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 Akmon was absent
CM Ghazi Edwin was absent
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: Ordinance amendments will address guidelines for how trees and vegetation can be cultivated on private property adjacent to streets and sidewalks. Trees, shrubs and vegetation must allow 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet of clearance over streets. Amendments specifically address corners, where growth in a “sight triangle” can obstruct the view of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. Growth in the “sight triangle” will be limited to 30 inches. (Legistar)
- By friendly amendment, language was added referencing “shrubs.” Typically, ordinances cannot be amended at second reading, but this change was minimal and did not impact final approval.
- Council Member Radina was the single vote of dissent.
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/rules-for-lawn-vegetation-in-ann-arbor-are-changing-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/new-ann-arbor-law-allowing-tall-grass-poses-fire-and-pest-risks-mayor-pro-tem-says.html
APPROVED: A brownfield plan will provide funding for the development of ten different parcels, which will create home-ownership opportunities for households earning between 30% and 90% of the Area Median Income (AMI). (Legistar)
- These properties will be developed by the Ann Arbor Community Land Trust:
- 1780 and 1788 Scio Church Rd
- 225 and 235 S. Wagner Rd
- 1535, 1563, 1565 and 1567 S. Maple Rd.
- 1288 and 1369 Jewett Ave.
- A total of $5,049,381 in brownfield funds will support the projects, collecting tax-incremental financing (TIF) over 30 years. The homes will be sold below cost, which is why brownfield funds have been requested and why a staff report recommends approval.
- Historically, brownfield TIF programs have provided funding for the development of properties that include environmental cleanup and would not be financially viable without support. In 2023, state guidelines for these programs expanded to include residential projects – without environmental cleanup – in communities with a demonstrated need.
- The Ann Arbor Community Land Trust (AACLT) is a Michigan nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 status that is working to develop more affordable housing in Ann Arbor. The homes they develop are sold at below-market prices and the owners agree to pass on this savings to the next home buyer. This model ensures long-term affordability and community control.
- You can learn more about AACLT and how to support their mission here: https://www.a2clt.org/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/townie-homes-are-coming-to-ann-arbor-heres-what-theyre-all-about.html
APPROVED: By resolution, Council directs the City Administrator to prepare a summary of the plan to subsidize a private development called “Arbor South” at State and Eisenhower. The summary will be available to the public and include “negotiated deal points” for a proposed public-private partnership with the developer of Arbor South. (Legistar)
- The public-private partnership with Arbor South appeared on two Council agendas in November 2025:
- On both November 6 and November 17, the agreement was deleted from the agenda hours before the meeting. Council did not vote to postpone it to a date certain, so it’s unclear when the agreement might appear on another (third) agenda.
- The public-private partnership agreement is over 100 pages long, with additional pages of exhibits. It was most recently attached to “DS-2” from the November 17th agenda. (link)
- In the last month, Council Members have attempted to explain this agreement and offered incorrect information to the public, e.g. confusing which party will pay for on-site affordable housing units (answer: the City, using Affordable Housing Millage funds) and misstating what the City would commit to buy from the developer (answer: both land and parking structures, over $160 million). For more on that, see: https://a2elnel.com/post/arbor-south-public-interest-vs-investor-interest/
ACCEPTED: Recommendations from the Local Officers Compensation Commission (LOCC) were accepted, but not voted on. Under state law, this commission meets every two years and sets the salary for local elected officials. Its recommendations are automatically implemented unless the body of elected officials rejects them by two thirds vote. (Legistar)
- As recommended by the LOCC, salaries will increase for City Council Members and the Mayor:
- Council salaries (annual)
- Current: $32,539.62
- Beginning July 1, 2026: $34,878.41
- Beginning July 1, 2027: $37,325.48
- Mayor salary (annual)
- Current: $54,232.70
- Beginning July 1, 2026: $55,805.45
- Beginning July 1, 2027: $57,423.81
- Council salaries (annual)
- This year, the Commission decided that Council salaries should be set at 65% of the Mayor’s salary. The LOCC also considered the compensation of local officers in other communities. A survey of other municipalities revealed that salaries for officials in Ann Arbor are significantly higher than elsewhere across the state. The commission rationalized that this was appropriate due to the size of Ann Arbor’s City budget and the high taxable value of land in the City.
For more about the salary increases, watch this video:
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
