A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Renters

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: September 6, 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 $458,797 professional services contract (plus $45,879 contingency) with 5 Lakes Energy, LLC to complete a feasibility study for a traditional municipal electric utility, other pathways, and next steps for initiation of a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU). The Office of Sustainability & Innovation had already allocated $250,000 to this task, but an additional $208,797 was required for the contract. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: An ordinance to grant 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. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A grant application to the US Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All. This grant could result in $22,220,000 of investment over three years, with $5,520,000 (25%) local contribution. (Legistar)

  • The City’s grant application proposes these Transportation Safety Improvements:

    • Sidewalks
    • Accessible pedestrian signals
    • Crosswalk upgrades, including streetlights
    • Eisenhower Park path connector
    • Pedestrian signal performance measures
    • Bike parking
    • Protected bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, and other bike network safety improvements
    • Citywide speed reduction
    • Education campaign
    • Signal upgrades and near miss analytics
    • Traffic calming
    • Quick build projects
    • Micro-mobility enhancements
    • Program support and management
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/09/22m-ann-arbor-proposal-calls-for-more-protected-bike-lanes-traffic-calming.html

APPROVED: A resolution expressing support for Michigan Senate Bill 58 and House Bill 4314, which would hold polluters accountable. These bills would require polluters to clean up contamination they cause to residential standards and restore affected aquifers to drinking water standards, unless meeting those standards would be technically infeasible. Council’s support for these bills would be communicated to any relevant party. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 6, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 6, 2022 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: August 15, 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: Three amendments to the Uniform Development Code (UDC): (Legistar)

  • A limitation on the number of State marijuana licenses per lot is removed, so that several licenses can be ‘stacked’ on the same parcel. Other restrictions – zoning district permitted use regulations, physical separation distances, and the maximum cap for provisioning center/retailers and designated consumption facilities – remain in effect. Added at the 7/18/22 Council meeting: an amendment to the requirement that all activities occur indoors will allow curbside service at marijuana provisioning centers, retailers, and microbusinesses.
  • New site plans include requirements and procedures for installing street trees in the right-of-way. Changes to linear frontage calculation will prevent overcrowding of trees. Escrow deposit and refund related to these tree plantings are eliminated.
  • For site plans, modification to landscape requirements is permitted under certain conditions. This amendment adds an eligibility requirement and re-organizes modification conditions, standards of approval, and approval procedures.
  • The Planning Commission approved these changes at the March 15, 2022 meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-15-2022

APPROVED: Amendments to the UDC changing parking requirements. Parking requirements are eliminated for residential dwellings, adult day care centers, child care centers, and outdoor residential recreation facilities. Eliminated: requirements for off-street parking spaces for residential units located more than 300 feet from a bus stop and in areas with limited street parking. Also eliminated: any requirements for a “Parking Plan” of proposed off-street parking and an analysis of public parking and transit facilities in the vicinity. Parking maximums are established for the Transit Corridor (TC-1) zoning district. Requirements for Electric Vehicle (EV) ready and installed parking are amended to only apply to newly constructed parking. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,577,354.95 contract for application of cape sealing pavement preservation treatment on 10 major streets and 38 minor/local streets. citywide crack sealing of approximately 10 miles of major streets and 25 miles of minor/local streets. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $639,726 construction contract (with $64,000 contingency) for filling sidewalk gaps on Ellsworth Road between State and Stone School. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A total of $2,045,700 in construction contracts for the resurfacing Scio Church Road between South Maple Road and South Seventh Street, filling sidewalk gaps on the north side of the road, installing three (3) new crosswalks, converting on-street parking into bike lanes, and adding stormwater infiltration. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $698,808.92 construction contract for pavement marking maintenance and A2 Vision Zero Quick Build Projects. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $121,978 contract for redesign of the City’s website. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $853,211 contract with the Ecology Center to provide Resource Recovery Education, Outreach, Engagement, and Marketing for five years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: For the purpose of running a gas line, the City will grant two easements to DTE Gas Company: 1) across the north end of Siller Terrace (south of Virginia Park) and 2) on the south side of Dexter Avenue near the intersection at N. Maple (northwest corner of Veterans Park). (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is authorized to execute a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in support of noise abatement and an environmental impact study of noise on M-14 from Maple Road to Main Street. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The annual meeting between the City Council and members of the Downtown Development Authority will be cancelled for 2022. Cancellation of this meeting is a deviation from the parking agreement that requires these annual meetings. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will pay $24,500 to Deborah Gordon-Gurfinkel and Elihau Gurfinkel. This payment will settle a claim related to injuries caused by a trip and fall on a pothole on Sunset Road. The injury occurred in August 2020 when Sunset Road was designated as a “Healthy Street.” (Legistar)

TABLED: A resolution from the Renters Commission urges City Council to adopt an ordinance creating a Right to Renew for renters in Ann Arbor. This resolution was tabled at the request of the City Attorney’s office. A draft ordinance (attached to the resolution) 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. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: February 22, 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

POSTPONED: A $1,299,999.25 construction contract with E.T. MacKenzie for replacement of a water main, street surfacing, and construction of curbs, gutters, and sidewalk ramps as part of the Third and Mosley Water Main and Resurfacing Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $4,656,400 contract will support the replacement of inoperable valves and piping as part of the Barton Pump Station Valve Improvement Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolutions appointing 10 people to a newly established Renters Commission. (Legistar) (Legistar)

DEFEATED: In response to factual errors identified in an investigative report conducted by Jennifer Salvatore (published on Dec 7, 2021), a resolution asked City Attorneys to issue a legal opinion to Council by March 1, 2022. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 22, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 22, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 22, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: September 20, 2021

This was the thirty 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.

