tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22810143527297376072024-03-18T22:47:37.412-04:00Damn ArborUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3910125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-78311277436031268132024-03-18T16:02:00.001-04:002024-03-18T22:47:04.865-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: March 18, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c8Mk9YsxM9PdDtLxYnbm4l4cf5Pv3HDjULRSm_k7LDZyzp-6-HdI2t9AOZ1n9ceLE-BtxK5gPFZ5gLp4k8HBM-hmRrxeaUwHMYO3yEYt7n3v5Ep5YTIPDPi4ArsKbCq3CZDB3Tv1UVAKuM01qlZSt25Rs5lhpBYZ9l_koQnpSGQvdc9gA7yi64VEGxej/s403/1b0864ef13091ace2bb4bb79870775e1@2x.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c8Mk9YsxM9PdDtLxYnbm4l4cf5Pv3HDjULRSm_k7LDZyzp-6-HdI2t9AOZ1n9ceLE-BtxK5gPFZ5gLp4k8HBM-hmRrxeaUwHMYO3yEYt7n3v5Ep5YTIPDPi4ArsKbCq3CZDB3Tv1UVAKuM01qlZSt25Rs5lhpBYZ9l_koQnpSGQvdc9gA7yi64VEGxej/s320/1b0864ef13091ace2bb4bb79870775e1@2x.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1141234&GUID=C2088826-7FE4-4736-A98B-17F0A870AF85&Options=info|&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The evening kicks off with a scant, 8-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6566277&GUID=FAC779FF-C542-4A2A-8496-2945A02BA592&Options=&Search=">CA-5</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6566277&GUID=FAC779FF-C542-4A2A-8496-2945A02BA592&Options=&Search=">CA-6</a> which combine to be just under $1 million for sidewalk repair and cutting. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6568175&GUID=7C6DE278-C9DD-47FD-AEBF-31BD0B4A47F9&Options=&Search=">CA-7</a> is exciting too. Ann Arbor is getting a $1,000,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the splashpad at Bicentennial Park. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6566275&GUID=D204042C-7E2F-479F-AFBB-177EADD08AC2&Options=&Search=">CA-8</a> is for the sale of 123 W. Summit (formerly part of 721 N. Main) to the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation for affordable housing. It's nice to see so many affordable projects moving forward. <br /><br />There is one public hearing on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6551472&GUID=4D77DEE9-94F7-42DA-B405-3018DC6F9078&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of the changes to the GreenBelt rules. <br /><br />On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6572576&GUID=3D17F674-0F3E-4589-B8F6-EC7E7178E620&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to support TheRide's proposal to explore alternatives options on the US-23 Corridor Project. I think this is BRT. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6575132&GUID=75518D9E-7B11-49D2-AED4-CC80AE328214&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to implement anonymous hiring. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6566282&GUID=2CDCBC96-F17F-44A4-B2B2-36EA6A8BA2DF&Options=&Search=">DS-1</a> is a resolution authorizing publication of notice of intent to issue capital improvement bonds (not exceeding $9 million) to fund the improvement bonds to fund the development of 121 Catherine as Affordable Housing. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-6715488144663964362024-03-18T10:26:00.001-04:002024-03-18T10:26:04.521-04:00Dad Arbor: Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool Open House Tomorrow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRnovybmywmy4wW1vI3SBbllGdlMhReWKkXLKuGRsGL_ivJH8q3NvfcyU4PNIIXjGS7pZY7fv4ezmNcJdNZhkzE_TF8iiiEN9TACm4GdNJ0FZwEk1H7xCX73HRzw1cIXhSMupGmykQROwI8JIx0mQRqV9db7JstUqpKtaGmtjXw2IcPDK4uTe8ehZXTNM/s1134/YCS%20flyer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="892" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRnovybmywmy4wW1vI3SBbllGdlMhReWKkXLKuGRsGL_ivJH8q3NvfcyU4PNIIXjGS7pZY7fv4ezmNcJdNZhkzE_TF8iiiEN9TACm4GdNJ0FZwEk1H7xCX73HRzw1cIXhSMupGmykQROwI8JIx0mQRqV9db7JstUqpKtaGmtjXw2IcPDK4uTe8ehZXTNM/w315-h400/YCS%20flyer.jpeg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i>I've long joked/threatened to start Dad Arbor, an imprint of Damn Arbor for parents. Well, looks like it finally happened. Stay tuned for more Dad Arbor content. <br /><br /></i></p><p>Gentle reader, there is an open house for <a href="https://ypsicoop.org/">Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool</a> (YCS) tomorrow from 4-6pm Chapelle Elementary School building at 1111 S. Wallace. <br /><br />Our 4 year old has been at YCS for the last two years and EJ and I have really loved it. It has been great to see toddler-Damn Arbor mature grow from a somewhat shy toddler into a confident pre-schooler ready to take on kindergarten. YCS is a cooperative preschool, so parents are expected to volunteer in the classroom 1-2 days per month and have a classroom job. We're currently co-president of the non-profit board that runs the school. <br /><br />All this is to say YCS is a wonderful school, if you're looking for a good pre-school option for a 3 or 4 year old next fall, check out the open house tomorrow. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-22686509386493357632024-03-14T12:27:00.004-04:002024-03-14T12:27:54.010-04:00Downtown Panning Workshop tonight at Downtown Library this evening<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBmU9jldWTy2ZPdlcOCHkVc2Ajdp7ZxFFeAKn-651UWtIsmIkR-QDfmVIpGe0ufYPn3mg76P8pWBVe3czXm-jOQoQFvRIHRK2ZPSkLsXMfAKKHc1F0IyGhvOf31NQhgfBtrH3QVgy9e3jEPMQ6-cDsTaNltpq3GY6bMf7bcwE_snHFFnNvnVTYw-wDG_M/s1892/planning%20workshop.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1892" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBmU9jldWTy2ZPdlcOCHkVc2Ajdp7ZxFFeAKn-651UWtIsmIkR-QDfmVIpGe0ufYPn3mg76P8pWBVe3czXm-jOQoQFvRIHRK2ZPSkLsXMfAKKHc1F0IyGhvOf31NQhgfBtrH3QVgy9e3jEPMQ6-cDsTaNltpq3GY6bMf7bcwE_snHFFnNvnVTYw-wDG_M/w400-h225/planning%20workshop.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Gentle readers, as you may know, Ann Arbor is revising its <a href="https://a2compplan-a2-mi.hub.arcgis.com/">Comprehensive Plan</a> and yours truly is on the steering committee. </p><p>The final of three public workshops on the Comprehensive Plan revision is Tonight from 4 - 7:30 at the Downtown Library. I'll be there for the presentation at 6 pm. And I hear there might be free pizza. Please stop by and share how you think we can make Ann Arbor more equitable, more sustainable, more affordable, and more vibrant. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-44548396818399691092024-03-04T18:46:00.004-05:002024-03-04T18:46:40.599-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: March 04, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcTsTbATJA1vZfT0tAU2d8SguoxbTJnMIJm2R2irFBlAwxTB-v5DR5-tF2WeO5Qs3Aw7KW8zVU_W_mr8FT_VpPqv_g9IOVGfeWmxaUY6YH2cjuoIDrDPouQeTMW4FWeo0oNtXLxH3dLeJQaJAaANdizrm-qJt7r4u90CFDDS6Za5lBCCwALxSfs616pZD/s403/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Feb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcTsTbATJA1vZfT0tAU2d8SguoxbTJnMIJm2R2irFBlAwxTB-v5DR5-tF2WeO5Qs3Aw7KW8zVU_W_mr8FT_VpPqv_g9IOVGfeWmxaUY6YH2cjuoIDrDPouQeTMW4FWeo0oNtXLxH3dLeJQaJAaANdizrm-qJt7r4u90CFDDS6Za5lBCCwALxSfs616pZD/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Feb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1141233&GUID=8A928EF6-9508-435A-90F0-DF5BC453680C&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The meeting kicks off with a modest, 13-item consent agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6550046&GUID=B5244983-35B0-46EC-A2F6-901F93BED11A&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6550110&GUID=F0D31EBB-0F30-4605-81A1-3121FCBB2BE2&Options=&Search=">CA-2</a>, and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6550111&GUID=0DDE48E6-AA3B-41E1-960E-0BD501593A46&Options=&Search=">CA-3</a> are all additions to the Greenbelt. Fans of 99% Invisible will be excited about the <a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-83-heyoon/">Heydon property</a> in particular. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6549001&GUID=3DF75C87-9C79-444B-8143-A7F13203A21D&Options=&Search=">CA-8</a>, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6549000&GUID=56A1A8B3-A880-46D1-B291-DB58B755314E&Options=&Search=">CA-9</a>, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6549002&GUID=A164D8A1-37F8-4485-AFDF-0933B07CCE75&Options=&Search=">CA-10</a>, and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6548999&GUID=FFF901B3-837A-4D7E-B8A2-B2666345B28E&Options=&Search=">CA-11</a> are street closures for Take Back The Night, The Monroe Street Fair, Burns Park Run, and the MIOCA Time to Teal 5K and Fun Run, respectively. <br /><br />There are 3 public hearings on the agenda this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6516922&GUID=DABF7458-A183-4F5A-A102-E77B6E06DF00&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is on tightening up the early leasing ordinance. