Ann Arbor City Council: January 18, 2022

Jan 18, 2022 | City Council

DDA | Municipal Electric | Sidewalks | Sustainability | Village of Ann Arbor

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

APPROVED: The City Administrator will create a Request for Proposals (RFP) to “study the technical, legal, and financial viability of multiple potential pathways” toward sustainable energy. The study of “multiple pathways” will include a detailed technical, financial and rate analysis of a municipal electric utility that would replace DTE as well as a Sustainable Electric Utility that would supplement DTE service. This resolution also directs the City Administrator to propose a governance model for, conduct public outreach about, and draft an ordinance to formally create a Sustainable Electric Utility. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Five properties totaling 73.2 acres that are currently part of Ann Arbor township are annexed into the City: 1680 Dhu Varren (67.599 acres), 2670 Pontiac Trail (1.859 Acres), 2672 Pontiac Trail (1.256 Acres), 2678 Pontiac Trail (1.245 Acres), and 2682 Pontiac Trail (1.248 Acres). These properties are associated with a site plan for the “Village of Ann Arbor” that will include single-family homes, townhomes, and stacked multiple-family units at a density of less than 10 dwelling units per acre. At a future meeting, Council will vote on a request for R4A (multiple-family) zoning. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A City ordinance regarding disorderly conduct is repealed and replaced to add existing penalties, alter pronouns for gender neutral language, and remove provisions already covered by state law (Crime Victims Rights Act of 1985). These amendments are part of a Reform Project and will go into effect on April 15, 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A resolution condemning antisemitism “calls upon the persons who rally to express antisemitism on Washtenaw Avenue to renounce extremism, disband, and cease their weekly show of aggressive bigotry” and affirms “support for the Beth Israel Congregation, their guests, and all members of the Jewish Community in Ann Arbor, each of whom has the right to worship, gather, and celebrate free from intimidation, harassment, and fear of violence.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will analyze the staffing and cost required to clear snow on city-owned sidewalks and paths on the same timeline as is required for private property owners. City code amendments will be prepared to allow for discretion and educational opportunities in enforcement. The City Administrator will pursue better snow clearing strategies in the DDA district in collaboration with downtown partners and also encourage AAPS to clear snow on sidewalks adjacent to their properties. (Legistar)

REFERRED: A resolution directing the City Administrator to organize a dialogue among federal, state and local elected officials and University of Michigan leaders to discuss the development of 2000 units of workforce housing on UM North Campus. He would be directed to discuss this topic at quarterly UM policy meetings and report progress to City Council. This resolution was referred to the following commissions for discussion: Planning, Transportation, Energy, Environmental, as well as the local Economic Development Corporation. (Legistar)

APPROVED: As part of the 2020 & 2021 Sewer Lining project, $5,946,305 is allocated toward repair and maintenance of 65,000 feet of sanitary and storm sewer pipes and 50 sanitary sewer manholes. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to downtown street closures:

APPROVED: The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will hire a new executive director, Jeffrey D. Watson. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 18, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 18, 2022 Part 2