This was the nineteenth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.
At the beginning of this meeting, City attorney Stephen Postema announced his planned retirement in 2021.
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: Twenty-six vacant parcels recently annexed into the city will be zoned R1C (Single-family dwelling) or R1D (Single-family dwelling), consistent with City staff recommendation. This proposed zoning is consistent with adjacent going, master plan, and principle use of each of the twenty-six parcels. (Legistar)
APPROVED: An overlay zoning district will regulate and restrict what can be built in the floodplain (two parts: flood way and flood fringe). Stricter guidelines will use the 0.2% Annual Chance (“500 year flood”) to measure compliance with Base Flood Elevation (BFE). New structures cannot be built on a floodway and redeveloped structures must be elevated one foot above the 0.2% BFE. Critical facilities are prohibited in the Flood Fringe, and other structures must be elevated one foot above the 0.2% BFE. (Legistar)
RECONSIDERED & APPROVED: A purchase order for the Ann Arbor Police Department to equip 28 vehicles with dashboard cameras. Also included in this purchase is data storage (to “offload” video) and software maintenance. (Legistar)
- A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Jan 2, 2021) – Dashboard Cameras & Data Storage
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/01/ann-arbor-considering-ban-on-police-use-of-facial-recognition-technology.html
PULLED FROM AGENDA: A resolution directing the City Administrator to take the necessary steps for Ann Arbor to join the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority (WRRMA). The current members of WRRMA are: Ann Arbor Township, the City of Dexter, Pittsfield Charter Township, the City of Saline, the Township of Scio, the City of Ypsilanti, and the Charter Township of Ypsilanti.
- This item was pulled from the agenda before the meeting, and was rescheduled for the 1/18/21 meeting
- A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Jan 2, 2021) – Regional Solid Waste Authority
APPROVED: Distribution of the A2 Vision Zero Transportation plan to neighboring community planning commissions, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, DTE Energy Services, Norfolk/Southern Railroad, MDOT, Washtenaw County Road Commission, AAATA, Ann Arbor Public Schools and other local stakeholders in advance of public hearings. Outlined strategies are meant to support A2Zero climate goals, safety and accessibility (both regionally and across the city). The plan includes targets for lower speed limits, specific road treatments, sidewalk infrastructure, zoning for mixed use in residential areas, and enhanced transit options. (Legistar)
At the end of this meeting, public comment included loud and angry profanity and Council calls for order.
- A2ELNEL: Local Democracy
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/01/mayors-refusal-to-censor-violin-monsters-f-bombs-sparks-ann-arbor-council-debate.html
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
