A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Water Rates

Ann Arbor City Council: May 1, 2023

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 Ghazi Edwin was absent

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The City’s water rates will increase by 6% starting July 1, 2023 (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City’s stormwater rates will increase by 4% starting July 1, 2023 (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will issue and offer for sale $40,000,000 in water supply revenue bonds to fund “acquiring, constructing, installing, furnishing and equipping additions and other improvements to the City’s water supply system, as well as refurbishing, repairing or maintaining the same.” (Legistar)

  • From the ordinance: “The Bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates to be determined on public sale thereof, but in any event not exceeding the lesser of 7.00% per annum, or the maximum rate permitted by law, payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2023”
  • A2ELNEL: Revenue Bonds & Debris Cleanup: When Council Asks No Questions

Four construction contracts were approved:

APPROVED: A $6,909,800 construction contract with MDOT will resurface streets and make pedestrian safety improvements as part of the State and Hill Streets Improvements Project. State street will be resurfaced from Granger to South University (excluding Hoover to Packard); crosswalk ramps and signals will be improved and on-street parking removed to create protected bike lanes. Hill Street will be resurfaced from Fifth Avenue to Church Street; crosswalk ramps and signals will be improved up to Washtenaw Ave. and 1,600 feet of water main replaced between Fifth and State. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $3,372,459.43 construction contract (Ajax Paving) will reconstruct the roadway, replace asphalt pavement, and add bike lanes in both directions at Research Park Drive (northeast of Ellsworth and State). (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $2,122,850 construction contract (Fonson) will replace a water main and resurface streets as part of the West Madison — Madison Place Water Main and Resurfacing Project. A turnaround will be established on a City-owned property at the end of Madison Place. A mini-roundabout and crosswalk improvements are planned for W. Madison and Eberwhite Boulevard. (Legistar)

  • Council Member Eyer added an amendment (approved as friendly, without a vote) emphasizing that a failure to provide evidence of OSHA training will be considered a breach of contract.

APPROVED: A $3,445,709.21 construction contract with Bailey Excavating, Inc. will replace a water main and resurface streets as part of the Brooks Street Improvement Project. The intersection at Sunset, Brooks, and Vesper will be reconfigured and a mini-roundabout installed at Mixtwood and Red Oak. (Legistar)

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/05/mini-roundabouts-bike-lanes-part-of-ann-arbor-street-projects-totaling-22m.html

Two resolutions were approved directing the collection of delinquent City charges and fees by special assessment via property taxes:

APPROVED: A total of $212,357.45 in delinquent municipal utility charges will be collected as a tax on property owners, via special assessment. (Legistar)

  • The list of unpaid accounts includes a Ward 2 property owned by Ward 1 City Council Member Cynthia Harrison. (link to list)

APPROVED: A total of $40,138.83 in delinquent City fees (e.g. solid waste, board up, clean up, vacant property, housing, and fire inspection) will be collected as a tax on property owners, via special assessment. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Council Brownfields Plan Review committee is dissolved. This City Council committee was an additional step of review for tax abatements requested by developers. Funds awarded through the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (WCBRA) compensate developers for cleanup and redevelopment of environmentally-distressed properties in the City of Ann Arbor. Requests for these funds were previously reviewed and approved by the Brownfields Plan Review committee and then sent to the whole of City Council. After City Council approval, brownfield funding requests are reviewed and approved by the Washtenaw County Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED: After an hour of meeting in closed session, Council added a resolution to the agenda directing the City Attorney to write a public memo regarding the 9th Circuit Court decision in California Restaurant Association V. Berkeley. This court decision set aside local regulation of natural gas hookups. (Legistar)

  • Link to the 9th Circuit Court opinion: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2023/04/17/21-16278.pdf
  • From the opinion: “As these cases make clear, States and localities can’t skirt the text of broad preemption provisions by doing indirectly what Congress says they can’t do directly.”
  • From the opinion: “In sum, Berkeley can’t bypass preemption by banning natural gas piping within buildings rather than banning natural gas products themselves.”

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 1, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 1, 2023 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: December 21, 2020

This was the eighteenth 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: Resolution asking Staff and Planning commission to consider amendments to an ordinance passed 9/4/20, regulating the location of short-term-rentals in the City. Amendments will be drafted to preserve businesses already located in residentially zoned districts. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Water rate increases: 7% (starting January 1, 2021) and increase again by 6.5% (starting July 1, 2021). These changes are projected to increase revenues to the Water Supply System by $1.47 million (more than FY2020). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Solar panel installation in Multi-family, Mixed Use, Non-residential and Special Purpose districts (up to 10,000 square feet) will be permitted under certain conditions without a Site Plan Review. (This amendment is prompted by a specific development proposal to expand a parking cover and create a larger surface for solar collection.) District height maximums will have (up to) a 12-foot exception for the purpose of mounting rooftop solar. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $72,000 to support Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (Winter Emergency Shelter & Warming Center). (Legistar)

APPROVED: $12,000 allocation of Special Assistance Fund to Barrier Busters. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $50,000 of direct assistance to Ann Arbor Residents through Barrier Busters. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 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.

