Ann Arbor City Council: January 11, 2024

Jan 11, 2024 | City Council

404 N Ashley | ARPA Funds | Election Center | Unarmed Response Program

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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

This meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, the same evening as the NCAA college football championship game. At a special session on January 5, 2024, City Council voted unanimously to reschedule the meeting to Thursday, January 11, 2024.

APPROVED: A resolution denouncing “rising hate and discrimination in Ann Arbor and calling for a lasting bilateral ceasefire in Gaza and Israel”. The resolution expressly “appreciates and uplifts ” a statement made by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on November 29th, 2023. (Legistar)

APPROVED: By resolution, the City Administrator is directed to issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for a program of unarmed response for public safety. The RFP will be “targeted” to solicit multiple proposals and must be issued by March 1, 2024. (Legistar)

APPROVED: By resolution, the City-owned parcel at 404 N. Ashley will be transferred to Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation for $1.00. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $689,544 appropriation to fund repairs, updates, and new furnishings for a new Election Center at 3021/3023 Miller Rd. (Legistar)

  • The following costs are included in this appropriation:
    • $25,000 – new furnace, hot water heater, and appliances
    • $56,071 – furniture and security glass treatments
    • $93,819 – IT and security needs
    • $104,745 – parking lot updates
    • $182,069 – new roof
    • $86,960 – Design and engineering services for construction
    • $21,840 – HOA fees
    • $4,400 – cleaning costs
    • $33,720 – maintenance costs
    • $20,000 – utilities
    • $20,000 – Shelving and miscellaneous improvements
    • $2,870 – Special Assessment for Capital Reserve
  • This property was purchased in September 2023 for $2,900,000 from Oxford Companies, whose CEO is Mayoral and Council campaign donor, Jeff Hauptman. The purchase used $828,250 of Affordable Housing Millage funds that had been transferred from the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to “buy” the City-owned parcel at 350 S. Fifth. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-september-5-2023/
  • A staff memo from September 1, 2023 (link) explains the sources of funding for the purchase and estimated total remodeling costs of $1.34 million, as recommended by Yellowstone Construction (an affiliate of Oxford Companies).

APPROVED: By resolution, Council asks the City Administrator to appoint a “Procurement Advisory Group” and report back to Council on or before August 30, 2024. The proposed group will determine a list of preferred “sweat-free” City vendors and the City Administrator will assess the impact of eliminating City contracts with all others. (Legistar)

  • Membership for the proposed group is narrowly prescribed, to include: 
    • one Council Member
    • one member of City staff
    • one UM faculty member with “knowledge of international labor practices and workers’ rights”
    • one UM student from a “student organization focused on labor codes or specializing in labor-related matters” 
    • one worker rights advocate. 
  • The group will study the City’s apparel vendors and how they comply with “acceptable labor standards.” The resolution does not articulate what those standards would be, but refers to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. https://www.ilo.org/declaration/lang–en/index.htm
  • The standards identified by the ILO declaration are:
    • freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
    • the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour;
    • the effective abolition of child labour;
    • the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation; and
    • a safe and healthy working environment.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/01/ann-arbor-launching-review-to-make-sure-city-isnt-buying-apparel-from-sweatshops.html

APPROVED (first reading): Amendments to the City’s non-discrimination ordinance will prohibit city contractors from inquiring into a job applicant’s criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. This applies only to the employees used to fulfill a City contract. It does not apply to hiring practices for employees who produce of provide goods and/or services unrelated to a City contract. Employment may be contingent on a criminal background check and the City may still conduct background checks for positions where there is a statutory duty to do so. Contractors will also be required to document efforts to employ local people. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 11, 2024 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 11, 2024 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 11, 2024 Part 3

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