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 Newsletter (October 1, 2023)
This week’s Council agenda is extremely short, with just one item on the regular agenda. The biggest news announced this week was the possible sale of a City owned property that was previously designated for development of affordable housing. I wrote more about that in my “Additional Thoughts” section.
Ann Arbor FOR SALE: Sports Illustrated Resorts
This week, national news outlets were the first to report that a City-owned parking lot at South Ashley (also known as the Klines lot) could potentially be sold to Sports Illustrated Resorts for the development of a new hotel and conference center. The Klines lot was previously earmarked and assessed for the development of affordable housing. If a deal with Sports Illustrated Resorts moves forward, it will have skipped at least three steps of public consideration and transparency.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 18, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of September 18, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (September 17, 2023)
This week’s City Council agenda is quite short and includes two public hearings on final approval for two ordinance amendments: a rezoning of properties on Ann Arbor Saline Road and changes to the Transportation Commission bylaws. Council will also amend the terms of sale for 350 S Fifth (Y Lot).
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of September 5, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Watson was absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (September 4, 2023)
This week, Council considers a lengthy agenda that includes seven public hearings. Council will vote on final approval for amendments to TC-1 zoning, an ordinance requiring home energy audits at time of sale, and amendments to marijuana regulation that will extend business hours later (until midnight). One of the public hearings this week will invite feedback from residents about a rezoning at White/Henry/State/Stimson for the “SouthTown” development that includes up 64 dedicated, full-time short term rentals (or Airbnb)
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 21, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of August 21, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Song was absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (August 19, 2023)
This week’s City Council meeting includes three public hearings, a new ordinance requiring home energy audits, and amendments to a brownfield plan that increases tax abatement for a developer. The consent agenda includes a resolution directing that $6,200,000 be transferred from the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to the City’s General Fund, to purchase the City-owned property at 350 S. Fifth (the “Y Lot”).
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 7, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of August 7, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. Mayor Taylor and CM Cornell were absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (August 5, 2023)
This week’s regular agenda is relatively short. There is one public hearing on an ordinance amendment that lifts requirements for membership on the Transportation Commission. At first reading, Council will consider several items: a request for rezoning at State/White/Henry (“SouthTown by 4M”), an amendment to TC-1 zoning, and a new ordinance requiring Home Energy Audit disclosures when homes are sold.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 17, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of July 17, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Ghazi Edwin was absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (July 15, 2023)
This week’s agenda is fairly short, and includes a few land use and planning items at locations on Broadway/Maidens Lane and Newport/Bird/Victoria Circle. The Consent Agenda is relatively short, and includes a plan for traffic calming on Granger from Forest to Olivia.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for July 6, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of July 6, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Disch was absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (July 4, 2023)
As of today (Tuesday, July 4th), there is very little on the City Council agenda for the meeting this Thursday. However, agenda items are frequently added late, so it’s worth checking the agenda again on the day of the meeting. As of today, the regular agenda includes only second reading and final approval for two ordinances: new police policy regarding traffic stops and rules for leaving household items on the curb for donation/reuse.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 20, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of June 20, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Song and CM Watson were absent. CM Eyer left the meeting early.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (June 18, 2023)
This week, City Council considers an extremely long agenda: 30 items on the consent agenda, alone. Highlights include final approval for ordinances related to pet stores, impounded bicycles, and the repeal of an ordinance requiring landlords to share local voter information with tenants. Council will also consider final approval of a rezoning at 721 S Forest and amendment to the conditional zoning of 1140 Broadway.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of June 5, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (June 4, 2023)
This week, City Council considers a very long agenda, with a few items of note tucked into the Consent Agenda. First readings of ordinance amendments address landlord requirements, bike impounding policy, and pet store regulation. Council-initiated resolutions ask staff to accelerate rezoning of Plymouth and Washtenaw and authorize the City Attorney to initiate legal actions without consulting Council.
Integrity in Government Spending, Oversight, and Policymaking
The June 5, 2023 Ann Arbor City Council agenda is quite long and illustrates how a new Council approaches the job of local government, accountability, and informed decision making.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 15, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of May 15, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (May 14, 2023)
This week’s Ann Arbor City Council meeting includes approval of the FY2024 budget and first reading for a rezoning of 721 South Forest. Council will also approve City fee changes for public services and community services.
Council Administration Committee: Work Sessions, High End Housing At City Hall
This week, I recorded a meeting of the Council Administration Committee. My recording illustrates the poor quality of phone access – unlike other meetings held by boards and commissions via Zoom, the audio quality of phone-access is so poor that it is extremely difficult to hear what is said much of the time.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 1, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of May 1, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CM Ghazi Edwin was absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (April 30, 2023)
This week’s Ann Arbor City Council meeting includes five public hearings, and a resolution to dissolve the Brownfields Plan Review Committee.