Hello neighbors!
Tomorrow, Ann Arbor City Council votes on a relatively short agenda: amendment to bicycle parking requirements postponed from a previous meeting (C-1), zoning for two recently annexed parcels (C-2, C-3), and a rezoning that anticipates the demolition and redevelopment of the LIVE club and Last Word bar (C-4). At first reading, Council will consider a new ordinance to prevent the spread of oak wilt (C-5).
For the third time since 2004, City Council will discuss a resolution calling out protests at a local synagogue (DC-3). That resolution directs City staff to model a local ordinance after a fairly controversial New York law. See explanation below.
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 June 15, 2026:
Candidate Forums
This election season, there are opportunities to meet candidates at local forums. My son and I have been filming these events and posting them on my YouTube channel. Last week, we filmed a candidate forum at Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, featuring candidates for Ann Arbor City Council Ward 5: Jenn Cornell and Greg Monroe.
Let me know if you hear of candidate forums that are worth recording! All forum videos are posted in this playlist
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: June 9, 2026
This is a recording I made of a Zoom audio meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 by the Ann Arbor Council Administration Committee. Video was not made available.
https://a2council.com/council-administration-committee-june-9-2026/
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, July 6, 2026 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=1368506&GUID=9271A9B6-D119-492D-8B4E-DD8569E222F5
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 (26-1154) Agenda Response Memo and eComments – July 6, 2026
This agenda item has a PDF attachment with all questions raised by Council Members, and the answers provided by staff.
Communications from the Mayor
MC-1 (26-1029) Appointments – Confirmations
These appointments from the Mayor was presented at the previous meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this Council meeting.
- Annie Hwang – Building Board of Appeals
- Ben Bond – Commission on Disability Issues
- Ellen Ward – Elizabeth Dean Fund Committee
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 (26-1104) Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the 2026 Rolling Sculpture Car Show – Friday, July 10, 2026
CA-2 (26-0959) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Facility Service Janitorial LLC d/b/a Facilities 360 for Janitorial Services at the Water Treatment Plant, RFP 26-25 ($150,000.00)
CA-3 (26-1004) Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of Three Trucks from National Auto Fleet Group (Sourcewell – $164,326.02)
CA-4 (26-1005) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Bobcat and Attachments from Diuble Equipment Inc. (Sourcewell – $91,477.06)
CA-5 (26-1006) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a John Deere Backhoe and Attachments from AIS Construction Equipment Corp. (MiDeal – $184,332.39)
CA-6 (26-1007) Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of a Jetting / Vacuum Truck from Fredrickson Supply (Sourcewell bid – $662,395.74)
CA-7 (26-1008) Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of Two Automated Front Load Refuse Trucks on Autocar Chassis from Fredrickson Supply (Sourcewell – $896,350.80)
CA-8 (26-1009) Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of a Tow Behind Woodchipper from Vermeer Midwest (Sourcewell – $268,726.00)
CA-9 (26-1100) Resolution to Approve a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Police Technology Consolidation, Drones, Hardware, and Software Services ($2,967,419.69)
CA-10 (26-1068) Resolution to Approve an Agreement with First Data Merchant Services LLC (“Fiserv”) for Merchant Processing Services ($279,000.00)
CA-11 (26-0974) Resolution Terminating the Local State of Emergency in Response to the April 15, 2026, Tornado
CA-12 (26-1016) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Emergent Health Partners for Fire Dispatch Services and Appropriate Funding ($210,429.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-13 (26-0900) Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of a 2026 Wheeled Coach Type III Ambulance from Emergency Vehicles Plus Inc. (HGACBuy Cooperative Purchasing Agreement) and Appropriate Funds ($346,001.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-14 (26-1062) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement for Advanced Life Support Ambulance Services with Huron Valley Ambulance, Inc. (RFP# 26-04) ($0.00)
CA-15 (26-0961) Resolution to Approve an Agreement with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office for Weapons Screening Services in the Ann Arbor Justice Center (NTE $290,000.00)
