A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Affordable Housing Millage

Ann Arbor City Council: September 5, 2023

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.

CM Watson was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Ten parcels with addresses on South State Street (1601, 1605, 1607, 1609, 1611), Henry Street (714), and White Street (1606, 1608, 1610, 1612) will be rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Residential) to C1A/R (Campus Business Residential) in order to permit the construction of a development (“SouthTown by 4M”) that includes 216 dwelling units with a 54 space parking garage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A 20,861 square foot property at 3021-3023 Miller Road will be purchased for $2.9 million in order to house new facilities for CTN as well as an Election Center. CTN facilities are currently located at 2805 South Industrial Highway in a property that is leased from an LLC affiliated with Jeff Hauptman of Oxford Companies. Regarding the new property at 3021-3023 Miller Rd, a memo explains that months ago, Oxford Companies met with City staff to “determine design needs, mock-up a preliminary design sketch of the floor plan and render an estimated cost of construction.” Oxford Companies have been asked to provide “up-to-date service and life-span information” for all mechanical systems. (Legistar)

  • On the Consent Agenda this week, Council approved allocations of $6.2 million that were transferred to the City’s general fund when the Ann Arbor Housing Commission “purchased” the City-owned property at 350 S. Fifth. Those allocations include explanation that some of the funds would be used to purchase this property. (Legistar)
  • Funding for this purchase comes from $996,750 in ARPA allocations, $1,075,000 from general fund balance, and $828,250 in Affordable Housing Funds received from the Housing Commission (proceeds from the sale of 350 S. Fifth to the Housing Commission).
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/525m-ann-arbor-project-to-create-new-secure-election-center-tv-studio.html

APPROVED: A new ordinance will require sellers of certain residential housing units to disclose a “Home Energy Audit” prior to sale. Requirements do not apply to multi-story/multi-family housing, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, or commercial buildings. Sellers will provide a Home Energy Score Report completed by a Home Energy Assessor (certified by the US Department of Energy). Included in an audit will be estimates of annual and monthly energy use and cost by fuel type, as well as comparative Home energy scores for similar dwellings. These seller disclosure requirements may be waived at the “sole discretion” of the Director of the Sustainability and Innovations department (Dr. Missy Stults). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the TC-1 zoning category address two potential uses: (Legistar)

  • Automobiles, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Equipment (Sales and Rental)
  • Automobile, Truck, Construction Equipment Repair

These amendments were in response to a City Council resolution (12/5/22 – Legistar) requesting that the Planning Commission “evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC1 Zoning District or Unified Development Code (UDC) that:

  • Incorporate limited automobile-related uses into the TC1 District, excluding drive throughs and gas stations
  • Address constraints of existing narrow rights of way”

  • In a memo (4/18/23 – Legistar), City Staff explained that these amendments do not offer “an evaluation or recommendation to address the constraints of existing narrow rights-of-way, or propose an amendment to the maximum building height limits. These issues will require more time and resources than consideration of permitted uses.”
  • In that memo, City staff recommended that these uses be permitted as a primary use: “Staff recommend approval of the proposed amendment to allow automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle, equipment (sales and rental) in the TC1 district.”
  • They explained further: “Given the existing form-based development standards of the TC1 district, incorporating vehicle sales and rental and vehicle repair uses will have minimal long-term impacts. Newly established vehicle sales, rental and repair uses are required to be in buildings of at least two stories, with an active street-level use, and easy for transit and nonmotorized-transportation users to access. As with any business in TC1, auto-related businesses would only be allowed limited areas on site for outdoor storage of vehicle inventory, or vehicles waiting for repair or pick-up.”
  • City Council did not consider this recommendation from City staff. Instead, Council approved the recommendation of five Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission, who proposed that these categories be allowed only as “special exception use.” By City ordinance, all applications for a “special exception use” are ultimately accepted or rejected by the Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission.
  • The approval process for Special Exception Use is explained in the “Procedures Summary Table” in section 5.27 on page 170 of the “Unified Development Code Eighth Edition (February 26, 2023)” at this link: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Pages/Unified%20Development%20Code.aspx
  • It is worth noting: six votes are required for the Planning Commission to act on plans, policy statements, granting of special exception uses, recommendations to City Council, and petitions. Due to three absences and one recusal, the 5-0 recommendation to approve these ordinance amendments was not actually approved by the Planning Commission. Minutes from the 4/18/23 Planning Commission meeting explain that “the motion as amended failed.” http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12187547&GUID=C4CDE3BC-4F07-41D9-9DDC-F1ADBA46CD8A
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/ann-arbor-changing-transit-corridor-zoning-to-allow-car-oriented-businesses.html

