Hello neighbors!
This week, Ann Arbor City Council considers a short agenda with one ordinance amendment: first reading for changes to the solid waste ordinance (C-1). The rest of the agenda includes a calendar of scheduled meetings for 2026 (DC-1) and Council appointments to boards, commissions and committees (DC-4). A resolution urges Congress to fund housing and shelter support (DC-2) and a second resolution directs the removal of neighborhood watch signs (DC-4).
The Consent Agenda this week includes financial plans for affordable housing at 350 S. Fifth (CA-15, CA-16) and a resolution of intent for significant changes to the Downtown Development Authority (CA-21).
A2Council Update Video
After every City Council meeting I send out an “A2Council Update” newsletter, which includes a summary video. Here is my A2Council Update video from the Council meeting of December 1, 2025:
Washtenaw County Government: Board control over the Sheriff’s Office
At their meeting on December 3, 2025, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to transfer four staff positions out of the County Sheriff’s department and under the control of County human resources. County Commissioners referred to personnel challenges without offering details. Sheriff Alyshia Dyer (elected in 2024) was not present for the December meeting but presented data in both June and November, outlining the budget needed to cover the cost of food, medical care, and adequate staffing in the County jail.
Below is my video summary of Board discussion and public comments at the December meeting, plus background from previous meetings with the Sheriff in June and November.
Reporting and interview on the County resolution transferring four staff out of the Sheriff’s office and under central control of the County human resources department:
https://www.wemu.org/wemu-news/2025-12-04/dyer-blasts-washtenaw-county-commissions-push-to-transfer-hr-department
https://the-lucy-ann-lance-show.simplecast.com/episodes/120525-county-board-takes-hr-department-responsibility-from-sheriff-sheriff-alyshia-dyer-lYWrvx0q
In Case You Missed It…
On my YouTube channel, you can find recordings of public meetings that are open to attend live (online or in-person) but are not made available by the City to view later. Please reach out if you have suggestions about public meetings that should be recorded. Subscribe to my YouTube channel if you would like to be alerted to new content as it gets added.
https://www.youtube.com/@a2elnel
Council Administration Committee: December 9, 2025
This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available.
https://a2council.com/council-administration-committee-december-9-2025/
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Agenda
Below is my summary of issues on the City Council Agenda this week, with links to more information about each of them. If you have comments about any of these issues, you can email all of Council at CityCouncil@a2gov.org
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting
Monday, December 15 2025 7:00PM
Ann Arbor City Hall (2nd Floor)
301 E Huron St, Ann Arbor 48104
The full agenda (including a link to the latest published PDF agenda, and instructions for dialing into the meeting) is on the A2Gov Legistar website:
https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1251595&GUID=B1C171BF-B447-4AA2-A2BA-C40E9DE38F77
City Council meetings are broadcast live by CTN on Comcast (channel 16) and AT&T (channel 99) and online at a2gov.org/watchCTN
Meetings are also streamed live on the CTN YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ctnannarbor
How to reserve public comment
People that wish to comment at a City Council meeting must sign up with the City Clerk’s office in advance. Speakers are allotted 3 minutes, with the first 15 speakers allowed to speak in a 45 minute session near the beginning of the meeting. Remaining speakers will speak at the end of the Council meeting. Public comment can be made either in person or remotely via phone/Zoom audio.
To sign up for public comment, please go to or call the City Clerk’s Office at 734-794-6140 on the day of the meeting between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. At 4:00 PM, all speakers that have signed up are randomly ordered in “priority groups”. After 4:00 PM, speakers are added to the end of the applicable priority group in the order received. No new speakers will be added to the list after 5:00 PM. For more information, visit the City’s website:
https://www.a2gov.org/city-council/council-meetings-overview/
Questions to the Agenda
In preparation for a Council meeting, Council members can ask questions of staff about scheduled agenda items. Questions must be submitted by noon on the Wednesday before a Council Meeting, and answers are returned the next day (Thursday) by 5pm.
AC-1 (25-2206) Agenda Response Memo and eComments – December 15, 2025
This agenda item has a PDF attachment with all questions raised by Council Members, and the answers provided by staff.
Communications from Council
CC-1 (25-2149) Resolution to Appoint Lawrence Shulman to the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission
This appointment is from CM Eyer and CM Harrison, who serve on the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, and CM Watson, who serves on the Human Rights Commission. This is being presented at this meeting, and will therefore be voted on at the next Council meeting.
- Lawrence Shulman – Independent Community Police Oversight Commission
According to the published agenda, this item was deleted on Dec 9, 2025. No explanation was given.
Communications from the Mayor
There are no Mayoral appointments on the agenda when this newsletter was published.
Consent Agenda
Below is the list of items included on the Consent Agenda. If no one on Council specifically requests that an item be pulled for discussion, the whole of this list will be approved in a single vote.
