Hello neighbors!
Welcome to everyone who is new to this newsletter! Before every Ann Arbor City Council meeting, I write up my own summary of each agenda item and try to pull details that I think are most relevant to understanding them. My hope is that these summaries can help residents keep track of what City Council is doing. For issues that matter to you, I encourage you to follow links (next to each agenda item) to the City’s Legistar website, where you can find all the background information.
This week on Council we have a very long Consent Agenda that includes at least one item that will immediately be pulled off: the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Ann Arbor Police Officers Association. Council pulled this off the agenda on June 1, but it returns to our agenda this week because we are legally obligated to vote on it. I do not plan to support it. I am pleased to see another item on our agenda (DC-14) that lists recommendations from our Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) for how we might adjust terms for this contract. I believe in the work of our oversight commission and I support effort toward more transparency and accountability.
Council Caucus
Sunday July 5th 7:00pm
We have been holding Council Caucus on Sunday nights before Council meetings since March 2019. During the COVID-19 crisis, we are holding Caucus via Zoom. Please check the Legistar link below for the latest information.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=750105&GUID=CC7CDC7E-B3C2-40BE-834D-02F9AA80B7CD
Ward 4 Virtual Coffee Hours
Ward 4 Council Members are hosting a virtual coffee hour this Monday (July 6th) at 9 a.m. via Zoom. If you would like to chat with CM Jack Eaton or myself, send one of us an email to get the link (contact@a2elnel.com or eaton4council@gmail.com)
City Council
Monday July 6th 7:00pm
This Monday, Council is meeting again using the Zoom application. The video feed will be broadcast on CTN and YouTube. As with the previous meetings, public comment will be audio only using Zoom. Please check the Legistar link below for the latest information.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=749412&GUID=9CC9AE10-8545-4E83-B06B-69E6D47BB636
Local COVID-19 Information and Links
City of Ann Arbor COVID-19 Updates
https://www.a2gov.org/covid19
Washtenaw County COVID-19 Updates
https://www.washtenaw.org/COVID19
State of Michigan COVID-19 Updates
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
Ann Arbor Public Schools are starting to plan for 2020-21 school year
School district homepage: https://www.a2schools.org
School district COVID-19 Updates: https://www.a2schools.org/COVID-19
Reimagine Learning Framework: https://www.a2schools.org/reimagine
Ann Arbor District Library branches are re-opening in phases
Library homepage: https://aadl.org
Re-opening Updates: https://aadl.org/reopeningplans
University of Michigan – Fall classes to be delivered in variety of formats
University homepage: https://umich.edu
University COVID-19 Updates: https://coronavirus.umich.edu
A2ELNEL.com Website Updates
In addition to writing this newsletter, I post updates to my website with my perspectives on how issues were resolved at City Council and details on how Council voted at each meeting. I also post information about meetings and issues that affect Ward 4 residents, along with news that affects all city residents.
You can see a listing of all my posts here: https://www.a2elnel.com/blog/
City Council Voting Chart for June 29, 2020
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/city-council-voting-chart-for-june-29-2020
City survey about comfortable bike routes open until July 10th
The City has opened a survey about bike routes, including an interactive map to give feedback on existing or proposed bike lanes.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/city-survey-about-comfortable-bike-routes-open-until-july-10th
Floodplain Regulation Change Webinar July 16th
The City will be hosting a webinar to discuss rule changes for Ann Arbor properties in the floodplain.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/floodplain-regulation-change-webinar-july-16th
Scio Church Service Drive Traffic Calming Survey due July 24th
The City has mailed a survey to residents along the Scio Church Service Drive with questions about the resident requested traffic calming devices installed last year.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/scio-church-service-drive-traffic-calming-survey-due-july-24th
Free Online Water Consumption Tool Now Available to Ann Arbor Water Customers
The City of Ann Arbor is announcing the availability of AquaHawk, a free online tool which will help city water customers view and track their water consumption as well as get water alerts via email, text or phone.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/free-online-water-consumption-tool-now-available-to-ann-arbor-water-customers
Downtown “Healthy Streets” Closures Every Weekend Through Aug 23rd
After approval from Council, certain downtown streets will be closed every weekend from Friday 2 PM through Sunday 8 PM.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/downtown-healthy-streets-closures-every-weekend-through-aug-23rd
Ward 4 Construction Updates
You may have noticed many caution signs being posted around Ward 4 for local road resurfacing. These are part of the $10.6 million contract for the 2020 Street Resurfacing Project, approved by Council on April 20, 2020.
