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.
This was the first meeting for CM Akmon, CM Cornell, CM Ghazi Edwin, CM Harrison, CM Watson
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: The appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem and an order of succession that includes newly elected Council Members. Traditionally, the role of Mayor Pro Tem is assigned to the Council Member with the most seniority. The current Council includes five newly elected members and five members who have served two years (elected in 2020). Council Member Radina (Ward 3) will serve as Mayor Pro Tem and other members are ordered in succession by seniority and numerical Ward. (Legistar)
APPROVED: A contract for $492,218 will fund tenant supportive services provided by Avalon Housing, Huron Valley PACE, SOS, Ozone House, Peace Neighborhood Center & Community Action Network. This is an amendment to the FY23 Budget. (Legistar)
APPROVED: A contract for $72,000 with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to provide a Winter Emergency Shelter & warming center for the 2022-23 season. (Legistar)
APPROVED: $164,903.48 funding for 1-year mini-grants to 10 nonprofits as part of the New Human Services Partnership (Formerly Washtenaw Coordinate Funding). (Legistar)
APPROVED: A grant application to receive $400,000 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy High Water Infrastructure Grant Program. The City will provide $100,000 in local matching funds from the Stormwater Sewer System Fund. A total of $500,000 will be spent to update and align the City’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan with resiliency and climate adaptation strategies. This project will evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of the City’s street trees, the community’s urban forest, and other green infrastructure and best management practices on stormwater management. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Three fiber optic networks constructed by the City of Ann Arbor (and administered and maintained by the City’s IT department) will be made available through user agreements, to be executed by the City Administrator. Non-active fiber (“dark fiber”) will be accessible for use by commercial enterprises, private business purposes, and community telecommunication services (e.g., internet service providers, or ISPs). The fee structure recommended by City staff includes the cost for the city to replace a pair of fiber optics strands in 25 years plus an annual usage and maintenance fee of $12,000.00. Staff project increased annual revenue of $100,000 for the next three years. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to engage with federal officials to determine their interest in future changes to the property at 200 E. Liberty Street. This property is currently owned and operated by the federal government and houses the U.S. post office as well as offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). It is recommended that the property could be redeveloped with a greater density of office space and/or housing in order to promote a “pedestrian activated retail corridor” and add to the City’s tax base. (Legistar)
- You can learn more about the building here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/regions/welcome-to-the-great-lakes-region-5/buildings-and-facilities/michigan/federal-building-ann-arbor
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/11/ann-arbor-imagines-higher-density-redevelopment-of-federal-site-downtown.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/12/feds-willing-to-learn-about-ann-arbors-ideas-for-downtown-federal-site.html
- UPDATE: A staff response memo about this resolution was attached to the May 1, 2023 Council meeting agenda explaining that “it is unlikely the federal building will be moved or redeveloped in the short- or medium-term“: https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6189670&GUID=225C35AE-8A52-4DA6-AC4E-ED90B388C57B
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/05/a-path-forward-ann-arbor-sees-potential-for-new-federal-building-with-better-plaza.html
APPROVED: A 20-year lease agreement (with a 10-year renewal option) between the City of Ann Arbor and Great Lakes Air Repair (doing business as Beacon Aviation) will establish a corporate hangar and redevelop the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. Beacon Aviation will be responsible for building and ramp improvements, insurance, utilities, maintenance work (mowing, snowplowing, etc.) and any taxes/assessments on the structure. They will make nearly $200,000.00 worth of required improvements based on a City assessment of building condition. As part of the lease agreement, Beacon Aviation will have a right of first refusal to develop vacant land immediately to the west of the building if their business grows. (Legistar)
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