APPROVED: An ordinance amendment will create a new class of “micro-business” under city regulation of Marijuana facilities. Currently, one category of micro-business is defined as a facility cultivating up to 150 plants and processing/packaging/selling them to individuals over the age of 21. The amendment will establish a second category of micro-business (“Class A”) that allows a facility to cultivate up to 300 plants, package marijuana, purchase marijuana concentrate or infused products from a processor, and sell them to individuals over the age of 21. The new Class A micro business will not be permitted to process marijuana. (Legistar)

  • The amendment also includes an expansion of allowable hours of operation. Currently, marijuana facilities may not operate after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m. The amendment will permit operation until to 12 a.m. (midnight).
  • City staff response to agenda questions explains that “there has been interest among marijuana business owners to allow extended hours of operation.” Additional staff explanation refers to “discussions among Council Members.”
  • “Factors that were considered include discussions among Council Members regarding the disparity between the closing hours of establishments in which liquor can be purchased or consumed (2:00 am) and marijuana dispensaries and consumption establishments (9:00 pm).”
  • Staff explained further: “AAPD had concerns about a potential 2:00 am closing time because of the amount of cash kept at dispensaries. AAPD recommended allowing marijuana establishments to remain open until 12:00 am for a trial period to see if there might be an uptick in crime during the extended hours, and to allow a later closing time if there are no issues with the 12:00 am closing time.”
  • Link to Council Agenda Response Memo (8/17/23): https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12232317&GUID=DA3A6F00-BC22-48A1-A3A9-159A0C12B15F
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/late-night-marijuana-ann-arbor-oks-new-midnight-curfew-for-pot-shops.html

APPROVED: By resolution, Council eliminates the requirement that traffic calming projects be approved by elected representatives. Moving forward, decisions will be delegated to the City Administrator and he is directed to develop a school traffic calming toolkit by December 31, 2024. A subset of mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission (“Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee”) will work with staff on updating and defining programs. (Legistar)

  • This resolution was recommended by mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission. At their 8/16/2023 meeting (Legistar), the Transportation Commission specifically discussed removing the requirement that over 50% of residents on a street agree to traffic calming strategies before it can move forward. Commissioners, including Council Liaison Dharma Akmon referred to this as a change “to a collaborative model of public engagement, instead of the current empowerment model.” This distinction and shift from past policy was not included in the resolution considered by Council and it was not mentioned in discussion. The resolution on the Council agenda mentioned only that the City Administrator would pursue a “collaborative” model for public engagement.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/aiming-to-slow-cars-ann-arbor-taking-steps-to-improve-traffic-calming-program.html

APPROVED: The City will vacate the street/public right of way that was never constructed at E. Moseley from the railroad tracks to S. Fifth Avenue. This location will be used by the University of Michigan for a future development. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to pursue a State of Michigan historical marker ahead of plans to erect a statue at City Hall to honor Kathy Kozachenko, the first openly gay or lesbian candidate to be elected to public office in the U.S. Kathy Kozachenko was elected to Ann Arbor City Council in 1974 from the then active Human Rights Party. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: June 5, 2023

