A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Downtown Street Closures

Ann Arbor City Council: March 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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A resolution asking that an employment contract be negotiated for Milton Dohoney Jr to be hired as a permanent City Administrator for the City of Ann Arbor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will move forward with a list of recommendations to improve the City’s food procurement policies. The City will offer more nutritious and health-enhancing, ideally locally sourced, choices at City facilities. For City vending and event catering, the City will develop a directory of preferred restaurants, caterers, and other eating places that provide plant-based alternatives, support the local food system, and minimize wasteful packaging. The City will work with Washtenaw County Food Policy Council (WCFPC) and attend their meetings. An “A2ZERO Preferred” labeling system will be established to identify sustainable choices at vending machines, snack bars, and other City-operated points of purchase. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A contract for $120,000 with Dykema Gossett, PLLC will fund lobbying services at the state and federal level. This contract displaces a $48,000 contract for state lobbying services that were provided by GCSI (Governmental Consultant Services Inc) for the last 21 years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Downtown streets will be closed to promote increased seating and sales capacity at local businesses during the warmer season. Main Street (William to Washington), West Liberty (Ashley to Main), and East Liberty (Main to Fourth) will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursdays at 4 p.m. and through 6 a.m. on Mondays. West Washington (Ashley to Main) will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These closures may start as early as Thursday, May 5, 2022, and may continue as late as October 31, 2022. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 21, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 21, 2022 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: August 16, 2021

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

CM Briggs was absent

CM Disch called in from Evanston, IL

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A Special Session was held before the regular Council meeting in order to approve the performance evaluation and employment agreement for Stephen Postema, City Attorney. That agreement included a lump sum payment, salary increase, and cashing out of 100 hours of vacation time. (Legistar)

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The current Assistant City Administrator, John Fournier, is named Acting City Administrator through September 20, 2021 with salary adjusted (increased) to that of the City Administrator. The City will search for an external candidate to act as interim for a period of approximately one year. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A new ordinance bans sales, offers for sale, and displays for sale or trade of fur products in the City of Ann Arbor. A person may not distribute a fur product for monetary or nonmonetary consideration in the City. Exemptions include re-sale of used items (pawn or vintage), traditional tribal, cultural or religious practice, and sales permitted by state or federal law. Effective date of this ordinance is in one year, to allow time for businesses to sell off existing inventory. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A new ordinance will ban “conversion therapy” on minors within the City of Ann Arbor. It will be unlawful for any person who is licensed by the State of Michigan to engage in counseling, practice, or treatment that seeks to change, reduce, or eliminate an individual’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, or Gender Expression. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Downtown street closures will be extended to November 1, 2021. Main, W. Liberty, and E. Liberty will continue to be closed from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning. West Washington will continue to be closed 24/7. On football game days, Main Street will not be closed. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A “Social District” would be established downtown, allowing for shared outdoor dining space (and service of alcohol by licensed establishments). The social district will permit use of the right-of-way on Main, 4th, Washington, Liberty, and Ashley to promote social distancing on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 4 PM to 11 PM. (Legistar)

Three event related street closures were approved:

  • APPROVED: Street Closures for UM Go Blue Mix on September 4, 2021 (4 PM to midnight). Washington will be closed from Fletcher to Thayer. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: Street Closures for the Mayor’s Green Fair on October 1, 2021 (3-11 PM). S. Main, Liberty and Washington will be closed. (Legistar)
  • APPROVED: Street Closures for the A2 Artober Fest the weekend of October 8-10, 2021. Fourth Avenue and Ann Street will be closed. (Legistar)

APPROVED: September 2021 is proclaimed Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Awareness month to increase the awareness and understanding of mental ailments, the need for appropriate and accessible treatment options, and the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy for all those suffering or looking to improve their mental health. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A total of $59,000 will be distributed to twelve local entities, to cover city costs related to various community events: Art fairs (2021), Monarch Migration Festival, Taste of Ann Arbor (2021 and 2022), Veterans Day Memorial, Earth Day Celebration (2022), Fool Moon (2022), Festifool (2022), Standing Tough Against Rape Society (2022), Top of the Park and Summer Festival (2022). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Acceptance of four sidewalk connectors as public rights-of-way (off of Delaware & Morehead in Lawton neighborhood) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $87,450 to renovate and resurface tennis and basketball courts at Burns Park, adding a pickleball court. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Evergreen Downtown restaurant at 208 W. Liberty Street will be issued a downtown development district liquor license. This license will permit them to serve beer and wine. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will purchase a property at 519 Eighth Street for $180,000 plus costs (not to exceed $20,000) out of the Solid Waste Fund balance. The purchase of this property will ensure city access to a sanitary sewer main and also provide space for city vehicles (e.g. solid waste trucks) to turn around after servicing residents on Eighth Street. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to evaluate interim measures that can be implemented to address reported flooding issues in the Narrow Gauge area and communicate a report to Council by September 16, 2021. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 16, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 16, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 16, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 16, 2021 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: August 2, 2021

