Hello neighbors!
Welcome to my Ann Arbor City Council newsletter, where you can connect with primary sources to understand the work of your local government. My goal is to provide clear explanations of all the issues your elected representatives will be discussing at their next meeting and alert you to local policy and decisions that have been assigned to unelected Mayoral appointees.
Tomorrow, Ann Arbor City Council considers a lengthy agenda including two ordinance amendments at first reading: a new “Green Rental Housing” ordinance postponed from a previous meeting (C-1) and dissolution of the Energy Commission and Environmental Commission (C-2). Council will host five public hearings, including four rezonings – three of which will create parkland (B-1, B-2 and B-3) – and an ordinance amendment to make it easier to amend terms for Planned Unit Developments (B-5).
One public hearing is for a rezoning that will permit the Downtown Public Library property to be sold into private ownership and private use (B-4). The director of the Ann Arbor District Library held a meeting in November 2024, introducing a plan to redevelop the downtown library into a privately-owned high-rise, with some library services on-site.
Related to this week’s rezoning: City Council has directed a special election for August 5, 2025, in order to repeal a 2018 City Charter amendment and transfer City-owned property to the Ann Arbor District library for $1. If the ballot questions are approved, both the downtown library and adjacent City property will be redeveloped as privately owned highrises.
To learn more about the significance of both this week’s rezoning and the special election this August, see:
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 May 19, 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, June 2 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=1251582&GUID=8C3D4A13-EA0C-40AA-A76B-3727F0BF182D
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 (25-1099) Agenda Response Memo and eComments – June 2, 2025
This agenda item has a PDF attachment with all questions raised by Council Members, and the answers provided by staff.
Communications from the Mayor
There are no Mayoral appointments on the agenda this week
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 (25-1064) Resolution to Approve the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees 72nd Annual Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School – June 16 to June 22, 2025
CA-2 (25-1061) Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade – Friday, July 4, 2025
CA-3 (25-0993) Resolution to Approve Closing Maynard Street between East Liberty and East William Streets for the Firefighter Spray Park in the District on Friday, July 4, 2025
CA-4 (25-1050) Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the Folds of Honor Firecracker 5K – Friday, July 4, 2025
CA-5 (25-0855) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. for Stewardship Services in City Parks ($375,000.00)
CA-6 (25-0964) Resolution to Approve Public Art Enhancement Recommendations for FY2026-2031 Capital Improvement Projects
CA-7 (25-0919) Resolution to Authorize a Purchase Order to Yunex LLC for Transportation Materials, Supplies, and Products in the Amount of $775,000.00 Annually
CA-8 (25-0920) Resolution to Authorize a Purchase Order to Carrier & Gable, Inc. for Transportation Materials, Supplies, and Products in the Amount of $775,000.00 Annually
CA-9 (25-0930) Resolution to Approve a Right-of-Way License Agreement with Pheenix USH LLC for the Operation of Dockless Electric Micromobility Devices in the City of Ann Arbor
CA-10 (25-0934) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Fonson Company, Inc. for the South Industrial Water Main Project (RFP 25-19; $1,241,935.47) and to Appropriate $120,000.00 in Contributing Funds (8 Votes Required)
CA-11 (25-0926) Resolution No. 1 – Prepare Plans and Specifications for the Proposed Pontiac Trail Sidewalk Special Assessment Project (District #65)
CA-12 (25-0965) Resolution to Approve Bulk Chemical Purchases for the Water Treatment Plant and Water Resource Recovery Facility of Sodium Hypochlorite (JCI Jones Chemical, Inc. – Approximately $252,000.00/year), Pebble Quicklime (Graymont Western Lime, Inc – Approximately $1,000,000.00/year) and Ferric Chloride (PVS Technologies, Inc. – Approximately $68,520.00/year). Total Chemical Purchases Estimated $1,320,520.00/year
CA-13 (25-0916) Resolution to Increase Sole Source Purchasing Authority with Aclara Technologies LLC for the Purchase of Meter Transmission Units ($120,000.00 Increase, Total Purchase Value $142,680.00) for One Year
CA-14 (25-0777) Resolution to Approve Purchase of Liquid Oxygen from Linde Inc. ITB 4769 (Estimated $80,000.00/ Year)
CA-15 (25-0844) Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs Consultants Inc., for Water Treatment Professional Engineering Services ($450,000.00 Increase, Total Contract $950,000.00)
CA-16 (25-0901) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Fonson Company, Inc. in the Amount of $385,829.00 for the Water Treatment Plant Lime Residual Removal Contract No. 1 – Site Modifications (RFP 25-15)
CA-17 (25-0904) Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 3 to Extend the Professional Services Agreement with Geosyntec Consultants of Michigan, Inc. for Hydroelectric Dams – FERC Title 18 Part 12, Subpart D (Part 12D) Inspections and Other Engineering Services in the Amount of $100,000.00 (Total Contract Amount $440,700.00)
