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.
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
DEFEATED: A Council resolution would have directed the City Administrator to make written recommendations for use of the City-owned property at South Ashley and William (also known as the Klines lot). (Legistar)
- The resolution asked for a recommendation about an open, public process for the sale of this property including the option of issuing a request for proposals (RFP). This property was previously designated as a site for the development of affordable housing. The City’s Housing Commission assessed its feasibility and a consultant led public engagement that measured strong public support for its development as affordable housing.
- The Mayor and a majority of Council rejected the idea of any additional public process and expressed their support for ongoing private negotiation with a single entity. Several weeks ago, Sports Illustrated Resorts privately approached the City Administrator; Council, also, reviewed this proposal in private. According to the Mayor, other entities can approach the City “on exactly the same basis as SI is presently engaging now.”
- A2ELNEL: Ann Arbor FOR SALE: Sports Illustrated Resorts
- https://www.si.com/media/2023/09/28/sports-illustrated-resorts-discussions-ann-arbor-michigan
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/sports-illustrated-resorts-eyeing-ann-arbor-for-hotel-and-conference-center.html
- https://www.costar.com/article/1343726497/inside-the-vision-to-bring-sports-illustrated-resorts-to-university-campuses
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/10/ann-arbor-officials-divided-on-next-steps-with-sports-illustrated-resorts-idea.html
APPROVED: Patrick Maguire will act as interim Police Chief while the City continues its search for a permanent one. (Legistar)
- The previous interim Police Chief, Aimee Metzer, retired on October, 20, 2023. She was appointed to the position by City Administrator Dohoney effective July 31, 2022. This appointment was not brought before City Council: https://www.a2gov.org/news/Pages/article.aspx?i=904
- City Announcement about Maguire’s nomination and Metzer’s retirement: https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=1003
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/10/longtime-ann-arbor-police-officer-poised-to-become-interim-chief.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/10/longtime-ann-arbor-deputy-chief-confirmed-for-interim-chief-position.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/10/ann-arbor-interim-police-chief-to-retire-after-25-year-career.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/10/interim-police-chief-retires-after-25-year-career-marked-by-care-for-community-staff.html
APPROVED: Two parcels at 3701 and 3713 Riverside Drive are annexed into the City from Ann Arbor Charter Township. The 0.74 acres are already in the City’s utility service area. (Legistar)
- The parcels will be re-zoned at a future meeting. City Staff recommended zoning of R1B for these parcels, that would be “consistent with nearby City zoning, surrounding land uses and the adopted Land Use Plan.” Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission amended that recommendation in order to zone these parcels R1D, instead. At a future meeting, Council will not consider staff recommended zoning (R1B), but rather the amendment from Mayoral appointees (R1D). https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-september-19-2023/
- Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission recently amended staff recommendation for another annexation/rezoning. You can learn about that in this video:
APPROVED: Early voting locations for the 2024 election cycle will be open for a minimum of nine days prior to the Election Day. Additional locations at Traverwood, Mallett’s Creek, and Westgate district library branches were approved. On-campus locations at UMMA and Duderstadt Center/Pierpont Commons will be utilized for November general elections and presidential primaries. Satellite voting offices on-campus will be not be used for the August primaries, due to “anticipated low voter demand.” (Legistar)
APPROVED: The polling place at Mary Street (Ward 4, Precinct 32) will be closed and relocated to University of Michigan Coliseum. The polling place for Ward 4, Precinct 33 (currently U-M Coliseum) and Ward 3, Precinct 24 (currently Tappan Middle School) will change to the Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin), beginning with the 2024 Presidential Primary Election. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Two speed humps will be installed on Grandview Drive, between Jackson Rd and Dexter Ave, at a cost of $35,000. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to “create a strategy” for targeting low-income households to benefit from the “Home Energy Rating Disclosure” (HERD) ordinance approved on 9/5/23. That ordinance requires the disclosure of a home energy audit to potential buyers prior to home sales. The City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) anticipates the hiring of a home energy assessor and contracting with other home energy assessors to provide free Home Energy Scores. The City Administrator is directed to identify and generate data on the impact of the HERD ordinance and provide this data annually. (Legistar)
- The Home Energy Rating Disclosure (HERD) ordinance was approved by City Council on September 5, 2023: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-september-5-2023/
APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to collaborate with Building and Code Compliance officials to train City housing inspectors to be Home Energy Score Assessors. Within six months, the City Administrator will report to Council on the staffing and funding required to support a voluntary Home Energy Score program, integrated with the City’s permitting and inspection process. (Legistar)
APPROVED: The Michigan Department of Transportation is conducting an Environmental Assessment study in anticipation of a plan to rebuild US 23. By resolution, Council calls on MDOT to address all modes of travel including safe, comfortable walking and biking facilities at all eight US-23 crossings. Council communicates its opposition to any improvement of US-23 that would add a lane for vehicular travel. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Council communicates its opposition to safety fencing and barricades along railroad tracks in Ann Arbor. This safety fencing is proposed by MDOT in anticipation of a high speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit. According to the resolution, MDOT plans to invest approximately $6.3 million in safety fencing and barricades to prevent trespass along the railroad tracks. Council proposes that this money be spent instead on underground pedestrian and nonmotorized crossings to support the Border to Border trail. (Legistar)
Performance Evaluations: Consultant Amy Cell facilitated performance reviews for City Attorney Atleen Kaur and City Administrator Milton Dohoney. After two closed sessions, Council voted to finalize both reviews and amend Atleen Kaur’s employment contract to give her a 3% annual raise and a lump sum payment of 2% of her current salary.
- Link to evaluation of City Attorney: https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6385319&GUID=909AE883-38DB-4B63-A5FB-E4CA27C8CCD4
- Link to evaluation of City Administrator: https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6385320&GUID=8FC169E3-DFE1-4000-94DE-A37023BD2DAB
- According to Amy Cell’s reports, one Council Member failed to complete a review for Atleen Kaur and two Council Members failed to submit a review of Milton Dohoney.
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