https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4413167&GUID=6B70E561-C5EE-4E7B-8D3E-D27065A3A05D
Below are the Ward 4 construction notices that I have been forwarded by City staff. Additional information is available at the City’s website:
http://a2gov.org/RoadConstruction
Street Update June 10, 2020 (Barrington, Carol, Dunmore, Kent, Stephen, Waltham, Warwick, Wimpole)
A construction notice was circulated on June 10, 2020 to affected property owners/residents along Barrington Place, Carol Drive, Dunmore Road, Kent Street, Stephen Terrace, Waltham Drive, Warwick Court and Wimpole Street regarding resurfacing work.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/street-update-june-10-2020-barrington-carol-dunmore-kent-stephen-waltham-warwick-wimpole
Street Resurfacing Update May 4, 2020 (Ardmoor, Avondale, Barnard, Glen Leven, Normandy, Woodland)
A construction notice was circulated on May 4, 2020 to affected property owners/residents along Ardmoor Avenue, Avondale Avenue, Barnard Road, Glen Leven Road, Normandy Road, and Woodland Drive regarding resurfacing work.
https://www.a2elnel.com/post/street-resurfacing-update-may-4-2020-ardmoor-avondale-barnard-glen-leven-normandy-woodland
A2COUNCIL Updates (A2COUNCIL.com)
For anyone interested in understanding and analyzing the recent work of Council, I have created a resource at A2COUNCIL.com with summaries of issues and direct links to City documents. For each City Council meeting since November 2018, you can find links to the City’s Legistar website, CTN’s YouTube video, and links to my newsletters and voting charts. I have listed agenda items of interest from each meeting, along with articles I’ve written and articles published on MLive.
https://www.a2elnel.com/a2council
A2 COVID-19 Interview Videos (A2COVID19.com)
I appreciate that members of our community are struggling in different ways right now. Residents have different strategies for coping and adjusting to this new reality. I’ve been working on a project to explore the personal experiences of our community. I’m interviewing people I know (who are willing to share) and recording what they say. You can find my interviews as blog entries on my website, and also on my YouTube channel.
Link to all A2 COVID-19 articles on my website (videos + transcripts)
https://www.a2elnel.com/blog/categories/a2-covid-19
Link to my YouTube A2 COVID-19 playlist
http://a2covid19.com
A reminder about a few city resources:
A2 Fix It
This is an online system for alerting the city to problems in your neighborhood (e.g. potholes, graffiti, garbage pickup). This is the city’s preferred method for hearing your complaint so they can direct appropriate staff to address it. I’m happy to hear from you, too, but city staff tell me that the online A2FixIt system is actually the quickest and fastest way to get a response to the problem. Information about A2FixIt (and explanation of more urgent issues and appropriate numbers to call) is here:
https://www.a2gov.org/services/pages/report-a-problem.aspx
City News and Announcements
This is a helpful link to updates on events and opportunities in Ann Arbor through City Hall:
https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/default.aspx
City Department Updates
If you have specific interests related to the city’s work, e.g. construction projects, deer management, recycling, you can subscribe to receive emailed updates on various topics found here:
https://www.a2gov.org/services/Pages/E-mailAlertSubscription.aspx
Boards and Commissions Applications
Membership on Ann Arbor Boards and Commissions is constantly changing as terms end and appointees step down. We need you! You can find openings at the following link (or contact me directly)
https://a2gov.granicus.com/boards/w/fe6c5e22e6f4a331/vacancies
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Agenda
Below is my summary of some 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, feel free to email me.
The full agenda (including a link to the latest published PDF agenda) can be found on the A2Gov Legistar website:
https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=749412&GUID=9CC9AE10-8545-4E83-B06B-69E6D47BB636
Ann Arbor City Council
Monday July 6, 2020 (7:00pm)
Electronic Meeting
City Council meetings are broadcast live by CTN on Comcast (channel 16) and AT&T (channel 99). They are also streamed live on YouTube and Viebit:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ctnannarbor
https://a2ctn.viebit.com/
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-3 (20-0995) July 6, 2020 Agenda Response Memo and eComments
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 (20-0938) Resolution to Appoint Jason Boggs to the Greenbelt Advisory Commission
This nomination is from CM Grand, who serves on the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. This will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
- Jason Boggs – Greenbelt Advisory Commission
CC-2 (20-0968) Resolution to Appoint Julian Singleton and Marie Gabrielle Buendia to the Environmental Commission (7 Votes Required)
These nominations is from CM Bannister and CM Smith, who serve on the Environmental Commission. 7 votes are required per City Charter because these “Youth Member” nominees are not registered electors of the City. This will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
- Julian Singleton – Environmental Commission (Youth Member)
- Marie Gabrielle Buendia – Environmental Commission (Youth Member)
CC-3 (20-0994) Resolution to Appoint Stefani Carter to the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission
This nomination is from CM Lumm and CM Ramlawi, who serve on the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, and CM Grand and CM Nelson, who serve on the Human Rights Commision. This will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
- Stefani Carter – Independent Community Police Oversight Commission
Communications from the Mayor
MC-1 (20-0872) Appointments- Confirmations
These appointments from the Mayor were presented at the previous Council meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this meeting. (Note: these appointments were added to the agenda on the day of the last Council meeting, and were therefore not able to be included in my previous newsletter.)