CM Eyer called in from Mackinac Island, MI

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A new ordinance will regulate the operation of “personal mobility devices” (e-scooters, bicycles, e-bikes, and skateboards) in the City of Ann Arbor, giving these devices the same rights and duties as motorists on the roadway. On sidewalks and at crosswalks, they must yield to pedestrians. Such devices should be parked in the manner that would be legal for a bicycle and they may also be parked on a highway or street where parking is allowed for motor vehicles. Personal mobility devices can be seized and impounded by the city. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City ordinance is amended to add definition of “Dangerous Animals,” including those that have “Repeatedly attacked, chased, provoked, or menaced any person or dog.” Violation of any city ordinance related to animals – birds, bees, chickens, ducks, dogs and other animals— will be subject to a fine of no more than $500. Violation of city ordinances related to poisoning animals, harming wild birds or their occupied nests, trapping animals, and owning a vicious dog shall be misdemeanors, subject to a fine (no more than $500) or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Renters Commission will be appointed by the Mayor and be “representative of various renter perspectives in the City, such as student, youth, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrant, persons with criminal records, persons receiving rental subsidies, cooperative or group housing, tenant advocacy groups, persons who have experienced homelessness, or historically underrepresented groups.” The Renters Commission will “advise the City Council and City Administrator on matters affecting renters in the City.” The eleven members will include no more than two (nonvoting) members who are representative of different landlord perspectives in the City. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: A $1,011,319.29 contract for engineering services related to rehabilitation and widening of the East Medical Center Drive Bridge. The University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor have been collaborating on this project for over two years, to address deterioration of the bridge as well as anticipated growth at the Michigan Medical Center. (It is part of the City’s capital improvement plan.) The University will be assuming 50% of the cost of rehabilitating the bridge and 100% of the cost of widening it. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution appointing members of the Hayden House Historic District Study Committee. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 20, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 20, 2021 Part 2

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: July 20, 2021

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

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

Two resolutions related to concluding employment with City Administrator Tom Crawford

APPROVED: A timeline is established to search for and hire a replacement for City Attorney, Stephen Postema. A candidate will be chosen by November 15, 2021 and the term of employment will begin in March 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $1,398,650 is allocated for debris removal and reconstruction of the road at Jackson and Maple (site of a water main break in June 2021) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $579,107 for improving universal access at the Argo Livery (Legistar)

APPROVED: Street closures are approved for the Ann Arbor Marathon on Sunday, October 24, 2021 (Legistar)

APPROVED: A site plan and development agreement will permit the construction of a five story, 95-room hotel at 300 W. Huron. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An amendment to the A2Zero plan, Strategy 6 will add the phrase “Implement Sensors to Monitor and Strategies to Manage Heat, Air Quality, Waterways, and Flooding.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: A question will be placed on the November 4, 2021 ballot to amend the City Charter. Currently, the Charter requires that City contracts be awarded to the “lowest responsible bidder” – this language would be amended so that City contracts would be awarded to the “best value” contract. (Legistar)

APPROVED: (back to first reading) 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)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 20, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 20, 2021 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: July 6, 2021

This was the thirty 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.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Amendments to the local Unified Development Code add a new zoning district: TC1, Transit Corridor district. This zoning district will require that buildings be at least two stories, permit unlimited density, set maximum (rather than minimum) parking requirements, set height limits and reduce setbacks near pre-existing residential areas, and implement as yet undetermined requirements or incentives for sustainability, affordability, and public open space. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A development Agreement and Amendment to the Swift Run Service Center Planned Unit Development for the Wheeler Center Solar Array with Pittsfield Charter Township. The City has been working with DTE to plan for this solar array, as part of a settlement through the Michigan Public Service Commission. 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: Articles of Incorporation for the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority (WRRMA). The City of Ann Arbor joins Ann Arbor Township, the City of Dexter, Pittsfield Charter Township, the City of Saline, the Township of Scio, the City of Ypsilanti, and the Charter Township of Ypsilanti in this regional authority. (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): A new ordinance would grant tenants the ‘right to renew’ a lease (longer than nine months) for up to 150 days before the end of the lease term. This protection for tenants would extend the current “early leasing ordinance” for the same timeline: landlords will not enter the premises for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective tenants until 150 days before the end of the lease term. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Council hearing was scheduled for August 4, 2021, on the topic of a complaint filed by Council Member Julie Grand against Council Member Jeff Hayner. Council Member Grand’s complaint is based on a phone conversation between Council Member Hayner and a journalist from MLive. The official complaint requests a reprimand of Council Member Hayner. According the Council Ethics Rule 12, any reprimand of a Council Member must result on one of three possible responses: dismissal without merit, a scheduled hearing before Council, or referral for other action to the appropriate governmental or law enforcement agency. The Council hearing may include accusers and witnesses. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2021 Part 1 Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2021 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: June 7, 2021

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

At 11:45pm CM Griswold left the meeting due to illness

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

$1.5 million of the Affordable Housing Millage funds approved in Nov 2020 were designated.

