A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Bike Lanes

Ann Arbor City Council: March 6, 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

Three items related to the “Village of Ann Arbor” development were approved:

  • APPROVED: Multiple parcels adding up to 67.6 acres at 1680 Dhu Varren Road, 1710 Dhu Varren Road, 2670 Pontiac Trail, 2672 Pontiac Trail, 2678 Pontiac Trail, and 2682 Pontiac Trail are rezoned from Township (TWP) and R1C (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) as part of The Village of Ann Arbor development site plan. Planned use is consistent with the adjacent zoning, land uses, and comprehensive land use plan. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: A site plan will permit the construction of 484 dwelling units consisting of townhomes and stacked flats (apartment units) at 1680 Dhu Varren Road (“Village of Ann Arbor”) (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: The City approves $31,369,715 in public funding for development of the “Village of Ann Arbor”. The development is eligible to receive this funding from the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority due to its location in an “environmentally distressed” area that was used as a landfill in the mid-20th century. The developer will be reimbursed for environmental-related activities totaling $26,369,633 and for non-environmental activities totaling $5,000,082. This plan must be approved by the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. (Legistar)
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/03/ann-arbor-oks-huge-housing-development-on-citys-north-side.html

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved the Brownfield Plan for the “Village of Ann Arbor” on May 3, 2023

APPROVED: Street closures scheduled for April 1, 2023 will permit the Monroe Street Fair to take place adjacent to the Hash Bash. This item was postponed from the February 21st meeting. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An agreement with Creative Washtenaw for $500,000 to design and administer an art grant program with allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Creative Washtenaw will receive $40,000 to provide this service and will distribute the remaining $460,000 to qualifying artists and art organizations. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will purchase an all-electric mini-street sweeper and trailer for $258,445.00 in order to clean two-way partitioned bikeways in the City of Ann Arbor. A reimbursement agreement is anticipated so that the expense will be shared equally between the City and the Downtown Development Authority. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An unspent balance of $305,000 in the New Human Services Partnership FY23 budget will be allocated to Ann Arbor Housing Commission to fund eviction prevention and housing stability support to families experiencing homelessness. This spending is part of a larger annual budget that supports a range of community nonprofits, called the Human Services Partnership The City contributes over $1.2 million to the Human Services Partnership. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A service contract between the City and Recycle Ann Arbor is extended for a three year and four month period. Three thousand carts (monthly tips) will be converted to dumpster service for an estimated fee reduction of $10,000 a month. Service will continue for 32, 64, or 96-gallon curb carts to customers such as multi-family homes of eleven units or greater, commercial establishments, mixed unit buildings, and civic units. The estimated total contract is $4,534,303. (Legistar)

  • Council Member Cornell recused herself from this vote, due to a conflict of interest. Recycle Ann Arbor is a wholly owned non-profit subsidiary of the Ecology Center; Cornell serves on the board for the Ecology Center.

APPROVED: The City will pay $15,000 to Jason Kosnoski to settle a claim of personal injury caused by stepping in a hole on Brooks Street, near Sunset Road. (Legistar)

REFERRED: The City calls on the Michigan Legislature to take action toward addressing power outages, assisting rate payers and funding local resilience. It calls on the Michigan Public Service Commission to hold DTE accountable for improving the electrical systems and providing greater transparency in outage maps. The City Administrator is directed to work with the Council Policy Committee and DTE to facilitate timely installation of infrastructure. City Council asks DTE to attend meetings of the City’s Energy Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): Parcels at 1815, 1855, and 1875 North Maple and 1921 Calvin Street are rezoned from TWP (Township) and R1B (Single-Family) to PUD (Planned Unit Development). A total of 3.13 acres are rezoned to allow the “North Maple Road Apartments” development of 79 dwelling units in a four-story apartment building with a single-story clubhouse with 65 off-street parking places with EV infrastructure. There will be 12 affordable units (priced permanently at 60% or less of Area Median Income). (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): The Risk Fund ordinance will be repealed and replaced to eliminate the Insurance Board as the body of review for claims filed against the City. The Insurance Board – two Council Members and the City’s treasurer – reviews and awards claims against the City between $500 and $10,000. Meeting minutes for the Insurance Board are approved by City Council and Council specifically approves all claims over $10,000. The new ordinance eliminates the Insurance Board and empowers the City Administrator (or his designee) to decide all awards or denials of claims against the City, up to $75,000. Expenditures under $75,000 will no longer appear on public agendas of City Council but will be available to Council members “upon request.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: After a twenty minute closed session, the Council agenda was opened and amended to add a resolution directing the City Attorney to take legal action to enforce a 2006 settlement agreement with Gelman Sciences. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 6, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 6, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 6, 2023 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: November 10, 2022

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.