CA-1 (25-2051) Resolution to Approve Adding a 1.0 Full Time Equivalent Position to Parks and Recreation for the Ann Arbor Senior Center Utilizing Funds from the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage (8 Votes Required)
CA-2 (25-2035) Resolution to Accept Additional Federal Grant Funds and Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Sub-Contract with the University of Michigan for the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation “ATTAIN AACE 2.0: The Ann Arbor Connected Environment Reimagined” ($22,286.00)
CA-3 (25-1833) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Doan Construction Co. for the Manhole Raising Project ($1,400,000.00; RFP 25-42)
CA-4 (25-1859) Resolution to Increase a Best Source Purchase Order with Liquid Calcium Chloride Sales, Inc. for Roadway Calcium Chloride ($30,000.00 Increase, Total Purchase $54,971.86)
CA-5 (25-1929) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Ric-Man Construction Inc. for the High-Level Trunkline Capacity Improvements Project (RFP 25-39; $15,167,121.00)
CA-6 (25-1930) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Michigan, Inc. (Stantec) for Construction Engineering Services for the High-Level Trunkline Capacity Improvements Project ($1,201,360.00; RFP 25-41)
CA-7 (25-2103) Resolution to Approve Amendment Number 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Baker and Associates for the 2024-2025 Bridge Inspection Program ($11,839.92 increase; Total $167,329.88)
CA-8 (25-1951) Resolution to Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order with Waterworks Systems & Equipment Inc. for New Flocculation Drive Stuffing Boxes ($40,169.00)
CA-9 (25-2038) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Sorensen Gross Company LLC in the Amount of $482,205.00 for the Water Treatment Services Unit Flocculation 4/5 Gallery Improvements Project (RFP 25-48)
CA-10 (25-2124) Resolution to Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Heartland Video Systems, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Two (2) Cablecast Vio 4 Servers and Appropriate Funding (ITB #4778; $75,087.11) (8 Votes Required)
CA-11 (25-2021) Resolution to Authorize Payments to Unum Life Insurance Company of America and to Renew Associated Group Term Life, Accident, and Disability Insurance Policies for City Employees and their Eligible Dependents, and to Authorize the City Administrator to Execute the Necessary Documentation ($570,159.00 in 2026, $570,159.00 in 2027)
CA-12 (25-2058) Resolution to Approve the Renewal of the City’s Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) to Provide Administrative Claims Processing Services for Group Medical and Group Pharmacy benefits, and Related Stop-Loss Insurance through BCS Insurance Company for the City’s Health Care Plan on Behalf of Employees and Retirees and Their Dependents, and to Authorize the City Administrator to Execute the Necessary Documentation ($2,434,419.00)
CA-13 (25-1718) Resolution to Adopt the Board of Review Guidelines for Poverty Exemptions from Property Taxation of Principal Residence Pursuant to MCL 211.7u
CA-14 (25-2138) Resolution to Approve a Best Source Professional Services Agreement with Covalence Consulting Inc., for UKG Pro Support ($85,000.00 Annually, Total Contract $255,000.00)
CA-15 (25-2034) Resolution to Appropriate Affordable Housing Funds and Execute a Grant Agreement with the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation to Develop an Affordable Housing Project at 350 S. Fifth Ave. ($4,000,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-16 (25-2037) Resolution to Approve a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for the Affordable Housing Project at 350 South Fifth Avenue
Both CA-15 and CA-16 relate to the future development of 330 units (1 to 2 bedrooms) of affordable housing, priced at no more than 80% Area Median Income (AMI). A 20-story building at 350 S. Fifth (the “Y lot”) will include housing at a range of incomes averaging 60% AMI. At least 110 units will be affordable to households earning 30% AMI and include direct support from the Housing Commission.
A grant agreement will allocate $4 million to the project, directly from the Affordable Housing Fund (CA-15). Additional funding will come from other government sources (federal low income tax credits, state-subsidized mortgages), $500,000 from the Downtown Development Authority, and an estimated $35 million in bonds backed by Affordable Housing Millage revenue.
A resolution approving Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) will allow the project at 350 S. Fifth to pay only $1 per year for each affordable unit for 45 years (CA-16).
CA-17 (25-2078) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Greenstreet Tree Services, LLC in an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000.00 to Support the City’s A2ZERO 10,000 Trees Initiative ($300,000.00)
CA-18 (25-2102) Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order for Annual Voting Equipment Maintenance from Hart InterCivic for 2025 ($79,327.00) and Appropriate Funds ($30,455.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-19 (25-2075) Resolution Recognizing Craftsman Club 4 as a Civic Nonprofit Organization Operating in Ann Arbor for the Purpose of Obtaining a Charitable Gaming License
CA-20 (25-1962) Resolution to Recommend Approval of Issuance of a Downtown Development District Liquor License to TAQ Ann Arbor, LLC
CA-21 (25-2157) Resolution of Intent to Alter or Amend the Boundaries of the Established City of Ann Arbor Downtown District, to Adopt the Ann Arbor DDA Amended Development and TIF Plan 2026-2055 Presented by the City of Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and Set a Public Hearing
By resolution, Council communicates a plan to amend the terms of Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and sets a public hearing for February 2, 2026.
