A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Center of the City

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: February 1, 2021

This was the twenty 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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Rezoning and site plan for 2111 Packard to allow for development of a mixed use development. The project will include a 72 unit, 3-story apartment building with 118 bedrooms, 84 surface parking spaces, and 3642 square feet of retail space at each corner of the building that fronts Packard Street. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rezoning (PUD) and site plan for 2195 East Ellsworth to construct a three-story, 168,130 square foot residential building and a 154-space surface parking lot (“Lockwood”). The project will include 154 independent senior residential apartments (89 one-bedroom units and 65 two-bedroom units) in a single building. The building will also contain a commercial kitchen and dining area, small barber shop, activity room, movie room, fitness room, and small clinic. (Legistar) (Legistar)

Three resolutions related to Greenbelt Purchases (One outside City limits, two inside City limits)

APPROVED: A contract change order for $1,194,560 to replace galvanized water service lines. State Law requires that water suppliers replace both the publicly owned and privately owned portions of galvanized service lines that are or were connected to lead. Regulations state that water suppliers must replace these lines at a rate of 5% per year beginning January 1, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendment adding $157,500 to the legal services agreement with Bodman, PLC to fund ongoing litigation related to the Gelman Plume contamination. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Special Event permit (through the end of 2021) for drive-through COVID testing site at Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle (south of the former Sears wing). (Legistar)

POSTPONED TO INDEFINITE DATE: Direction to the City Administrator to determine the cost and feasibility of supplemental snow and ice removal of our pedestrian infrastructure to improve pedestrian safety. Targeted areas would include sidewalks, driveway aprons, bus stops, and crosswalk ramps. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to the Council of the Commons

APPROVED: New Council Rules limiting public announcements and also discussion and debate of agenda items with reduced speaking times for Council Members (second speaking time limit changed from 3 minutes to 2 minutes), with a goal to end Council meetings before 11 p.m. Requests for additional discussion and debate of agenda items would require a 3/4 vote of approval (nine Council Members). Council members are directed not to “assail, question or impugn the integrity, character, or motives of another Member” in any context (inside or outside of the meeting). The Presiding Officer (Mayor) will have full discretion to determine whether this violation has occurred and either grant an offended Council Member two minutes of “personal privilege” speaking time or call a Council Member out of order for making the complaint. (Legistar)

  • DEFEATED: Amendment to remove additional two minutes of “personal privilege” speaking time.
  • DEFEATED: Amendment to remove “Redress of Grievances” process for the Administrative Committee to regulate communication of Council Members.
  • DEFEATED: Amendment to remove phrase “or in another public venue” that would allow the Administrative Committee to regulate communication of Council Members outside of public meetings.
  • DEFEATED: Amendment to move public commentary to the beginning of special sessions.
  • DEFEATED: Amendment to preserve three minutes of Public Announcement time for Council Members.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/02/ann-arbor-officials-divided-on-new-rules-about-personal-attacks-against-colleagues.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: January 19, 2021

This was the twentieth 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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Grant money of $14,000 will fund administrative staffing to support the Aging in Place Efficiently Program, helping low-income seniors age in a place of their choosing for longer by combining energy efficiency improvements with aging support and services. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The 2021 Sidewalk Gap Elimination Project Budget will appropriate $50,000 for initial projects at Barton Drive (Brede to Pontiac), Stimson Street (State to end of gaps), Boardwalk (Eisenhower to Oakbrook). Funds from the New Sidewalk Millage (approved by voters in Nov 2020) will not be available until July 1, 2021, so this is interim financing from the Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage Fund to allow construction in the summer/fall of 2021. Once the revenue from the new millage is available, the Street, Bridge and Sidewalk Millage Fund will be reimbursed. (Legistar)

APPROVED: New parking standards will require new developments to equip a percentage of parking spaces with electric vehicle chargers and infrastructure to accommodate future chargers. (Legistar)

