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 Cornell was absent
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: Postponed from their last meeting, Council approved a $980,000 grant from Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and a $1,250,000 contract with DTE to accelerate the conversion of street lights to much more efficient LED. The grant will provide $980,000 and an additional $270,000 will be allocated from Climate Action Millage funds. (Legistar)
- The details of the contract with DTE has prompted questions because in 2021, City Council approved extensive amendments to the City’s outdoor lighting ordinance. (Legistar)
- The 2021 amendments addressed color spectrum management, glare, illuminance, and specific standards for “light trespass” on neighboring properties.
- The purchase agreement with DTE directs that every LED conversion in the City will use the same bulb wattage and brightness, whether located on a high traffic corridor or within residential neighborhoods. In answer to questions at the 7/15/24 Council meeting, staff explained that the City would have to hire an additional employee to manage the installation of different bulbs appropriate to different locations.
- At the 7/15/24 meeting, Council directed City staff to negotiate new terms with DTE in light of public concerns. After negotiation, DTE has agreed to install light shields in compliance with the 2021 lighting ordinance, but will not install variable bulbs to address over-lighting.
- This week, a staff memo (link) recommends that Council agree to the terms proposed by DTE.
- During the Council Meeting in answer to questions, City staff admitted that in discussion with DTE, they “did not explicitly ask to help create a plan to reduce the city’s costs” for having various bulbs on local and major roads because they did not understand that to be a specific request.
- Staff clarified that 58 watt LED bulbs can be installed to function at 48 watts. An amendment was offered and immediately withdrawn, requesting a lower wattage setting for bulbs on local streets. City Administrator Dohoney reassured Council that it would be handled and “we’ll take it from there.”
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/08/ann-arbor-oks-debated-led-conversions-for-over-4000-streetlights.html
APPROVED: By resolution, Council directs the City Administrator to negotiate with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to transfer state trunklines. These major thoroughfares – North Main, Huron, Jackson, Washtenaw – are currently the responsibility of the state (MDOT), which pays for their maintenance. (Legistar)
- In December 2022, Council approved $134,000 to fund a consultant to study the feasibility of the City taking control of MDOT trunklines. This item was defeated by a previous Council in September 2022. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-december-5-2022/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/09/ann-arbor-falls-1-vote-short-on-proposal-to-consider-taking-over-mdot-roads.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/12/ann-arbor-officials-call-out-mdot-ok-looking-into-taking-control-of-state-roads.html
- In February 2024, City Council received a 77 page report (link) on negotiating a transfer of these trunkline from State responsibility to City responsibility.
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/03/consultants-advise-ann-arbor-to-ask-state-for-82m-if-city-seeks-takeover-of-4-roads.html
- At a Council work session on June 10, 2024 (Legistar), City staff explained the financial implications of taking responsibility for these trunklines: it will cost approximately $82 million to keep them in good repair for five years. Staff clarified the City would receive a one time transfer fee per mile to bring each road to good repair, “but that’s it”; money received from the state will not be adequate to cover the cost of ongoing maintenance. The process of transferring these trunklines has an estimated timeline of five to ten years.
- City Administrator Dohoney advised Council that “we didn’t see any indicators that we’re going to come out on the other end with a reasonable amount of money to address what would be a very costly capital expenditure.”
- The slides presented to Council on a “Jurisdictional Transfer Study” can be found here: (link)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/06/city-administrator-airs-concerns-about-possible-ann-arbor-takeover-of-state-roads.html
- The state has already allocated funds for MDOT to make repairs at North Main. This week’s resolution prioritizes the transfer of North Main, so that it can be improved under City control. With local control of North Main, Huron, Jackson, and Washtenaw, Council anticipates the implementation of lane reconfigurations, protected bike lanes, roundabouts, sidewalk infill, dedicated bus lanes and other amenities.
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/08/frustrated-over-dangerous-roads-ann-arbor-enters-negotiations-with-mdot.html
APPROVED: The City will accept a federal grant of $1,000,000 from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to develop a Model Regional Resilience Network and enter into a cooperative agreement with the USEPA to implement a resilience grant program. Over three years, the USEPA will create a governance structure across the county, host regional resilience meetings, award grants to community-based organizations, establish a “resilience ambassador program,” and distribute a “resilience hub replication guide.” (Legistar)
- Objectives of the grant:
- A “facilitated communication channels” between municipalities, community-based organizations, and other critical care service providers.
- Four (4) brick and mortar resilience hubs.
- A resilience grant program to support “community-based organizations working to build the resilience of local stakeholders.”
- In addition to the USEPA grant funds, the City will contribute matching funds of $545,800.
APPROVED (First Reading): Fifty-nine (59) parcels in two areas along Washtenaw Avenue and East Stadium Boulevard (103 acres) will be rezoned to Transit Corridor district (TC-1), consistent with staff recommendation. The north side of Washtenaw Avenue between US 23 and Glenwood Road is proposed to be designated Transit Corridor. On the south side of Washtenaw Avenue, Transit Corridor designation is proposed between US 23 and Pittsfield Boulevard, and between South Huron Parkway and Platt Road. In the East Stadium Boulevard area, parcels generally between Washtenaw Avenue and St. Francis Boulevard will be rezoned to TC1 district. (Legistar)
- The City held a public engagement meeting about this rezoning on November 16, 2023: https://a2council.com/tc-1-washtenaw-ave-rezoning-public-meeting-of-november-16-2023/
- The Planning Commission approved these changes on June 4, 2024: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-june-4-2024/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/11/big-rezoning-plan-for-washtenaw-avenue-topic-of-ann-arbor-meeting.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/11/what-does-the-future-hold-for-washtenaw-avenue-ann-arbor-officials-discuss.html
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