Proposed changes would expand the boundaries of the DDA district to include an area to the north of Kingsley up to Depot Street. The District would also reach south to capture a single parcel, just north of Forest Court.
The DDA district is funded by tax incremental finance (TIF), which ‘captures’ property tax growth within the district, i.e. the difference between existing value of a property and a newly constructed property. The DDA captures new property tax revenue that would otherwise go to the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), Washtenaw Community College (WCC), and the Ann Arbor District Library.
This week’s amendments would allow the DDA to ‘capture’ TIF across a larger area of the City and also amend how that TIF is calculated.
The state of Michigan created the mechanism of TIF financing to support downtown districts when suburban-style shopping was pulling business away from city centers and hollowing out downtowns. The TIF/DDA model promoted redevelopment and dedicated funds toward reinvestment in downtowns that were struggling. The state law enabling such districts allows a timeline of 30 years. Ann Arbor’s DDA was established in 1982 and renewed in 2003.
The City ordinance defining the terms of the DDA includes this explanation of purpose:
“The purpose of this chapter is to create a public body corporate to act in the best interests of the City to halt property value deterioration, increase property tax valuation where possible in the business district of the City, eliminate the causes of that deterioration, and to promote economic growth”
In 2013 – in response to rapid growth in the downtown district – City Council approved a ‘cap’ on the DDA’s TIF capture, limiting its growth to 3.5% per year:
“Beginning with the 2016 tax year the maximum captured taxable value shall be $224,000,000.00. Each tax year thereafter, the maximum captured taxable value shall be increased by 3.5% per annum.”
On September 2, 2025, DDA Executive director Maura Thompson presented a recommendation to City Council that would increase DDA TIF capture under a “gainshare model.” This model would allow the DDA to keep 70% of tax revenue growth from new development and other taxing units (e.g. the City, County, AAATA, WCC, AADL) would retain 30%.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7520639&GUID=8D842AA4-1F4F-422D-AA16-366AFA7E20E9
In Ann Arbor, the DDA also manages public parking within the district and sets parking rates. Until recently, City Council played a role in approving those parking rates. This fall (9/15/25), Council unanimously approved changes that remove the requirement for an annual DDA/Council meeting and allow the City Administrator to approve the DDA’s parking rates without the participation of Council.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-september-15-2025/
You can find comprehensive background on the Ann Arbor DDA from the archives of the Ann Arbor Chronicle, written by Dave Askins. This article includes explanation of issues debated in 2011, including both the TIF capture and approval of Council approval of parking rates:
https://annarborchronicle.com/2011/05/05/dda-delays-parking-vote-amid-tif-questions/index.html
Public Hearings
Anyone wanting to comment on these issues may speak for 3 minutes, without having specifically reserved time. Issues subject to public hearing will also be up for a vote by Council later in the meeting.
There are no public hearings on the agenda
Ordinances – Second Reading
In order to amend the city code, Council must vote to approve the change, via ordinance, at two Council meetings. The following proposed ordinances were approved at a previous Council meeting, and are also subject to a public hearing as listed above.
There are no ordinance second readings on the agenda
Ordinances – First Reading
In order to amend the city code, Council must vote to approve the change, via ordinance, at two Council meetings. The following proposed ordinances are being introduced for “first reading”. If approved, the ordinance will be voted on at a subsequent Council meeting (“second reading”), where it will also be subject to a public hearing.
C-1 (25-2130) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 26 (Solid Waste Management) of Title II of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor
Nineteen pages of amendments to the solid waste ordinance remove and change definitions but also appear to add new process regarding exemptions to compost service and remove entire sections regulating the storage of containers and collection at commercial locations. Legistar does not include any summary of these amendments and it’s unclear what has been replaced or what has changed. In answer to a general question about this item, staff explained:
“The main purposes of the ordinance revision are to update current definitions in coordination with the Solid Waste Regulations, update sections where necessary to reflect current practices, and reformatting to align more closely with the Regulations. There are no significant new features to service or compliance evaluation.”
The Solid Waste Regulations can be found at this link:
https://www.a2gov.org/media/eddkw3ob/2025-05-29-solid-waste-regulations-clean.pdf
Motions and Resolutions
DC-1 (25-2099) Resolution to Approve 2026 Council Calendar
A 2026 Calendar for Council meetings and work sessions will theoretically help members anticipate scheduled responsibilities. This calendar is approved every December to plan the year ahead. Since the election of a unanimous Council in 2022, there have been 82 absences. A majority of Council has missed at least 10% of regular meetings and work sessions; one Council Member has missed 20%.