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

CM Radina called in from Roscommon, MI
CM Song called in from Charlevoix, MI

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

Two resolutions related to concluding employment with City Administrator Tom Crawford

APPROVED: The City’s Early Leasing Ordinance will add requirements: for leases longer than eight months, a landlord must communicate the terms of a lease renewal no later than 180 days before the end of the term. Landlords will not be permitted to show rental units to prospective tenants or enter into leases for a subsequent term until 150 days before the end of the current lease term. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Downtown street closures (Main and Liberty) for Taste of Ann Arbor on Sunday, September 19, 2021 (6 AM to 6 PM) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Street closures (E. Keech and S. Main) for home games during Michigan Football Season: 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/23, 11/6, 11/27 (Legistar)

APPROVED: Allocation of $439,780.38 to fill sidewalk gaps on Barton, Traver, Stimson, and Boardwalk. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A historic study committee will be established to make recommendations about the Robert Hayden House at 1201 Gardner Avenue. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to Council Rules will allow the Chair of a meeting (Mayor) to determine when any attendee has engaged in a personal attack that disrupts the meeting or (in language added) is “unrelated to Council business.” The Chair may make a call to order and mute any attendee who is attending remotely. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A ballot question for 11/4/21 will approve ranked choice voting in our local elections (if the state ever passes a law that would permit ranked choice voting). In a conventional election, voters communicate a single choice and, among multiple candidates, a contest can be one with a plurality rather than a majority of votes. A ranked choice system of voting would permit voters to “rank” every candidate for City Council and Mayor numerically in both our partisan primaries and general elections. Ranked choice voting would measure voter preferences more accurately in contests between more than two candidates. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A question will be put on the 11/4/21 ballot for a City charter amendment. The City charter will acknowledge a method for emergency procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, professional services, and construction services without obtaining prior Council approval and securing competitive bidding. The City charter would permit such emergency procurement, according to city ordinance. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A question would be put on the 11/4/21 ballot for a City charter amendment. The City Administrator would be permitted to make appropriations and purchases of up to $75,000 without competitive bidding or the approval of Council. (The amount of $75,000 would also be subject to adjustment for inflation.) Currently, the limit for such purchases is $25,000. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: March 15, 2021

This was the twenty 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.

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APPROVED: Beginning April 1 (through August 30), downtown street closures will be permitted so that restaurants and retail businesses adjacent or near to the closed streets are able to use the street for seating and sales. It will happen on the weekends (4 PM Thursday through 6 AM Monday) at the locations below: (Legistar)

APPROVED: Contract for $65,800 for OHM Advisors, Inc. to perform pavement condition rating services. Every two years, the city’s paved street system is assessed and rated with statistical reports. This contract will run through 2025. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Contract for $1,393,088.95 with Bailey Excavating to replace water mains at Dunmore, Waverly, Weldon, and Hartford. (Legistar)

  • NOTE: This agenda item was a substitute for the staff-recommended contract with DiPonio Contracting for the same job at a cost of $1,311,467. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A site plan for construction of a one-story 24,529-square foot retail building with 81 parking spaces at 300 South Maple (where The Quarter was previously located). Lewis Jewelers will be one of multiple tenants. The development includes construction of a pedestrian connection (sidewalk) to Westgate Shopping Center. (Legistar)

APPROVED: March 31 will be recognized on an annual basis as Transgender Day of Visibility by flying a transgender pride flag at City Hall, evaluating non-discrimination laws and policies, and reaffirming support and commitment to a diverse, equitable and welcoming community. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A “Fair Chance” ordinance was approved at “first reading.” The ordinance will prohibit landlords from using criminal history as a determining factor in access to rental housing. An application for rental housing shall not require an applicant to disclose criminal history or authorize release of criminal history. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The city administrator will receive and track revenue from Marijuana Excise Tax so that those funds can be directed in a way that “intentionally reinvests in our community, acknowledges the past harm of criminalization, and supports populations disproportionately and negatively impacted by the ‘War on Drugs’.” (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 15, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 15, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 15, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 15, 2021 Part 4

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.

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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 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.

