A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: City Budget

Ann Arbor City Council: May 16, 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 Song was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An employment agreement with Milton Dohoney, Jr. to serve as the City Administrator. Mr. Dohoney will receive an annual base salary of $250,000, with no compensation adjustments for the first 24 months. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to the South State Street reconstruction project:

  • APPROVED: A $6,727,358.01 contract with Fonson Company, Inc for the South State Street reconstruction project. Improvements are planned for the South State Street area from Huron to North University, including water main replacement, resurfacing, bicycle improvements, and street reconstruction with a curbless design. Total project cost is estimated at $9,083,000. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: An agreement with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to share costs of the South State Street reconstruction project. The DDA’s portion of the cost allocation is an estimated $4,218,283. (Legistar)
  • The South State Street reconstruction project is split into two stages: Stage 1 in June-August 2022 (E. Liberty St. to E. William St), Stage 2 in March-August 2023 (E Liberty St. to E. Huron St.)
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/05/ann-arbor-oks-deal-to-move-forward-with-9m-state-street-redesign.html

APPROVED: The City appropriates $374,738 of federal grant money toward funding “smart intersections.” A network of these intersections is part of a University of Michigan project to enable autonomous vehicles in our local community. (Legistar)

APPROVED: By resolution, City Council reaffirms its support for women and individuals to access abortion and other reproductive rights services. The City Administrator and City Attorney’s Office will take appropriate legal action, including but not limited to, filing amicus briefs in Planned Parenthood of Michigan v. Attorney General of the State of Michigan and Governor Whitmer’s legal challenge of Act 328. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will provide an opportunity for discussion between City Council members and U-M Regents to dialog about net zero energy Workforce Housing on U-M properties and elsewhere in the city, with the participation of stakeholder groups. The City Administrator will raise the issue of workforce housing at the quarterly U-M policy meetings and report progress to City Council, as appropriate, while soliciting the support of the Michigan Municipal League, the City’s lobbyist, the Chamber of Commerce, and any other local groups and leaders. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City’s water rates will increase by 6% on July 1, 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City’s stormwater rates will increase by 4% on July 1, 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $24.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are appropriated to the City’s Major Grants Program Fund, following allocations previously approved by Council on April 4, 2022. (Legistar)

  • Council approved the following APRA fund allocations at the April 4, 2022 meeting (Legistar)

    • $4,500,000 Solar on City Facilities
    • $3,500,000 Property Acquisition for Affordable Housing (including $500,000 allocation to residential support services)
    • $3,500,000 Unarmed Response
    • $2,300,000 Gallup Park Bridge
    • $2,000,000 Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement
    • $2,000,000 Vision Zero Plan Implementation
    • $1,682,630 Coordinated Funding Support
    • $1,600,000 Universal Basic Income
    • $1,000,000 City Clerk Election Center
    • $1,000,000 Housing for Homeless Households
    • $500,000 Community and Law Enforcement Data Platform
    • $500,000 Funding for the Arts (including $200,000 to “arts-based trauma response programs and workforce development”)
    • $100,000 Liberty Plaza

APPROVED: The City’s budget for FY 2023. General Fund recurring expenses have increased by 3.4% ($3,915,640) compared to FY 2022’s adopted budget; recurring revenues have increased by 4.5% ($5,075,679). The FY 2023 budget includes a total of 16 additional full time employees (FTE) in City departments: Parks & Recreation, Building & Rental, Public Services, City Attorney, Police, Fire, and Downtown Development Authority. Ten additional FTE’s will be permitted on a temporary basis as part of the workforce planning initiative. (Legistar)

  • AMENDMENT: Allocations for $935,336 in FY23 Marijuana Excise Tax Revenue:

    • $572,000 to City Attorney’s Office for Deflection Program
    • $100,000 to Public Works department for an apprenticeship program to fund 10 commercial driver’s licenses
    • $100,000 to Washtenaw County to fund Utility Support for low income residents through Barrier Busters
    • $75,000 to Ann Arbor Housing Commission for A BIPOC small business development space at 121 E. Catherine
    • $60,000 to Office of Sustainability & Innovations for low income sustainability grants
    • $28,336 to Washtenaw County for Child Savings Accounts
    • DEFEATED: Amendment to remove $100,000 from the Public Works Apprenticeship program and re-direct it to Dawn Farms (long-term addiction treatment services).
    • DEFEATED: Amendment to remove $60,000 from low income sustainability grants and re-direct it to Home of New Vision (substance use disorder treatment) and A Brighter Way (support for formerly incarcerated).
  • AMENDMENT: An additional $240,000 to the Office of Sustainability & Innovations for low income sustainability grants

