Ann Arbor City Council: September 15, 2025

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.

Council Member Ghazi Edwin was absent

A2Council Update Video

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: By resolution, City Council directs the City Administrator to move forward with his recommendations to sell City-owned properties of 415 W. Washington and 309 S. Ashley Street (Kline lot) to the bidders that offered the most money. The proposals were discussed at a work session in July 2025. (Legistar)

• Both properties were designated by a previous Council for the development of affordable housing. The property on 415 W, Washington was deemed less appropriate for housing due to its location on a floodplain/floodway and near railroad tracks. The director of the City’s housing commission identified the Kline Lot as “high priority” for the development of 400-600 units of affordable housing. (link)
• In 2021, SmithGroup consultants presented the results of public engagement around four City properties that the housing commission had identified as most appropriate for the development of affordable housing. For the Kline lot, SmithGroup reported the community’s top priority: “maximize affordable housing.” (link)
• In 2023, a majority of Council supported plans for a Sports Illustrated Resort on the Kline lot, but the developer withdrew when four Council Members expressed opposition (telegraphing that the transaction would not have the eight votes required for approval).
• This week’s resolution directs the City Administrator to negotiate the terms of sale for both 415 W. Washington and the Kline lot for market rate development. Sale prices are not named in the resolution, but the preferred bidders have made offers: $2,000,000 from BaseBld for 415 W. Washington, and $14,175,000 minimum (price dependent on unit count) from Hines Development for the Kline Lot. Once details are confirmed, sales agreements will be submitted to Council for final approval.
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/09/ann-arbor-council-gives-green-light-to-negotiate-sale-of-2-prime-city-properties.html

APPROVED: A contract for $2,416,691.00 with PHX Construction, Inc. d/b/a Phoenix Contractors, Inc will fund renovations at the City’s new Election Center at 3021 Miller Road. (Legistar)

• In 2023, this property was purchased for $2.8 million from Oxford Companies, whose CEO is a major campaign donor to the Mayor and members of City Council. Council approved the use of $828,250 in Affordable Housing Millage Funds to buy this property; these funds were extracted from the Housing Commission with explanation that the money was needed for the election center. Since at least 2021, the Housing Commission has been working to develop affordable housing on City-owned property at 350 S. Fifth (the Y lot). Shortly before the purchase of the election center, the City “sold” 350 S. Fifth to the City’s Housing Commission at full-market value, effectively transferring over $6 million in Affordable Housing Millage revenue back into the City’s General Fund.
• This week’s contract for renovations is considerably higher than estimates just two years ago. In considering the purchase of this property, the City relied on advice from the seller about how much it would cost to renovate. A memo (link) from September 1, 2023 explained: “Oxford Companies made their design team at Yellowstone Construction, their in-house construction company, available to meet with our staff to determine design needs” … “Their estimate rendered a cost of $1.34 million, which we believe is a reliable figure in FY23 but will likely grow over time as costs rise.” … “We will be unable to render a more precise figure until we hire a design and engineering firm that can provide detailed construction plans for the building and program construction costs.“
• This week’s contract for renovations on the election center – $2,416,691 – is 80% higher than what the City accepted as a “reliable figure” from the seller in 2023. With the approval of this contract, the City will have invested over $5 million in the new election center.
• Mayor Taylor was recused from this vote with this explanation: “As folks know, sometimes we – people at Council – when they have a financial interest or a potential financial interest do request the leave to be recused from the vote.”
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/09/25m-renovation-of-ann-arbor-election-center-to-include-space-for-tv-studio-economic-office.html

APPROVED: A $271,000 contract with American Eagle Co, Inc. d/b/a Q+M for Media and Creative Services for “media and creative services” will provide a “comprehensive public education campaign” over three years. Of that sum, $70,000 is fees for professional services and the remaining $201,000 will pay for advertising and educational materials. The campaign will educate and raise awareness about a new policy for on-street parking bans during snow events. (Legistar)

• Thirteen agencies bid on this contract and had the opportunity to ask questions about the job. A document of their questions and staff answers clarify what the City expects to receive for $271,000. https://www.a2gov.org/media/n4dbmqne/rfp_25-22_addendum1.pdf
• From that Q&A: “The City seeks an experienced individual or agency to plan and place paid ads in traditional and digital media. The selected firm will not handle creative development but will provide input to tailor material to the channels used and analyze ad performance to optimize channel effectiveness“
• Also from that Q&A: “The city has an internal team to manage the website, free social media channels, develop messaging, graphics and most video needs. The city is looking for a agency/individual that will help us navigate and place ads in traditional and digital media markets and consult on how we can tailor messaging for different paid advertising platforms“
• Mayor Taylor was recused from this vote with this explanation: “As folks know, sometimes we – people at Council – when they have a financial interest or a potential financial interest do request the leave to be recused from the vote.”
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/moving-cars-off-ann-arbor-streets-in-snow-storms-focus-of-271000-educational-campaign.html

APPROVED: The Parking Agreement between the City and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is amended to remove a section and add terms. (Legistar)

• Section 9(b) is “eliminated in its entirety”. This section required an annual joint working session between the DDA and City Council and specifically required that the agenda evaluate parking rate increases, discuss future parking rate increases, and include further discussion of operations of mutual interest. Moving forward, this public discussion of parking rate increases is no longer required.
• The agreement is further amended to add explanation that, instead of a joint work session, the City Administrator may act as “liaison” for Council. The City Administrator’s consultation with DDA staff will satisfy requirements for “consultation with City Council.”