This was the final Council meeting for CM Grand, CM Griswold, CM Hayner, CM Nelson, CM Ramlawi.

CM Griswold left the meeting early

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In the November 8, 2022 general election, Ann Arbor voters approved the Community Climate Action millage. This is a 20 year property tax at the rate of 1.0 mills, effective from 2023 through 2043, estimated to raise $6.8 million per year.

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Amendments to the Council Rules will wholly eliminate open public comment from City Council meetings, except in cases where state law requires a public hearing.  Public comment would only be permitted by sign up in advance, by 5 p.m before a 7 p.m. meeting.  Fifteen pre-registered commenters are now allowed to participate at the beginning of the meeting.  Any additional pre-registered commenters will be allowed to participate at the end of the meeting.  Council comment minutes at the beginning of the meeting which were reduced in 2021 are restored. End of meeting Council comment minutes are removed. (Legistar)

APPROVED: One hundred ninety parcels along West Stadium Boulevard/Maple Road and additional parcels along Pauline Boulevard and Dexter Avenue are rezoned TC-1.  This zoning district (Transit Corridor district) will permit unlimited density, create height minimums except in close proximity to pre-existing residential areas, establish maximum (rather than minimum) parking requirements, require mixed use, eliminate any open space requirements, and eliminate side and rear setback requirements except where adjacent to pre-existing residential areas. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Annexation of parcels at 1855 N Maple Road, 1875 N Maple Road, and 1921 Calvin Street and zoning of a PUD for construction of a 79-unit apartment community with a single-story clubhouse. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A resolution directing the City Administrator to revisit a planned capital improvement project at Greenview and S. Seventh (south of Scio Church Road). Water main and resurfacing work will be delayed one year in order to re-design and repeat public engagement. Re-design and more feedback will be sent to the Transportation Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to add the development of public restroom infrastructure to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and look for creative ways to accelerate the development of public restrooms in downtown Ann Arbor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to investigate the costs, operational needs, sustainability, and feasibility of utilizing the Library Lane surface parking lot for regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other similar and complementary programming no later than April 1, 2023. A final report from the City Administrator will examine the challenges and benefits of partnering with an external or non-profit entity to manage the program if City operation is too difficult. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to investigate the formation of an Office of Ombudsperson and report on it prior to development of the 2023-24 budget. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: September 19, 2022

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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Current City Hall mask requirements were rescinded. The City Administrator is directed to place signage at City Hall regarding mask requirements, consistent with revised guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on current CDC guidelines, in-person attendees at City Council meetings will only be required to wear a mask when community transmission rates are HIGH. The City administrator would be directed to follow any future changes to CDC guidelines regarding mask recommendations.  (Legistar)

APPROVED: $332,695 construction contract for two sentinel monitoring wells to detect 1,4-Dioxane contamination. One well will be located near Miller/Maple, another at a location to be determined. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rezoning and site plan for a parcel of 0.15 acres at 340 Depot Street. The property is rezoned from C1B (Community Convenience Center District) to a PUD (Planned Unit Development). The PUD will allow a 7,830 square foot residential building with 4 residential units, 2,530 square feel of office/retail use, and 6 vehicle parking spaces at ground level underneath part of the proposed building. The site plan is primarily two stories and requires a minimum of 1,300 square feet of office or retail use on the first floor. This plan is approved with the condition that 4 feet of “Easement for Public Right-of-Way” will be vacated by City Council. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: A development agreement for a 4 story residential building at 2424 E. Stadium (currently the site of the University Inn) to include 185 dwelling units with a $115,625 contribution to the City Parks department. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $938,000 construction contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for pavement preservation – intermittent cold milling and asphalt patching, cape seal surface treatment (one course chip seal and one course micro-surface applications) – and new pavement markings. Existing bike lanes along the north and south sides of Glazier Way (between Green Rd and Earhart Rd) will be converted to buffered bike lanes. Traffic lanes on Huron Parkway (between Fuller/Geddes Rd and Hubbard Rd) would be narrowed to slow traffic. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution directing the City Administrator to issue a traffic control order prohibiting on-street parking on the west side of Division Street from Hoover Street to Hill Street and on the east side of Division Street from Hill Street to Packard Street. Existing pavement markings on Division Street will be removed and replaced with markings, vertical elements and signage that will establish a two-way cycle track (separated from vehicle traffic lanes) to extend the existing cycle track to the Division Street terminus at Hoover Street. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: $134,271 budget amendment for a State Trunkline Jurisdiction Transfer Study. A study would have assessed the feasibility of the City assuming responsibility for maintenance and improvement of trunklines – Jackson Road, Huron Street, Washtenaw Avenue, North Main Street – which are currently under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Transportation. Assessment would include the condition of the roadways, costs to bring the roadways up to an acceptable state of good repair, costs to operate and maintain the roadway in perpetuity, anticipated increases to gas tax revenues, as well as other positive and negative externalities. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: The City Administrator is directed to prohibit right turns on red in the downtown and near-downtown area as bordered by Kingsley St., State St., Hoover Ave., and First St. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 19, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 19, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 19, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: August 15, 2022

