Ann Arbor City Council: March 20, 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | City Council

415 W Washington | Affordable Housing | ARPA Funds | City Flag | DTE | East Medical Center Drive Bridge | Insurance Board

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

Two items related to the removal of the Insurance Board

  • APPROVED: The Insurance Board is eliminated as the body of review for claims filed against the City. The Insurance Board – two Council Members and the City’s treasurer – previously reviewed and awarded claims against the City between $500 and $10,000. Meeting minutes for the Insurance Board were approved by City Council and Council specifically approved all claims over $10,000. The City Administrator (or his designee) is now empowered to decide all awards or denials of claims against the City, up to $75,000. According to the ordinance, Information about expenditures under $75,000 will be available to Council members “upon request.” (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: A resolution requesting that the City Administrator provide Council with a “monthly claims review report.” This resolution was amended at the table to add a request that the claims be published on a page of the City’s website. The ordinance amendment eliminating the Insurance Board does not include any requirement for publication of Risk Fund claims under $75,000. (Legistar)
  • A2ELNEL: Council Evades Responsibility: Insurance Board, Downtown Street Closures, Brownfield Review Committee
  • A2ELNEL: Eliminating The Insurance Board Reduces Council Accountability

APPROVED: An ordinance amendment permits Waste Management to directly bill customers for commercial refuse hauling in the City of Ann Arbor. Currently, the City provides billing and customer service for commercial solid waste collection. These responsibilities are delegated to Waste Management for commercial customers. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $3.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission toward the purchase of eight duplexes (17 bedrooms) at 1474 W. Liberty, 1484 W. Liberty, 528 Virginia Ave,1540 Siller Terrace, 1550 Siller Terrace, 1560 Siller Terrace, 1570 Siller Terrace, and 1580 Siller Terrace. These housing units will be developed as affordable housing priced at 60% of Area Median Income. The total purchase price of these properties is $4,135,000. The Ann Arbor Housing Commission anticipates borrowing an additional $2 million from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, to cover closing costs and renovations. Total development cost: $5,500,000. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $615,216.72 amendment to a contract for professional engineering services with DLZ Michigan, Inc. for a redesign of the East Medical Center Drive Bridge. Amendment to the DLZ contract includes nearly 4000 additional work hours over the course of seven months. This capital improvement was scheduled to occur during the 2023 construction season but has been delayed to 2024. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City administrator is directed to negotiate a new or amended natural gas franchise without compromising the ability of our community to heat or cook in homes and businesses The current natural gas franchise is held by DTE and does not expire until 2027. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An expanded and amended contract with SPIN, Inc. will license 100 e-bikes and reduce the licensing fees charged and collected by the City. SPIN requested and was granted a reduction in licensing fees from $1 per day to 20 cents per day (per unit). The City estimates a $54,750 reduction in revenue. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission will develop a project plan to design a new City Flag. The project plan will include a public engagement process, schedule, and funding necessary to complete the project as a part of the bicentennial celebration. The resolution refers to the “Five Basic Principles of Flag” from the North American Vexillological Association (NAVO) (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): The parcel at 415 W Washington will be rezoned from Public Land (PL) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to facilitate the development of residential and mixed uses as permitted in the D2 zoning district including residential, commercial and office uses. The PUD will require a minimum of 15 designated affordable housing units or 15% of the total units or a contribution in lieu of units, whichever number is greater. The PUD will also require 60% open space amenities such as the extension of the Treeline Trail, benches, and ambient lighting. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): The City’s housing code will be amended to require carbon monoxide detectors in all current rental units, consistent with requirements for new construction and certain alterations. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 20, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 20, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 20, 2023 Part 3