This was the fourth 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 May 11, 2020 Council work session, Interim City Administrator presented an overview of the financial challenges facing the City as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 Financial Recovery Plan (Legistar)
- A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (May 17, 2020) – COVID-19 Adjustments and City Budget
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: $1,500,000 in engineering contracts for capital improvement, operation and maintenance projects at the Water Treatment Services Unit facilities (Legistar)
APPROVED: $27,620 for 800 street sign posts, as well as 600 sleeves and 200 bases to install them (Legistar)
APPROVED: 6.5% Sewer Rate increase (Legistar)
APPROVED:11% Stormwater Rate increase (Legistar)
APPROVED: Amendment to the Chicken/Duck Keeping Ordinance to eliminate 2-bird permit, remove neighbor notification, and allow animals outside of enclosure when someone is present (Legistar)
APPROVED: PUD zoning and site plan for “The Garnet” at 325 E. Summit Street (Legistar, Legistar)
- 10 condominium units
- $88,200 negotiated contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund
- This project was previously rejected 9/16/19 as a re-zoning without PUD benefit
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/05/ann-arbor-condo-developer-gets-ok-for-project-after-jumping-through-extra-hoops.html
- A2ELNEL: Housing Theory and Housing Facts
APPROVED: Resolution giving direction to the City Administrator for budget adjustments: hiring freeze, negotiated salary cuts, removal of 40/40/20 millage rebate spending commitment (affordable housing, climate action, and pedestrian safety), prioritizing the needs of residents “most impacted.” (Legistar)
- This resolution was amended to affirm the 40/40 share of millage rebate spending toward affordable housing and climate action for FY21
- Mayor Taylor issued a selective veto of the portion of this resolution that removed the 40/40/20 millage rebate spending commitment.
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/05/ann-arbor-council-divided-7-4-on-covid-19-financial-recovery-plan.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/05/mayor-vetoes-part-of-ann-arbors-covid-19-recovery-plan.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/05/ann-arbor-councilwoman-objects-to-veto-says-mayor-is-stoking-unfounded-fear.html
- A2ELNEL: Budget and Politics
APPROVED: FY21 Budget Amendments (Legistar)
- Up to $495,000 may be used (temporarily) from the Local Street Fund Balance to complete local street repair during a season of low traffic. The City anticipates a loss of $2.7 million in revenue from the State to fund Street Repair.
- Re-affirming the City’s commitment and timeline for the Nixon Corridor Improvement Project as a Capital Improvement Project
- Request that LDFA consider $700,000 in spending to support small business recovery
- $140,000 removed from budget, cancelling deer cull operations for FY21
- $1,094,000 removed from budget, delaying Hollywood Blvd Project, Ann Arbor Saline Project, Historic District Survey, and the Capital Sinking Fund Transfer for FY 2021
- $114,144 removed from budget. This would have been additional funding for Parks, consistent with the Parks Fairness Resolution
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
