Hello neighbors!
Tomorrow, City Council is voting on a long agenda, including three rezonings (C-1, C-2, C-3) and two City charter amendments for the November ballot (DC-2, DC-3). A resolution directs the City Administrator to report on a potential “Anti Displacement Plan” in response to recently approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (DC-4).
The Consent Agenda this week includes a new development agreement for Southtown, which is currently in bankruptcy (CA-4), a contract for water main replacement near the Enclave development on Packard (CA-9), and a $200,000 consultant contract for the study of local reparations (CA-26).
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 1, 2026:
County Edition
At the June 3 meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, they voted to hire a new administrator for senior services, approved allocations for youth summer programming, and debated a new healthcare millage. In response to public comment, they discussed transparency and conflict of interest concerns around a recent vote— at their previous meeting, a majority of the Board approved over $350 million in tax subsidy for Arbor South, a private development in Ann Arbor.
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. Earlier this month, we filmed a candidate forum at Pittsfield Elementary for Ann Arbor City Council candidates in Ward 3. Last week, we filmed a candidate forum at Arrowwood Housing Cooperative, featuring candidates for Probate Judge, candidates for Ann Arbor City Council (Ward 1), and candidates for Ann Arbor Mayor.
Let me know if you hear of candidate forums that are worth recording!
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 15, 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=1368505&GUID=8CE84F79-9A2E-48AA-BE0A-A06B52BF6C58
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 (26-1044) Agenda Response Memo and eComments – June 15, 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 (26-0949) Appointments – Confirmations
This appointment from the Mayor was presented at the previous meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this Council meeting.
- Travis Gonyou – Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority Board
MC-2 (26-1029) Appointments and Nominations for June 15, 2026
These appointment from the Mayor are being presented at this meeting, and will therefore be voted on at the next 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 (26-0968) Resolution to Approve the 2026 Ann Arbor Jaycees 73rd Annual Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School – June 23 to June 29, 2026
CA-2 (26-0970) Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade – Friday, July 4, 2025
CA-3 (26-0972) Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the Folds of Honor Firecracker 5K – Saturday, July 4, 2026
CA-4 (26-0726) Resolution to Approve the Second Amendment to the Southtown Development Agreement – 1601 S. State St.
Council will consider an amended development agreement for the Southtown development at State and Stimson, which was approved at the Planning Commission on April 7, 2026.
https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-april-7-2026/
Council first approved the rezoning of this block in September 2023 and this is the second amendment to the development agreement. Last December, the original architect of Southtown filed a lien on the property because she was not paid for her work on the site plan. The architect told Mlive: “We have a lien on the property for $850,000 based on what they owe us,”
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/challenges-surround-southtown-development-in-ann-arbor-as-demolition-begins.html
The developer of Southtown, Heidi Poscher, submitted a new site plan for Southtown, drawn up by a new architect. The new plan adds 70+ housing units and eliminates first floor commercial space.
The future site of Southtown is currently a vacant block just north of the Salvation Army. The homes on-site were razed last year and the developer, Heidi Poscher, is currently in bankruptcy.
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/04/despite-bankruptcy-filing-southtown-development-in-ann-arbor-still-on-with-new-plans.html
CA-5 (26-0897) Resolution to Approve Kappa Delta Sorority Development Agreement, 805 Oxford Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yes, 0 No)
CA-6 (26-0882) Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Kempf L. Property in Northfield Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Northfield Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $50,400.00 (8 Votes Required)
CA-7 (26-0899) Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Dimo Property in Dexter Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Dexter Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $173,400.00 (8 Votes Required)
CA-8 (26-0919) Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the EGLE Nonpoint Source Program Implementation Grant for Huron River Bluebelt Land Protection and Commit $163,715.00 in Matching Funds
CA-9 (26-0687) Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Fonson Company, Inc for the Packard Water Main at Malletts Creek Project (RFP 26-20; $821,178.15)
A construction contract for $821,178.15 will replace the water main on Packard, just east of Easy Street almost to Platt. This contract was previously on the City Council agenda for May 18, 2026, but removed prior to the meeting. The location of this water main project is almost immediately adjacent to the new “Enclave” development planned for 2857 Packard. In the last month, the grove of trees that previously filled the parcel were removed and ground into mulch. A house dating back to the 1840s was demolished. The new “Enclave” will have 35 detached ranch condos.