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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: By resolution, the City Planning Commission is directed to make recommendations regarding TC-1 rezoning of Washtenaw and Plymouth corridors and that this work be “prioritized above any additional considered modifications to the TC-1 Zoning district beyond those identified in Resolution R-22-390.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Council of Commons (CoC) is dissolved with explanation that moving forward “the evaluation of the feasibility and vitality of a central plaza on the Center of the City site can be conducted by City staff and City Council.” The City-owned property described as the “Commons” is the result of a City charter amendment approved by voters in 2018. That charter amendment designates the “Center of the City” as a public resource to remain under City ownership for the purpose of an “urban park and civic center commons.” The CoC was established in 2020 and has met since 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A subrecipient grant agreement with the University of Michigan will facilitate a universal basic income pilot program. The UM group – Poverty Solutions – will partner with the Steady company to disburse a total of $1,600,000 in federal ARPA funds to 100 local families (estimated $528 per month for two years). Staff memo explains: “Details on how individuals may be selected for participation in the program will be announced after the contract is executed.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: A construction contract for $2,759,293.42 with Bailey Excavating will replace a water main, make stormwater improvements, resurface roads, replace curbs, add bumpouts, improve sidewalk ramps, and add buffered bike lanes on Pontiac and Moore as part of the Pontiac, Swift, Moore and Wright water main and resurfacing project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $7,543,000 construction contract with Cadillac Asphalt for resurfacing and rehabilitation of streets on the west side (Norfolk, Suffolk,Tudor, Dunmore, Winsted) and in Ann Arbor Hills (Burson, Avon, Stratford, Belfield, Devonshire, Melrose, Aberdeen, Hawthorne, Bedford, Exmoor, Newcastle, Edinborough, Stonehaven, Mills, Shannondale). The contract also includes traffic calming devices on Granger Avenue (Packard to State), planned improvements to the shared use asphalt path along Huron Parkway and minor repairs to stormwater structures, water supply systems, and sewage disposal systems. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Up to $206,367 to purchase a conservation easement on a 20-acre forested parcel along Zeeb Road between Jackson and Liberty Roads in Scio Township (DeVine property). Washtenaw County will contribute $150,000. This is a Greenbelt Purchase paid for with the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $8,133,255 contract with Enerlogics Networks for purchase and installation of solar arrays at City facilities (approved 1/9/23) was RESCINDED in order to approve a $7,499,999 contract with Melink Solar. The size of a planned solar array at Steere Farm – on the site of the city airport in Pittsfield township – will be reduced by nearly half (from roughly 605kw of solar to 303kw). (Legistar)

  • In answer to a question to the agenda, City staff explained (link) that “the initial proposed size has been flagged by DTE as problematic. We are not fully clear on why, but we are working hard to resolve the issue. As one way to help compromise, we are proposing a decrease in size at Steere Farm and a slight increase to the size of the Wheeler system to help move the project forward.”

APPROVED: A $200,000 amendment to a contract for legal services related to the Platt Convenience, Inc. v City of Ann Arbor lawsuit. With this amendment, the City will have spent a total of $810,000 on outside legal services to handle this case. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council Rules amendment to allow pre-registration for public comment until 5 p.m. on the day of a Council meeting. In November 2022, a majority of Council eliminated open public comment at the end of City Council meetings, adding a requirement that all public commenters pre-register. This amendment extends the deadline for pre-registration of public comment by one hour. (Legistar)

  • The elimination of open public comment and the new policy of pre-registration (up to 4 p.m.) allowed that public comments may occur at the end of a Council meeting but only when the total of pre-registered comments exceed 45 minutes. Since this change, there have been no opportunities for public comment at the end of (and in response to what has happened at) a City Council meeting.

APPROVED: The Council Calendar will be amended in order to reschedule the Monday, July 3, 2023 meeting to Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Legistar)

APPROVED: By resolution, the City attorney now has the “authority to initiate and pursue litigation or other legal action on behalf of the City – including but not limited to, lawsuits, administrative actions, appeals, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, amicus curiae briefs, and settlements as a class member.” The City Attorney will use “their best professional judgement” and provide “timely report to Council.” In the City charter, only two positions are directly accountable to City Council: the City Administrator and the City Attorney. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will work with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to evaluate how to leverage the proceeds of the Affordable Housing Millage (approximately $6 million annually) for bond financing of affordable housing units and/or acquiring additional parcels. The millage proceeds would be used to “pay back bonds directly or as credit enhancement to improve the terms of the bond.” Recommendations and proposed timing of bond issuance will be reported to Council by December 2023. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to work with staff to “identify incentives that would support voluntary efforts by residents and businesses to increase emissions reductions through a transition to sustainable and clean heating as well as beneficial electrification.” A friendly amendment asks the City Administrator to provide a written progress report to Council on “internal processes, particularly in the development review process” by December 30, 2023. (Legistar)

  • This resolution repeats goals and strategies approved by a previous Council and identified as the responsibility of the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI).
  • Page 32 of the A2Zero Climate Action Plan issued April 2020 (link) explains: “To support the electrification of appliances, the City of Ann Arbor will work to establish policies that promote electrification of heating and cooking systems by evaluating options in codes, inventive programs, and through other avenues.”