  • AMENDMENT: Additional funding to support the City Attorney’s office:

    • $165,252 for an additional full time employee (FTE)
    • $20,000 to replace CityLaw software
    • $48,000 to fund annual maintenance for new software
  • A2ELNEL: Proposed City Budget Amendments for FY2023
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/05/ann-arbor-oks-525m-budget-after-heated-debate-over-marijuana-money.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 16, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 16, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 16, 2022 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 16, 2022 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: May 5, 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.

Mayor Taylor was absent
CM Briggs was absent
CM Radina was absent

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

PUBLIC HEARING: There was a public hearing at this meeting related to the proposed FY23 budget, which will be voted on at the May 16, 2022 Council meeting. The proposed budget (and previously approved annual budgets) can be viewed here: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/finance-admin-services/financial-reporting/Pages/default.aspx#annualbudgets

APPROVED: The City’s Non-Discrimination ordinance is amended to clarify that “religion” may include hairstyles and religious head coverings. Definitions related to Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation will change in order to match language in the Conversion Therapy Ban Ordinance. Amendments also lift the requirement that complaints be filed within 180 days. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An Industrial Facilities Exemption certificate for Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments allows a 12-year abatement of local taxes up to $54,587,000 of real property site improvements and up to $8,943,000 of personal property. An Industrial Development District was previously established for Sartorius at 3874 Research Park Drive, making them eligible for local tax abatement. (Legistar)

APPROVED: This resolution addresses the Michigan No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Act of 2019 that was implemented last July. That legislation reduced the required rate of reimbursement to long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation facilities for victims of motor vehicle crashes. New reimbursement caps have made it impossible for Michigan residents with severe brain, spinal cord, and other catastrophic injuries to find necessary care. This resolution endorses the efforts of our own State Representative Yousef Rabhi (State House Bill 5931) to fully repeal the 2019 law in anticipation of further reforms that enable the continued care of auto crash survivors and would address other discriminatory aspects of the law. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $446,858.15 contract with Doan Construction for the “2022 Sidewalk Gap Elimination Project”, building sidewalks at Nixon Road and Travel Boulevard (leading to Logan Elementary), 2231 Platt Road, 1121 Saunders Crescent, 710 W. Stadium (Hutchins frontage), 2900 S. Main Street, and 1320 and 1330 Prescott Avenue. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $1,722,742.98 contract with Bailey Excavating for utility projects in 2022.  Planned projects include: water main looping from Maple Road to Dicken Drive with a solid waste turnaround at the end of Dicken Drive, water main replacement and solid waste turnaround on Eighth Street, water main replacement on Sunrise Court, new storm sewer on Hiscock and a new sidewalk south of Summit. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $6,930,000 contract with Cadillac Asphalt will resurface five miles on 31 local streets, improve 7000 feet of asphalt paths and sidewalks, including a location in Arbor Hills nature area. Also funded: previously approved traffic calming measures on Longman Lane/Fairview Drive and Northside Avenue. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 5, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 5, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 5, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: April 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 Ramlawi was absent

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

BUDGET: At the beginning of the meeting, City Administrator Milton Dohoney presented the proposed FY2023 City budget, as well as spending recommendations for $935,336 in marijuana excise tax rebate proceeds.

The budget presentation and excise fund recommendations can be found here:

The whole of the proposed city budget can be viewed on the City’s Financial Reporting page (along with previously adopted annual budgets):

This is a direct link to the proposed FY2023 budget:

In 2021, City Council unanimously approved a resolution which would designate these Marijuana Excise Tax Funds for specific purposes related to restorative and alternative strategies for public safety.