CA-16 (26-1079) Resolution to Adopt Revised Investment Policy
CA-17 (26-1089) Resolution to Approve Insurance Policy Renewal Agreement with AGCS Marine Insurance Company for Auto Physical Damage Coverage Effective July 1, 2026
CA-18 (26-0878) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Washtenaw 2030 District to Continue Program Development, Outreach, Engagement, and Support for Commercial Building Decarbonization ($300,000.00)
CA-19 (26-1074) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Yarrington Services Incorporated d/b/a Koala Insulation of Greater Ann Arbor for Weatherization Services Related to Bryant Neighborhood Decarbonization Work ($400,000.00)
CA-20 (26-1071) Resolution to Accept a Sidewalk Easement at 1520 Pear Street from Linda L. Moody and Tanya Thunberg (8 Votes Required)
CA-21 (26-1111) Resolution Calling Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Issuance by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission of Tax-Exempt Bonds (Dr. Willis C. Patterson Project)
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 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 (25-2201) An Ordinance to Amend Section 5.19 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V (Bicycle and Vehicle Parking) CPC Recommendation: Approval (8 Yes, 0 No)
Proposed changes to UDC 5.19 Parking requirements would remove the table of vehicle parking requirements for all land uses. That table currently establishes vehicle parking “maximums” as well as minimum requirements for EV parking spaces as a percentage of spaces provided. Amendments will also adjust requirements and design for bicycle parking facilities.
Adjusted requirements and design of bike parking infrastructure were based on a study conducted by the Downtown Development Authority, measuring the use of bike infrastructure downtown (both racks and indoor room)
https://www.a2dda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Existing-Bicycle-Parking-Environment-Memo-FINAL.pdf
Based on data, some requirements were reduced in the downtown zoning district of D1 and D2. The changes were first approved by the Planning Commission in November 2025:
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-november-18-2025/
In January, City Council unanimously approved the changes at first reading without discussion. At second reading, Council Members challenged the idea of reducing any of the requirements. It was sent back to the Planning Commission for further discussion.
On April 21, 2026, the City Planning Commission reconsidered the ordinance changes. Staff was directed to allow the substitution of Class B bicycle parking (covered) when Class C bicycle parking (racks) is required. They recommended, also, that the ordinance differentiate electric vehicle and bicycle parking requirements.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-april-21-2026/
A new version of the ordinance maintains the same requirements as before and requires that at least 5% of all bike infrastructure be oversized (two space minimum).
C-2 (26-0916) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.3 Acres from TWP (Township District) to R1B (Single Family Dwelling District), 615 Riverview Drive Rezoning (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
A recently annexed parcel at 615 Riverview Drive (0.3 acre) will be zoned R1B (Single Family Dwelling).
This was approved by the City Planning Commission on March 17, 2026
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-17-2026/
C-3 (26-0918) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.26 Acres from TWP (Township District) to PL (Public Land District), 2700 Fuller Road Rezoning (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 7 Yeas and 0 Nays)
A recently annexed parcel at 2700 Fuller Road (.26 acre) will be zoned PL (Public Land district).
This was approved by the Planning Commission on April 7, 2026
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-april-7-2026/
C-4 (26-1015) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of approximately 0.84 Acres from D2 (Downtown Interface) to PUD (Planned Unit Development District), 315 West Huron PUD Zoning and Supplemental Regulations, 301, 311, 315, 317, 319 West Huron Street and 102, 106 South First Street (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 7 Yeas and 0 Nays)
A combination of parcels at 301, 311. 315, 317, and 319 W. Huron Street and 102 and 106 South First Street (0.84 acre) will be rezoned to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district. The rezoning will accommodate a 10-story building with 285 units, a coffee shop, rooftop bar and amenity spaces. Fifteen percent of housing units will be priced to be affordable to households at 60% Area Median Income.
The new development will demolish brick buildings from the 1920s and 1930’s, including the LIVE nightclub and Last Word Bar.