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6495943&GUID=D27032FE-8CB8-41CF-8070-A1C01BFB655E&Options=&Search=">PH-2/DS-1</a> is on updated fire and ambulance fees. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6548988&GUID=BD1FFEE2-777A-49AC-BCD8-3190E7C5FE49&Options=&Search=">PH-3/DS-2</a> is changes to the Fire Department bills for basic life support. <br /><br />There is one ordinance first reading on the docket tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6551472&GUID=4D77DEE9-94F7-42DA-B405-3018DC6F9078&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is on some changes to the Greenbelt ordinance, including expanding the target area for the program. <br /><br />On to the resolutions! DC-1 is a resolution to appoint Sean Duval to the Economic Development Corporation Board as a Non-resident Elector. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6562071&GUID=5C7C7CD6-B6C8-4FA0-A351-E7993511862C&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is perhaps tonight's spicy chili. It's a motion to reconsider Reconsider the February 20, 2024 vote that defeated the resolution to approve a golf cart lease and appropriate funds for the purchase of lawnmowers. At the last meeting in February, a motion to drop $500k on leasing golf carts was defeated. Councilmember Radina is bringing a motion for reconsideration tonight. Check out Michelle Hughe's opinion piece on it <a href="https://a2council.info/posts/golf-course-letter/">here</a>. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-46232776524019674292024-02-20T17:21:00.002-05:002024-02-20T21:42:40.682-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: February 20, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRExmMzCzmOU_PUicFC46qhrKJgmOQMKzxMwz3RAMRtOd3kA0aJaSDCt9-hZ_X42ijVDiDSkD3ZLepFIvgx1DC2zcuf37Te8XPyc9M2nJeDwi_-sBjZZiUKzhopEnsRDDMrawt8e9oTXSKyFBfpLf7ObY34dCE4-3pf3qpT5uHqqPEEKGDWvd7vAwUn6f/s288/us-mi-aa.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRExmMzCzmOU_PUicFC46qhrKJgmOQMKzxMwz3RAMRtOd3kA0aJaSDCt9-hZ_X42ijVDiDSkD3ZLepFIvgx1DC2zcuf37Te8XPyc9M2nJeDwi_-sBjZZiUKzhopEnsRDDMrawt8e9oTXSKyFBfpLf7ObY34dCE4-3pf3qpT5uHqqPEEKGDWvd7vAwUn6f/s1600/us-mi-aa.gif" width="288" /></a></div>Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1141232&GUID=16540AE6-CE61-473A-BA09-7A98513BFE03&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <p></p><p>The evening kicks off with a modest, 10-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6509126&GUID=99DD9915-A0C1-4A85-AD6D-454D6B2D47D0&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, 3/4 of a million dollars for golf cart leases. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6509124&GUID=63E4F9A7-D2F9-477D-BFD1-EFF2F235C076&Options=&Search=">CA-6</a> is $140,000 for a grant for the Pauline-Runnymede Path. And That Damn Bridge (on E. Medical Center Drive rears it's head again in <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6509125&GUID=55F89262-A18E-4527-802C-B08A334A3312&Options=&Search=">CA-8</a>. <br /><br />There is one public hearing on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476016&GUID=CB2F4676-CB8B-4E82-A17D-86C4C6F4457E&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is for an ordinance second reading for changes to the rules on Conflicting Land Use Buffers. <br /><br />There is one ordinance first reading. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6516922&GUID=DABF7458-A183-4F5A-A102-E77B6E06DF00&Options=&Search=&FullText=1">C-1</a> is on changes to the early leasing ordinance. </p><p>On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6516295&GUID=2E43A248-B6F5-4AC5-B90C-F0D4281B3CB2&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is for approving an agreement for legal services for help with acquisition of easements. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6516858&GUID=5BCC9E66-F4A8-454F-A81E-69C87EC0D770&Options=&Search=">DC-2 </a>is in support of strengthening the city of Ann Arbor's Fair Chance Hiring Practices. Finally <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6516942&GUID=D3588E0B-1336-4FCE-91AF-85113EBB9852&Options=&Search=">DS-1</a> is for publication of the ordinance changes from PH-1/B-1. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-75492083919260339392024-02-05T18:47:00.001-05:002024-02-05T18:47:22.434-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: February 5, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitogAEm4CAr2_eJklm9KSO0GrdbT0XaJJCcJCgkETFufaWA1dhTNZJ_BdoPNGIOy1aeCJ2A0NTGYvocvYts45nuzM9c9-rYQtJvwyZbKDDVAnb5DeN7VZIlPGzKq40q6ZNOEUFBJxQb_7h5c8UPN8FmUo0_MZdVC-5cyhSP2B29BfgZyB42YdoKSJA0ylq/s375/A2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitogAEm4CAr2_eJklm9KSO0GrdbT0XaJJCcJCgkETFufaWA1dhTNZJ_BdoPNGIOy1aeCJ2A0NTGYvocvYts45nuzM9c9-rYQtJvwyZbKDDVAnb5DeN7VZIlPGzKq40q6ZNOEUFBJxQb_7h5c8UPN8FmUo0_MZdVC-5cyhSP2B29BfgZyB42YdoKSJA0ylq/s320/A2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Gentle readers, it’s #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here’s the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1141231&GUID=181C1BAF-EFAE-4F78-9B9C-CA9142D298C7&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The evening kicks off with a modest, 12-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6495939&GUID=336BA872-01E5-4AF4-964E-EA0A6E303930&Options=&Search=">CA-2</a>, $534k for golf course equipment. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are two public hearings on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6495943&GUID=D27032FE-8CB8-41CF-8070-A1C01BFB655E&Options=&Search=">PH-1/DS-1</a> is a on a resolution to approve fees for the Fire Department ambulance transport and lift assists. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6496034&GUID=1ADFAFEF-67BC-4FAA-BDC8-5B17F8469D2B&Options=&Search=">PH-2</a> is for the Stone School Road Sidewalk Special Assessment. There are no ordinance first readings tonight. <br /><br />On to the Resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6498183&GUID=DF2EE7D1-2FFE-4136-9992-47ED031C0452&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to approve a liquor license for Hearsay Inc at 2350 W. Liberty. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6498182&GUID=2C139508-F524-4255-B93A-98EC222C261F&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to approve a liquor license for AOC North Ann Arbor Opco LLC, a continuing care and retirement center at 1901 Plymouth Road. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. <br /><br /><br /></div>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-13554548783047357552024-01-26T13:48:00.001-05:002024-01-26T17:02:30.470-05:00Guest Opinion: Don't Widen US-23 - Highway Expansion is Bankrupting our State!<p>
<i>Editor's note: This is a guest opinion by
<a href="https://twitter.com/akgood">Adam Goodman</a>, adapted from a blog
post he wrote for
<a href="https://trainsnotlanes.org">trainsnotlanes.org</a>. If you're
interested in sharing an opinion, reach out to damn.arbor@gmail.com or drop
us a DM on twitter.</i>
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
On Wednesday, in Governor Whitmer’s
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-of-the-state">State of the State address</a>, we once again heard about “fixing the damn roads”. However, MDOT’s own data
clearly shows that conditions are getting worse, not better:
</p>
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<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b3Tjq-cV2qibiVOje1OYuNcaLmb1AfGQQbe97NZP94oEf9RB6G7ZMT3py3gyV_61cvZMk2CiDNKvGjkUJ_L4rq2WM6WdjPmBPGagQqJPU7c4iOjbLBxqs95FIsBmdor-FnJsQ0ScSZOkGx36LFSLSt4hmx7n4bFOt4vUKXxfGyJPxlQ2l1kM5eRjPgw/s2123/Pavement%20Condition%20Graph.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="2123" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b3Tjq-cV2qibiVOje1OYuNcaLmb1AfGQQbe97NZP94oEf9RB6G7ZMT3py3gyV_61cvZMk2CiDNKvGjkUJ_L4rq2WM6WdjPmBPGagQqJPU7c4iOjbLBxqs95FIsBmdor-FnJsQ0ScSZOkGx36LFSLSt4hmx7n4bFOt4vUKXxfGyJPxlQ2l1kM5eRjPgw/w400-h181/Pavement%20Condition%20Graph.png" width="400" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Planning/Five-Year-Transportation-Program/2024-2028-5YTP.pdf#page=11">MDOT 2024-2028 5YTP</a>, page 20<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: left;">
From 2020-2023, the State of Michigan took on a total of $3.5 Billion in
one-time bond debt to accelerate some road-work projects. These “<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/rebuilding-michigan-projects">Rebuilding Michigan</a>” bonds did - temporarily - stabilize our statewide pavement conditions.