- Sarah Fuller – Ann Arbor Public Art Commission
- Elizabeth Merrill Dudley – Elizabeth Dean Fund
- Emily Canosa – Housing and Human Services Advisory Board
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. I encourage you to look at this list and offer suggestions to me about anything you would like to see pulled for discussion.
CA-1 (20-0925) Resolution to Approve a Purchase Order for Absentee Voter Application and Ballot Mailing Supplies to Printing Systems, Inc. ($35,071.92)
CA-2 (20-0856) Resolution to Approve a Participation Agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and Appropriate $73,593.00 for Purchase of Boss & Bull Holdings LLC Property (8 Votes Required)
CA-3 (20-0862) Resolution to Approve a Participation Agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and Appropriate $115,830.00 for Purchase of Kidder Property (8 Votes Required)
CA-4 (20-0863) Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Stiles-Kaldjian Property in Ann Arbor Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Ann Arbor Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $60,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
CA-5 (20-0932) Resolution to Approve Special Event Sales under Section 5.16.7.C of Chapter 55 Unified Development Code (UDC) for a Drive-in Theater at Weber’s Hotel, 3050 Jackson Avenue – Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the Summer of 2020
CA-6 (20-0933) Resolution to Grant a Pathway Easement and Grading Permit to the Charter Township of Ann Arbor in Marshall Nature Area (8 Votes Required)
CA-7 (20-0814) Resolution to Approve a Work Order with Microsoft Corporation to Enter One Year of Premier Support ($53,404.00)
CA-8 (20-0821) Resolution to Fund Stormwater Services with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner ($320,000.00 Annually)
CA-9 (20-0841) Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with ADS Environmental Services for Sanitary Sewer Flow Monitoring Services ($227,520.00)
CA-10 (20-0628) Resolution to Award Construction Contracts to True North Asphalt for up to $500,000.00 (approximately $250,000.00 annually) and CB Asphalt Paving for up to $500,000.00 (approximately $250,000.00 annually) for Street Cut and Miscellaneous Pavement Repair (ITB # 4624)
CA-11 (20-0763) Resolution to Award a two (2) year General Services Contract to Metro Controls, Inc., not to exceed $200,000.00 ($100,000.00 annually) for On-Call Mechanical Services for Public Works (RFP # 20-16)
CA-12 (20-0822) Resolution to Award Sewer Televising and Cleaning Construction Contracts to Taplin Group, LLC (Not-to-Exceed $3,364,492.95) and Pipetek Infrastructure Services, LLC (Not-to-Exceed $3,429,675.00) for Two-Year Durations (RFP # 20-20)
CA-13 (20-0787) Resolution to Approve an Agreement with Decision Support Systems, LLC, DBA Allovance for a Capital Improvement Plan Prioritization and Database Software and Consulting Services (est. $282,260.00 over 5 years) and to Appropriate funds from the FY21 Information Technology Fund ($109,760.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-14 (20-0830) Resolution to Award Granite Inliner, LLC and Inland Waters Pollution Control, Inc. Two-Year Construction Contracts Not-to-Exceed $800,000.00 Each for 2020 On-Call Sewer System Services (RFP # 20-21) ($1,600,000.00)
CA-15 (20-0903) Resolution to Release an Easement for Sanitary Sewer at 111 N. First Street and 300 W. Huron Street (8 Votes Required)
CA-16 (20-0774) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Bacteriological Testing Media and Associated Supplies from Idexx ($36,000.00)
CA-17 (20-0799) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order to Interstate Truck Source Inc., of Romulus, Michigan, for Fleet Parts and Service (Not to Exceed $95,000.00 annually)
CA-18 (20-0800) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order to Bell Equipment Company, of Lake Orion, Michigan, for Fleet Parts (Not to Exceed $80,000.00 Annually)
CA-19 (20-0801) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order to Fredrickson Supply LLC, of Wyoming, Michigan, for Fleet Parts and Service (Not to Exceed $50,000.00 annually)
CA-20 (20-0802) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order to Cummins Bridgeway LLC, of New Hudson, Michigan, for Fleet Parts and Service (Not to Exceed $90,000.00 Annually)
CA-21 (20-0803) Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Automotive and Truck Replacement Parts with Related Equipment, Accessories, and Services from NAPA Auto Parts (Sourcewell; Not To Exceed $60,000.00)
CA-22 (20-0804) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order with Jack Doheny Companies Inc. for the Purchase of Parts and Service for Water, Sanitary and Storm Sewer Equipment (Not to Exceed $135,000.00 Annually)
CA-23 (20-0805) Resolution to Authorize a Sole Source Purchase Order to Wolverine Freightliner Westside Inc. for Fleet Parts and Service (Not to Exceed $40,000.00 annually)
CA-24 (20-0861) Resolution to Ratify an Emergency Purchase Order Request to Terex Inc. for Additional Spending for the Repair of an Aerial Truck ($15,000.00)