APPROVED: By resolution, Council formally expresses support for the North Segment of the Treeline Trail. As the Treeline Conservancy works to fundraise, Council supports City staff work on the issuance of an RFP for design, engineering, or other appropriate services for the North Segment, from approximately the Allen Creek Berm Opening Tunnel to 721 North Main Street. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/09/expensive-boondoggle-or-transformative-vision-ann-arbor-bridge-project-debated.html

APPROVED (First Reading): A vacant parcel at 2525 Ann Arbor-Saline Road will be rezoned from O (office) to R4E (Multiple-Family Dwelling District). A development called “The Crescent” will occupy 4.16 acres and include 262 residential units in a five story building. (Legistar)

• Developers hosted a public engagement meeting on April 4, 2024, when the project was called “Cranbrook Village”.  https://a2council.com/cranbrook-village-resident-participation-meeting-april-4-2024/
• The rezoning and site plan was approved by the City Planning Commission on August 5, 2025. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-august-5-2025/

APPROVED (First Reading): A parcel at 1007 Woodlawn will be rezoned from P (Parking) to C1 (Commercial) to permit current uses by its owner, Argus Farm Stop.  The parcel on Woodlawn is currently used for small scale storage, which is not a permitted use in the zoning district for “Parking.” No construction or development is planned. (Legistar)

• The owners of Argus Farm Stop hosted a public engagement meeting on March 24, 2025 to explain the purpose of the rezoning, consistent with adjacent parcels occupied by Argus. https://a2council.com/argus-farm-stop-1007-woodlawn-resident-participation-meeting-march-24-2025/
• The Planning Commission approved the rezoning of 1007 Woodlawn on August 5, 2025. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-august-5-2025/

APPROVED (First Reading): City procurement policy will be amended to allow purchases (and disposal of City property) up to $90,000 without the approval of City Council. Currently, transactions up to $75,000 are permitted without a vote of City Council. (Legistar)

• Prior to 2021, purchases over $25,000 required a vote of City Council. In 2021, voters approved a City Charter Amendment to raise this limit to $75,000. That Charter amendment permitted ongoing adjustments based on the rate of inflation.
• The Council Administration committee discussed this week’s amendment at their meeting on July 8, 2025. Based on the Mayor’s suggestion, future adjustments to the spending limit will happen without a vote of Council. The Mayor explained that this will provide “flexibility and efficiency.” The City Administrator will update Council via memo or report, informing them that he has increased his own spending limit based on inflation.
• Other changes will allow the disposal of property valued at up to $5,000 by whatever method is deemed “in the best interest of the City” and raise the threshold requiring formal solicitation of bids. Moving forward, up to $50,000 can be spent without a formal request for proposals or invitation to bid.
• Staff summarized another amendment this way: “Section 1:234.5 [will] allow City Council to use its own discretion in determining best value in contracts that involve public-private partnerships for real estate development, rather than using the City Administrator’s scoring rubric. These types of contracts often have substantially different considerations than typical contracts for public improvements.”
• AMENDMENT APPROVED: The term allowing the City Administrator to raise his own spending limit without a vote of Council was removed.
• AMENDMENT APPROVED: A term was added, clarifying that Council “discretion in determining best value in contracts that involve public-private partnerships” will happen “in a manner that is consistent with the values expressed” in the best value procurement policy.

APPROVED (First Reading): Amendments to the City marijuana ordinance will change location restrictions relative to two addresses. Currently, the ordinance prohibits the operation of a marijuana establishment within 1000 feet of a K-12 school. A location previously licensed for marijuana operations was recently assessed by the State and found to be in violation of the City ordinance, based on proximity to a preschool. (Legistar)

• This week’s amendment will meet the needs of dispensaries that are located too close to preschools.
• A dispensary on South Main recently changed ownership –  the state denied the new owners a license due to the location near Doughty Montessori preschool. Another dispensary – the Jungle Room –  is currently licensed and operating at similar proximity to Doughty.
• An amendment refers to the address of Doughty preschool (S. Ashley Street), directing that the 1000 foot distance requirement for k-12 schools be reduced to 250 feet relative to that location.
• Another street address is named, directing that the 1000 foot distance requirement be reduced to 750 feet for a dispensary currently operating on Research Park Drive. Crave Cannabis is currently operating within 1000 feet of the U School preschool.
• The amendment will be effective in ten days, for one year only.
• Last month, City Council directed the Planning Commission to consider multiple amendments to the marijuana ordinance: reducing K-12 school distance requirements, eliminating permits for “special exception use,” changing provisions for growing and processing, and lifting the cap on the number of retailers. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-august-7-2025/
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/09/ann-arbor-making-exceptions-to-keep-marijuana-dispensaries-near-schools-in-business.html

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