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)
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.
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.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 3, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of April 3, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
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.
Revenue Bonds & Debris Cleanup: When Council Asks No Questions
This week’s Council agenda is very short, but two items – $45 million in water supply revenue bonds and $450,000 expenditure for tree limb cleanup – are worth extra discussion and consideration.
Tree Branch Debris Update (March 26, 2023)
At the most recent Council meeting on March 20, 2023, the City Administrator offered an update on the City’s plan to pick up fallen tree limbs and...
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 20, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of March 20, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
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.
Council Evades Responsibility: Insurance Board, Downtown Street Closures, Brownfield Review Committee
The most recent Council meetinghighlighted just how rapidly a new Council is delegating responsibility to unelected City staff, reducing their own responsibility and accountability for decisions that impact the City and its residents.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 6, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of March 6, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall.
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.
Eliminating The Insurance Board Reduces Council Accountability
At the March 6, 2023 meeting, Council will consider a proposal to eliminate the City’s Insurance Board, a forum that exists to consider resident requests for compensation from the City. The new ordinance empowers the City Administrator or his designee to decide payment or denial of all claims up to $75,000.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 21, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of February 21, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. Mayor Taylor, CM
Briggs, and CM Song were absent.
Ann Arbor City Council Newsletter (February 18, 2023)
This week’s meeting is happening on Tuesday, due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. Council considers another very short agenda, including the twice-postponed resolution to re-start planning and design of improvements to the E. Medical Center Drive Bridge.
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 6, 2023
This post contains my Ann Arbor City Council voting chart for the meeting of February 6, 2023, which was held in person at City Hall. CMs Ghazi Edwin and Watson were absent.
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.
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, 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.
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.