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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Three amendments to the Uniform Development Code (UDC): (Legistar)

  • A limitation on the number of State marijuana licenses per lot is removed, so that several licenses can be ‘stacked’ on the same parcel. Other restrictions – zoning district permitted use regulations, physical separation distances, and the maximum cap for provisioning center/retailers and designated consumption facilities – remain in effect. Added at the 7/18/22 Council meeting: an amendment to the requirement that all activities occur indoors will allow curbside service at marijuana provisioning centers, retailers, and microbusinesses.
  • New site plans include requirements and procedures for installing street trees in the right-of-way. Changes to linear frontage calculation will prevent overcrowding of trees. Escrow deposit and refund related to these tree plantings are eliminated.
  • For site plans, modification to landscape requirements is permitted under certain conditions. This amendment adds an eligibility requirement and re-organizes modification conditions, standards of approval, and approval procedures.
  • The Planning Commission approved these changes at the March 15, 2022 meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-15-2022

APPROVED: Amendments to the UDC changing parking requirements. Parking requirements are eliminated for residential dwellings, adult day care centers, child care centers, and outdoor residential recreation facilities. Eliminated: requirements for off-street parking spaces for residential units located more than 300 feet from a bus stop and in areas with limited street parking. Also eliminated: any requirements for a “Parking Plan” of proposed off-street parking and an analysis of public parking and transit facilities in the vicinity. Parking maximums are established for the Transit Corridor (TC-1) zoning district. Requirements for Electric Vehicle (EV) ready and installed parking are amended to only apply to newly constructed parking. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,577,354.95 contract for application of cape sealing pavement preservation treatment on 10 major streets and 38 minor/local streets. citywide crack sealing of approximately 10 miles of major streets and 25 miles of minor/local streets. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $639,726 construction contract (with $64,000 contingency) for filling sidewalk gaps on Ellsworth Road between State and Stone School. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A total of $2,045,700 in construction contracts for the resurfacing Scio Church Road between South Maple Road and South Seventh Street, filling sidewalk gaps on the north side of the road, installing three (3) new crosswalks, converting on-street parking into bike lanes, and adding stormwater infiltration. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $698,808.92 construction contract for pavement marking maintenance and A2 Vision Zero Quick Build Projects. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $121,978 contract for redesign of the City’s website. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $853,211 contract with the Ecology Center to provide Resource Recovery Education, Outreach, Engagement, and Marketing for five years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: For the purpose of running a gas line, the City will grant two easements to DTE Gas Company: 1) across the north end of Siller Terrace (south of Virginia Park) and 2) on the south side of Dexter Avenue near the intersection at N. Maple (northwest corner of Veterans Park). (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is authorized to execute a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in support of noise abatement and an environmental impact study of noise on M-14 from Maple Road to Main Street. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The annual meeting between the City Council and members of the Downtown Development Authority will be cancelled for 2022. Cancellation of this meeting is a deviation from the parking agreement that requires these annual meetings. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will pay $24,500 to Deborah Gordon-Gurfinkel and Elihau Gurfinkel. This payment will settle a claim related to injuries caused by a trip and fall on a pothole on Sunset Road. The injury occurred in August 2020 when Sunset Road was designated as a “Healthy Street.” (Legistar)