APPROVED: New poverty exemptions for property taxes on a principal residence will be set at 2.2 times the Federal Poverty Level income. The maximum asset level will be set at $50,000. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: A resolution to appoint three at-large members to the Council of the Commons was postponed to permit more coordination/communication between CM Hayner and CM Briggs. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution to Rescind Council resolution R-19-139, requiring Council approval for lane reductions on major streets/corridors. City staff may now remove lanes of traffic on major streets and corridors without a vote of City Council. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council directs Evan Pratt (County Drain Commissioner) to issue a Notice of Violation to Gelman Sciences, Inc. for causing the seepage of contaminated water into the Allen Creek Drain. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A budget amendment of $40,000 from the General Fund for design of a spring deployment of Healthy Streets for 2021. Additional funding will be requested in the future for implementation. Recommendations include “identifying locations where previous Healthy Streets reconfigurations could be made permanent.” (Legistar)

POSTPONED TO INDEFINITE DATE: Direction to the City Attorney to provide a memo appropriate for publication, on the topic of Council Rules and Constitutional First Amendment Rights (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 19, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 19, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 19, 2021 Part 3

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: October 19, 2020

This was the fourteenth 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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Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A contract for routine street tree pruning for $674,020 is part of the Urban and Community Forest Management Plan (UCFMP). It will be funded through the FY21 Stormwater Fund Operations and Maintenance Budget. (Legistar)

APPROVED: PUD zoning district for Veridian County Farm at 2270 Platt Road (Legistar), along with site plans and development agreements for Verdian County Farm South (Legistar), and Veridian County Farm North (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rose White park in lower Burns Park will be renamed Graydon Park in honor of former Ann Arbor City Council Member Graydon Krapohl. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Downtown Street closures for the benefit of restaurant and retail use was extended through November 29, 2020. This is the third extension of these street closures. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A revision of the City’s water rates would eliminate the fourth tier for residential and create seasonal non-residential rates. (An amendment to remove seasonal non-residential rates from the resolution failed to pass.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: An employment agreement to hire Tom Crawford as City Administrator. (Legistar)

APPROVED: In order to facilitate organization of the Council of the Commons (approved by City Council 10/5/20), Council Members Jeff Hayner and Ali Ramlawi are appointed as liaisons. An application process will be opened and appointments made by December 22, 2020. (Legistar)

Two resolutions relating to the Gelman Plume were defeated:

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 19, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 19, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 19, 2020 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: October 5, 2020

This was the thirteenth 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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Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Traffic reconfigurations (“Healthy Streets Initiative”) at three locations – South Main, Broadway/Swift, and Packard – will end early, ahead of the planned end date of November 29th. Lane closures will end October 15th. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Revised Solid Waste Resources Management Plan. This plan was on the Jan 6, 2020 agenda and tabled for review by staff. The plan includes year-round compost pickup, curbside textile collection, limited bulky item collection (on a monthly schedule or at request and for a fee), and possible consolidation of waste, recycling, and compost collection services. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $8,022.25 and $106,859 contracts with the Ecology Center for Recycling Plant Tours of the Material Recovery Facilities Education Center and School Recycling Education programs on recycling, composting, zero waste, stormwater and waste reduction for Ann Arbor and Dexter (2nd Grade stormwater only) schools. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A legal memo that was shared internally as “privileged and confidential” will be made public. It answers the questions: Does City Council have the ability to dissolve the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)? What is the procedure for dissolving the DDA? What are the effects of dissolving the DDA? (Legistar)

APPROVED: “Community Commons Initiating Committee” is recognized as a Community Partner in the process of developing the Center of the City Community Commons (approved by ballot initiative in 2018). (Legistar)

  • For the purpose of writing bylaws, membership of the “Council Commons” will include City Administrator (a non-voting member) and voting members comprised of two City Council members appointed and approved by City Council, a citizen member of the City Planning Commission nominated by Planning Commission and affirmed by City Council, a citizen member of the Parks Advisory Commission nominated by PAC and affirmed by City Council, two members of the Community Commons Initiating Committee, two members of the Library Green Conservancy, and 3 citizens-at-large to be nominated by the City Council representatives Commons Council members, and affirmed by City Council. The Initiating Committee will work to implement repurposing of the Library Lane lot location as called for in the approved Task Force recommendations.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/10/ann-arbor-accelerates-plans-for-downtown-central-park-as-some-argue-its-designed-to-fail.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: May 4, 2020

This was the third 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.