CA-18 (25-0945) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Electric Vehicle Chargers from Chargepoint Inc. (Sourcewell – $97,718.00)
CA-19 (25-0929) Resolution to Approve a Best Source Construction Contract with Robertson-Morrison, Inc. for the Fire Station 1 Emergency Operations Center HVAC Installation ($33,202.03)
CA-20 (25-0925) Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order with Cogsdale Corporation for Annual Software Maintenance and Support for FY 2026 ($169,057.56)
CA-21 (25-0989) Resolution to Approve an Agreement with Decision Support Systems, LLC, DBA Allovance for Capital Improvement Plan Prioritization Software and Consulting Services for FY2026 – FY2031 ($308,625.00)
CA-22 (25-1019) Resolution to Approve a Renewal to the City’s Agreement with UKG, Inc. for UKG Human Resources and Payroll Software for FY2026 – FY2028 ($1,010,607.31)
CA-23 (25-1010) Resolution Authorizing Water Capital Recovery Charges for 2114 Victoria Cir. ($5,274.00)
CA-24 (25-0962) Resolution to Recommend Approval of Issuance of a Downtown Development District Liquor License to 3 Forks, LLC
CA-25 (25-0988) Resolution to Revise and Amend List of Approved Participating Establishments in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District
CA-26 (25-0853) Resolution to Approve Temporary Outdoor Sales, Service and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages during the 2025 Ann Arbor Art Fair
CA-27 (25-0949) Resolution to Approve a Contract with Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar for the Purchase and Installation of a Solar System and EV Chargers at Bicentennial Park ($364,600.00)
CA-28 (25-0950) Resolution to Approve a Contract with Ferndale Electric Company, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Solar and Storage Systems at City Hall / Justice Center, Fire Station 1, and Fire Station 6 ($1,022,393.67)
CA-29 (25-1043) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Professional Quality Home Inspections LLC dba Pillar to Post Home Inspectors for Completion of Home Energy Assessments ($160,000.00)
CA-30 (25-1044) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with OHMI Consulting, LLC d/b/a Energy Veteran Solutions for Completion of Home Energy Assessments ($160,000.00)
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.
PH-1/B-1 (25-0590) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code), Rezoning of 3 Acres from TWP (Township District) to PL (Public Land District), Ann Arbor Public Schools Property, 3801 Stone School Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-25-15)
A recently annexed parcel at 3801 Stone School Road will be rezoned to PL (Public Land). This 3 acre parcel was previously in Pittsfield township and is owned by the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Annexation and rezoning was approved by the City Planning Commission on May 21, 2024.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-may-21-2024/
PH-2/B-2 (25-0595) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 2.65 Acres from TWP (Township District) to PL (Public Land District), 2862 Stone School Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-25-16)
A recently annexed parcel at 2862 Stone School Road will be rezoned PL (Public Land). This 2.65 parcel was purchased by the Ann Arbor Public Schools in 2021 and will be used for expansion of the Pathways to Success campus.
Annexation and rezoning was approved by the City Planning Commission on May 21, 2024.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-may-21-2024/
PH-3/B-3 (25-0636) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 9.859 Acres from R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) to PL (Public Land District), Hickory Nature Area Expansion Rezoning, 2325 Crystal Way (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-25-17)
A parcel at 2325 Crystal Way will be rezoned from R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) to PL (Public Land). This 9.859 parcel is city-owned land that will expand the Hickory Nature Area at 2817 Dillon Drive. It was donated to the City in 2019, with the development of “The One” at 2601 Pontiac Trail.
This rezoning was approved by the Planning Commission on March 4, 2025.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-4-2025/
PH-4/B-4 (25-0637) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.21 Acres from PL (Public Land District) to D1 (Downtown Core District), Downtown Library Rezoning, 343 S Fifth Avenue (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)(ORD-25-18)
The parcel at 343 S. Fifth Avenue (Downtown branch of the Ann Arbor Public Library) will be rezoned from PL (Public Land) to D1 (Downtown Core) in order to allow private ownership. The library is currently exploring a “public-private” partnership for future redevelopment.
The AADL held a public meeting about the proposed rezoning on November 19, 2024:
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-downtown-library-rezoning-request-public-meeting-november-19-2024/
This rezoning was approved by the Planning Commission on March 4, 2025.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-4-2025/
The rezoning from PL (Public Land) to D1 (Downtown Core), as requested by the Library Board, will eliminate any requirement that the downtown library remain in public ownership or retain library services as a primary use. Rezoning anticipates sale of the downtown library property for high-rise development in a “public-private” partnership.