TABLED: A resolution from the Renters Commission urges City Council to adopt an ordinance creating a Right to Renew for renters in Ann Arbor. This resolution was tabled at the request of the City Attorney’s office. A draft ordinance (attached to the resolution) grants tenants a Right to Renew a lease, subject to specific exceptions (“just cause” for eviction). Landlords would adhere to a timeline for communicating terms of renewal (or explanation of non-renewal) consistent with the Early Leasing Ordinance: tenants will receive a good faith offer to renew (or notice of non-renewal with explanation) no later than 180 days before the end of the current lease period. A tenant will have thirty days (up to 150 days before the end of the current lease) to accept/reject terms of renewal. A landlord’s failure to comply will result in payment of relocation assistance to the tenant. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: July 18, 2022

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 Eyer was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: On-street parking will be removed on both sides of Barton Drive between Northside Avenue and Pontiac Trail to make room for bike lanes. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator would be directed to develop a policy in the next 60 days for periodic, on-site spot checks of contractor compliance with prevailing wage requirements. He will provide an annual report on this topic for the next five years, including the results of these on-site spot-checks. (Legistar)

APPROVED: This resolution will convene a joint meeting of representatives from the Environmental Commission, Transportation Commission, Energy Commission, Commission on Disability Issues, A2ZERO Ambassadors, plus other community stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for greater coordination between the City’s transportation, safety, and sustainability initiatives as it relates to sidewalk expansion and maintenance. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 18, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 18, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 18, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: June 21, 2022

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 Grand was absent
CM Hayner was absent
CM Song was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $7,496,424 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Enerlogics Networks, Inc. will fund the installation, operation, and maintenance of solar infrastructure at seven locations at City facilities. The installations are predicted to provide over 3 megawatts of power. (Legistar)

  • A PPA was chosen as the preferred contracting vehicle because the City did not have the capital to directly purchase the solar installations at all sites outright. The PPA allows the City to use the power generated from the solar installations at each site, with additional energy usage purchased from DTE. At any point, the City can purchase the solar systems at fair market value; otherwise, the City will continue to pay the PPA for 20 years, with the option of extending the contract beyond that.
  • City Council previously approved $4.5 million in ARPA funds for this project. Under this agreement, the City will make an upfront payment of $3,419,000 using $3,100,00 from ARPA funding and $319,000 from the Public Safety Rebate associated with the Community Mental Health and Public Safety millage.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/06/ann-arbor-oks-8m-plan-to-go-solar-at-city-water-plant-other-locations.html

APPROVED: $520,172 contract with Enerlogics Networks, Inc will purchase and install solar energy storage and battery systems at the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment plant. This is funded from the Public Safety Rebate associated with the Community Mental Health and Public Safety millage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $98,306 purchase of 13 electric vehicle charging stations at City facilities: Burns Park Senior Center, Fuller Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Huron Hills Golf Course, and Leslie Park Golf Course. This is funded from the Public Safety Rebate associated with the Community Mental Health and Public Safety millage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $505,567 construction contract for repairs and renovations of the Bandemer Park Bridge.  Steel stringers will be replaced and floor beams painted, among other essential repairs to this pedestrian bridge. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $2,329,200 construction contract for work on a water main, curb ramps, crosswalks, and resurfacing of Platt Road from Packard to Huron Parkway. An amendment was approved directing the City Administrator to incorporate bike facilities into the final plan, in accordance with the City’s transportation plan, which identifies this corridor as an All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Route. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,230,895.60 construction contract for the replacement of asphalt pavement and installation of sidewalks, bike lanes, and stormwater upgrades at Geddes Avenue (Observatory to Highland Road) and Huron Parkway and Tuebingen. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Annexation of 5.71-acres at 2600 Pontiac Trail from Ann Arbor Township to the City of Ann Arbor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Due to ongoing renovation and construction work by Ann Arbor Public Schools, eight polling places for the August 2, 2022 primary will be relocated. It is expected that all affected voters will be able to return to their usual polling place on November 8, 2022. (Legistar)

  • Ward 1 Precincts 2 & 3: Community High to Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (220 E. Ann St)
  • Ward 2 Precinct 18: Clague Middle School to Thurston Elementary (2300 Prairie St)
  • Ward 3 Precinct 24: Tappan Middle School to Burns Park Elementary (1414 Wells St)
  • Ward 3 Precincts 27, 29, 30: Scarlett Middle School and Pittsfield Elementary to Mitchell Elementary (3550 Pittsview Dr)
  • Ward 5 Precinct 43: Bach Elementary to Pioneer High School (601 W. Stadium Blvd)
  • Ward 5 Precinct 47: Eberwhite Elementary to Slauson Middle School (1019 W. Washington)
  • Ward 5 Precincts 52, 53: Forsythe Middle School to Ann Arbor Open (920 Miller Ave)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2022 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2022 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: February 7, 2022