However, the money is about to run out; after that, conditions are expected to
worsen dramatically.
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
In fact,
<a href="https://publicsectorconsultants.com/michigan-transportation-infrastructure-needs-and-funding-solutions/">a recent study</a>
concluded we have a multi-billion dollar annual road funding shortfall. $3.5
Billion in one-time funding was never going to be enough - we need that kind
of money every year.
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
We should ask ourselves, though: Why are our roads so expensive to maintain?
Why do we have such an egregious funding shortfall? While there are many
contributing factors, the most fundamental reason is quite simple:
<b>we’ve massively overbuilt our road and highway networks, and we keep doing
it!
</b>
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YQDd7v2n7N_RAAvEcbvXOr-VwssfLuGh6x__6qtlfGv68EbSIVLn3KS_clWKqVlT7xE3nz-YyQZ58wcyo9d8haMeRnNnIjDu4dcjP1Io3S5n0f1jRs-MSDB2o_lqNDjHLK__knEZpGC7GmWzCI54NTzzY2-IlJ1EMzlGSJjKW5lcV30NzZzW4h7RTcw/s2666/375%20Design%20Alternative.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2666" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YQDd7v2n7N_RAAvEcbvXOr-VwssfLuGh6x__6qtlfGv68EbSIVLn3KS_clWKqVlT7xE3nz-YyQZ58wcyo9d8haMeRnNnIjDu4dcjP1Io3S5n0f1jRs-MSDB2o_lqNDjHLK__knEZpGC7GmWzCI54NTzzY2-IlJ1EMzlGSJjKW5lcV30NzZzW4h7RTcw/w400-h226/375%20Design%20Alternative.jpg" width="400" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/special-construction/i-375-reconnecting-communities-project" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: unset; background-origin: initial; background-position: unset; background-repeat: unset; background-size: unset; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 0.2em;" target="_blank">MDOT I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
To understand this better, let’s look at a project that’s taking a different
approach: I-375 in Detroit. MDOT proposes to remove the freeway and replace it
with a surface road. There are
<a href="https://www.bridgedetroit.com/opinion-mdots-i-375-project-is-shaping-up-to-be-a-missed-opportunity/">many</a>
<a href="https://outliermedia.org/i375-detroit-freeway-redesign-removal/">problems</a>
with their proposal, to be sure.
</p>
<p>
However, if we consider it very narrowly, from a fiscal perspective, it’s a
good long-term investment: it’s reducing total pavement area and eliminating
many expensive-to-maintain bridges and other structures. It will reduce
long-term maintenance costs for our state.<br /><br />With our huge
road-funding shortfall, it seems clear we should be doing this sort of project
- right-sizing and simplifying our highway network - everywhere possible...
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoZ1HECHSloc3Rdc9M_5nA24WuBROAGVrfWxP0trdFzhL-Ko0qD7ymVz5Op3YxDLJA1bCW3aUrjOAONRo47n4BL8r-JiIdrK7o9S5ya_EECuD8l-r5cV0BJo8jjunxPqBWGon7PMehxXvUdb5U6kdazrhP_inDN4L-9eem_t4zq5s1KPOlc-qMudJVv4/s1920/highway%20widening%20map.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1920" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoZ1HECHSloc3Rdc9M_5nA24WuBROAGVrfWxP0trdFzhL-Ko0qD7ymVz5Op3YxDLJA1bCW3aUrjOAONRo47n4BL8r-JiIdrK7o9S5ya_EECuD8l-r5cV0BJo8jjunxPqBWGon7PMehxXvUdb5U6kdazrhP_inDN4L-9eem_t4zq5s1KPOlc-qMudJVv4/w400-h224/highway%20widening%20map.jpeg" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<p>
… but we are doing the exact opposite. In the last decade, we’ve been widening
seemingly half the freeways in Southeast Michigan! These projects are
enormously expensive and destructive - e.g. widening a mere 7 miles of
<a href="https://i94detroit.org/">I-94 in Detroit</a> will cost over $3
Billion, which is almost the entire amount of the aforementioned “Rebuilding
Michigan” bonds. Even worse, though, they will increase maintenance and repair
costs for future generations of Michiganders.
</p>
<p>
Thanks to decades of this unbridled highway expansionism, Michigan’s total
annual Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMTs) have increased by 65% since 1980 (as of 2019),
according to the
<a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics.cfm">Federal Highway Administration</a>. Meanwhile, our population has only grown by
<a href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/popchange-data-text.html">about 9%</a>. This is unsustainable, in every sense of the word.
</p>
<p>
Similarly, some estimates suggest our developed land area has sprawled out by
50% over the same time period:
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBR_Z2C_aBMSvMAWjRaf1ZfhoZXwlfp9DYn5Q21TY79ywNmvJA9dLf_XFV1Fe-w2CkmQQ1M59QpsBUMfXMTllVngogXeEc9k7eXnuYDnmoF06ZsrsDY26Nv7u2etp31gnoACJdp_JM1FBncjhloNF0_GdtaDAYgosUSuj7VVpVP9kG7i9QSDSaDu9xXc/s400/Mich_SMC_Infrastructure_Growth-400x300.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBR_Z2C_aBMSvMAWjRaf1ZfhoZXwlfp9DYn5Q21TY79ywNmvJA9dLf_XFV1Fe-w2CkmQQ1M59QpsBUMfXMTllVngogXeEc9k7eXnuYDnmoF06ZsrsDY26Nv7u2etp31gnoACJdp_JM1FBncjhloNF0_GdtaDAYgosUSuj7VVpVP9kG7i9QSDSaDu9xXc/w400-h300/Mich_SMC_Infrastructure_Growth-400x300.png" width="400" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Michigan Municipal League,
<a href="https://mml.org/placemaking/2019/01/23/lets-fix-the-damn-roads-for-all-the-damn-modes/">Let’s fix the damn roads for ALL the damn modes</a><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
Looking at this, it’s no wonder everything’s crumbling in this state! Not just
roads and highways, but water, sewer, power lines - you name it. We have to
maintain as much as 50% more infrastructure with almost the same population of
taxpayers we had back in 1980.
</p>
<p>
Highways, though, are key in enabling this sprawl, thanks to a phenomenon
known as
<a href="https://t4america.org/2021/10/20/say-hello-to-induced-demand/">induced demand</a>.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0GzRg1WMPfcIipnPT7dhG7MH2zKFlEfEsj_HyPSEZIeRZU3kr9n4QLiuMkT_yrrQcOm_kS4WtO30kCH_M18dW9uAUGl3wv9I1XoGJwg7cOwbqTHLp2rkV1QEQOC1Rwh3789uJFNs3PndLJo0UWfDAl6GTITzI_2w8oChi2DLx3TgJ998nFIhEz3PaEY/s2980/induced%20demand%20graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="2550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0GzRg1WMPfcIipnPT7dhG7MH2zKFlEfEsj_HyPSEZIeRZU3kr9n4QLiuMkT_yrrQcOm_kS4WtO30kCH_M18dW9uAUGl3wv9I1XoGJwg7cOwbqTHLp2rkV1QEQOC1Rwh3789uJFNs3PndLJo0UWfDAl6GTITzI_2w8oChi2DLx3TgJ998nFIhEz3PaEY/w343-h400/induced%20demand%20graphic.jpg" width="343" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Transportation 4 America,
<a href="https://t4america.org/maps-tools/driving-down-emissions/">Driving Down Emissions</a>, page 12
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
This is a ruinous cycle for our communities, our state, and our global
climate.