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance amendment will clarify that bicycles impounded by the Ann Arbor Police Department may be sold at public sale or they may be donated to a charitable organization, such as Common Cycle Community Bicycle Repair, a local nonprofit. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance requiring landlords to provide their tenants with local voter registration information will be repealed. This is in response to court decisions that invalidated similar laws in Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota), declaring them unconstitutional. Similar ordinances in East Lansing and Ypsilanti are currently the subject of litigation. City staff report that the Ann Arbor ordinance is not actively enforced and other methods of voter outreach are more effective. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance amendment will prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles at pet stores, the roadside, public rights- of-way, commercial parking lots, outdoor special sales, swap meets, flea markets, or other similar events in the City of Ann Arbor. Animals may only be sold on the premises of a breeder, by a publicly operated shelter or rescue organization, or private nonprofit rescue organization. Pet stores may provide space and care for animals owned by a shelter/rescue organization, for the purpose of adoption. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: June 7, 2021

This was the twenty ninth 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.

At 11:45pm CM Griswold left the meeting due to illness

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

$1.5 million of the Affordable Housing Millage funds approved in Nov 2020 were designated.

APPROVED: $633,765 will be allocated in FY22 to non-profit entities that provide human services (recipients of Coordinated Funding) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $420,825 to be spent planting trees on City right-of-ways. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An antique fire engine owned by the Ann Arbor Fire Department will be sold to the Michigan Firehouse Museum for $1. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Church Street will be closed (24/7) between S. University and Willard, to facilitate restaurant and retail use through August 30, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $25,000 will be spent on the recruitment process to replace head city attorney, Stephen Postema, who is retiring. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance will permit the construction of additional dwelling units on any residential lot in the City, without requirements for owner occupancy.  Lot size requirements (minimum 5,000 sq. Ft.) would be removed.  Requirements that the property owner reside in either the primary home or ADU would also be removed.  The required rear and side setback for ADUs would be three feet. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rezoning and site plan for “Valhalla” development. A cluster of fifteen parcels (a total of 9.8 acres) at South Main is rezoned to R4E (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) with Conditions.  The site plan includes 454 Dwelling units (studio, one- and two-bedroom) in four stacked apartment buildings and five townhouse buildings, as well as two additional buildings. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Comprehensive Transportation Plan with strategies meant to support Vision Zero, A2Zero climate goals, safety and accessibility (both regionally and across the city).   The plan includes targets for lower speed limits, specific road treatments, sidewalk infrastructure, zoning for mixed use in residential areas, and enhanced transit options. (Legistar)

APPROVED: In anticipation of an expected $24 million in federal money through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the City Administrator will recommend and prioritize use of these funds and report to Council by October 1, 2021. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: Amendments to our early leasing ordinance will change a standard from 70 days to 240 days. A landlord would not be permitted to enter a leased premises for the purpose of showing it to prospective tenants or enter into a contract for a subsequent lease sooner than 240 days into a current lease. This was postponed to the second meeting in July to craft more meaningful protections for tenants. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution asking that Council Member Hayner resign as soon as possible. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: November 16, 2020

This was the sixteenth 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.

This was the first Council meeting for CM Briggs, CM Disch, CM Eyer, CM Radina, CM Song

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: CM Grand was elected Mayor Pro Tem (Legistar)

APPROVED: Removal of street parking on the north side of Scio Church (between South Maple and Greenview) to create bike lanes. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $30,000 contract with Julie Roth for administration, implementation, and evaluation of the Ann Arbor Solarize Program through the Sustainability Office. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution accepting the results of the November 2020 elections and recognizing President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to directing Planning Commission to consider transit supported zoning districts

  • APPROVED: Resolution directing Planning Commission to consider designation of transit- supported zoning districts to increase housing density and options along major corridors. The commission would be asked to consider increasing allowable Floor Area Ratio (FAR) density, decreasing and/or eliminating parking requirements for new development along transit corridors and bring a recommendation to Council by June 15, 2021. (Legistar)
  • DEFEATED: Resolution directing Planning Commission to review and update the South State Street Corridor plan, consider designation of a transit- supported zoning district to increase housing density and options. The commission would be asked to consider increasing allowable Floor Area Ratio (FAR) density, decreasing and/or eliminating parking requirements for new development along the South State Street Corridor. (This was offered as a more narrowly framed alternative to the previous resolution.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Purchase of the Botsford Property. The City will contribute up to $202,500 toward the purchase of 20 acres at 3015 Miller Road in Scio Township as part of the Greenbelt District. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 16, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 16, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: November 5, 2020

This was the fifteenth 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.