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: A resolution regarding the re-building and expansion of the East Medical Center Drive bridge removing conditions that were added by amendment at the Oct 18, 2021 Council meeting. At that meeting, a majority of Council approved amendment language dictating that “The final design will utilize the additional width and capacity to facilitate and encourage multimodal travel (e.g. transit, carpool, bike).” That language was removed to preserve the original plan and financial agreement with the University: UM will pay for 50% of the cost of rebuilding and 100% of the cost of widening. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $95,000 amendment to a contract with Bodman PLC for legal services relative to the Gelman 1,4 Dioxane contamination and related litigation. This is the eighth amendment to this contract. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A resolution directing the City Administrator to strengthen public education on the topic of “reducing deer-human negative interactions” and “supporting biological diversity in natural areas.” The original resolution asked that the City Administrator report on advocacy for non-lethal deer management, resume funding for vegetation studies, and include “budgetary trade-offs involved in resuming funding for the deer management program” in FY 2023 budget discussions. The resolution was amended at the table to remove reference to the FY 2023 budget. A motion to postpone to the next Council meeting was defeated. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: In response to factual errors identified in an investigative report conducted by Jennifer Salvatore (published on Dec 7, 2021), City Attorneys would have been directed to oversee corrections and submit a corrected memo by February 21, 2022. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: This resolution asked for transparency regarding ownership of the 68 parcels recommended for TC-1 zoning changes by the City’s Planning Commission. The City would have compiled a “report of the individuals with an ownership interest in these sixty-eight parcels, and including, but not limited to, the entity name on the City Assessor’s record, the Registered Agent with the State of Michigan and the ownership information available from the County Register of Deeds.” Additionally, the City would have contracted with a commercial broker to assess – for each parcel – approximately how much they increase in value due to the rezoning. A report of this information would have been published by March 21, 2022. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 7, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 7, 2022 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: December 6, 2021

This was the forty first 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.

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APPROVED: Council appointments to boards, commissions and committees for the upcoming year are changed. Council Member Hayner now has no Council appointed positions. Council Members Briggs, Disch, Eyer, and Grand take positions formerly held by CM Hayner. Council Member Nelson is removed from Budget & Labor committee. Council Member Ramlawi is removed from Budget & Labor and Council Administrative committees. Council Members Disch, Grand and Radina take positions formerly held by CM Nelson and CM Ramlawi. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to a proposed Climate Action Millage

  • APPROVED: A Climate Action Millage will be put on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2022. A millage of 1.0 mills will be collected for 20 years, and is projected to collect $6.8 million in the first year. An earlier version of this proposal would have directed a special election in May 2022. In advance of discussion, a substitute version places the millage on the ballot in the regular November 2022 election. (Legistar)

    • DEFEATED: An amendment to change the term of the millage to ten years.

  • APPROVED: A Resolution of Intent lists the planned use and administration of funds collected from a proposed Climate Action Millage. (Legistar)

    • DEFEATED: A postponement in order to have this resolution reviewed and discussed by the Energy and Environmental Commissions.
  • A2ELNEL: Thoughts on the Climate Action Millage Proposal
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/12/inaction-is-irresponsible-ann-arbor-climate-action-tax-headed-to-ballot.html

APPROVED: Council requests that the DDA extend the Curb Side Carry Out Program and continue the repurposing of 148 regular metered parking spaces through May 31, 2022. These spaces are repurposed to support dozens of local downtown business who must rely on take-out business in order to financially survive. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $1,093,021.50 allocated from the General Fund to support 6-month transition grants for area nonprofit service providers. This is a response to the end of the Coordinated Funding program and in anticipation of a new Human Services Partnership that is currently being developed between the City and the County. (Legistar)

Three resolutions related to Greenbelt purchases

APPROVED: Site plan for 106 North Fourth Avenue will allow for construction of a two story, 910 square foot addition at the rear of an existing one story office building. It is within the Fourth-Ann Historic district and the City Historic Commission. Council approval is required because this addition is more than 10% of the existing building. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to electric vehicle chargers

APPROVED: $449,034 for engineering design services on a water main, resurfacing, crosswalk lighting, safety improvements, and a 2-way bike facility at State and Hill. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Winchell Park is renamed, in honor of former school board president Dr. Harold J. Lockett. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 6, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 6, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 6, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 6, 2021 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: October 18, 2021

