This was the thirty seventh 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. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: In response to a formal complaint against Acting City Administrator John Fournier that alleged blatant discrimination, retaliation, harassment, a hostile work environment, and illegal directives, the City attorney’s office is directed to facilitate policies and procedures to ensure the integrity of an investigation and prevent any harm to the complainant. This resolution was amended at the table to remove terms that included paid administrative leave during the period of investigation. A compromise – proposing paid administrative leave for as short a time as two days, to ensure safeguards to all parties – was rejected by a majority of Council. (Legistar)
- Directing an Independent Investigation of the Acting City Administrator
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/10/ann-arbor-council-votes-to-investigate-accusations-against-acting-city-administrator.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/10/ann-arbor-mayor-floated-big-pay-boost-for-administrator-now-under-investigation.html
APPROVED: An agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County allocates responsibility and cost for the design and engineering of the Bandemer-Barton Trail Connection, a pedestrian tunnel beneath the railroad tracks between Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park. A cost sharing agreement with the County for design services will assign 45% of cost to the City and 55% of cost to the County. Construction costs would be assigned: 29% to the City, 71% to the County. (Legistar)
APPROVED: A newly established Main Street Social District will include sections of Ashley, Main, Fourth, Washington and Liberty. A total of forty-three establishments with liquor licenses qualify as applicants to participate in the district. The social district will permit the service of alcohol in a shared, common space. (Legistar)
APPROVED: As recommended by the Council Administration Committee: Council Rule 7 (Public Speaking) is amended to reference and include public commenters attending “remotely.” (Legistar)
APPROVED: Council acknowledges and commends the work of Roger Rayle and the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) for their longstanding public service of professional activism with respect to addressing 1,4-dioxane cleanup processes. This commendation is sent to the leadership of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Region Administrator – United States Environmental Protection Agency – Region V, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. (Legistar)
A2ELNEL Voting Chart
