A2Council Meeting Summaries

Council Policy Agenda Committee: September 25, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Monday, September 25, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Policy Agenda Committee. Video was not made available.

Council Policy Agenda Committee members audible in recording:

  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • CM Travis Radina (acting Chair)
  • CM Cynthia Harrison
  • CM Linh Song
  • CM Chris Watson

Unlike recent meetings of the Policy Agenda Committee, this meeting did not include updates by a lobbyist from Dykema Gossett PLLC. In March 2022, City Council approved a contract for $120,000/year with Dykema Gossett PLLC for State and Federal Lobbying Services. (Legistar)

This is the Legistar link for the meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1064318&GUID=C3A311CE-59E0-4426-8DF1-134404D19A3E

Airport Advisory Committee: September 20, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Airport Advisory Committee. Video was not made available.

Current Airport Advisory Committee members are listed on the City’s website: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fleet-facility/Airport/pages/airportadvisory.aspx

  • Greg Farris, Chair
  • Melanie McNicholas, Vice-Chair
  • Fred Hall
  • Kelly Burris
  • Rosemary ‘Nel’ Faulkner
  • Mark Perry
  • Theresa Whiting (this term expired on May 31, 2023)
  • Erica Briggs, City Council Representative
  • Chris Watson, City Council Representative
  • Jan Godek, Lodi Township Representative
  • Matthew Harshberger, Pittsfield Township Representative
  • Matthew Kulhanek, Airport Manager

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1067714&GUID=5D3387AA-8F51-421B-A986-8420C379E6A0

Council Administration Committee: September 12, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available. Note that the Zoom audio quality is poor.

These meetings are public and theoretically accessible for anyone to attend, both in-person and via phone, My recording illustrates the poor quality of phone access – unlike other meetings held by boards and commissions via Zoom, the audio quality of phone-access is so poor that it is extremely difficult to hear what is said much of the time.

Council Administration Committee members audible in recording:

  • City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr
  • City Attorney Atleen Kaur
  • Mayor Christopher Taylor
  • CM Erica Briggs
  • CM Chris Watson

These members were declared absent at the start of the meeting:

  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Travis Radina

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1070016&GUID=00F420B1-D390-47A8-9931-A202EABE61F0

Council Policy Agenda Committee: August 28, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Monday, August 28, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Policy Agenda Committee. Video was not made available.

Council Policy Agenda Committee members audible in recording:

  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Cynthia Harrison
  • CM Linh Song
  • CM Chris Watson
  • A lobbyist from Dykema Gossett PLLC

This meeting included updates by a lobbyist from Dykema Gossett PLLC. In March 2022, City Council approved a contract for $120,000/year with Dykema Gossett PLLC for State and Federal Lobbying Services. (Legistar)

This is the Legistar link for the meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1064317&GUID=6D7A7D2B-E1FC-4732-B1D5-DF63C2C2EBB8

Council Administration Committee: August 23, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available. Note that the Zoom audio quality is poor and began shortly after the meeting started.

These meetings are public and theoretically accessible for anyone to attend, both in-person and via phone, My recording illustrates the poor quality of phone access – unlike other meetings held by boards and commissions via Zoom, the audio quality of phone-access is so poor that it is extremely difficult to hear what is said much of the time.

Council Administration Committee members audible in recording:

  • City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr
  • City Attorney Atleen Kaur
  • Mayor Christopher Taylor
  • CM Erica Briggs
  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Travis Radina
  • CM Chris Watson

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1070015&GUID=F421638A-14CD-4A6F-8BA0-F7D278839B1A

Airport Advisory Committee: July 19, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Airport Advisory Committee. Video was not made available.

Topics discussed included:

Current Airport Advisory Committee members are listed on the City’s website: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fleet-facility/Airport/pages/airportadvisory.aspx

  • Greg Farris, Chair
  • Melanie McNicholas, Vice-Chair
  • Fred Hall
  • Kelly Burris
  • Rosemary ‘Nel’ Faulkner
  • Mark Perry
  • Theresa Whiting (this term expired on May 31, 2023)
  • Erica Briggs, City Council Representative
  • Chris Watson, City Council Representative
  • Jan Godek, Lodi Township Representative
  • Matthew Harshberger, Pittsfield Township Representative
  • Matthew Kulhanek, Airport Manager

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1067713&GUID=03272162-4270-4CF4-B766-A921BA58CE3C

Council Policy Agenda Committee: June 15, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, April 20, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Policy Agenda Committee. Video was not made available.

Council Policy Agenda Committee members audible in recording:

  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • CM Travis Radina
  • CM Chris Watson
  • Two lobbyists from Dykema Gossett PLLC

This meeting included updates by lobbyists from Dykema Gossett PLLC. In March 2022, City Council approved a contract for $120,000/year with Dykema Gossett PLLC for State and Federal Lobbying Services. (Legistar)

This is the Legistar link for the meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1064306&GUID=B8BC2938-375F-4638-9295-0E6EBDEF5607

Council Administration Committee: June 13, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available. Note that the Zoom audio began shortly after the meeting started.