CA-25 (20-0807) Resolution to Accept a Temporary Construction Easement and Permanent Sanitary Sewer Easement at Woodbury Gardens from Botanical Gardens Associates, LLC ($4800.00) (8 Votes Required)
CA-26 (20-0759) Resolution to Approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Police Officers Association Effective January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2022
As I wrote in the beginning of this newsletter, Council pulled this from the June 1st agenda, but it returns to our agenda this week because we are legally obligated to vote on it. I do not plan to support it.
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 (20-0588) An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.29.6 and 5.29.7, and Add a New Section 5.29.8, of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Code Requirements of Site Plans and Area Plans)
Amendment to the Unified Development Code would reorganize code requirements for area plans, site plans for administrative approval, site plans for special exception use, site plans for planning commission approval, and site plans for city council approval to a single new code section. None of the actual code requirements are changed.
PH-2/B-2 (20-0900) An Ordinance to Amend Section 1:209 of Chapter 8 (Boards and Commissions) of Title I of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor
This amendment would allow our housing commission (and other entities formed by our housing commission) to execute purchase agreements and take possession of properties by contracts, management agreements, or leases of property with tenants or facility managers. Council would continue to approve the real estate transactions of the Housing Commission.
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 (20-0588) An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.29.6 and 5.29.7, and Add a New Section 5.29.8, of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Code Requirements of Site Plans and Area Plans)
This is the same as PH-1 above.
B-2 (20-0900) An Ordinance to Amend Section 1:209 of Chapter 8 (Boards and Commissions) of Title I of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor
This is the same as PH-2 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 approval. If approved, the ordinance will be voted on at a subsequent Council meeting, where it will also be subject to a public hearing.
C-1 (20-0984) An Ordinance to Amend Section 1:312(20) of Chapter 14 (Purchasing, Contracting and Selling Procedure) of Title I of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor
A City Ordinance would be amended to include extensive definition of the term “responsible bidder” which would apply in cases where the City receives bids for construction projects in excess of $25,000. As amended, bidders would (among other things) be required to verify appropriate licensing for all contractors and subcontractors and state what percentage of their workforce (contractors and subcontractors) resides in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county. Bidders would also have to document pay rates/benefits, insurance coverage, references from the last five years as well as completed projects from the last five years. A list of any litigation or arbitration (current or from the last five years) also must be submitted. Additional requirements would attach to bidders on contracts in excess of $100,000 and $250,000 (Tier 2 and Tier 3, per ordinance).
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 (19-1887) Resolution Supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s Active Involvement with the Gelman Site and Encouraging its Listing of the same as a “Superfund” Site
City Council would express its support of the EPA’s active involvement in cleanup of the Gelman plume and encourages the EPA to list the site of the Contamination a “Superfund” site on the National Priorities List under CERCLA. The City Administrator would convey this resolution to the Governor, soliciting a Concurrence Letter to USEPA in support of making the Gelman Site into a National Priorities List site. This resolution (and any other state concurrence) would also be sent to the Washtenaw County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
DC-2 (20-0608) A Resolution Directing the Planning Commission and City Administrator to Evaluate Section 5.29.6 Site Plans of Chapter 55 – Unified Development Code and propose Amendments to Adjust Site Plan Authority Thresholds and Improve the Communication of Requirements
Planning staff and the City Administrator are asked to evaluate potential amendment to our code that would reduce the time and level of authorization to facilitate smaller, more modest development proposals. In their evaluation, they would make comparisons to other communities and analysis of past site plan projects in the City, and use an approach that maintains a higher authority and process burden for larger projects involving policy decisions compared to smaller, more modest development proposals.