This was the final Council meeting for CM Ackerman, CM Bannister, CM Eaton, CM Lumm, CM Smith

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In the Nov 3, 2020 election, there were three city millages on the ballot, all of which passed:

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The resolution supporting EPA involvement in the Gelman plume contamination site (“Superfund” designation) was previously considered and postponed (10/7/2019, 1/6/2020, 1/21/2020, 2/3/2020, 3/2/2020, 4/20/2020), considered and tabled (7/6/20), then un-tabled and voted down on 10/17/20. It was brought back for reconsideration by CM Ramlawi and approved with one amendment: a WHEREAS clause that refers to continuing negotiation on the 4th Consent Judgement. (Legistar)

APPROVED: January and February late penalties (interest charges) would be waived for winter property taxes. Waiver of these late penalties will not apply to payments collected in escrow by financial institutions. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $94,942.05 in a cost-sharing agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation to cover the cost of two Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons on Huron Parkway at Glazier Way and Baxter Road. The project is partially paid for by a Federal Safety Grant of $84,557.95. Local funding comes from from the Street Bridge, & Sidewalk Millage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Four representatives are appointed to the Council of the Commons, a leadership body established to facilitate activities on the Center of the City public property, consistent with recommendations from a task force report. (The Center of the City was established by voter referendum in 2018.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the Bylaws for the Art Commission will permit members of the Commission to bid on contracts for public art. Commissioners must notify the Commission and staff liaisons (in writing) about any reasonable possibility of their own bid on a contract and the Commissioner must abstain from any discussion or voting related to the contract or associated project. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: Resolution to waive attorney client privilege regarding specific privileged and confidential advice from the City Attorney, with any prejudicial information redacted. Fourteen memos of advice cover topics related to litigation, FOIA, civilian police review, non-discrimination, conflicts of interest and ethics, zoning and site-plans (memos dating from 2008 through 2018). (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 5, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 5, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council Special Session: July 27, 2020

This was a Special Session of Ann Arbor City Council to discuss the Affordable Housing Millage ballot language. This item was postponed from the previous Council Meeting (7/20/20) because it was added to the agenda too late for Council Members to ask questions of staff. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

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APPROVED: An Affordable Housing Millage (1.0 mills) will be added to the ballot in November 2020 to support the construction, maintenance, and acquisition of new, permanent affordable housing units for low-income individuals and families making less than 60% Ann Arbor Area Median Income, and for providing social services for the residents of such housing for 2021 through 2041. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 27, 2020

Ann Arbor City Council: July 20, 2020

This was the eighth 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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

POSTPONED TO SPECIAL SESSION: An Affordable Housing Millage (1.0 mills) would be added to the ballot in November 2020 to support the construction, maintenance, and acquisition of new affordable housing units for low-income individuals and families making less than 60% Ann Arbor Area Median Income, and for providing social services for the residents of such housing for 2021 through 2041. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Renewal of 2016 millage (1.0 mills) will be put on the November ballot in support of Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk repair. It may be used for resurfacing or reconstruction of existing paved City streets and bridges, pedestrian crosswalks, street crossings and corner ramps, and repair and/or replacement of sidewalks. The Downtown Development Authority will continue to fund sidewalk repairs in the DDA district. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: A new millage (0.2 mills) will be put on the November 2020 ballot to cover the cost of constructing new sidewalks starting in 2021. Sidewalk assessments for individual property owners will be eliminated. This millage will not displace requirements for new developments to construct and pay for new sidewalks. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City of Ann Arbor commits to a 10-year services agreement (with two potential 3-year extensions) with Recycle Ann Arbor to rebuild our Material Recovery Facility and process recyclable materials locally (Legistar)

APPROVED (BACK TO FIRST READING): The hotel property at 3611-3621 Plymouth Road will be re-zoned to permit rebuilding of a hotel and the addition of a drive-through restaurant. This agenda item would have been approved at this meeting (“Second Reading”) but the zoning plan was changed to include a $75,000 contribution to the City’s Affordable Housing Fund, which moved it back to “First Reading.” The new “Second Reading” will be Aug 17th (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City’s definition of “responsible bidder” on construction projects will include new requirements for reporting and documentation. Bids on projects in excess of $25,000 must now verify appropriate licensing for all contractors and sub-contractors, include information about what percentage of their workforce is local (Ann Arbor/Washtenaw), and documentation of pay rates/benefits, insurance coverage, references from the last five years as well as completed projects from the last five years. Additional requirements attach to bids on contracts in excess of $100,000 and $250,000. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 20, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 20, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 20, 2020 Part 3

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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.

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