Developers held a resident participation meeting about this project on July 8, 2025
https://a2council.com/315-w-huron-st-resident-participation-meeting-july-8-2025/
The rezoning was approved by the Planning Commission on June 2, 2026
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-june-2-2026/
C-5 (26-1075) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 40 (Trees and Other Vegetation) of Title III (Parks and Public Grounds) of the Ann Arbor City Code
A new ordinance prohibits the pruning or trimming of oak trees of any variety between March 1st and December 1st. During the prohibited period, any wound on a tree must be treated within 24 hours with tree-pruning sealant or latex paint. These strategies will prevent the spread of oak wilt disease to other oak trees in the area.
Motions and Resolutions
The following agenda items are motions and resolutions, which are approved or rejected in a single meeting. Agenda items marked “DC” are proposed by Council members, items marked “DB” are proposed by City boards and commissions, items marked “DS” are proposed by City staff.
DC-1 (26-1119) Resolution to Approve a Request from Anna’s House Ann Arbor, LLC to Transfer the Classification of a Liquor License from a Tavern License to a Class C License Located at 445 E Eisenhower Pkwy Unit 1 – Anna’s House Ann Arbor
A current liquor license for Anna’s House at 445 E Eisenhower Pkwy will be reclassified from “Tavern” to “Class C”.
DC-2 (26-1013) Resolution to Approve Temporary Outdoor Sales, Service and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages during the 2026 Ann Arbor Art Fair
Temporary outdoor service of alcohol will be approved during Art fair 2026 for Marquee Arts (Michigan Theater), Slurping Turtle, New York Pizza Depot, and Sava’s.
DC-3 (26-1156) Resolution to Strengthen Police Training, Police Planning, and to Develop Amendments to City Code to Protect Places of Religious Worship
This resolution directs the Ann Arbor Police Department to renew training on the “distinction between hate crimes, acts of discrimination, and First Amendment-protected activity.” It establishes a timeline for responding to requests from authorized representatives of religious groups: within 45 days of receiving a request related to a place of worship, the City Administrator “shall develop a plan to respond to public protests” which “may include security perimeters or other methods of physical separation/deescalation at entrances to and exits from such place of worship, including parking lots or driveways.”
The City attorney is directed to develop an ordinance similar to law recently enacted in the state of New York. The New York law created a conduct-based class B misdemeanor limited to places of religious worship: knowingly obstructing entry or exit, or, within 50 feet, knowingly engaging in a course of conduct that places an individual seeking to exit or enter in reasonable fear for their safety. A previous version of this law created a speech-restrictive “buffer zone” around both religious sites and reproductive health facilities.
https://www.nycbar.org/blogs/2026-new-york-legislative-session-wrap-up/
Last month, the New York Civil Liberties Union warned that the most recent version of this law is intended to chill speech: “The law does not expressly target speech and demonstrations, and thus no longer violates the First Amendment on its face. But the intent and potential impact of the bill – to chill First Amendment protected protest – has not changed at all.”
https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/nys-buffer-zone-law-doesnt-create-protest-free-areas-but-it-could-still-chill-speech
Non-binding Whereas clauses in this resolution call out protest activities at a local synagogue, specifically. These local protests have been ongoing now for twenty years. In 2004, City Council passed a resolution, denouncing them.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=264721&GUID=6C5F55F0-49B6-4E35-86BD-43BE1AFC0CD5
In 2019, the synagogue filed a complaint against the City of Ann Arbor for failing to stop the protests. In that litigation, City attorneys argued that the protests were protected political speech, and that they “are not directed at the plaintiffs or any specific person, nor do they advocate or incite direct violence against the plaintiffs, their fellow congregants, the synagogue, Israel, or Jews.” In 2021, these protests were upheld as protected speech under the First Amendment
ACLU Michigan summarized the legal status of these protests:
https://www.aclumich.org/cases/synagogue-protesters/
In 2022, City Council reacted to a violent event in Texas with another resolution denouncing the local protests.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5371989&GUID=941CC1E9-B275-4746-9C34-A3D4C18A3B63
Thank you for taking the time to be informed about our local government!
Elizabeth Nelson