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 (April 16, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (April 16, 2023)

This week, Council considers first reading of increases to water and stormwater rates, and a public hearing and final approval for the rezoning of 415 W. Washington. On the consent agenda, Council will re-consider a 20-year lease for the City’s airport, rescinding lease terms approved five months ago in order to substitute a different lessee.

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Ann Arbor Airport Lease: “A More Directed Approach”

Ann Arbor Airport Lease: “A More Directed Approach”

The April 17, 2023 Council agenda illustrates just how much transparency is lost when City operations happen outside of public process. Item CA-9 is an amendment to a 20 year lease agreement (with option to renew for 10 years) for building maintenance and management of services at the Ann Arbor airport.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (April 2, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (April 2, 2023)

This week’s Council agenda is short. It includes two public hearings and final approval (rezoning and site plan) for a new development of apartments at North Maple and Calvin Street. Council will also discuss $45 million in water supply revenue bonds and authorize $450,000 in spending to pay for tree branch and limb cleanup.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (March 18, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (March 18, 2023)

This week’s regular Council agenda includes two public hearings for ordinance amendments to be approved at second reading (repeal of the Insurance Board and procedural changes to commercial solid waste service), and two ordinance amendments to be considered at first reading, including a rezoning for 415 W. Washington.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (March 4, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (March 4, 2023)

This week, the City Council agenda includes two public hearings for a large new development on Dhu Varren, rezoning for apartments on North Maple, and amendments to a contract and ordinance for solid waste and recycling services. Council will also revisit a decision postponed at the last meeting: street closures for the Monroe Street Fair on April 1st. In my “Additional Thoughts” section, I’ve written at length about the significance of an ordinance repeal/amendment that will eliminate the City’s Insurance Board and greatly reduce Council accountability and transparency to the community.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (February 4, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (February 4, 2023)

This week, the City Council agenda includes final approval (second reading) for two re-zonings. Amendments to stormwater management systems requirements will also be considered at second reading. Agenda item DC-1 is a resolution postponed from the last meeting regarding needed improvements to the E. Medical Center Drive Bridge.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (January 22, 2023)

Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (January 22, 2023)

This week’s regular agenda includes only three items: designation of a historic district, settlement of litigation, and approval of an amicus brief to be filed with the US Supreme Court. The consent agenda includes a few items of note: a contract for rehabilitation of the East Medical Center bridge, amendments to the 841 Broadway Development Agreement, and a contract for water main and resurfacing work on South Main.

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A Million Dollars and Counting

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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (January 7, 2022)

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.

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Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (December 17, 2022)

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.

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