A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Social District

Ann Arbor City Council: April 18, 2022

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

CM Ramlawi was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

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

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

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

This is a direct link to the proposed FY2023 budget:

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

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

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

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

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

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

Ann Arbor City Council: October 4, 2021

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

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: In response to a formal complaint against Acting City Administrator John Fournier that alleged blatant discrimination, retaliation, harassment, a hostile work environment, and illegal directives, the City attorney’s office is directed to facilitate policies and procedures to ensure the integrity of an investigation and prevent any harm to the complainant. This resolution was amended at the table to remove terms that included paid administrative leave during the period of investigation. A compromise – proposing paid administrative leave for as short a time as two days, to ensure safeguards to all parties – was rejected by a majority of Council. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County allocates responsibility and cost for the design and engineering of the Bandemer-Barton Trail Connection, a pedestrian tunnel beneath the railroad tracks between Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park. A cost sharing agreement with the County for design services will assign 45% of cost to the City and 55% of cost to the County. Construction costs would be assigned: 29% to the City, 71% to the County. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A newly established Main Street Social District will include sections of Ashley, Main, Fourth, Washington and Liberty. A total of forty-three establishments with liquor licenses qualify as applicants to participate in the district. The social district will permit the service of alcohol in a shared, common space. (Legistar)

APPROVED: As recommended by the Council Administration Committee: Council Rule 7 (Public Speaking) is amended to reference and include public commenters attending “remotely.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council acknowledges and commends the work of Roger Rayle and the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) for their longstanding public service of professional activism with respect to addressing 1,4-dioxane cleanup processes. This commendation is sent to the leadership of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Region Administrator – United States Environmental Protection Agency – Region V, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 4, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 4, 2021 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

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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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