DC-2 (25-2088) Resolution Calling on Congress to Require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to Award Eligible Continuum of Care Program Renewals for 12 Months and Supporting the National Alliance to End Homelessness
By resolution, City Council would urge Congress to require a 12-month renewal of Continuum of Care Programs that provide funding for Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, street outreach, and supportive services. Program funds had been awarded through the U.S Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The expiration of these program grants represent a loss of $7.2 million to Washtenaw County and nonprofit organizations. Announced policy changes threaten a loss of approximately $3.4 million to the Washtenaw County homelessness response system.
This resolution mirrors what the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved on November 19, 2025.
https://washtenawcomi.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1582/files/attachment/5098
DC-3 (25-2205) Resolution to Approve 2026 Council Committee Appointments
Yearly appointments assign responsibilities to Council Members to periodically attend meetings of boards, commissions, and committees. Since 2022, Council has voted to remove or delegate some of these responsibilities to staff, reducing the number from 40 to 33.
DC-4 (25-2209) Resolution Directing the Removal of Neighborhood Watch Signs and Affirming the City’s Commitment to Inclusive and Evidence-Based Public Safety
By resolution, City Council directs the City Administrator to complete the task of removing of 600 signs for “Neighborhood Watch” programs that are no longer supported by the Ann Arbor Police Department. The City Administrator has already directed the removal of these signs. By resolution, Council directs the City Administrator to provide a progress report by April 15, 2026, including any “budgetary needs” to complete the task of removal by July 15, 2026.
The resolution is offered to “affirm [Council’s] commitment to community-centered, evidence-based public safety practices.” It explains that neighborhood watch signs “convey messages associated with surveillance and exclusion” and that neighborhood watch programs “reinforce racialized suspicion, encourage biased reporting, and contribute to surveillance cultures that disproportionately target people of color.”
In 2012, the tragic death of Trayvon Martin prompted national conversations about bias and discrimination in neighborhood watch programs. Martin was a child killed by an adult who was conducting “neighborhood watch” with a weapon. These articles refer to that incident and explain more about community-led surveillance, generally.
https://progressive.org/magazine/fearing-your-neighbors-kuhlenbeck/
https://www.governing.com/security/the-downside-to-surveilling-your-neighbors
A 2022 book outlines more concerns about how neighborhood watch programs can lead to racial profiling and dangerous vigilantism.
https://news.campbell.edu/articles/campbell-law-professor-shawn-fields-publishes-book-neighborhood-watch-policing-white-spaces-in-america/
Ann Arbor Neighborhood Watch programs began in 1980. The program was launched in response to three stabbings in the space of six months. In 1981, police staff described a program that “operates primarily in large housing complexes on the outer fringes of Ann Arbor.” They told the Michigan Daily: “It’s more or less socializing and really getting to know your neighbors… if a strange car is seen in the area, the residents can obtain the license place number and call us on a special communication hookup.”
https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754670/549
In Ann Arbor, support for Neighborhood Watch came from the police department’s Crime Prevention Unit. In 1981, City Council added funding for this unit in response to pressure from activists concerned about sexual assaults against women.
https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754662/10
In articles from the early to mid 1980s, neighborhood watch in Ann Arbor is framed as a process of community connection and raising awareness.
https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071755347/443
https://aadl.org/node/218590
https://aadl.org/node/369594
In 1990, neighborhood watch was led and supported by residents in Hikone, a low-income housing community in southeast Ann Arbor.
https://aadl.org/node/345555
The Ann Arbor Police Department supports removing the over 600 signs that still remain in Ann Arbor. According to the resolution, the programs are “no longer linked to any operational function of the department.”
It’s unclear when neighborhood watch programs came to an end in Ann Arbor. As recently as 2016, then Council Member Graydon Krapohl referenced his community service as a “Neighborhood Watch coordinator.”
https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/midaily.2016.07.21.001/3
Also in 2016: a UM lecturer experienced an attack described as ethnic intimidation. Her partner reportedly emailed a neighborhood watch association about it.
https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/midaily.2016.11.22.001/1
A website for “National Neighborhood Watch” still lists dozens of associations across the City of Ann Arbor.
https://nnw.org/find-a-watch-program?type=1&field_county_value=&field_address_locality=Ann%20Arbor&field_address_postal_code=&field_address_administrative_area=
Research suggests that the presence of neighborhood watch signs conveys the message that there may be more crime in a given place. In other words: removing the signs creates the appearance that there is less crime.
https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/social-norms-approach-community-based-crime-prevention-implicit-and-explicit
Thank you for taking the time to be informed about our local government!
Elizabeth Nelson