At the May 5, 2025 Council meeting, the Council Liaison to the Planning Commission asserted that “It doesn’t have anything to do with center of the city,” referring to the adjacent parcel currently owned by the City. The “Center of the City” property is already zoned D1 (Downtown Core), but is protected by the City Charter. A charter amendment passed in 2018 requires that this parcel remain in public ownership for public use.
City Council has directed a special election this August in order to repeal City Charter protections for the “Center of the City.” If approved by voters, that City-owned property will be transferred to the Library for $1. This transfer will allow the property’s sale into private ownership, at the discretion of the Library Board. Current members of the Library Board as well as the current Library director have endorsed the sale of “Center of the City” for private development.
The vote in August anticipates the potential combination and sale of both public assets (the downtown library parcel and the “Center of the City” parcel) for private uses. As directed by City Council and the Library Board, two acres of publicly-owned land on that block will be sold for private high-rise development.
A2ELNEL: Low Turnout Elections & No Questions: The Library Lot Proposals
https://a2elnel.com/post/low-turnout-elections-no-questions-the-library-lot-proposals/
MLive stories
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/11/what-could-a-new-downtown-ann-arbor-library-be-like-director-explains.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/03/future-of-downtown-ann-arbor-library-block-to-be-decided-by-city-voters-in-august.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/04/mayor-and-supporters-kicking-off-campaign-for-new-downtown-ann-arbor-library.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/05/high-rise-zoning-for-downtown-ann-arbor-library-site-gets-city-councils-initial-ok.html
PH-5/B-5 (25-0764) An Ordinance to Amend Section 5.30 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (PUD Modifications) CPC Recommendation: Approval (7 Yes, 0 No) (ORD-25-19)
An amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) will modify processes for modifications to previously approved PUD (Planned Unit Development) districts. It will apply to a PUD district comprised of multiple parcels. In a PUD district of multiple parcels, the owner of one parcel would be able to request a zoning change for their own parcel without getting authorization from the other parcel owners in the district.
This UDC amendment was approved by the Planning Commission on March 18, 2025.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-18-2025/
A PUD district is a special type of zoning that does not conform to standards for other zoning districts but is unique to the site and provides a benefit for the City that cannot be achieved through another zoning category. PUD districts are subject to “Supplemental Regulations.”
From the UDC Chapter 55, Section 5.29.11.F(6): “The Supplemental Regulations shall include analysis and justification sufficient to determine what the purported benefit is, how the special benefit will be provided, and performance standards by which the special benefit will be evaluated.”
Initial consideration of a PUD district requires authorization from all parcel owners, but staff propose this amendment because the authorization requirement “has the effect of neighboring property owners having an outsized effect on the ability of others to pursue modifications.” Staff offers the example of a property owner seeking to remove their parcel from a previously established PUD district.
This week, when asked to provide examples of where this ordinance amendment would have been helpful (link), staff cited cases where an individual property owner wanted to create short term rentals, establish a marijuana dispensary, or build on open space but could not get permission from other property owners within the PUD district. Note: open space is often one of the public benefits negotiated across the whole of a PUD district.
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.
B-1 (25-0590) is the same as PH-1 above
B-2 (25-0595) is the same as PH-2 above
B-3 (25-0636) is the same as PH-3 above
B-4 (25-0637) is the same as PH-4 above
B-5 (25-0764) is the same as PH-5 above
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 (25-0731) An Ordinance to Add Sections 8:533 Through 8:540 to Chapter 105 (Housing Code) Of Title VIII (Building Regulations) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Green Rental Housing)
A new “Green Rental Housing” ordinance will require that rental units be assessed by a “Home Energy Rater” and issued a score based on a checklist of qualified assets.
At the May 5, 2025 meeting, a number of public commenters spoke out against this ordinance. It was postponed to June 2, 2025 due to unanswered questions and Council absences. Council liaison to the Renters Commission, Cynthia Harrison, submitted a number of questions to the agenda which were not posted to Legistar until the day of the Council meeting. You can read them here: (link)
This ordinance does not apply to owner-occupied, single-family attached and detached homes, homes for the aged which are licensed by the State of Michigan, and Short-term Rentals. However, it does apply to single-family attached and detached homes for rent.
The Renters Commission discussed this ordinance at length at their meeting on March 20, 2025. Commissioners raised serious concerns about how challenging the ordinance would be to implement, particularly for small landlords who do not currently charge high rents and do not have staff or resources to support compliance.