APPROVED: $633,765 will be allocated in FY22 to non-profit entities that provide human services (recipients of Coordinated Funding) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $420,825 to be spent planting trees on City right-of-ways. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An antique fire engine owned by the Ann Arbor Fire Department will be sold to the Michigan Firehouse Museum for $1. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Church Street will be closed (24/7) between S. University and Willard, to facilitate restaurant and retail use through August 30, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $25,000 will be spent on the recruitment process to replace head city attorney, Stephen Postema, who is retiring. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance will permit the construction of additional dwelling units on any residential lot in the City, without requirements for owner occupancy.  Lot size requirements (minimum 5,000 sq. Ft.) would be removed.  Requirements that the property owner reside in either the primary home or ADU would also be removed.  The required rear and side setback for ADUs would be three feet. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rezoning and site plan for “Valhalla” development. A cluster of fifteen parcels (a total of 9.8 acres) at South Main is rezoned to R4E (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) with Conditions.  The site plan includes 454 Dwelling units (studio, one- and two-bedroom) in four stacked apartment buildings and five townhouse buildings, as well as two additional buildings. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: A Comprehensive Transportation Plan with strategies meant to support Vision Zero, A2Zero climate goals, safety and accessibility (both regionally and across the city).   The plan includes targets for lower speed limits, specific road treatments, sidewalk infrastructure, zoning for mixed use in residential areas, and enhanced transit options. (Legistar)

APPROVED: In anticipation of an expected $24 million in federal money through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the City Administrator will recommend and prioritize use of these funds and report to Council by October 1, 2021. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: Amendments to our early leasing ordinance will change a standard from 70 days to 240 days. A landlord would not be permitted to enter a leased premises for the purpose of showing it to prospective tenants or enter into a contract for a subsequent lease sooner than 240 days into a current lease. This was postponed to the second meeting in July to craft more meaningful protections for tenants. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution asking that Council Member Hayner resign as soon as possible. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 7, 2021 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: April 5, 2021

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

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APPROVED: Repairs to concrete pavement at S. Industrial (Eisenhower to Stadium). The $1,071,197.58 project will include re-striping to add north and south bound bike lanes throughout the corridor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Sidewalk gaps will be filled at Newport/Sunset. The $120,000 project will be paid for with the Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Fair Chance Access to Housing – Criminal history will not be permitted 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 of Ann Arbor condemns hate crimes, hateful rhetoric, hateful acts against Asians and Asian Americans, white terrorism and white supremacism in all forms. The City encourages Asians and Asian Americans to report harassment, hate crimes, and discrimination to the Ann Arbor Police Department, the City’s Human Rights Commission, and/or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. (Legistar)

APPROVED: This resolution expresses support for recommendations from the University of Michigan President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality (PCCN). Recommendations include reductions in emissions and goals for carbon neutrality (exclusive of offsets) by 2040. (Legistar)

APPROVED: For the first citation of a season, the penalty for failure to comply with our snow removal ordinance is reduced from $100 to $60. (The snow removal ordinance requires making sidewalks, walks, and ramps free of snow and ice for their entire constructed width and length within 24 hours of a snowfall greater than one inch.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will either establish a program of Subject Matter Expert response for public safety (in collaboration with Washtenaw County, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office, “Subject Matter Agencies” and in consultation with the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission) or report on obstacles and ideas for overcoming them by December 31, 2021. The City Administrator may hire a consultant to help in this process and he is directed to include this endeavor in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, while identifying sources of funding. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Attorney will review criminal ordinances that are enforced by the Ann Arbor Police Department and identify ordinance amendments that would be consistent with goals of the 2021 State Criminal Justice Reform Legislation and the general “spirit of progressive criminal justice reform.” Recommended ordinance amendments will be presented to Council before November 15, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): Amendments to an ordinance regulating Short term rentals, removing language that restricts location by zoning district. Short term rental is a newly defined use, added to the City zoning code. This change creates a new class of “legal non-conforming use,” permitting all current investment properties – non-owner occupied short term rentals established prior to March 1, 2021 – to continue operating indefinitely in residential areas. New investment properties would be prohibited in residential areas moving forward. (Legistar) (Legistar)

POSTPONED: Amendments to our early leasing ordinance will change a standard from 70 days to 240 days. A landlord would not be permitted to enter a leased premises for the purpose of showing it to prospective tenants or enter into a contract for a subsequent lease sooner than 240 days into a current lease. This agenda item was postponed to consider improved strategies for enforcement. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 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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