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/05/whats-that-on-packard-trees-cleared-to-make-way-for-new-ann-arbor-condos.html
CA-10 (26-0856) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Facility Service Janitorial LLC d/b/a Facilities 360 for Janitorial Services at the Wheeler Service Center Operations Building, RFP 26-31 ($87,899.00)
CA-11 (26-0909) Resolution to Approve the Eleventh Amended and Restated General Services Agreement Between Recycle Ann Arbor and the City of Ann Arbor for Multi-Family and Commercial Recycling Collection Services for an Extension of Two Years with Annual Increases for Inflation Every July 1st (limited to the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous contract year, or 6%, whichever is less), (not-to-exceed $1,413,617.16 for FY27 and 1,498,434.24 for FY28; estimated total do-not-exceed cost of $2,912,051.40 for two years of the Contract)
CA-12 (26-0954) Resolution to Approve Amendment Two to the General Services Contract with Farmer & Underwood Trucking, LTD. for Aggregate Materials and Hauling Services for Excavation and Street Sweeping Waste, ($60,159.00 Increase, Total Contract Not to Exceed $460,000.00 Annually)
CA-13 (26-0816) Resolution to Authorize a Best Source Purchase Order with Liquid Calcium Chloride Sales, Inc. for Roadway Calcium Chloride in the Amount of $58,905.00
CA-14 (26-0799) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Polymer from Solenis LLC for Centrifuges at the Water Resource Recovery Facility, ITB No. 4787 ($404,000.00/year, Estimated)
CA-15 (26-0829) Resolution to Approve a Contract with Lee Contracting, Inc. DBA Midwest Power Systems Inc. for the Repair of Four Clarifiers at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (RFP# 26-28) ($181,430.00)
CA-16 (26-0796) Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Clean-Tech Company, LLC for Janitorial Cleaning Services at the Ann Arbor Municipal Center, Wheeler Fleet Center, Airport Terminal, and the Election Center ($1,846,434.00) (Equalis Cooperative Agreement # COG-2110A) (8 Votes Required)
CA-17 (26-0797) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Harper Electric Inc. for On-Call Electrical Services (Not to Exceed $225,000.00) RFP #26-22
CA-18 (26-0798) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Miller-Boldt, Inc. for On-Call HVAC Services (Not to Exceed $275,000.00) RFP #26-21
CA-19 (26-0822) Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order for the Rental of Refuse Trucks from Premier Truck Sales & Rental Inc. (Sourcewell – NTE $389,800.00)
CA-20 (26-0823) Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order for the Rental of Street Sweepers from MacQueen Equipment Co. (MI Deal – NTE $194,750.00)
CA-21 (26-0835) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Heavy Equipment/Truck Tires and Tire Repair Services from Shrader Tire & Oil (Omnia Partners; Not to Exceed $115,000.00 Annually)
CA-22 (26-0886) Resolution to Amend Ann Arbor City Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (8 Votes Required)
CA-23 (26-0938) Resolution to Approve a Service Agreement with UKG Inc. for UKG Pro Workforce Management and Human Capital Management Software for FY2027-FY2031 ($2,586,020.15) (8 Votes Required)
CA-24 (26-0599) Resolution to Approve a One-Year Extension of the Contract with Washtenaw County for Police Dispatch Services ($1,202,992.00)
CA-25 (26-0976) Resolution to Approve a Grant Agreement with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation, Approve the Purchase of Property at 800 Victors Way for Affordable Housing, and Appropriate $1,200,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
CA-26 (26-0827) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Obsidian Research Insights LLC for Consultative Services for Harms Report (NTE $200,000.00)
A consultant contract for $200,000 will provide the city with a “Harms Report” and information to help guide a potential reparations program for the City of Ann Arbor. This contract originated with a resolution two years ago. In June 2024, the City Administrator was directed to study the feasibility, process, and structure of a potential Municipal Reparations program. In response to that resolution, the City Administrator issued a Request for Proposals in order to find a consultant who could be hired to do the work.
The city of Evanston, Illinois, implemented the very first municipal reparations program, which was recommended and implemented by a local, citizen-led committee. Evanston is a peer city which, like Ann Arbor, can tap into university resources and a population of engaged residents.
The Evanston reparations program was discussed and debated by the local residents who might benefit from it: “From December 2019 through 2020, several town halls and more than a dozen reparations subcommittee meetings were hosted to solicit feedback from Black Evanstonians on what local repair would look like.”
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/08/23/evanstons-historic-reparations-program-a-101-guide/
The City of Evanston website links to the locally-sourced data that motivated and inspired the design of their reparations program.
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/initiatives/evanston_local_reparations.php#collapse11links-150-1
In Evanston, locally generated reports informed what municipal reparations would fund and a citizen led committee currently guides how benefits are distributed. They did not outsource the task to consultants, but relied on the expertise and lived experience of residents.
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 (26-0291) An Ordinance to Amend Sections 2:1 and 2:2 of Chapter 26 (Solid Waste Management) of Title II (Utilities and Services) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-26-14)
An ordinance regulating Solid Waste will be updated with more precise terms. A staff memo explains that these “correct small oversights” related to changes adopted in December 2025.