APPROVED: $1,829,900 construction contract to E.T. MacKenzie for work on a water main, road surface work, and sidewalks in the residential neighborhood around Winchell/Brockman/Frieze. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Main Street Social District is amended in order to permit sidewalk service seven days a week: Sunday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM each day. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will issue up to $15,000,000 in Michigan Transportation Fund Bonds, which will be paid back over ten years with revenue from the Michigan Transportation Fund. The bonds will fund road repair and reconstruction projects. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: May 17, 2021

This was the twentieth eighth 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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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Juneteenth will be recognized and commemorated on the third Saturday in June, starting on June 19, 2021. The City of Ann Arbor will observe it the Friday before the holiday, with City Hall buildings closed in observance. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Temporary Emergency Ordinance will regulate Third Party Delivery Service for so long as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders restrict indoor dining establishments. Regulations will limit a commission or delivery charge to no more than 15% of purchase price (unless a higher rate is agreed upon in exchange for additional service). Third party delivery services will be in violation of the ordinance if they post inaccurate or misleading information about an Ann Arbor restaurant or such restaurant’s menu. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Council Legislative Policy Agenda for FY22 articulates the values and goals driving advocacy at the state level in the interests of Ann Arbor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Ann Arbor City Budget and Related Property Tax Millage Rates for Fiscal Year 2022. The budget proposed by the City Administrator was amended by Council to redirect funds in the following ways: (Legistar)

  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/05/ann-arbor-cuts-deer-cull-adds-funding-for-center-of-the-city-healthy-streets.html
  • AMENDMENT: Add $75,000 to City Attorney Office for succession planning for Stephen Postema.

  • AMENDMENT: Add $320,830 to fund Healthy Streets at S. Main and Packard, also add $33,143 to fund Healthy Streets on 34 local neighborhood streets.

  • AMENDMENT: Remove $120,000 funding for the deer cull and add to General Fund balance. Note that all of this money was distributed in amendments below.

  • AMENDMENT: Add $145,929 for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer. Funded from $20,000 General Fund balance (deer cull), $52,964 from Sustainability & Innovations (reductions in professional development, materials & supplies), $72,965 contributions from other city departments.

  • AMENDMENT: Add $40,000 for planning to support the Center of the City. Funded from General Fund balance (deer cull).
  • AMENDMENT: $200,000 for City Attorney Office for expert witnesses and public services litigation. Funded from $74,000 Water Supply System, $76,000 Sewage Disposal System, $50,000 Stormwater Sewer System.
  • AMENDMENT: Add $250,000 to fund traffic calming on major streets and other road treatments (curb extensions, centerline hardening, and slow turn wedges). Funded by removing $132,000 budgeted for street light replacements, removing $58,000 budgeted for pedestrian safety education, and using $60,000 from General Fund balance (deer cull).
  • AMENDMENT: Add $300,000 for “quick build” safety projects on major streets at focus corridors and intersections.
  • AMENDMENT: Remove $158,000 funding for Chief Strategy Executive in the Ann Arbor Police Department.
  • AMENDMENT: Add $76,690 to Parks and Recreation as part of the “Parks Fairness Resolution”, which increases the General Fund Parks & Recreation budget at the same percentage as the average General Fund overall budget percentage increase.

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 17, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 17, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 17, 2021 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: April 19, 2021

This was the twenty sixth 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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City Administrator, Tom Crawford, presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 City Budget. (Legistar)

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

The Ann Arbor Housing Commission is moving forward on the development of affordable housing on three City owned properties

  • APPROVED: The Ann Arbor Housing Commission will pursue rezoning/land division in due diligence toward the development of affordable housing at the City owned property at 721 N Main/W Summit. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: The Ann Arbor Housing Commission is directed to develop affordable housing at the City owned property at 353 S. Main. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: The Ann Arbor Housing Commission is directed to develop affordable housing at the City owned property at 1510 E. Stadium Boulevard. (Legistar)
  • Additional Thoughts (Apr 17, 2021) – Affordable Housing
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/04/ann-arbor-sets-sights-on-developing-affordable-housing-at-three-more-locations.html

APPROVED: A 1.2 acre parcel at 700 North Main was re-zoned from Planned Unit Development (PUD to R4C (Multiple-Family Dwelling) in order to permit the construction of 22 townhomes with reduced setbacks and increased height. The planned project at 700 N. Main was modified to increase height by 3 feet 6 inches, reduce the south side setback by 4 feet 3 inches, and decrease the rear setback by 25 feet 3 inches. (The most significant change – at rear – abuts homes on N. Fourth). The project includes 22 townhomes. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: A settlement agreement with DTE (through the Michigan Public Service Commission) is the result of a City challenge to DTE’s Voluntary Green Pricing (VGP) program and its renewable energy build plans. This settlement eliminates differential treatment of residential customers vs. larger users in the VGP program and allows all categories of customers to access the same lower-cost projects. The City will partner with DTE in meetings and discussion to reduce energy demand or eliminate fossil-fueled units. Solar installations at the Ann Arbor landfill will be a pilot program for Community Solar Offering, so the City (the “anchor tenant”) can sponsor the solar project and subscribers (any DTE customer – residential or business) will get the same deal per kilowatt hour as the “anchor tenant.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council Member Jeff Hayner (Ward 1) will be removed from committee assignments for seven months (through December 1, 2021). City Council recommends that Council Member Hayner attend relevant anti-discrimination, diversity, and sensitivity training. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: May 18, 2020

