A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Council Appointments

Ann Arbor City Council: December 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.

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A resolution in response to two specific concerns raised regarding the TC-1 zoning district at Stadium/Maple: the viability of ongoing commercial businesses, and narrow rights of way on Stadium Boulevard. It is proposed that some commercial outlets be permitted as a special exception use within the TC-1 district. Further, the minimal setback requirements in the TC-1 district at Stadium are problematic, given the limited distance between curbs and lot lines (~7 feet). Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission are directed to evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC-1 zoning district in order to incorporate limited automobile-related uses (except for drive-throughs and gas stations) and address the issue of narrow existing rights of way. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council members were appointed to Boards, Commissions, and Council committees (Legistar)

APPROVED: 2023 calendar for Council meetings, both regular sessions and work sessions. This calendar eliminates all work sessions traditionally scheduled as public meetings to discuss the annual City budget. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council Rules and procedures, including recent amendments. Rules were amended to clarify language regarding mask requirements at in-person Council meetings: mask requirements will follow CDC guidance, consistent with local transmission rates. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A motion to suspend Council Rule 13, in order to bring a budget amendment back for reconsideration. Council rules allow that an issue previously decided can be brought back for reconsideration at the following meeting and that such a motion must come from a Council member who voted on the prevailing side in the original decision. Neither of these conditions would have been met in bringing back a budget amendment that was defeated at the September 19, 2022 Council meeting. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A budget amendment for $134,000 to fund a consultant to study the feasibility of the City taking control of major corridors at North Main, Washtenaw, Huron, and Jackson. These corridors are currently considered “state trunklines” and the Michigan Department of Transportation is wholly responsible for their maintenance and repair. (The state reimburses the City for minor repairs, e.g. filling potholes.) City control of these corridors would give the City complete responsibility for the cost of maintenance and repair (with some additional funds from Act 51 and other state funds). (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to the reallocation of ARPA funds:

APPROVED: Memorandum of understanding between the City of Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County for extension of the Border to Border Trail, connecting Bandemer Park to Huron River Dr. A plan for collaboration will create a safe, non-motorized connection between Bandemer Park and Huron River Drive part of the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,242,055.60 construction contract for sanitary sewer pipe lining work near downtown: Jefferson/Ashley to Miller/First and Hoover/Division to Arch/White. Work is scheduled to take place January to April 2023 as part of the High Level Trunkline Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase 2 Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A grant application for up to $1,000,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for improvements to Buhr Park Ice arena. A Michigan Spark Grant program funds creation, renovation, or redevelopment of public recreation facilities. The Buhr Park project will replace the whole refrigeration system, reduce energy consumption, and improve accessibility and operations. The estimated total cost of the project is $1,665,000 – $2,350,000. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: November 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.

This was the first meeting for CM Akmon, CM Cornell, CM Ghazi Edwin, CM Harrison, CM Watson

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem and an order of succession that includes newly elected Council Members. Traditionally, the role of Mayor Pro Tem is assigned to the Council Member with the most seniority. The current Council includes five newly elected members and five members who have served two years (elected in 2020). Council Member Radina (Ward 3) will serve as Mayor Pro Tem and other members are ordered in succession by seniority and numerical Ward. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A contract for $492,218 will fund tenant supportive services provided by Avalon Housing, Huron Valley PACE, SOS, Ozone House, Peace Neighborhood Center & Community Action Network. This is an amendment to the FY23 Budget. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A contract for $72,000 with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to provide a Winter Emergency Shelter & warming center for the 2022-23 season. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $164,903.48 funding for 1-year mini-grants to 10 nonprofits as part of the New Human Services Partnership (Formerly Washtenaw Coordinate Funding). (Legistar)

APPROVED: A grant application to receive $400,000 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy High Water Infrastructure Grant Program. The City will provide $100,000 in local matching funds from the Stormwater Sewer System Fund. A total of $500,000 will be spent to update and align the City’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan with resiliency and climate adaptation strategies. This project will evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of the City’s street trees, the community’s urban forest, and other green infrastructure and best management practices on stormwater management. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Three fiber optic networks constructed by the City of Ann Arbor (and administered and maintained by the City’s IT department) will be made available through user agreements, to be executed by the City Administrator. Non-active fiber (“dark fiber”) will be accessible for use by commercial enterprises, private business purposes, and community telecommunication services (e.g., internet service providers, or ISPs). The fee structure recommended by City staff includes the cost for the city to replace a pair of fiber optics strands in 25 years plus an annual usage and maintenance fee of $12,000.00. Staff project increased annual revenue of $100,000 for the next three years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to engage with federal officials to determine their interest in future changes to the property at 200 E. Liberty Street. This property is currently owned and operated by the federal government and houses the U.S. post office as well as offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). It is recommended that the property could be redeveloped with a greater density of office space and/or housing in order to promote a “pedestrian activated retail corridor” and add to the City’s tax base. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A 20-year lease agreement (with a 10-year renewal option) between the City of Ann Arbor and Great Lakes Air Repair (doing business as Beacon Aviation) will establish a corporate hangar and redevelop the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. Beacon Aviation will be responsible for building and ramp improvements, insurance, utilities, maintenance work (mowing, snowplowing, etc.) and any taxes/assessments on the structure. They will make nearly $200,000.00 worth of required improvements based on a City assessment of building condition. As part of the lease agreement, Beacon Aviation will have a right of first refusal to develop vacant land immediately to the west of the building if their business grows. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 21, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 21, 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.

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: 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


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: December 7, 2020

This was the seventeenth 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.

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s sign ordinance clearly define standards for lighting, area size (relative to street frontage), larger non-conforming signs, non-commercial flags, window signs and temporary signs.(Legistar)

APPROVED: Site plan for Brightdawn Village, a development with four four-story buildings on 8 acres at 2805 Burton Road. It will include 120 units of housing at market rate with 284 parking spaces (located in garages beneath and in surface lots). The development will be accessed from Packard (via Burton Road). (Legistar)

WITHDRAWN: A resolution would have delayed the City’s communication to the Governor and delayed the City’s request for EPA/Federal intervention to clean up the Gelman Plume. The City’s request would have been delayed for several months, pending the results of a court decision. The resolution was added to the agenda on Friday (12/4) and removed on Monday (12/7) before the meeting started. (This item has been removed from Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 7, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 7, 2020 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.