PH-2/DS-1 (26-0880) Resolution to Approve the 3400 Dexter Road Annexation, 4.308 Acres, 3400 Dexter Road
A parcel of 4.308 acres at 3400 Dexter Rd will be annexed from Scio township into the City. At a future meeting, Council will consider zoning of R4B (Multiple-Family Dwelling District).
PH-3/DS-2 (26-0884) Resolution to Vacate John Street Public Right-of-Way (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 6 Yeas, 0 Nays); Approve Release of a Utility Easement; and Approve a Utilities Transfer Agreement with the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (8 Votes Required)
The city will vacate a public right of way, release a utility easement, and transfer utilities to the University of Michigan at John Street, the site of a new Central Campus Student Housing Complex.
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 (26-0291) is the same as PH-1 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 (26-0850) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from M1 (Limited Industrial District) to C2B (Business Service District), 3785 Varsity Drive (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
A parcel at 3785 Varsity will be rezoned from M1 (Limited Industrial) to C2B (Business Service) to allow the construction of 50 apartment residential units across two buildings with parking beneath the buildings.
C-2 (26-0849) An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.28 Acres from R1D (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R2A (Two-Family Dwelling District), 225 and 235 South Wagner Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
Two abutting parcels (0.28 acres, total) at 225 and 235 Wagner Road will be rezoned from R1D to R2A to allow the construction of two principal dwelling units per parcel. Both parcels are currently vacant and will be developed by the Ann Arbor Community Land Trust.
https://www.a2gov.org/media/vjvb2zbe/225-226-wagner-rezoning-postcard.pdf
C-3 (26-0875) An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from R4C Multiple-Family Dwelling District to R4E Multiple-Family Dwelling with Conditions, Near North, 700 N Main St (CPC Recommendation: Approval – 8 yes, 0 no)
A parcel of 1.2 acres at 700 N Main will be rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Dwelling District) to R4E (Multiple Family Dwelling District), with a condition limiting maximum height to 75 feet. The rezoning will allow a 6-story building with approximately 64 apartments.
C-4 (26-0876) An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.18 and 5.37 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Exceptions to Height Limits) CPC Recommendation: Approval (9 yes, 0 no)
Amendments to the Unified Development Code will change criteria for a “sustainable development” to qualify for exceptions to normal zoning height limits. A “sustainable development” is eligible to exceed zoning height limits by 30%.
Currently, a development qualifies as “sustainable” if it has the capacity and infrastructure for all-electric power, including future conversion. Moving forward, a “sustainable development” must use electricity as the only source of energy for heating/cooling, water heating, and all appliances. Proposed amendments allow for a new “fee in lieu” instead of meeting current requirements solar collector surface area. Currently, a “sustainable development” must provide solar collector surface area equal to 60% of building footprint; moving forward, a “sustainable development” can provide 20% of building footprint and pay a fee-in-lieu.
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 (26-0962) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Solar Photovoltaic Modules from Global Solar Center LLC d/b/a Samba Energy ($914,865.84)
The City will spent $914,865.84 to purchase 6,804 solar photovoltaic modules for the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU). The modules should cover more than 500 residential-scale solar installations. The modules will support the installation of solar in 2028 but are being purchased now to meet deadlines and preserve the city’s eligibility for a 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The purchase price includes $44,906.40 for shipping and up to $34,700.40 ($5,783.40 per month) for storage until they can be used.
DC-2 (26-1040) Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment to Modify the Method for Counting Signatures of Nomination Petitions (7 Votes Required, Roll Call Vote)
A City Charter amendment will be placed on the November ballot, in order to change how the city clerk handles signatures that appear on multiple nomination petitions. Currently, when someone signs more than one nomination petition (e.g. signing petitions for two candidates running for the same office), that signature is discarded and cannot count on either petition. A charter amendment will allow the signature to count once, on whichever petition where it is dated earlier. (If a signature appears on two petitions with the same date, it will be discarded from both.)
DC-3 (26-1041) Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment to Modify the Terms of Office (7 Votes Required, Roll Call Vote)
A City Charter amendment will be placed on the November ballot, modifying the start-date for city leaders elected after December 31, 2026. A charter amendment will delay the start date to the first Monday of the month following the regular City election. Currently, new City leaders take office slightly earlier: at noon on the first Monday following the regular City election. As a practical matter, this delays the beginning of a term by less than three weeks.
DC-4 (26-1053) Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop a Comprehensive Anti-Displacement Plan for the City of Ann Arbor
By resolution, the City Administrator is directed to create a comprehensive “anti displacement plan.” Within 90 days, he must issue a report, which will include a definition of displacement relative to housing and businesses, best practices from peer cities that have adopted anti-displacement plans, a timeline for development of an Anti Displacement Plan, and potential recommendation for a consultant and cost.
DS-1 (26-0880) is the same as PH-2 above
DS-2 (26-0884) is the same as PH-3 above
Thank you for taking the time to be informed about our local government!
Elizabeth Nelson