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.

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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/potential-emergency-shelter-on-university-of-michigan-campus-to-be-discussed-by-city-council.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-city-council-passes-resolution-to-partner-with-university-of-michigan-for-emergency-shelter.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/09/students-not-expected-to-return-to-in-person-classes-until-fall-2021-college-presidents-say.html
• A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Sept 19, 2020) – Update: Meeting with UM About Housing
• A2ELNEL: Partnering with UM to Provide Emergency Shelter

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)

• This agreement was reviewed at the Sept 8, 2020 Council meeting: Review of Draft Tentative Agreement with Ann Arbor Police Officers Association

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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-extends-downtown-street-closures-for-bars-restaurants-until-november.html

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)

• A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Sept 19, 2020) – Street Closures & Healthy Streets

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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-oks-move-to-decriminalize-psychedelic-mushrooms-plants.html

APPROVED: Site plan for a PUD development 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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/100m-transformation-of-ann-arbor-riverfront-site-gets-councils-ok-to-proceed.html

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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-nets-417k-grant-from-center-backed-by-facebook-ceo-for-2020-election.html

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)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-oks-147k-for-fuller-court-sidewalk-gap-project.html

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

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/speed-reducing-street-project-approved-in-east-ann-arbor.html
• For more information about requesting traffic calming: Resident Requested Traffic Calming Studies

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