This was the fourth 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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At the May 11, 2020 Council work session, Interim City Administrator presented an overview of the financial challenges facing the City as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $1,500,000 in engineering contracts for capital improvement, operation and maintenance projects at the Water Treatment Services Unit facilities (Legistar)

APPROVED: $27,620 for 800 street sign posts, as well as 600 sleeves and 200 bases to install them (Legistar)

APPROVED: 6.5% Sewer Rate increase (Legistar)

APPROVED:11% Stormwater Rate increase (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendment to the Chicken/Duck Keeping Ordinance to eliminate 2-bird permit, remove neighbor notification, and allow animals outside of enclosure when someone is present (Legistar)

APPROVED: PUD zoning and site plan for “The Garnet” at 325 E. Summit Street (Legistar, Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution giving direction to the City Administrator for budget adjustments: hiring freeze, negotiated salary cuts, removal of 40/40/20 millage rebate spending commitment (affordable housing, climate action, and pedestrian safety), prioritizing the needs of residents “most impacted.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: FY21 Budget Amendments (Legistar)

  • Up to $495,000 may be used (temporarily) from the Local Street Fund Balance to complete local street repair during a season of low traffic. The City anticipates a loss of $2.7 million in revenue from the State to fund Street Repair.
  • Re-affirming the City’s commitment and timeline for the Nixon Corridor Improvement Project as a Capital Improvement Project
  • Request that LDFA consider $700,000 in spending to support small business recovery
  • $140,000 removed from budget, cancelling deer cull operations for FY21
  • $1,094,000 removed from budget, delaying Hollywood Blvd Project, Ann Arbor Saline Project, Historic District Survey, and the Capital Sinking Fund Transfer for FY 2021
  • $114,144 removed from budget. This would have been additional funding for Parks, consistent with the Parks Fairness Resolution

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: April 20, 2020

This was the second 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

Interim City Administrator Tom Crawford presented Council with the proposed FY21 City Budget (Legistar) and several community members presented on the topic of ” COVID-19 Community Impacts and Solutions” (Legistar)

APPROVED: Direction to City staff to begin a process of community engagement around affordable housing options at 353 S. Main (Legistar)

APPROVED: $10,655,000 constructions contract for 2020 Street Resurfacing Plan (Legistar)

POSTPONED to 7/6/20: The creation of proposed application materials and review/recommendations for development entitlements for 415 W. Washington to Support the Development of Affordable Housing in the City (Legistar) This resolution was postponed because:

APPROVED: Direct the City Administrator and Ann Arbor Housing Commission to create proposed application materials and review/recommend for development entitlements for 350 S. Fifth Avenue (former Y lot) to support the development of Affordable Housing in the City (Legistar)

APPROVED: A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality Plan is accepted (rather than adopted) (Legistar) with amendments clarifying that:

  • A funding plan and prioritization framework must be presented
  • The Sustainability & Innovations department will begin and continue to work to implement the plan, with quarterly updates on progress
  • In answer to questions at the meeting, City Administrator Tom Crawford clarified that the current budget includes nearly all funding for beginning and implementing this plan (“almost all of it, there were a couple of minor items that were not included”). It was also clarified that nothing in the amended resolution impeded progress or shifted directions in terms of pursuing climate action goals in the plan. Dr. Stults characterized the amendments as a “totally appropriate” issue of transparency and “not anything I’m concerned about.”
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/04/ann-arbor-council-not-ready-to-adopt-a2zero-carbon-neutrality-plan.html

APPROVED: The City’s nondiscrimination ordinance to add definition to the protected class of “ethnicity” and also address discrimination in housing related to source of income. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution asking the state to change regulatory policy re: use of food assistance benefits (EBT cards with SNAP program) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Re-zoning and site plan for a new credit union at 2151 Stadium Boulevard. (Legistar, Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: May 20, 2019

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

Legistar
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Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The FY20 City Budget was approved with the following amendments: (Legistar)

DEFEATED: Northside STEAM Sidewalk Special Assessment District (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 20, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 20, 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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