All Blog Posts
Since November 2018, I’ve shared Ann Arbor City Council agenda summaries, voting records, community announcements, and in-depth analysis of issues and policy.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 23, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of January 23, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (January 22, 2022)
Hello neighbors! Welcome to my Ann Arbor City Council newsletter, where you can connect with primary sources to understand the work of your local...
A Million Dollars and Counting
I scanned Legistar and quickly found multiple examples of how “Best Value” contracting policy has been implemented, at a cost to taxpayers. In just a preliminary search, I identified where this new scoring criteria – combined with Council discretion, rejecting staff recommendations – has cost the City over a million dollars.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 9, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of January 9, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
5 Corners PUD Zoning Public Meeting (Jacks Hardware) Jan 12 2023
There will be a public meeting on January 12, 2023 to review plans for the “5 Corners” proposed development (currently the site of Jack’s Hardware).
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (January 7, 2022)
This week, City Council will vote on eight items – conservation easements and contracts/purchases requiring budget amendments – that had to be pulled from the December 19, 2022 agenda because each required eight votes for approval. Council was unable to consider those items at their last meeting due to the absence of four Council Members: Akmon, Cornell, Disch, and Song.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 19, 2022
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of December 19, 2022, which was held in person at City Hall. CMs Akmon, Cornell, Disch, and Song were absent. Due to the absences, items requiring 8 votes were removed from the agenda.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (December 17, 2022)
This week, Council’s regular agenda is very short: final approval of appointments to boards and commissions, amendments to the Best Value Procurement policy, approval of the Council Policy and Legislative agenda, and a two month extension of the City’s contract with Recycle Ann Arbor. Among other things, the Consent Agenda includes a significant expenditure for solar installations at City facilities, and amendments to the contract for resurfacing of Scio Church Road, now scheduled for 2023.
Ann Arbor City Planning Commission Work Session on TC-1 Zoning Changes (Dec 13 2022)
I made a video summary of the December 13, 2022 Ann Arbor City Planning Commission working session that discussed potential changes to the Transit Corridor (TC-1) zoning district at West Stadium and Maple.
A2 Snow Match: Neighborhood Volunteer Program For Ann Arbor Snow Removal
A2 Snow Match is a new City of Ann Arbor program for volunteers to shovel snow for neighbors in need.
Public Meetings for Proposed Development at 350 S Fifth Ave (Y Lot) Dec 2022
In December 2022 there are two scheduled public meetings for proposed development at 350 S Fifth Ave (Y Lot). On Wednesday, December 14th, the plans...
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 5, 2022
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of December 5, 2022, which was held in person at City Hall.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (December 4, 2022)
This week, Ann Arbor City Council considers organization tasks for a new roster of members. A new Council will be appointed to boards, commissions and committees and also approve Council Rules. Also on this agenda: a motion to suspend Council Rules for reconsideration of a feasibility study. Other items on this agenda include a resolution for adjustments to the TC1 District on Stadium/Maple and the purchase of an ambulance.
New Ann Arbor City Council Removes Work Sessions From Calendar
Ann Arbor City Council has not scheduled any Work Sessions in 2023 to discuss the Budget or any other important topics.
Ashley Mews PUD Public Meeting (Dec 8 2022)
The owners of Ashley Mews (414 S Main Street, Ann Arbor) have requested amendments to PUD Supplemental Regulations in order to expand permitted uses on the property. Owners are interested in adding short-term-rental and hotel use, which is not currently permitted in the PUD. A public meeting for resident participation is part of the City process of considering this request. Anyone interested can attend.
Ann Arbor Municipal Airport Expansion Public Meetings (December 2022)
I have several updates about potential plans for Ann Arbor Municipal Airport expansion, including two public meetings scheduled for December 2022.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 21, 2022
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of November 21, 2022, which was held in person at City Hall.
This was the first meeting for CM Akmon, CM Cornell, CM Ghazi Edwin, CM Harrison, CM Watson.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (November 19, 2022)
My term as an elected representative from Ward 4 is ended, so I am no longer handling constituent services. However, I remain committed to highlighting the work of Ann Arbor City Council so that our community has the maximum opportunity to be informed about and engage with the work of our elected representatives.
Thank You (But Not Goodbye)
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to tell me how much you appreciate this newsletter. These last four years, I have tried desperately to...
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of November 10, 2022, which was held in person at City Hall.
This was the final meeting for CM Grand, CM Griswold, CHayner, CM Nelson, CM Ramlawi.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (November 6, 2022)
Due to Tuesday elections, Ann Arbor City Council is meeting this Thursday, November 10. This week’s meeting will be my last, and this agenda includes several issues that will have a significant impact on residents in Ward 4 and beyond.
Competing Interests, Representation, and Public Scrutiny
As elected representatives in a democracy, City Council is tasked with voting on issues of controversy. I believe that if we aspire to have a truly...
Finance and Fireplaces
Update Nov 3, 2022: New information surfaced since this blog post was published on Sunday, October 30, 2022. An amendment to the campaign finance...
Unarmed Response Survey
The City of Ann Arbor has opened up a survey to collect your input about the creation of an unarmed response program for public safety. From the...