</p>
<p>
In pursuit of climate action, some of our local leaders are trying to break
that cycle. Both the City of Ann Arbor’s
<a href="https://www.a2gov.org/departments/sustainability/Documents/A2Zero%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20_4.0.pdf">A2Zero plan</a>
and Washtenaw County’s
<a href="https://www.washtenaw.org/DocumentCenter/View/29331/Resilient-Washtenaw---Final">Resilient Washtenaw plan</a>
have established goals to reduce VMTs by 50% in the coming years… but we will
never achieve these goals if we continue widening our highways. And yet,
widening US-23 is exactly what MDOT is proposing to do, in a study they're
conducting right now!
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_NBBUve0Z8tbUw0bsP91_sy95BGxSv1np13-3Tyw4yAZH3GXy_nT09qR9pvaMJQRnvsDkaYdjErrTZBaTYQ6M0GvCbSTvhhG7fa-Whq2h-zd-0NvYeThh2qtmbiEXEgPA1UFxZY46mhzOUeiQgvtxA25IX-cxOnrFFINys0yhv16WKwsavf1npaEHAY/s1000/MDOT%20study%20area.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1000" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_NBBUve0Z8tbUw0bsP91_sy95BGxSv1np13-3Tyw4yAZH3GXy_nT09qR9pvaMJQRnvsDkaYdjErrTZBaTYQ6M0GvCbSTvhhG7fa-Whq2h-zd-0NvYeThh2qtmbiEXEgPA1UFxZY46mhzOUeiQgvtxA25IX-cxOnrFFINys0yhv16WKwsavf1npaEHAY/w400-h259/MDOT%20study%20area.png" width="400" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/studies/traffic-and-environmental-linkages-studies/us-23-improvement-project-study-ann-arbor">MDOT US-23 Improvement Project Study</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
In fact, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute’s
<a href="https://shift.rmi.org/">SHIFT calculator</a>, widening 7 miles of
US-23 can be expected to increase our county’s VMTs by as many as
<b>44 million miles per year</b>, accounting for as many as
<b>400,000 metric tons of added CO₂ emissions by 2050</b>. It’s also worth
noting that these calculations hold true regardless of whether the new lanes
are general purpose lanes, HOV lanes, or any other type.
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS3RYDyFtz6RthFhvRMX3K_aE4qLHawbzkgwEc_rSnJp87bqbKtkuAOuBikErW92LRFbdigw_cF95FrEAxeMXJtQe-hCNq7tS5IKTKTHbxVkOB_CT7Dkgz7enmUMHcb7sUuKpZsOZt5tV4_Jm8rwgRDhns1dpCngRcPr0s-CZ8x1CeZoYY8xXOZ0FmME/s1176/3alts.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1176" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS3RYDyFtz6RthFhvRMX3K_aE4qLHawbzkgwEc_rSnJp87bqbKtkuAOuBikErW92LRFbdigw_cF95FrEAxeMXJtQe-hCNq7tS5IKTKTHbxVkOB_CT7Dkgz7enmUMHcb7sUuKpZsOZt5tV4_Jm8rwgRDhns1dpCngRcPr0s-CZ8x1CeZoYY8xXOZ0FmME/w400-h260/3alts.png" width="400" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/studies/traffic-and-environmental-linkages-studies/us-23-improvement-project-study-ann-arbor">MDOT US-23 Improvement Project Study</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<p>
For all these reasons,
<b>all three proposed widening options for US-23 must be rejected</b>. Our
communities and our state literally cannot afford to keep widening all our
highways!
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://trainsnotlanes.org/take-action">Take action today to put a stop to this wasteful, unnecessary, and climate
destroying project</a>.
</p>
Adam Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14059023369486938740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-9279086554262576662024-01-22T13:04:00.001-05:002024-01-23T11:48:08.547-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: January 22, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWS7mzQ9Dp6wxgu894_9SkmFLibEy8eRR_23RXGNbVU9CFxywU7GwGchcQYMWHSqMvFRpyOi0sfsHK9Gw8OMEJx7E1N7nie-lEzhNTZ1yCFlMIz-oAQZpKio3Ipj0m82JTYoDWYrzCEIF0orGE5bzE0YZmI5hSu7pY_E6xR9T9iuYoQHvm9GcDD3KSiNi/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWS7mzQ9Dp6wxgu894_9SkmFLibEy8eRR_23RXGNbVU9CFxywU7GwGchcQYMWHSqMvFRpyOi0sfsHK9Gw8OMEJx7E1N7nie-lEzhNTZ1yCFlMIz-oAQZpKio3Ipj0m82JTYoDWYrzCEIF0orGE5bzE0YZmI5hSu7pY_E6xR9T9iuYoQHvm9GcDD3KSiNi/w400-h399/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1147230&GUID=F5664319-5B18-4098-8D6E-2D30B9FEF8B8&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The evening kicks off with a scant, 8-item consent agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476018&GUID=077D4167-842E-449B-9407-4BED3D5D4B7B&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, is the street closure for the Shamrocks & Shenanigans Run. Looks like we are back in street closure season. Elsewhere in the consent agenda we have <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476046&GUID=76563B3C-0930-4AC4-B8B6-356C8174A018&Options=&Search=">CA-7</a>, the development agreement for the awesome project going in at 121 Catherine. </p><p>There are 4 public hearings on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444757&GUID=C400831E-A138-44E6-A0DC-124440C67F48&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of the Plymouth TC-1 District. Awesome. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444760&GUID=5B296961-7761-40F8-9D0C-73FE1AB0F485&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is the second reading of an amendment to the Unified Development Code to add additional permitted uses to the Office district: Banquet Hall, Personal Services, Veterinary Uses. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444763&GUID=9012D45A-A97F-4C42-ACFD-D530B56DDBDE&Options=&Search=">PH-3/B-3</a> is the second reading of an amendment to allow front and backyard solar in residential zoned districts. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6461133&GUID=38EF6518-0BED-4436-A375-015C79FB0C22&Options=&Search=">PH-4/B-4</a> is on the second reading of an ordinance to modify Ann Arbor's non-discrimination ordinance to prohibit city contractors inquiry into applicants criminal records until after a conditional employment offer has been made. </p><p>There is one ordinance first reading on tonight's agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476016&GUID=CB2F4676-CB8B-4E82-A17D-86C4C6F4457E&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> removes the requirement for a conflicting land use buffer between similar land use types. </p><p>Further down the agenda we get to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6483525&GUID=9FB7D8C8-A9F3-4E46-AA2C-1987A194015A&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to approve hiring Marua K. Thomas as the Executive Director of the DDA. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6483526&GUID=459DB91B-8657-478D-B892-F969BA591FFB&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to add Lubny (Лубни́) Ukraine as a sister city. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476020&GUID=DD360E3E-0924-496F-B705-9FA7358C3601&Options=&Search=">DS-1</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6476021&GUID=487E63C5-DE40-4302-8EDB-DC36A371C255&Options=&Search=">DS-2</a> are resolutions to publish the changes to the UDC from B-2 and B-3 respectively. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-73104826272317036242023-12-18T14:41:00.005-05:002023-12-18T14:42:08.909-05:00Ann Arbor Agenda Center: December 18, 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgos6cam49ntBQgX8K1dj6mY_rKtSJvYY1-y4QVewmONnod_BdMIawTae02Qes_FtVfSoT-u3AM5YNcKz1l21sCzXT4GdXm9RH0Ok2fj2z490R7Q4rbR5jAZvfgvhBTZ51xes-PG5khsAsr-9ggG1SYz9MZArWnMRC8aMp4kg90GJvGi3tMmqCOCIDWbc/s403/Seal%20December.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgos6cam49ntBQgX8K1dj6mY_rKtSJvYY1-y4QVewmONnod_BdMIawTae02Qes_FtVfSoT-u3AM5YNcKz1l21sCzXT4GdXm9RH0Ok2fj2z490R7Q4rbR5jAZvfgvhBTZ51xes-PG5khsAsr-9ggG1SYz9MZArWnMRC8aMp4kg90GJvGi3tMmqCOCIDWbc/s320/Seal%20December.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Gentler reader, tonight is the last #a2Council meeting of the year. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062187&GUID=2E465431-BA69-45E6-99B2-2D5F86AE77CB&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The evening kicks off with a respectable, 18-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444762&GUID=1EC59CF4-13FF-4E71-8FAC-9B2264C80CB5&Options=&Search=">CA-4</a>, the contract for the Barton portion of the Border to Border trail. <br /><br />There are three public hearings on the docket tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6417563&GUID=635BB369-5818-44FE-ABB3-74524A3B9E09&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a>is the second reading of the leaf blower ordinance. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6411032&GUID=DBA62C82-1E39-47FF-B5FC-EA982134213D&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is the second reading of an ordinance to annex 5.9 acres from Ann Arbor Township at 2520 and 2540 Pontiac Trail to R4A. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444759&GUID=296D8141-5CE6-4380-BF42-BBD093DE86E1&Options=&Search=">PH-3/DB-1</a> is a resolution approving the awkwardly named Village of Ann Arbor site plan. This project at 1710 Dhu Varren Road will have 604 units across 78.5 acres. Great to have a chance to welcome so many new neighbors, but it is unfortunate this development is not denser. </p><p>There are 3 ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444757&GUID=C400831E-A138-44E6-A0DC-124440C67F48&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is the first reading of the Plymouth Road TC1 ordinance. This would rezone 53 parcels to transit corridor zoning. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444760&GUID=5B296961-7761-40F8-9D0C-73FE1AB0F485&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is the first reading of an ordinance that would allow new uses in Office zoned parcels: banquet hall, personal services, veterinary uses. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444763&GUID=9012D45A-A97F-4C42-ACFD-D530B56DDBDE&Options=&Search=">C-3</a> is the first reading of an ordinance that would reduce the restrictions on personal scale solar energy systems. <br /><br />There is one new resolution on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444750&GUID=398DB2A3-41D5-4BC8-A123-835A74F8F960&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to recommend approval of a of a Downtown Development District Liquor License for the Michigan Theater. There was a resolution this evening on the conflict in Gaza, but it looks like it has been pulled at the time of writing. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-64955042259151672622023-12-04T12:43:00.002-05:002023-12-04T12:52:05.160-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: December 4, 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmgJuXf9YRnTEG8MI3p0FthUzxnxBsCnRjy1z7EXKEiDssEwnxyeHPfeXMgMqCZiC5uwg2rjfHaQPEFts-KrY2dVhBgRiwZ-h5ZCixeEpjLCOhtvi-k2BhNL02JnQoLGcyhARY6PP_YRlcrT1j5t8kGJKYGeS422-cG6HDJ-RKN2ipfrtt8fKg589amOg/s403/Seal%20December.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmgJuXf9YRnTEG8MI3p0FthUzxnxBsCnRjy1z7EXKEiDssEwnxyeHPfeXMgMqCZiC5uwg2rjfHaQPEFts-KrY2dVhBgRiwZ-h5ZCixeEpjLCOhtvi-k2BhNL02JnQoLGcyhARY6PP_YRlcrT1j5t8kGJKYGeS422-cG6HDJ-RKN2ipfrtt8fKg589amOg/s320/Seal%20December.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062186&GUID=E4F826E3-059E-4EBB-B09E-BBF7D4E4FBA8&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a modest, 7-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6430466&GUID=4943203F-DFEE-43CC-BD7A-3B6E873ADDA8&Options=&Search=">CA-5</a> is accepting a $182,360 to make the Bryant Community Center carbon neutral. <br /><br />There are 5 public hearings on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393397&GUID=0A7A0C42-23B7-498D-8958-497684B6C938&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of a change to the Lockwood PUD. Again, this is an illustration of why PUDs are such a brittle tool. It would be much better to drastically overhaul the zoning code to allow more good projects to go forward without having to be PUDs. <br /><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393398&GUID=EECA0B9F-3593-4CD4-B080-55614B761C83&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is the second reading of a fix to the downtown premiums for the D1 and D2 zones. A few years ago council reworked the downtown zone premiums. The end result is that no new affordable units being built. This ordinance change will fix this issue so that new D1 projects with affordable units will work. <br /><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393399&GUID=0A64E817-8471-4AC5-A8C3-68FA299DEFB0&Options=&Search=">PH-3/B-3</a> is the second reading of changes to the setback rules for TC-1. This is coming to council with a denial recommended by the Planning Commission. <br /><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393400&GUID=8E2B562A-B0F8-4F01-90E1-28BFF2BC4104&Options=&Search=">PH-4/B-4</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6430463&GUID=3FC3EF98-B859-407E-8A6F-09ED399EBDB9&Options=&Search=">PH-5/DB-5</a> are the rezoning and site plan for the Briarwood Parking lot. The parking lot is being rezoned from Parking to C2B (Business Service District). The current plan is to raze the current Sears store ad build a grocery store and sporting goods store. The parking lot will be redeveloped as three residential buildings with 352 total units. You love to see it. <br /><br />There is one ordinance first reading tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062186&GUID=E4F826E3-059E-4EBB-B09E-BBF7D4E4FBA8&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is the first reading of the ordinance to ban most gas leaf blowers. Again, you love to see it. <br /><br />On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6434097&GUID=16D195F1-0E42-4016-975D-A1F002EE45DA&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is to approve the 2024 Council Committee Appointments. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6440495&GUID=851E1827-40D7-44D1-98F9-8A22FF7F32C4&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to launch engagement initiatives to support all electric leaf maintenance. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6430456&GUID=1F119E6D-DE31-41EA-90FB-8ADD4845C20C&Options=&Search=">DS-1</a>and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6430457&GUID=BEF36A2E-5E19-439C-8421-FB46004814BE&Options=&Search=">DS-2</a> are resolutions to publish the changes to the downtown and transit corridor zones. <br /><br />That's it, gentle reader. What items are you most excited for? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. <p></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-8098309727321884552023-11-20T16:58:00.001-05:002023-11-20T16:58:17.780-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: November 20, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjqrl3-cpU-WxEcu73ZLmJMBoX8ucus7X7ktxhWSgZsfsY30_6NnkeAkSGmWrW_lRRE23XawNLP079UL9wvFcnyKFAGR4aH4Y5QjFqdY2qgs79Nq0_w1mHmUGmr-9JoK7d6AMVFHlXTIdVGHhSW909jOMcoinFxPNuWW3IjAMdx2f-1jmN8LMPS3p1v5e/s403/5ofkcuklxas05zqf%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjqrl3-cpU-WxEcu73ZLmJMBoX8ucus7X7ktxhWSgZsfsY30_6NnkeAkSGmWrW_lRRE23XawNLP079UL9wvFcnyKFAGR4aH4Y5QjFqdY2qgs79Nq0_w1mHmUGmr-9JoK7d6AMVFHlXTIdVGHhSW909jOMcoinFxPNuWW3IjAMdx2f-1jmN8LMPS3p1v5e/s320/5ofkcuklxas05zqf%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062185&GUID=31551C10-005C-4082-8AEF-0D5899DA8491&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a modest, 14-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410940&GUID=9883515F-5C39-466A-AB92-92429C948C0C&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, $350k for miscellaneous concrete repairs. Also, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6411626&GUID=2EB2F3A2-2EAB-4CEB-9DA1-0EB2912D842E&Options=&Search=">CA-8</a>, participation in the PFAS lawsuit against 3m and DuPont. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6411033&GUID=938DA424-AF02-48FE-B6FA-4C95BF959814&Options=&Search=">CA-10</a> looks cool too. It's for technical support for the Bryant District Geothermal Project. <br /><br />There is one public hearing on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372468&GUID=E57D885A-C4C8-4550-A692-DC7942828481&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is for a township island annexation. The city will be gaining just over 5 acres of parkland at 2282 and 2290 Traver Rd. Nice. <br /><br />There are two ordinance first readings on the agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6411032&GUID=DBA62C82-1E39-47FF-B5FC-EA982134213D&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is a township island annexation. Just over 5 acres at 2520 and 2540 Pontiac Trail are becoming R4A. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6411032&GUID=DBA62C82-1E39-47FF-B5FC-EA982134213D&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is the first reading of an ordnance that would phase out most internal combustion leaf blowers. <br /><br />On to the resolutions: <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6419293&GUID=F18F41B2-AFDC-4637-A067-25A32BB6ADE0&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to approve the 2024 Council Calendar. <br /><br />And that's it! What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-53766055512770346312023-11-06T15:32:00.000-05:002023-11-06T15:32:00.158-05:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: November 6, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KkHa06Izb0hTG15VUiMZfZDJ2nYQvKyPUUCwhmDTUr_8Fj-sw5mg72MRdu2JHbKvRZra4yRETvM4HaTeEAlSRis4_znG8s9Lumvs0mHQFCY7bFquXOZN-vGHo-vHKk8MrzApu0gA7uhhJFjVYNLMHLINHQo395UlGQxBh6eVf4Fph5jNz_t9Orh7HYkO/s403/5ofkcuklxas05zqf%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KkHa06Izb0hTG15VUiMZfZDJ2nYQvKyPUUCwhmDTUr_8Fj-sw5mg72MRdu2JHbKvRZra4yRETvM4HaTeEAlSRis4_znG8s9Lumvs0mHQFCY7bFquXOZN-vGHo-vHKk8MrzApu0gA7uhhJFjVYNLMHLINHQo395UlGQxBh6eVf4Fph5jNz_t9Orh7HYkO/s320/5ofkcuklxas05zqf%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor gentle readers. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062184&GUID=AE424CFF-F79D-47B9-A9CB-BB279C12014F&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a respectable, 20-item consent agenda. Of note, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393379&GUID=FDA13D76-A7B9-49F3-AE48-1318791FF4AE&Options=&Search=">CA-17</a>, accepting the donation of a park at 1420 Maple. There's also <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372828&GUID=BD69C13A-5756-4F5A-82C2-D0B0B2AF38C5&Options=&Search=">CA-18</a>, a contract for installing public restrooms in and near Downtown. <br /><br />There are no public hearings on the docket tonight. But there are 4 ordinance first readings. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393397&GUID=0A7A0C42-23B7-498D-8958-497684B6C938&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is an amendment to the Lockwood PUD. One problem when you force so many projects to be PUDs, you end up making it very difficult to make minor changes to a project. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393400&GUID=8E2B562A-B0F8-4F01-90E1-28BFF2BC4104&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is rezoning the some of the Briarwood Parking Lot from Parking (the worst zone) to C2B (business services). This is good. The city should get rid of the Parking zone from the city's zoning code. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393398&GUID=EECA0B9F-3593-4CD4-B080-55614B761C83&Options=&Search=">C-3</a> is a fix to the city's downtown premiums for the D1 and D2 zone. These premiums have been so onerous that they have stopped all new construction in these zones. Good to see this fix going in. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6393399&GUID=0A64E817-8471-4AC5-A8C3-68FA299DEFB0&Options=&Search=">C-4</a> is changes to setback rules in the transit corridor district. <br /><br />On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6374386&GUID=7528BB63-2122-4A90-AEAC-F0376264B0FC&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to appoint Anya Ganger to the Health and Human Services Advisory Board. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6400256&GUID=A032D966-7AEE-47C4-9FBB-00EF7EFCC8B6&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is to hire a consulting firm to help with the Bryant School geothermal project. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6401313&GUID=5B1BE121-93B1-4F85-AD95-F0FA6B80C05C&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to move precinct 2-20 from First United Methodist to King Elementary. Finally, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6403222&GUID=9DFF681B-9CAC-4E09-88DC-20B4EA882C42&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a>, is a resolution to accelerate safety improvements on Ann Arbor's many stroads. You love to see it. </p><p>What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-1142311897948673432023-10-16T17:00:00.007-04:002023-10-16T17:03:12.083-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: October 16, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCsQoUYxap3cxLY6vHOHEhm5qNUZL6zOb2kbSGD8utLCyAqgcToNm-Hr_-Q6SaPO-Xl-oojldfcZPUg64HxNfIMjRLtXyApkWui4KZPrn3Wn_rNelG5q2pHI7QCiVsZ8Jh7-D1a2s2euDnsswL_HN7UFWM-IGFkY_YpZAm48wbRycnwUHP_mo-TovGMsH/s403/5ofkcuklxas05zqf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCsQoUYxap3cxLY6vHOHEhm5qNUZL6zOb2kbSGD8utLCyAqgcToNm-Hr_-Q6SaPO-Xl-oojldfcZPUg64HxNfIMjRLtXyApkWui4KZPrn3Wn_rNelG5q2pHI7QCiVsZ8Jh7-D1a2s2euDnsswL_HN7UFWM-IGFkY_YpZAm48wbRycnwUHP_mo-TovGMsH/w400-h388/5ofkcuklxas05zqf.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle readers, tonight is another spooktacular edition of #a2Council. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062183&GUID=58835868-1CF4-436A-8905-749C31219C93&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The evening kicks off with a ghoulish, 13-item consent agenda. There's just one road closure, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372496&GUID=E1FACF55-8518-4962-91C0-B98D4B76D87A&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, for the Turkey Trot. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372489&GUID=2196957F-A0EE-4287-8EA2-13F72B38350D&Options=&Search=">CA-7</a> is traffic calming for Grandview from Jackson to Dexter. You love to see it. </p><p>There are two public hearings on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372500&GUID=51B0AADD-8FA2-484E-B9B3-F31A495D27E0&Options=&Search=">PH-1/DB-1</a> is for a township island annexation at 3701 - 3713 Riverside Drive. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6372469&GUID=72F6692B-7DF0-4E3D-B983-402E8D49EDB5&Options=&Search=">PH-2/DS-1</a> is accepting a grant to help with opioid harm reduction. </p><p>There is one ordinance first reading tonight. C-1 is for a township island annexation for 2282 and 2290 Traver Rd. The city is getting 5.23 acres of vacant public land. </p><p>On to the resolutions. DB-2 is a resolution to approve early voting sites for 2024. DB-3 is a resolution to permanently relocate several election precincts: Precinct 4-32 from the Mary Street Polling Place to the University of Michigan Coliseum, Precincts 4-33 and 3-24 from the U-M Coliseum and Tappan Middle School to the Ann Arbor Senior Center beginning with the 2024 Presidential Primary Election. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6361436&GUID=1626ACD1-2C5A-4F6C-9BAF-58636CB717C1&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6362815&GUID=96753389-22D7-4BED-8EB9-7C637BBB052C&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> are commission appointments. </p><p><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6370047&GUID=BF304A41-EFCB-494A-A7D2-CBBF5375B90A&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to measure the impact of the recently adopted home energy rating disclosure. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6370661&GUID=1F9025D3-8A41-467E-997E-E209D9C449B7&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a> is a resolution to encourage connections across US 23 and to make sure there are comfortable walking and biking facilities. Nice. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6377733&GUID=AD974BE9-C564-4B97-A898-8B25B99BB56D&Options=&Search=">DC-5</a> is a resolution to appoint Patrick Maguire interim Police Chief. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6380408&GUID=B680523E-AFB4-4F1C-ACC7-C4434FB75516&Options=&Search=">DC-6</a> is a resolution for he evaluation of the integration of Home Energy Score assessments in residential inspection processes. </p><p><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6383698&GUID=97F0C9E4-5D59-424B-831C-56F1FC686507&Options=&Search=">DC-7</a> is a resolution to ask MDOT not to block off access to the western portion of Barton Nature Area. This has been a whole big thing. You can find out more on this <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AnnArbor/comments/16kye6n/news_mdot_public_meeting_in_ann_arbor_to_discuss/">reddit thread</a>. And finally <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6384683&GUID=1CA26DF6-F8E2-4582-9F8E-F47D40B54306&Options=&Search=">DC-8 </a>is a resolution to inform next steps for selling the Kline Lot, the parking lot on Ashley and William. </p><p>What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-87116953410921078692023-10-02T15:24:00.003-04:002023-10-02T15:24:47.631-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: October 2, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5CcwlV2nsyWPDTK21L7xktuYX3ifAfzf3rqcblHSMbl5eWZoA1XjUyjJ9kR_6R_ct5ndki7SzaF-884ttBnBioisjZD3YR8pCkAeVgwWn4dGBuRgollo6LGSghHbU-bERAdJqLEFl_OwBwrx2sS5UF-TvzqxpRGa0IQz9FUTlqd9R3ds9xCall2Ubhd-/s403/5ofkcuklxas05zqf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="403" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5CcwlV2nsyWPDTK21L7xktuYX3ifAfzf3rqcblHSMbl5eWZoA1XjUyjJ9kR_6R_ct5ndki7SzaF-884ttBnBioisjZD3YR8pCkAeVgwWn4dGBuRgollo6LGSghHbU-bERAdJqLEFl_OwBwrx2sS5UF-TvzqxpRGa0IQz9FUTlqd9R3ds9xCall2Ubhd-/w400-h388/5ofkcuklxas05zqf.