DC-3 (20-0873) Resolution to Advance Healthy Streets in Downtown Ann Arbor to Promote Safe Social Distancing Outdoors
City staff have identified a number of streets downtown (e.g. Division, Miller/Catherine, State) and transit corridors elsewhere (e.g. Broadway, S. Main, Miller, Packard) for various pilot programs of traffic reconfigurations such as removing turns lanes, traffic lanes, and parking lanes to better accommodate physical distancing space and strengthen non-motorized connections to Ann Arbor Housing Commission sites, the Farmer’s Market, UM Hospital, and each quadrant of the City. Staff will report back to Council in 90 days, at which point decisions will be made about extension of removal.
DC-4 (20-0874) Resolution to Advance Healthy Streets Outside of Downtown Ann Arbor to Promote Safe Social Distancing Outdoors and Appropriate $15,000.00 from the FY 2021 Major Street Fund Operations and Maintenance Budget
An allocation of $15,000 would be allocated from FY 2020 Major Street Fund Operations and Maintenance Budget to fund Healthy Streets outside of Downtown (see DC-3).
DC-5 (20-0751) Resolution to Appoint Carrie Leahy to the Local Development Finance Authority (7 Votes Required)
This appointment from the Mayor was presented at the June 1st Council meeting, and will be voted on at this meeting. 7 votes are required because the nominee is not a resident of the City.
- Carrie Leahy – Local Development Finance Authority
DC-6 (20-0775) Resolution to Appoint Elizabeth Riggs to the Greenbelt Advisory Commission
This nomination is from CM Grand, who serves on the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. It was presented at the previous meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this meeting.
- Elizabeth Riggs – Greenbelt Advisory Commission
DC-7 (20-0875) Resolution to Appoint Wasentha Young to the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (7 Votes Required)
This appointment from the Mayor was presented at the previous Council meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this meeting. 7 votes are required because the nominee is not a resident of the City. (Note: this appointment was added to the agenda on the day of the last Council meeting, and was therefore not able to be included in my previous newsletter.)
- Wasentha Young – Ann Arbor Public Art Commission
DC-8 (20-0915) Resolution the Remove Floria Tsui from the Housing and Human Services Advisory Board and Appoint Ella Hall (7 Votes Required)
This appointment from the Mayor was presented at the previous Council meeting, and will therefore be voted on at this meeting. (Note: this appointment was added to the agenda on the day of the last Council meeting, and was therefore not able to be included in my previous newsletter.)
- Ella Hall – Housing and Human Services Advisory Board
DC-9 (20-0977) Resolution to Impose a Temporary Moratorium on all New Development or Expansion of Existing Development that Requires Site Plan Approval in the C1A and C1A/R Zoning Districts, or Rezonings to the C1A or C1A/R Zoning Districts, in Conjunction with the Study and Revision of the Unified Development Code Related to these Districts
If approved, the application of any new C1 and C1A/R zoning requiring site plan approval would be suspended for 180 days so that the Planning Commission can evaluate the continued viability of the C1A and C1A/R districts and make recommendations whether to eliminate the C1A and C1A/R zoning districts. These zoning categories were first established in 1966, as part of a Comprehensive High-Rise Ordinance. Zoning of C1 was intended to address the “unique and distinctive commercial function peculiar to University oriented population” and to “be located in close proximity to the central area of the City.” Zoning of C1AR was meant “to encourage the orderly clustering and placement of high-density residential and complementary commercial development near the campus business district.” More recently, this zoning has been requested for use outside of the campus business district and well away from the central area of the city.
DC-10 (20-0966) Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop a Plan to Review and Increase the Utilization of the Poverty Exemption Program
The City Administrator would be directed to develop a plan to review and increase use of our Poverty Exemption Program that waives property taxes for low income residents. It is suggested that the City promote pubic awareness about this program, increase the income level for eligibility, and simplify the informational materials and application.
DC-11 (20-0985) Resolution to Endorse HB 4738 and the Creation of a Statewide Crosswalk Law
State House Bill 4738 creates a statewide standard for crosswalk safety that would be effective across the entire state and would replace competing versions of crosswalk laws that have adopted by local communities in Michigan. The City of Ann Arbor would endorse HB 4738 and directs the City Administrator to communicate this endorsement to Ann Arbor’s State Legislative Delegation and to otherwise direct the resources of the city to support this bill’s passage.