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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: September 21, 2020

This was the twelfth 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: City Council will request a meeting with University of Michigan leadership (before November 1, 2020) to discuss the potential use of campus housing for shelter in the event of a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Police Officers Association effective January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. A PDF version of the agreement is available at the Legistar link. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Downtown street closures at location on Washington, Main, Liberty, Detroit, Maynard, State, S. University, and Church are extended until November 1, 2020 so that businesses are able to use the street for seating and sales in compliance with social distancing requirements. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: Traffic reconfigurations (“Healthy Streets Initiative”) at three locations – S. Main, Broadway/Swift, and Packard – proposed to end on October 1, ahead of the previously planned end date of November 29. This resolution was postponed to the October 19th Council meeting, in order to give staff time to improve conditions and collect data. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Declaration that the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to entheogenic plants is the lowest priority in the City. The Mayor and Council use the County District Attorney to cease prosecution of people for crimes related to entheogenic plants or plant based compounds. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Site plan for a PUD development “Broadway Park West” at 841 Broadway (former DTE site). It will include 96 attached residential units, 8200 sq. ft. of retail, 5600 sq. ft. of restaurant uses, 148 room hotel, and a minimum of six contiguous acres of public open space. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City accepts a grant of $417,268 from the Center for Tech and Civic Life to operationalize safe and secure election administration. The grant will fund an additional “client seat” for a high speed absentee ballot tabulator, application for absentee ballots, postage for any new ballot applications, staffing and extended hours for the City Clerk’s office (and satellite office), ballot drop boxes, marketing materials, and bonus pay for election inspectors during the pandemic. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $14,000 for a Budget Priorities Citizen Survey (similar in size and scope to a similar survey conducted in 2018) to help inform discussion of the City’s FY22 Budget and FY 23 Financial Plan. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $147,019 contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Fuller Court Sidewalk Gap Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $152,435 for the installation of traffic calming devices (speed bumps) on Fernwood Avenue from Packard to Lorraine streets. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $401,500 for for traffic control materials and supplies for gateway signage, signals (Ellsworth/Research Park Drive, Broadway Park Drive/Broadway, and Pauline/Maple), multiple RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flash beacons at crosswalks), and other maintenance. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $314,000 for traffic control products to rebuild signals at Hubbard & Huron Pkwy and Pauline at Maple Rd, upgrade school zones, install intersections at Ellsworth/Research Park Drive and Broadway Park/Broadway, and provide maintenance and repair in support of other City projects. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $187,000 for Streetlight Replacement and Asset Management (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 21, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 21, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 21, 2020 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: August 6, 2020

This was the ninth 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: $127,140 to purchase a high speed absentee ballot vote tabulator in preparation for the November election. This equipment is partially paid for with a grant ($30,000) from the State of Michigan Bureau of Elections. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Site plan and development agreement for 2658 W. Liberty Street (north side of Liberty, immediately east of 94). Nine three-story buildings with 52 units will be built on a 4.6 acre parcel zoned R4B (Multi-family dwelling). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Extend downtown street closures for restaurant and retail use until Sept 21, 2020 (Legistar)

POSTPONED to Sept 8th: A proposed ordinance to regulate short term rentals (STRs) would include a system of application and paid licenses. Applications would include description of the space for rent (location, bedrooms, occupancy) and name/telephone/email information for two responsible contact persons. Whole house and host-stay STRs would be permitted for all principal residences. Non-principal residence STR’s would only be permitted in Mixed Use Zoning areas. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A ballot question for a charter amendment would allow ranked choice voting in our local elections. As written, ranked choice voting would apply separately to both the August party primary and the November general election for the offices of Mayor and City Council. One candidate chosen from each party primary in August would be included in a November election.(Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 6, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 6, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: June 1, 2020

This was the fifth 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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Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

Note: An agenda item to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Police Officers Association was pulled from the agenda before the meeting started.

APPROVED: A2Zero Ann Arbor Carbon Neutrality Plan passed unanimously (Legistar)

APPROVED: $35,000 Fair Food grant for Double Up Food Bucks program at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market for SNAP recipients (Legistar)

APPROVED: $145,000 for Gallup Vehicle Bridge Improvement Project (Legistar)

APPROVED: $830,620 for bulk chemical purchases, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant (Legistar)

APPROVED: Direction to prepare ballot language for a Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage (Legistar)

  • Renewal of 2.125 from 2016
  • Additional .20 mil for construction of new sidewalks

APPROVED: Preparation of plans and specifications for Boardwalk Drive Sidewalk Gap Project (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution deferring water rate increases for six months for internal re-assessment of tiering and cost-of-service charges. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution for Downtown Street Closures for weekend hours during pandemic period as requested by merchant/business associations. Beginning as soon as 6/12/20 and ending 8/23/20 (Legistar)

APPROVED: Expansion of local liquor license service areas to include outdoor, adjacent property (including the street) where license holders have proper permission from the State. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

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