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Spooky season is upon us, gentle readers. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062182&GUID=8756E7EB-BA11-4DAA-95B5-A9FE27ABEDFD&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <p></p><p>The evening kicks off with a respectable, 19-item, consent agenda. We've got one street closure. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358445&GUID=7A99DD55-5C86-4477-9603-CD0C416FD8D4&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a> is for the 2023 Spook-a-Thon on October 28. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358415&GUID=B411EFDD-6EE0-41A2-8803-332345297491&Options=&Search=">CA-7</a> is a special assessment for a sidewalk gap along Stone School. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358442&GUID=16F10D49-D7EA-4DC4-9A08-235556BA3251&Options=&Search=">CA-15</a> could also be interesting, its purchasing a easement to fill the South Main sidewalk gap. </p><p>There are no public hearings nor ordinance first readings on the agenda this evening. There's just one resolution on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6368539&GUID=5880E460-433D-46D5-9D3F-05C0BB4624F4&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to encourage DTE to Develop a Process for Burying Power Lines. <br /><br />All in all it looks like a pretty light agenda. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-3858327627804255672023-09-18T14:48:00.005-04:002023-09-18T14:49:32.330-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 18, 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipupfv7hfsi23J0sPe6cCS7peXLH_9Jq--MwBEq92_OhhUN6_WgZNEVMaLGSISEpFan03mScJrUWABRkkWjrztvaoDSKQPSnqcEaIa_c3hOjA9uPd02GrjPdTGIp3FHo4Kuj5F0lWZH_Omo7ED-MnU7TTBGCUsABS_whcC1TpPDqY9TjP9wTxC-949z1GF/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipupfv7hfsi23J0sPe6cCS7peXLH_9Jq--MwBEq92_OhhUN6_WgZNEVMaLGSISEpFan03mScJrUWABRkkWjrztvaoDSKQPSnqcEaIa_c3hOjA9uPd02GrjPdTGIp3FHo4Kuj5F0lWZH_Omo7ED-MnU7TTBGCUsABS_whcC1TpPDqY9TjP9wTxC-949z1GF/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Gentle reader, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062181&GUID=07A4B480-310A-44ED-B032-2087C419F52D&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a modest, 11-item consent agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6341130&GUID=620529A9-E403-4072-B527-0390769DBF2F&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a> is street closures for the Ann Arbor Marathon. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6341123&GUID=5E05BF2E-18B8-477A-A2AE-201BCD33C33B&Options=&Search=">CA-4</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6341124&GUID=22E2AFE6-D66B-484E-9EEC-C3EC411A926D&Options=&Search=">CA-5</a> are for traffic calming on Baldwin and Manchester, respectively. <p></p><p>There are two public hearings on the docket tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312253&GUID=410FA52E-92DB-42BA-98F5-4A2E0A257C44&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of an ordinance rezoning two houses at 2670 & 2690 Ann Arbor-Saline Road from R1C (single family zoning) to O (office). <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279104&GUID=24F90135-F54A-4EF2-AD03-A4DEC3B610CD&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is the second reading of an ordinance to make changes to the Transportation Commission ordinance. </p><p>Moving down the agenda, we get to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6301129&GUID=24192C8C-4EFA-4311-A055-7BCB28A29F4C&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to approve revised bylaws for the Transportation Commission. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6350517&GUID=CA19BB8E-0BB4-42A0-BBAF-96B571240010&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to revise the remainder of the 2023 Council Calendar. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6352945&GUID=45D38AEC-44BD-4259-9D14-F24BF1427E5C&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to amend the sale of the the Y Lot, 350 S. Fifth. <br /><br />All in all it looks like a pretty light agenda. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p><p><br /></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-57449825770252268872023-09-11T13:49:00.003-04:002023-09-11T13:49:33.871-04:00House Party starts Tomorrow<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj81gNTqlKXcVXKgmfPe_RJ-VxIQ1sPqlVZX3_yN2nB-WbFyDN2UQy6zsyrowT34ApU2dbUca1u3WSQbbcjotHda3MUnuGtRkJimk8-ZcK4VU3FFKJvuo8ojlLy0LgB8ynFh5TkbEOZki_VGyzEFxVR_qvxQQ24JH3KZu2JnhCxEEoI_LakXSPoZOhYww0f" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="3284" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj81gNTqlKXcVXKgmfPe_RJ-VxIQ1sPqlVZX3_yN2nB-WbFyDN2UQy6zsyrowT34ApU2dbUca1u3WSQbbcjotHda3MUnuGtRkJimk8-ZcK4VU3FFKJvuo8ojlLy0LgB8ynFh5TkbEOZki_VGyzEFxVR_qvxQQ24JH3KZu2JnhCxEEoI_LakXSPoZOhYww0f=w400-h181" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Do Good Work, an Ann Arbor-based 501(c)3, is hosting <a href="https://www.dogoodwork.org/houseparty">House Party</a> this week. House Party is a series of events focused around the state of housing in our community. Last week, I reached out to Lisa Sauvé, the founder of Do Good Work, who graciously answered some of my questions about House Party:<br /><br /><b></b></p><blockquote><p><b>Damn Arbor: What inspired you to put on House Party?</b><br /><br />Lisa Sauvé: I kept having conversations around housing and different perspectives and opinions on solutions and thought we should open it up to a broader audience. Sometimes the policy wonks and design nerds get too wrapped up without taking a step back to invite others into the conversation and spend some time listening. Last September I was at the Avalon Housing Fundraiser and was inspired by all the stories being shared and thought "we need more of this". Immediately texted a friend and the ideas started being put together. Below is a snap of that text exchange. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMtokT-o_gCSwQkPKUut015LDVqEy5LST9P6C2Ra4vJx76IhYbU2F_Vten9Ktu0Hqsf0B0ZzyV7zkEl81fOzZQTa7y73qNmJh3XU253khLOscYNF9gSPzHUNFc56ZfyHpY2MIF2Rb46ryoPxUE3bHQrMfSnC9PGrwPRbM6w8VBeIac_XW-4HbBbvQ101TL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="741" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMtokT-o_gCSwQkPKUut015LDVqEy5LST9P6C2Ra4vJx76IhYbU2F_Vten9Ktu0Hqsf0B0ZzyV7zkEl81fOzZQTa7y73qNmJh3XU253khLOscYNF9gSPzHUNFc56ZfyHpY2MIF2Rb46ryoPxUE3bHQrMfSnC9PGrwPRbM6w8VBeIac_XW-4HbBbvQ101TL" width="320" /></a></div><b>DA: What outcome are you hoping for?</b><p></p><p>LS: I hope the information sharing can help dispell some myths around housing and development like how and why we only see market-rate "luxury" apartments from the private development industry (hint: the opportunity cost, risk, financing, and requirements all layer into the final cost). Online doesn't allow for long-form discourse and I know I'm part of that vocal group. When we meet face-to-face there is more humanity and understanding of the tradeoffs we're all trying to balance to meet our community goals. </p><p>This is also a great time at the beginning of the city's comprehensive planning process to start to engage from a grassroots of community events without the consultants and municipal leaders leading the agenda. For several of the event,s we have talked directly to the city and Interface (the comprehensive planning consultant) about what outcomes and information would be useful for them to recieve if we were able to collect it. It will be great to share these experiences as part of the longer planned collective conversation. So while we have the support, these events do have some autonomy. </p><p><b>DA: What are you most excited about with House Party?</b><br /><br />LS: I'm actually an introvert, so organizing a whole lot of public events feels kinda out of character. The one that resonates with me personally is House Stories. It allows anyone to schedule an individual time to record their housing story in a phone booth at the AADL downtown branch. The AADL is also going to archive these recordings in their collection as a recorded history and snapshot in time of our lived experiences locally which is exciting to know they'll be able to be a shared resource into the future. A couple of the most powerful experiences I've had around housing this past year have been at that Avalon fundraiser, and a city council meeting (8/7/23) where several renters organized and shared their stories and struggles with landlords, cost, and quality housing.