These meetings are public and theoretically accessible for anyone to attend, both in-person and via phone, My recording illustrates the poor quality of phone access – unlike other meetings held by boards and commissions via Zoom, the audio quality of phone-access is so poor that it is extremely difficult to hear what is said much of the time.

Council Administration Committee members audible in recording:

  • City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr
  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • Chief Deputy City Attorney Kevin McDonald
  • Mayor Christopher Taylor
  • CM Travis Radina
  • CM Chris Watson

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1070012&GUID=2B87B63D-DF96-4EDB-A774-DF602A4502C7

2295 S State Street Citizen Participation Meeting: June 7, 2023

This is my Zoom recording of a public engagement meeting held on June 7, 2023 for a proposed Marriott Springhill Suites hotel at 2295 S State Street, Ann Arbor.

From the meeting announcement:

A site plan is proposed that would include the development of a 4-story Marriott Springhill Suites hotel with indoor pool. The existing building and site would be demolished and redeveloped. The property is presently zoned O and the hotel is a permitted use within the zoning

For more about this project: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/06/see-renderings-for-marriott-hotel-proposed-for-ann-arbors-state-street.html

Video of Resident Participation Meeting

Meeting Announcement Postcard

This is the postcard that was sent to local residents:

2295 South State Street Ann Arbor Citizen Participation Meeting June 7 2023
2295 South State Street Ann Arbor Citizen Participation Meeting June 7 2023

711 Church Street Citizen Participation Meeting: May 17, 2023

This is my recording of a public engagement meeting held on May 17, 2023. The meeting was led by LV Collective, OZ Architecture, and architect J Bradley Moore to review a proposed 17 story building at 711 Church Street.

From the meeting notice:

The property owner is proposing to change the existing R4C zoning to PUD to construct a high-rise apartment building (with attendant parking) containing approximately 280 apartments in a mixture of Studio, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 bedroom units.

On March 7, 2023, the developers presented initial plans at a working session of the City Planning Commission: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-special-working-session-march-7-2023/

For more about this project:

Video of Resident Participation Meeting

Meeting Announcement Postcard

This is the postcard that was sent to local residents:

711 Church Street Citizen Participation Meeting May 17 2023
711 Church Street Citizen Participation Meeting May 17 2023

Airport Advisory Committee: May 17, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Airport Advisory Committee. Video was not made available.

Topics discussed included:

Current Airport Advisory Committee members are listed on the City’s website: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fleet-facility/Airport/pages/airportadvisory.aspx

  • Greg Farris, Chair
  • Melanie McNicholas, Vice-Chair
  • Fred Hall
  • Kelly Burris
  • Rosemary ‘Nel’ Faulkner
  • Mark Perry
  • Theresa Whiting (this term expires on May 31, 2023)
  • Erica Briggs, City Council Representative
  • Chris Watson, City Council Representative
  • Jan Godek, Lodi Township Representative
  • Matthew Harshberger, Pittsfield Township Representative
  • Matthew Kulhanek, Airport Manager

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1067712&GUID=07FD5F52-8F44-4535-AF20-8A42C738890A

Council Administration Committee: May 9, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available.

These meetings are public and theoretically accessible for anyone to attend, both in-person and via phone, My recording illustrates the poor quality of phone access – unlike other meetings held by boards and commissions via Zoom, the audio quality of phone-access is so poor that it is extremely difficult to hear what is said much of the time.

Council Administration Committee members audible in recording:

  • City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr
  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • Mayor Christopher Taylor
  • CM Erica Briggs
  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Travis Radina
  • CM Chris Watson

I wrote a summary of this meeting: Council Administration Committee: Work Sessions, High End Housing At City Hall

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1070011&GUID=9214C1F8-5A0D-410C-9E2F-75395304DE77

Northside Corners Citizen Participation Meeting: April 27, 2023

This is my Zoom recording of a citizen participation meeting held on April 27, 2023. The meeting was led by Midwestern Consulting and architect J Bradley Moore to review the proposed “Northside Corners” mixed-use development at the intersection of Dhu Varren Road and Pontiac Trail.

From the meeting announcement:

The property owner is proposing to modify the existing zoning to C3 to construct a four-story mixed-used building (with attendant parking) containing approximately 150 dwellings (in a mixture of studios, 1 & 2 bedroom units) mainly over first floor retail space.

For more about this project: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/04/ann-arbors-north-side-could-get-new-retail-space-with-mixed-use-development.html

Video of Citizen Participation Meeting

Meeting Announcement Postcard

This is the postcard that was sent to local residents:

Northside Corners Citizen Participation Meeting April 27, 2023
Northside Corners Citizen Participation Meeting April 27, 2023

Council Policy Agenda Committee: April 20, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, April 20, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Policy Agenda Committee. Video was not made available.

Council Policy Agenda Committee members audible in recording:

  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Linh Song
  • Lobbyist from Dykema Gossett PLLC

This meeting included updates by a lobbyist from Dykema Gossett PLLC. In March 2022, City Council approved a contract for $120,000/year with Dykema Gossett PLLC for State and Federal Lobbying Services. (Legistar)

This is the Legistar link for the meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1064296&GUID=63BA32EF-3588-48D6-B691-06C1FD4E1F79

Council Administration Committee: April 11, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available.