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APPROVED: Endorsement of the Fair and Equal Campaign, to put expansion of LGBTQIA protections (against discrimination) on the ballot in November (Legistar)

APPROVED: $250,000 budget amendment to support Washtenaw County and Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) for current and future COVID-19 shelter response (Legistar)

APPROVED: Unit income target goals for the DDA Housing Fund would be aligned with the City of Ann Arbor’s Affordable Housing goals, adjusted from 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) to 60% of AMI.  This is adjusted to help fund planning, studies and process of potential projects at 11 City Owned properties (Legistar)

APPROVED: August late penalties (interest charges) would be waived for summer property taxes due July 31, 2020. September interest charges would be reduced: 2.5% (from 5%). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Direction to staff to review best practices for social distancing on sidewalks, bike lanes, and local roads. Staff will identify feasibility of expanding social distance space for cyclists and pedestrians with shared or dedicated roadways. An online public engagement tool will be used for input, a report on recommendations for implementations will be brought by June 15, 2020. (Legistar)

APPROVED The final report of the Center of the City task force would be accepted by the City: a vision for flexible, adaptable and sustainable public spaces that are inclusive and welcoming to everyone (Legistar)

APPROVED $1,087,050 for signal timing technology to promote smooth flow of traffic for 29 intersections and corridors including Maple Road, West Stadium Boulevard, Glen Avenue, Fuller Road and Huron Parkway (Legistar)

APPROVED: Four sidewalk gap projects

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 4, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 4, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 4, 2020 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: December 16, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Support for Center of the City Interim Use and Long-Term Planning (Legistar)

APPROVED: $2,980,000 for South University Pavement and Utility Improvements Project (Legistar)

APPROVED: $428,363 Rehabilitate/replace park bridges (North & South Barton Nature Areas, Mitchell Field, Gallup Park, Lower Argo Cascades) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $312,141 additional funds for 2019 Sidewalk Repair Project (Legistar)

APPROVED: $56,000 for plans and specifications for Sidewalk Gap Elimination Project on Jackson Avenue (Westover to Parklake) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Hideaway Lane Planned Project Site Plan and Development Agreement at 2000 Traver Road (Legistar)

A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Dec 14, 2019) – Council Appointments

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 16, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 16, 2019 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 16, 2019 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 16, 2019 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: April 1, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $75,000 to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to analyze feasibility of ten city-owned properties for development as affordable housing (Legistar)​

APPROVED: $74,450 for lifting and leveling of displaced sidewalk slabs, 2019 Sidewalk Repair Program (Legistar)

APPROVED: $658,511.54 for sidewalk slab replacement for displaced joints and installation of ramps, 2019 Sidewalk Repair Program (Legistar)

APPROVED: $147,001 for cutting sidewalk slabs to correct vaulted and displaced joints, 2019 Sidewalk Repair Program (Legistar)

APPROVED: $150,000 partnership with Community Action Network to operate Bryant and Northside Community Centers (Legistar)

APPROVED: $50,000 for 2019 Bike Share program (Legistar)

APPROVED: Ordinance banning two-stroke power equipment in DDA area (Legistar)

APPROVED: Establishment of Center of the City task force (Legistar)

APPROVED: Requirement that City street-related improvement projects (e.g. lane reductions/road diets) come to Council for approval (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to allocation of 2019 Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage rebate (unrestricted) funds:

A2ELNEL: Personal Interest vs Public Interest

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 1, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 1, 2019 Part 2

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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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