Legistar
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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: 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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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

Ann Arbor City Council: May 18, 2020

This was the 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.

Legistar
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Voting Chart

At the May 11, 2020 Council work session, Interim City Administrator presented an overview of the financial challenges facing the City as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $1,500,000 in engineering contracts for capital improvement, operation and maintenance projects at the Water Treatment Services Unit facilities (Legistar)

APPROVED: $27,620 for 800 street sign posts, as well as 600 sleeves and 200 bases to install them (Legistar)

APPROVED: 6.5% Sewer Rate increase (Legistar)

APPROVED:11% Stormwater Rate increase (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendment to the Chicken/Duck Keeping Ordinance to eliminate 2-bird permit, remove neighbor notification, and allow animals outside of enclosure when someone is present (Legistar)

APPROVED: PUD zoning and site plan for “The Garnet” at 325 E. Summit Street (Legistar, Legistar)

APPROVED: Resolution giving direction to the City Administrator for budget adjustments: hiring freeze, negotiated salary cuts, removal of 40/40/20 millage rebate spending commitment (affordable housing, climate action, and pedestrian safety), prioritizing the needs of residents “most impacted.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: FY21 Budget Amendments (Legistar)

  • Up to $495,000 may be used (temporarily) from the Local Street Fund Balance to complete local street repair during a season of low traffic. The City anticipates a loss of $2.7 million in revenue from the State to fund Street Repair.
  • Re-affirming the City’s commitment and timeline for the Nixon Corridor Improvement Project as a Capital Improvement Project
  • Request that LDFA consider $700,000 in spending to support small business recovery
  • $140,000 removed from budget, cancelling deer cull operations for FY21
  • $1,094,000 removed from budget, delaying Hollywood Blvd Project, Ann Arbor Saline Project, Historic District Survey, and the Capital Sinking Fund Transfer for FY 2021
  • $114,144 removed from budget. This would have been additional funding for Parks, consistent with the Parks Fairness Resolution

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 18, 2020 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: May 6, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: 6% increase Water Rates (Legistar)

APPROVED: 7% increase Sewer Rates (Legistar)​

APPROVED: 13% increase Stormwater Rates (Legistar)

APPROVED: $1,135,000 for shared use, non-motorized paths at Wheeler Service Center and on Stone School Road (Legistar)

APPROVED: $8,995,000 for 2019 Street Resurfacing and Restoration project (Legistar)

APPROVED:  $95,750 for installation of flashing beacons (RRFB’s) at five crosswalks (Legistar)

  • N. Maple Rd. (near S. Circle Dr)
  • N. Maple Rd. (between Pamela Ave. & Sequoia Pkwy)
  • S. Maple Rd. (between Bens St. & Russell St)
  • Green Rd. (Greenbrier Blvd)
  • Geddes Rd. (east of Earhart Rd)

APPROVED: Site plan and development agreement for 309 N. Ashley (Legistar)

APPROVED: Rezoning to allow temporary uses of large parking lots (Briarwood) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendment to zoning for food trucks (will be permitted in all but residential areas) (Legistar)

DEFEATED: Zoning expansion for Accessory Dwelling Units to all residential areas (except mobile home parks) that would allow for building new accessory structures and remove requirement for minimum lot size (Legistar)

A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (May 4, 2019) – Boards and Commissions Appointment Process

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 6, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 6, 2019 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 6, 2019 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: February 4, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
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Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $30,704 agreement with Washtenaw Community Mental Health for treatment services through Mental Health Court for 15th District Court participants (Legistar)

APPROVED: $45,801 agreement with Avalon Housing for case management services through Mental Health Court for 15th District Court participants (Legistar)

APPROVED: $135,750 agreement with Dawn Farms for drug abuse counselling and rehab services through Sobriety Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Mental Health Court for 15th District Court participants (Legistar)

APPROVED: Special assessment district for new curbs, gutters, sidewalks on Scio Church Rd (Legistar)

APPROVED: $27,495 for additional study of water rates by Arcadis, to analyze alternative fee structures such as: eliminating the fourth tier, reverting to previous fee system, applying tiers to commercial classes, identifying other customer classes, or imposing flat rates (Legistar)

APPROVED: $27,495 additional fund to Stantec, to collaborate with Arcadis to analyze alternative fee structures for water rates (Legistar)​

APPROVED: Resolution in support of farmworker’s rights, boycott Wendy’s and other food service providers that do not participate in the Fair Food Program (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendment to the city’s trespass ordinance, creating a process of citation rather than warrant. This procedural change is intended to prevent additional penalties for “failure to appear” when mailed notice is not received. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (Feb 3, 2019) – Snow Removal, Trespass Ordinance, Fair Food Program

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 4, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 4, 2019 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: January 7, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
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Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

DEFEATED: An ordinance to amend our water rates, increasing them by 6% (Legistar)

  • Note: this passed at the May 6, 2019 Council meeting, after study completed of alternative fee structures

APPROVED:  An ordinance to amend our sewer rates, increasing them by 6% (Legistar)

DEFEATED: $478,867 for Greenbelt purchase of conservation easement at Lepkowski property in Northfield township (Legistar)​​

A2ELNEL: Commissions and Transparency

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 7, 2019

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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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