DC-12 (20-0990) Resolution to Temporarily Relocate Precincts 3-6 and 3-9 from Scarlett Middle School, 3300 Lorraine, to Mitchell Elementary School, 3550 Pittsview Drive, for the Statewide Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Due to parking lot construction, voting locations for precincts 3-6 and 3-9 would be temporarily moved for the August 4, 2020 election, from Scarlett Middle School (3300 Lorraine) to Mitchell Elementary School (3550 Pittsview Drive).
DC-13 (20-0998) Resolution Regarding Solid Waste Business Refuse Cart Collection Fees
This would reverse the fee increases for Business Refuse Cart Collection that became effective July 1, 2020 and continue the fee structure that existed on June 30, 2020. The fee increases resulted in charges of up to 157.9% more for some business customers and represent a significant hardship at a difficult time. Returning to the previous fee structure is expected to cost the City approximately $88,238 in revenue. The City Administrator will issue a report by September 30, 2020 including recommendation for a gradual, phase-in of increases if necessary.
DC-14 (20-1000) Resolution to Endorse the ICPOC Resolution Regarding the AAPOA CBA and Other Policies
City Council would endorse the resolution of the following requests from the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) regarding policy and the Ann Arbor Police Officer Association Collective Bargaining Agreement (AAPOA CBA):
- Access to all police officer names as it reviews complaints against police personnel and police incidents
- A revision of AAPOA CBA Article 26, section 5 to include access to members of ICPOC in the review of officer personnel files
- A revision of Article 5, Section 4 such that discipline recommendations shall not be based on infractions which have occurred more than seven (7) years (84 months) prior to the incident under investigation
- The elimination of binding arbitration for termination.
In the absence of these substantive changes to the AAPOA CBA, ICPOC requests a limit on the duration of the Ann Arbor Police Officers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement to one year (to expire December 2020). Additionally, ICPOC requests that the City’s chief negotiator provide reasonable, timely and regular updates of AAPD CBA negotiation progress and that the City Administrator provide reasonable, timely and regular updates on public safety legislation.
DS-1 (20-0500) Resolution to Direct the City Administrator, Ann Arbor Housing Commission, and Planning Commission to Create Proposed Application Materials, Review and Recommend Development Entitlements to the City Council for 415 W. Washington to Support the Development of Affordable Housing in the City
The building at 415 W. Washington is among the list of under utilized City-owned properties being studied for potential use as affordable housing. Multiple options were considered – the current “preferred option” includes 175 units of housing as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with Ann Arbor Housing Commission as applicant, and City as reviewer/property owner. This resolution would pre-entitle the property for plan approval to be conducted through a Planned Unit Development and Concept Plan, or another mechanism toward the realization of goals with a future development partner. Recommendations would be presented to the City Council by March 19, 2021.
Additional thoughts…
Campaign season is heating up and we are seeing rhetoric on a whole host of issues. Some of the topics getting the most attention in this digital world probably don’t have a whole lot to do with how our city government works, what we do, or what we can control. I encourage everyone to be diligent in your research of candidates, including how those candidates describe their own values, experience, and plans for the future. One of the advantages of political races at the City level is that you can reach out directly to candidates, ask them specific questions about the issues that matter most to you.
As a Council Member, my votes are a public record – anyone can read the details and background of any topic that Council votes on (both before and after it happens). Residents have a role to play in offering feedback, both before we vote and after we vote. When issues are complicated or contentious, I welcome the opportunity to explain why and how I voted. These discussions can be really helpful in clarifying where we share goals but perhaps differ on strategy/approach.
Even with a highly visible public record, misunderstanding can happen. In just the last few weeks, I received an email from a resident who was disappointed because she thought I had voted in support of something with which she disagreed. I actually hadn’t voted in the way she thought I had, so I was grateful for the opportunity to clarify the issue. However, the exchange made me wonder: where and how do folks get information that’s inaccurate/wrong? How often do they hear something that’s inaccurate/wrong and just accept it, without reaching out to express concerns or ask a question?
I remind everyone: campaign seasons like this one are an opportunity to reach out for meaningful dialogue. The value of that dialogue is that we reach a much better understanding of each other and (hopefully) arrive at better solutions.
Thank you for helping me represent Ward 4!
Elizabeth Nelson