A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: DDA

Ann Arbor City Council: October 3, 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: An ordinance 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 equal to two months rent, based on the current lease. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): One hundred ninety parcels along West Stadium Boulevard/Maple Road and additional parcels along Pauline Boulevard and Dexter Avenue will be 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: An affordable housing agreement for The Standard (South Main Street and East William Street) includes two affordable housing units (one bedroom each) to be administered by the County’s Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) and offered at a rent level affordable to households earning up to 80% of AMI which will be available for 99 years. The site plan for The Standard includes 218 dwelling units and 421 bedrooms. (Legistar)

  • The site plan for The Standard was approved by Council on March 2, 2020. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The local state of emergency is terminated, effective immediately to be consistent with the lifting of state of emergency at the state and county level. City vaccination and electronic meeting policies would continue. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will prohibit right turns on red on streets under City control, in the downtown and near-downtown area as bordered by Kingsley St., State St., Hoover Ave., and First St. and coordinate with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to provide an exemption from these turn restrictions for AAATA buses at intersections that serve multiple or frequent bus routes. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council urges the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to pursue installation of improved safety barriers at City parking decks, where people have been known to fall or jump intentionally or unintentionally. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A charter amendment would be placed on the ballot 11/7/23 for voter approval, establishing non-partisan nomination and elections to the city offices for Mayor and members of Council. This removes party affiliation from the ballot and also ensures a contested election in November if more than one candidate files to run for the offices of Mayor or City Council. If there are two or fewer candidates, there is no primary election in August and the candidates appear on the ballot in November, without party affiliation. If more than two candidates petition to run for Mayor or City Council, all candidates would appear on a primary ballot in August, without party affiliation. The two primary candidates receiving the highest number of votes in August would then appear on the November ballot, again without party affiliation. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

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

Legistar
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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: January 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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The City Administrator will create a Request for Proposals (RFP) to “study the technical, legal, and financial viability of multiple potential pathways” toward sustainable energy. The study of “multiple pathways” will include a detailed technical, financial and rate analysis of a municipal electric utility that would replace DTE as well as a Sustainable Electric Utility that would supplement DTE service. This resolution also directs the City Administrator to propose a governance model for, conduct public outreach about, and draft an ordinance to formally create a Sustainable Electric Utility. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Five properties totaling 73.2 acres that are currently part of Ann Arbor township are annexed into the City: 1680 Dhu Varren (67.599 acres), 2670 Pontiac Trail (1.859 Acres), 2672 Pontiac Trail (1.256 Acres), 2678 Pontiac Trail (1.245 Acres), and 2682 Pontiac Trail (1.248 Acres). These properties are associated with a site plan for “The Village of Ann Arbor” that will include single-family homes, townhomes, and stacked multiple-family units at a density of less than 10 dwelling units per acre. At a future meeting, Council will vote on a request for R4A (multiple-family) zoning. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A City ordinance regarding disorderly conduct is repealed and replaced to add existing penalties, alter pronouns for gender neutral language, and remove provisions already covered by state law (Crime Victims Rights Act of 1985). These amendments are part of a Reform Project and will go into effect on April 15, 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A resolution condemning antisemitism “calls upon the persons who rally to express antisemitism on Washtenaw Avenue to renounce extremism, disband, and cease their weekly show of aggressive bigotry” and affirms “support for the Beth Israel Congregation, their guests, and all members of the Jewish Community in Ann Arbor, each of whom has the right to worship, gather, and celebrate free from intimidation, harassment, and fear of violence.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will analyze the staffing and cost required to clear snow on city-owned sidewalks and paths on the same timeline as is required for private property owners. City code amendments will be prepared to allow for discretion and educational opportunities in enforcement. The City Administrator will pursue better snow clearing strategies in the DDA district in collaboration with downtown partners and also encourage AAPS to clear snow on sidewalks adjacent to their properties. (Legistar)

REFERRED: A resolution directing the City Administrator to organize a dialogue among federal, state and local elected officials and University of Michigan leaders to discuss the development of 2000 units of workforce housing on UM North Campus. He would be directed to discuss this topic at quarterly UM policy meetings and report progress to City Council. This resolution was referred to the following commissions for discussion: Planning, Transportation, Energy, Environmental, as well as the local Economic Development Corporation. (Legistar)

APPROVED: As part of the 2020 & 2021 Sewer Lining project, $5,946,305 is allocated toward repair and maintenance of 65,000 feet of sanitary and storm sewer pipes and 50 sanitary sewer manholes. (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to downtown street closures:

APPROVED: The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will hire a new executive director, Jeffrey D. Watson. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 18, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 18, 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: 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

Legistar
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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