The commission discussed a resolution expressing their direction to Council that the ordinance include a one-year voluntary compliance period. The resolution expressed their support for the Green Rental Ordinance only if the City could commit to sustained and dedicated funding for financial assistance programs targeting older housing (pre-1980) and units priced below-market (80-85% of area median rent).
In March, the Renters Commission did not have a quorum to approve that resolution. The resolution was on the agenda for their April meeting, which was cancelled. You can read the resolution here: (link)
Potential amendments are already included as attachments in Legistar.
- AMENDMENT 1 (proposed): Extend the compliance period to align with current City rental inspection periods. The City inspects rental units every three years, so a unit that was recently inspected may not be revisited until 2028. Extending the compliance period to six years allows for assessment and reporting without extra visits or inspections. This amendment is logistical, so City staff are not overwhelmed with the task of enforcing the ordinance immediately.
- AMENDMENT 2 (proposed): Clarify that an energy assessment can be performed by a certified rater with state-recognized credentials other than RESNET. This amendment acknowledges logistical constraints, that there is a “limited number” of RESNET certified energy assessors in Michigan.
- AMENDMENT 3 (proposed): Define a “low-income qualified owner” by household income (at or below 80% AMI) or by tenants (50% using voucher or housing assistance) or by rent charges (average below 60% AMI adjusted Fair Market rent.
- AMENDMENT 4 (proposed): A written waiver eligibility policy will define the criteria for a waiver so that standards are applied objectively..
- AMENDMENT 5 (proposed): Fines for violation cannot be assessed more frequently than once a month.
- AMENDMENT 6 (proposed): If a property owner is denied a waiver and files an appeal, fines will be suspended during an appeal period.
- AMENDMENT 7 (proposed): For properties in violation, the City may seek equitable relief according to published enforcement guidelines.
Other amendments proposed:
- A new section would be added to establish an Equity Implementation Plan to prevent displacement, increased rent burden, or hardship to smaller landlords. Also added: a Financial Assistance Program and Displacement Prevention Measures.
- Categorizing of items on the Checklist Pathway, distinguishing between “core” items and “bonus” items relative to their direct, quantifiable effect on emissions or efficiency.
C-2 (25-1056) An Ordinance to Amend Section 1:237 of Chapter 8 (Organizations of Boards and Commissions) of City Code
An ordinance amendment will eliminate both the City’s Environmental commission and the Energy commission and replace both with a “Sustainability commission.”
The Environmental Commission was established in April 2000. Meeting minutes from the time (link) include public comment from Mary Beth Doyle (for whom a City park is named), explaining that the commission would function as “a way for City Council to gather more information and make use of outside expertise about important environmental issues.”
The Energy commission was established in December 1985 and its goals were similar to the Environmental Commission: opportunity for community members to address City policy, prepare reports, and make recommendations. The Energy commission’s purpose was restated in 2020 (link), giving “broader charge to the commission to advise on energy production and use.”
The Environmental Commission meets to “help set goals and policies for City and community to continuously improve the natural and built environment.” The Energy commission is similarly tasked with proposing, evaluating, recommending, reviewing and advising Council on energy efficiency and energy production topics.
In recent years, the Environmental commission has discussed policy around the Gelman plume, biodiversity and consideration of natural features in updates to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Similarly, the Energy commission has discussed and offered recommendations to Council on policy related to solar energy infrastructure and the first feasibility study for municipal public power. However, the Energy commission was not asked to weigh in on the second feasibility study for municipal public power (rejected by Council on March 3, 2025).
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-march-3-2025/
This week’s proposed changes will eliminate both commissions. In their place, a new Sustainability commission will not be generating its own work plan or bringing policy recommendations to Council. Instead, a Sustainability commission will be directed by staff and given “an annual work plan provided by the City Office of Sustainability and Innovations in coordination with the Public Services Area.”
Though this proposal was discussed at both the Energy Commission and the Environmental Commission, neither body took a formal vote on their own dissolution. This ordinance amendment to dissolve both commissions originated with City staff.
Motions and Resolutions
DC-1 (25-1093) Resolution to Approve the City of Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Agreement for 616 E. Washington
An affordable housing agreement for 616 E. Washington will designate 19 affordable rental units. Six units will be affordable to households at 60% of Area Median Income) (AMI) and 13 units will be affordable to families at 80% of AMI. Those 19 units are committed for 99 years.
The site plan for 616 E. Washington was approved in December 2019 to be 19 stories tall, with a total of 240 dwelling units (466 bedrooms).
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-december-2-2019/
Thank you for taking the time to be informed about our local government!
Elizabeth Nelson