Council Administration Committee members audible in recording:

  • City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr
  • Deputy City Administrator John Fournier
  • Mayor Christopher Taylor
  • CM Jen Eyer
  • CM Travis Radina
  • CM Chris Watson

This meeting featured a presentation by Deputy City Administrator John Fournier about the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. The presentation materials displayed during the meeting were not made available on Legistar. The committee discussed many details about the future of the Ann Arbor airport: lengthening and shifting of runways, increased traffic concerns, potential expansion, and what would happen if the City ceded control of the airport to the FAA/MDOT.

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1070010&GUID=20B1E666-1B25-485B-B796-FD35B3CFA99A

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/04/a-century-of-aviation-ann-arbor-sees-rich-history-bright-future-in-city-airport.html

333 E William (Core Spaces) Public Engagement Meeting: April 10, 2023

This is my Zoom recording of a public engagement meeting held on April 10, 2023. The meeting was led by Core Spaces and Bonner Advisory Group for a proposed 16 story residential building at 333 E William on the Ann Arbor Credit Union site.

From the meeting notice:

Core Spaces is developing a 206-unit 704-bed residential tower at 333 E William on the Ann Arbor Credit Union site. The proposed 16-story building is wrapped at its base with active uses, including residential lobby and amenity uses as well as two-story townhomes along the east and north sides of the site. Service and loading spaces will be located along the west side of the site, which faces the library’s loading area and parking lot. The existing credit union building will be demolished as part of the project.

Ground floor uses are located in a masonry and glass base, with the tower above articulated as a dynamic grid of undulating windows, cementitious panels, and balcony spaces.

The site is currently zoned D-1. The redevelopment will be submitted under its current zoning.

For more about this project:

Video of Resident Participation Meeting

Meeting Announcement Postcard

This is the postcard that was sent to local residents:

333 E William (Core Spaces) Public Meeting April 10, 2023 postcard
333 E William (Core Spaces) Public Meeting April 10, 2023 postcard

Downtown Area Citizens Advisory Council: April 4, 2023

This is a recording I made of a Zoom meeting held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 by the Ann Arbor Downtown Area Citizens Advisory Council.

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1055164&GUID=E8DD826B-FDD3-485E-BF71-7008E5CE7005

Meeting minutes are posted to the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) website: https://www.a2dda.org/about-downtown/citizens-advisory-council-cac/

Direct link to minutes for this meeting: https://www.a2dda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CAC-Minutes-4-4-2023.pdf

From the minutes:

Following an update on DDA activities from Interim Executive Director Maura Thomson, the DACAC welcomed a panel of four prominent Ann Arbor builders and developers — Ron Mucha, Jim Chaconas, Bill Kinley, and Bill Milliken — who engaged with one another and the attendees for an hour on the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities of residential and commercial development in Ann Arbor.

Encouraging workforce housing and economic diversity in our city is a significant challenge, particularly due to the high cost of building in the core downtown area. The panel informed us that high taxes are a principal impediment to keeping costs down. During our discussion, we explored creative financing options to help achieve workforce housing goals, such as expanding the use of TIF to lower costs for a set period. We invite the DDA and City Council to study creative financing options to help address the challenges of building affordable workforce and market-rate housing in Ann Arbor.

The panel also discussed the short- and medium-term transience of the downtown residential community, which directly influences downtown livability. These factors have a significant impact on the development of the city and require innovative approaches. The real estate market is still adjusting to post-COVID realities, resulting in a shift in the type of housing that is desirable, as well as changes in the complexion of local versus national retail establishments.

Overall, the discussion provided valuable insights into the current state of downtown development in Ann Arbor and the challenges that lie ahead.

Owl Creek Resident Participation Meeting: March 30, 2023

This is my Zoom recording of a public engagement meeting held on March 30, 2023. The meeting was led by Midwestern Consulting and architect J Bradley Moore to review the proposed site plan to expand Owl Creek Apartments. The property owner is proposing to modify the existing R4A zoning to R4D to construct a five-story apartment building (with attendant parking) containing approximately 135 dwellings in a mixture of studios, 1 & 2 bedroom units.

For more about this project: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/03/135-more-apartments-proposed-in-northeast-ann-arbor.html

Video of Resident Participation Meeting

Meeting Announcement Postcard

This is the postcard that was sent to local residents:

Owl Creek Resident Participation Meeting March 30 2023 postcard
Owl Creek Resident Participation Meeting March 30 2023 postcard

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My name is Elizabeth Nelson, and I believe that your local government should be accessible and transparent. Since 2018 , I have sent out a newsletter before every Council meeting with my summary of agenda items coming before City Council, plus news and events of interest to Ann Arbor residents.

After each Council meeting, I create and post voting charts so that you can easily see how Council voted, and update this website with meeting summaries that include links to the City’s Legistar website, CTN’s YouTube video, and articles published on MLive.