Ann Arbor City Council: March 1, 2021

This was the twenty 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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A five year services contract with Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) for collection of residential customer recyclables. The estimated cost for these services is $7,039,862.40 with an option to extend for two years (estimated additional cost of $3,043,149.60). (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Malletts Creek/Churchill Downs Park Detention Pond Project will move forward with the City assuming the full cost: $3,050,000. This has been designed and will be constructed by the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office because it is in the Mallets Creek Drain Drainage District. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator and City Attorney, and Parks Advisory Commission will  evaluate the preliminary feasibility of alternative development of 2857 Packard Road.  The property is currently the subject of a Consent Judgement but the property owner is now in discussion with others (e.g. THRIVE collaborative) about an alternative development.  Council will receive a proposed process for considering an alternative development and enough information to determine what is in the best interests of the City. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Sidewalk cafes will be permitted and regulated by the City on “trunk lines” in the city that are technically Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) rights of way: Jackson, Huron, N. Main, and Washtenaw. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A liquor license for a new bar and record store (Up From the Skies, LLC) at 210 S. Main. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The cost of Liquor Licenses will be reduced to $50 for the year 2021. (The fee was previously set at $90.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Attorneys will prepare legal memos on the topic of First Amendment issues and Council Rules amendments. This was a substitution for the original resolution, which would have waived privilege on legal memos on the same topic that were sent to Council on 1/30/21 and 2/8/21. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will realign City policies, procedures, and budgets to ensure the winter maintenance of the municipal sidewalk network, with the immediate goal to eliminate snow piles in crosswalks, sidewalk ramps, and on crossing islands that impede access to bus stops. The City Administrator will “pilot solutions” on major transit corridor(s) and in the DDA. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: February 16, 2021

This was the twenty 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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APPROVED: Site plan for a two story 14,570 square foot parish addition at 2150 Frieze Avenue (St Francis Assisi). It is a Special Exception Use for a residential district. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Site plan for a six-unit 36 bedroom rental complex at 907 & 913 South Main Street (two existing houses will be demolished, lots combined). (Legistar)

APPROVED: $25,000 payment from the Police and Firemen’s Relief Fund to the widow of Craig Sidelinger (Ann Arbor Fire Department). (Legistar)

APPROVED: $83,085 for traffic calming treatments at Glenwood Road (from Overridge to Washtenaw). (Legistar)

APPROVED: $188,503 for outdoor pool UV disinfection improvements at Veterans Park, Fuller Park, and Buhr Park pools. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution adopting energy criterion and principles to guide energy-related Investments in A2ZERO, as developed by the Sustainability and Innovations office. The City Administrator is authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City Attorney Contract will delay the timing to his personnel evaluation until next year, to include the Council Members seated in November 2020. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A street closure for the benefit of Conor O’Neil’s celebration of St. Patrick’s day at Main Street (between Liberty and William) from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on March 17, 2021. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A request for the City Administrator to determine the cost and feasibility of supplemental snow and ice removal of our pedestrian infrastructure to improve pedestrian safety in the downtown DDA district. (Legistar)

RECONSIDERED & APPROVED: New Council Rules initially approved at the previous meeting of 2/1/21 were brought back for reconsideration by CM Ramlawi. The rules were re-approved with a different vote split (8-3), with CMs Hayner, Nelson, Ramlawi voting “No”. (Legistar) (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 16, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 16, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 16, 2021 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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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: July 20, 2020

This was the eighth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: July 6, 2020

This was the seventh regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

DEFEATED: Collective Bargaining Agreement with Ann Arbor Police Officers Association (effective January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2022) (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council endorses the resolution of requests from the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) regarding policy and the Ann Arbor Police Officer Association Collective Bargaining Agreement (AAPOA CBA). Requests include additional transparency to ICPOC (availability of personnel files), policies for discipline, and procedures for termination (elimination of binding arbitration). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Two contracts ($3,364,492.95 and $3,429,675) for two years of services for sewer televising and cleaning construction. (Legistar)

Three Greenbelt purchases approved:

  • APPROVED: $73,593 for Greenbelt purchase of 27 acres in Northfield Township. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: $115,830 for Greenbelt purchase of 13 acres in Scio Township. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: $60,000 for Greenbelt purchase of 40 acres in Ann Arbor Township. (Legistar)

Two Healthy Streets resolutions approved:

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to develop a plan to review and increase use of our Poverty Exemption Program that waives property taxes for low income residents. To be reviewed: increasing public awareness, raising the income level for eligibility, and simplifying the application process. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Application of any new C1 and C1A/R zoning requiring site plan approval is suspended for 180 days so that the Planning Commission can evaluate the continued viability of the C1A and C1A/R districts (central, campus business districts) and make recommendations whether to eliminate the C1A and C1A/R zoning districts. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City property at 415 W. Washington is pre-entitled for plan approval to be conducted through a Planned Unit Development and Concept Plan, or another mechanism toward the realization of goals with a future development partner. Ann Arbor Housing Commission is the applicant, and the City is reviewer/property owner. Recommendations would be presented to the City Council by March 19, 2021. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2020 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2020 Part 4

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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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