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 Ghazi Edwin was absent
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: By resolution, City Council directs the City Administrator to negotiate with the Ann Arbor District Library regarding use of the Library Lane Lot, next to the downtown branch of the library. (Legistar)
In a memo attached to the January 6, 2025 agenda (link), the City Administrator communicated that:
I wish to inform you that I have been talking with the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) regarding the potential development of the Center of the City. They are interested in discussing with me the conditions that would need to be present for the City to consider pursuing a transaction on that site.
…
The one thing I can say with certainty is that the AADL interest is in earnest.
A directive to pursue a “transaction” would violate City Charter language adopted by a public vote in 2018:
The City-owned public land bounded by Fifth Avenue, and William, Division and Liberty Streets shall be retained in public ownership, in perpetuity, and developed as an urban central park and civic center commons known as the “Center of the City.”
- A2ELNEL: Election Denial and the Center of the City
- https://www.mlive.com/business/2025/01/ann-arbor-officials-ponder-using-central-park-site-for-library-redevelopment.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/01/new-library-with-outdoor-plaza-could-transform-downtown-ann-arbor-officials-say.html
APPROVED: By resolution, City Council will direct the issuance of up to $12,000,000 in Capital Improvement bonds, to support the construction of Fire Station No. 4 on Huron Parkway. The new fire station will be net-zero, through geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels, and an architectural design that encourages energy efficiency. It will also have gender-neutral bathrooms. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Jordan Roberts is appointed as the Public Services Area Administrator, effective January 22, 2025. (Legistar)
- This appointment was announced by the City on January 6, 2025. The position was previously held by Brian Steglitz from January 2023 through May 2024. Since the departure of Brian Steglitz, Sue McCormick filled the position on a temporary, interim basis.
- https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=1124
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/01/2-new-leaders-to-fill-key-roles-in-ann-arbors-city-administration.html
APPROVED (first reading): Amendments to the City’s “Best value” procurement ordinance will remove requirements to submit materials in bidding documents and instead link to information on company websites. A requirement to demonstrate “quality control” is removed because staff report that this measure does not reveal a difference between bidders. Bidders will no longer have to provide evidence of paid leave policy, or explanation of “sustainable” materials or practices. A staff memo explains that the terms of construction jobs dictate specific materials and protocols that would apply to all bids (i.e. there are not “sustainable” alternatives). (Legistar)
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
