This was the twenty third 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.
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: A five year services contract with Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) for collection of residential customer recyclables. The estimated cost for these services is $7,039,862.40 with an option to extend for two years (estimated additional cost of $3,043,149.60). (Legistar)
APPROVED: The Malletts Creek/Churchill Downs Park Detention Pond Project will move forward with the City assuming the full cost: $3,050,000. This has been designed and will be constructed by the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office because it is in the Mallets Creek Drain Drainage District. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The City Administrator and City Attorney, and Parks Advisory Commission will evaluate the preliminary feasibility of alternative development of 2857 Packard Road. The property is currently the subject of a Consent Judgement but the property owner is now in discussion with others (e.g. THRIVE collaborative) about an alternative development. Council will receive a proposed process for considering an alternative development and enough information to determine what is in the best interests of the City. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Sidewalk cafes will be permitted and regulated by the City on “trunk lines” in the city that are technically Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) rights of way: Jackson, Huron, N. Main, and Washtenaw. (Legistar)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/03/outdoor-cafes-on-state-trunklines-okd-in-ann-arbor.html
APPROVED: A liquor license for a new bar and record store (Up From the Skies, LLC) at 210 S. Main. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The cost of Liquor Licenses will be reduced to $50 for the year 2021. (The fee was previously set at $90.) (Legistar)
APPROVED: City Attorneys will prepare legal memos on the topic of First Amendment issues and Council Rules amendments. This was a substitution for the original resolution, which would have waived privilege on legal memos on the same topic that were sent to Council on 1/30/21 and 2/8/21. (Legistar)
- Several days after this Council meeting, the Washtenaw County ACLU Lawyers Committee sent a letter to City Council.
- A2ELNEL: Update on ACLU and new Ann Arbor City Council Rules
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/03/ann-arbors-new-city-council-rules-run-afoul-of-the-first-amendment-aclu-says.html
APPROVED: The City Administrator will realign City policies, procedures, and budgets to ensure the winter maintenance of the municipal sidewalk network, with the immediate goal to eliminate snow piles in crosswalks, sidewalk ramps, and on crossing islands that impede access to bus stops. The City Administrator will “pilot solutions” on major transit corridor(s) and in the DDA. (Legistar)
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