This was the thirty 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. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: City Council officially accepts the recommendations of Acting City Administrator, John Fournier, regarding how to spend the $24,182,630 expected from the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Council directs the City Administrator to carry out a public engagement strategy and provide a final report on prioritization and spending plan for the ARP dollars no later than March 1, 2022. (NOTE: the deadline for this final report was amended by Council. The original version of the resolution set the deadline at December 6, 2021.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: (Postponed from the 9/20/21 meeting) A $1,011,319.29 contract for engineering services related to rehabilitation and widening of the East Medical Center Drive Bridge. The University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor have been collaborating on this project for over two years, to address deterioration of the bridge as well as anticipated growth at the Michigan Medical Center. (It is part of the City’s capital improvement plan.) The University will be assuming 50% of the cost of rehabilitating the bridge and 100% of the cost of widening it. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A new ordinance requires owners of large properties to collect and report Whole-Building Data for energy and water use, so that potential or current tenants can access consistent and relevant information about the cost of their utilities. Property owners will use a benchmarking tool such as Energy Star to create and submit reports (annually) to the City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI). The OSI will make these benchmarking reports available on a publicly accessible website with summaries of energy and water consumption statistics, compliance rates, trends observed, etc. Properties subject to this ordinance: greater than 10,000 gross square feet (total floor area) that are owned, leased or managed by the City, and other properties greater than 20,000 gross square feet (total floor area). Exemptions: owner occupied properties, under occupied (<50% over 10 months), in foreclosure, and permitted for demolition. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $362,739.30 Engineering Professional Service Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC for planning, public engagement, and engineering for the Vision Zero Comprehensive Transportation Plan. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A site plan for the construction of 57 single-family homes on a 34-acre vacant lot with access off Earhart Road. The plan will remove 311 landmark trees (the parcel includes a total of 447) and will lay sanitary sewer lines across a wetland. The developer will pay $265,500 in mitigation for natural features tree mitigation and make an off-site Parks contribution of $35,625. Solar panels and Accessory Dwelling Units will not be restricted in the development. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A 1.24 acre property at 201 Scio Church Road is re-zoned from township to R2A (two-family) district . This parcel was recently annexed into the city and this zoning is consistent with the adjacent zoning, the surrounding land uses, and the City’s Master Plan. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will accept an easement for a public right-of-way at 725 Stimson for the construction of a sidewalk (filling a sidewalk gap). The City will pay $5,053.05 in compensation to the property owner. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 18, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 18, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 18, 2021 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: June 21, 2021

This was the thirtieth 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.

CM Eyer called in from Mackinac Island, MI
CM Song called in from Newaygo, MI

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: One year contract for temporary staffing to support seasonal workload fluctuation and to temporarily fill gaps in the Public Works department. (This appeared on our agenda as a three-year contract including an option to extend; at Council it was amended to one year.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $554,704 to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) from the Capital Improvement Bond fund, for streetscape improvements on Huron, First & Ashley, and William (e.g. protected bike lanes, streetlights, street trees, widening sidewalks, etc.).  Improvements on Division & William, and other areas within the development district are planned (e.g. replacing delineators on the bike path with curbs, installing raised transit stop on William, etc) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $215,030.64 contract for deployment of Healthy Streets 2021 on 34 residential streets, South Main, and Packard. Estimated total project cost is $353,973. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $1,299,868 contract with MDOT for depth milling and repaving of Plymouth Rd. at Murfin/Upland and Broadway (Plymouth Rd. Resurfacing Phase II) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $974,510 contract for replacement of 197 streetlights and maintenance for 68 streetlights as part of the 2021 Streetlight Replacement & Painting Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $445,000 for city-wide Pavement Marking Maintenance (traffic & bike lanes, intersections, crossings, etc.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $42,510 purchase of five street light poles and fixtures for Stadium Boulevard (Industrial-Main and Hutchins-Maple) (Legistar)

APPROVED: One-year License Agreement to permit Spin, Inc. to distribute 400 scooters in the City of Ann Arbor (fee: $146,000) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Settlement with Michigan Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) regarding the wastewater treatment plant and phosphorus discharge limits under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Program. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $915,177 five year contract for upgrades to tasers and body cameras for the Ann Arbor Police Department. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s non-discrimination ordinance to add protections for Race-Based hair discrimination by referencing “traits historically associated with race.” Amendments include specific mention of  hairstyles such as “braids, locks, twists, and wraps.” (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 21, 2021 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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