing and watermain consolidation on State Street from South University Street to Washington Street and North University from State Street to Fletcher Street, and streetscape, safety, and mobility improvements on State Street from William Street to Washington Street (Legistar)
DEFEATED: Reallocation of $100,500 out of the Resident-Driven Sidewalk Gap Filling Program to subsidize the current Barton Drive Improvement Project and the Jackson Avenue Sidewalk Gap Project. (Legistar)
- This budget amendment would have depleted most of the total funds — $150,000 — approved 11/18/19 for the Resident-Driven Sidewalk Gap Filling Program (Legistar)
- My post from Nov 2018 about this program: Filling the Sidewalk Gaps that Neighborhoods Want
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/04/ann-arbor-council-rejects-proposal-to-reallocate-funds-from-resident-driven-sidewalk-program.html
APPROVED: Amendment to the Nondiscrimination Ordinance to add reference and description of “ethnicity” as a protected category. Source of income calculations must multiply the value of housing assistance (X3) in order to more accurately assess a person’s ability to pay rent, prevent discrimination against housing vouchers in market rate rentals. (Legistar)
APPROVED: $200,000 in emergency aid for the Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Commission to protect residents: anticipate likely future evictions due to loss of income, food security for homebound households, and response to a possible outbreak of COVID-19 at congregate settings (e.g. Miller Manor & Baker Commons) with high risk households. (Legistar)
APPROVED: $40,323 for sampling and testing for 1,4 dioxine in wet basements that are high risk, in the footprint of the Gelman dioxane plume. (Legistar)
TABLED: Resolution directing Planning Commission to consider designation of transit- supported zoning districts to increase housing density and options along major corridors. The commission would be asked to consider increasing allowable Floor Area Ratio (FAR) density, decreasing and/or eliminating parking requirements for new development along transit corridors and bring a recommendation to Council by June 15, 2020. (Legistar)
- This resolution was tabled until such time as the Governor lifts state of emergency and stay-at-home orders.
- A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Apr 5, 2020) – Transit Oriented Development
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/04/transit-oriented-development-proposal-stalls-with-divided-ann-arbor-council.html
APPROVED: Resolution encouraging the Governor to make an executive order addressing the need for political candidates to collect nominating signatures before an April 21 deadline, in compliance with the current stay-at-home orders. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Resolution recognizing the public service and contributions of Ethel “Eppie” Potts. (Legistar)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/03/ethel-potts-former-ann-arbor-planning-official-and-pottery-artist-dies-at-95.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/04/a-positive-force-ann-arbor-council-honors-the-late-ethel-potts.html
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