</p><p>There's also a few student run events including an engagement session on Wednesday evening, with a second opportunity Saturday afternoon to participate at the Liberty Annex as well as some spaces for Park(ing) Day. Student housing is a major discussion point, partially for the new construction downtown but also our ability (or lack-thereof) to retain talent and grow a multi-generational community. It's great to see how involved they have become to join the issue and break down that barrier between town and gown. <br /><br /><b>DA: One last question: What would you recommend for someone who is curious about House Party, but maybe feeling a little shy?</b><br /><br />LS: Like I said, I'm an introvert, so I get it. At almost every event there is food and stickers which usually gives something to focus on if being social or engaging isn't something you can jump right into. A great friend, advocate, and expert in community engagement - Jess Letaw - shared a working agreement to help situate the room into a respectful and open one. I hope that this will create spaces for the shy and opinionated to come together and find mutual respect and understanding to allow everyone to grow and take something away from joining. The agreement is below if you'd like to share;</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>As a group, we are committed to practicing the following:</li><li>We expect and give respect, always assuming good intentions.</li><li>We allow our opinions and beliefs to be challenged.</li><li>We recognize learning can be uncomfortable but should not be unsafe.</li><li>We are mindful of our own experiences and feelings.</li><li>We take the time and space we need, both inside and outside the shared spaces.</li><li>We process harms as they arise, when and how we are able, with care and without tone policing. </li></ul><p></p></blockquote><p></p><div>Sounds like it'll be a series of incredible events. House Party kicks off tomorrow morning with Coffee + Conversations with City Staff from 8:30 am - 10:00 am at Cahoots. Events run through Sunday the 17th and are all accessible by public transit. Don't forget to pick up the daily issue of Housezene from Vault of Midnight. </div><p></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-60701991611311408162023-09-05T18:56:00.002-04:002023-09-05T18:56:22.219-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 5, 2023<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC4yHWTYwMPuJ-4x_oDrEXBTHt5FuYT8wTmT-pi4CsSRdNmC406mN2D45QSwAXSoDFghFO4H7yYx5iGFXjm3NwcyJibIrYtKe3GXPxTKRFntFlHQy38mBeBhK7c1oI92SDBxUmVeC3fgy100-PiC-oJuOAscMurUeD8Ecy22mq8F37kzwagIkA5YRLjtMY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC4yHWTYwMPuJ-4x_oDrEXBTHt5FuYT8wTmT-pi4CsSRdNmC406mN2D45QSwAXSoDFghFO4H7yYx5iGFXjm3NwcyJibIrYtKe3GXPxTKRFntFlHQy38mBeBhK7c1oI92SDBxUmVeC3fgy100-PiC-oJuOAscMurUeD8Ecy22mq8F37kzwagIkA5YRLjtMY=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rendering of the proposed South Town project. There are three public hearings on the project tonight. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062180&GUID=5D95AE16-32E0-4256-A9A9-1F9D311ABF33&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. </p><p>The evening starts off with a modest, 11-item consent agenda. Just one street closing. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6324009&GUID=E2B0B85A-3215-42E7-9526-4CD548BBA2AC&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is for Little Amal - The Walk on Saturday, September 23. </p><p>On to the public hearings. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6300535&GUID=63B41C04-F68A-4B18-9E57-0F1FEB13B1DF&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is to allow specific car related uses in TC-1. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312254&GUID=993AB8D9-89B1-439D-B337-892E927BE486&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is for the second reading of an ordinance to require home energy rating disclosure. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312254&GUID=993AB8D9-89B1-439D-B337-892E927BE486&Options=&Search=">PH-3/B-3</a> is on the second reading of an ordinance to allow Cannabis micro-businesses. <br /><br />Then we come to the South Town hearings. This project is great. It involves rezoning the a block of old houses on South State to the campus business district zone. This will allow them to replace the 15 dwellings with a mixed use mid-rise building with 215 homes. It'll also be super energy efficient. This is a great development for this super walkable area. Here's the area where the project is happening: </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjICr7u3jRFwEob38ThUN9uj1tcsqzmsSLpv4SiMpsUKnfXpD0uGgcFSWXR-wuR_LPhaVSGc5tSEQumESc5rubJUT1Ww0WtuOpKpQdRDVQay966m3FyLGgwHPyz5TI6WZqbmXZjckWUU6sBqAhGXm-mc8k9nEluv0j4q2mq1WGBQWun5RN3DndKlF6oD3BM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjICr7u3jRFwEob38ThUN9uj1tcsqzmsSLpv4SiMpsUKnfXpD0uGgcFSWXR-wuR_LPhaVSGc5tSEQumESc5rubJUT1Ww0WtuOpKpQdRDVQay966m3FyLGgwHPyz5TI6WZqbmXZjckWUU6sBqAhGXm-mc8k9nEluv0j4q2mq1WGBQWun5RN3DndKlF6oD3BM=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Town area context</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6300534&GUID=2982C7CD-AC79-48A8-A9B4-A7717A933139&Options=&Search=">PH-4/B-4</a> is the rezoning to C1A/R. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6324002&GUID=F2B3F18E-0515-4127-A3AA-0CE9DF5DE142&Options=&Search=">PH-5/DB-1</a> is the site plan approval. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6323999&GUID=10CC5F3B-D785-43F9-B61A-F7A5CAE1928C&Options=&Search=">PH-6/DB-2</a> is on vacating an alley, which is necessary for the project. <br /><br />Finally we get to the 7th public hearing of the evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6323999&GUID=10CC5F3B-D785-43F9-B61A-F7A5CAE1928C&Options=&Search=">PH-7/DB-3</a> which is on vacating a portion of East Mosley Street. <br /><br />On to the resolutions: <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6324315&GUID=8D98BF3D-7F58-43AC-A60B-4A600721991F&Options=&Search=">DS-1</a> is a resolution authorizing publication of the aforementioned changes to TC-1. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6326261&GUID=BFE2B61C-CFEB-4393-83E9-4C66ED9A702C&Options=&Search=">DC-1 </a>is a resolution to appoint folks Neal Elyakin, Janet Haynes, and Rodrick Green to the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6326261&GUID=BFE2B61C-CFEB-4393-83E9-4C66ED9A702C&Options=&Search=">DC-2 </a>is a resolution to adopt an improved Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. This is great! <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6327616&GUID=635B6B4B-0FE0-477B-8C6F-8B7EF83A7C28&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to improve data transparency and performance management. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6330209&GUID=C3D4DA55-60C1-43EA-87E6-C39FC5246106&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a> is on a resolution to initiate a statue to honor Kathy Kozachenko. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6330348&GUID=5887EA69-E89D-4FB4-8968-5C3ADA64B6F1&Options=&Search=">DC-5</a> is a resolution directing the administrator to advocate for the state legislature to end the use of 14(c) Certificates and Subminimum Wage in the State of Michigan. <a href="And that's all there is. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. ">DC-6</a> is a resolution to approve the purchase of a property on Miller past Maple for a new election center. <br /><br /></p><p>And that's all there is. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-81678567188137427202023-08-21T16:19:00.002-04:002023-08-21T16:19:21.953-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: August 21, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi_XX-ivQXmiwGT4ffBdyECw87BS-Boopast4h8aXnvFRdlBNg_rmkML4BMPaiIvXPvJBn8G2GqosCbcdVNx7ZJDDhCLK9AQFgwpPqZOxZEYnZIdy1optrAHq9Drew3jVyix-c4sn6S6YmTNu39dHo_QQ3bnc7sD7H9ea7trqmYyBJka8CAdOqQh1Dr1fB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="868" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi_XX-ivQXmiwGT4ffBdyECw87BS-Boopast4h8aXnvFRdlBNg_rmkML4BMPaiIvXPvJBn8G2GqosCbcdVNx7ZJDDhCLK9AQFgwpPqZOxZEYnZIdy1optrAHq9Drew3jVyix-c4sn6S6YmTNu39dHo_QQ3bnc7sD7H9ea7trqmYyBJka8CAdOqQh1Dr1fB=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Y Lot. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279103&GUID=4486E780-AEC1-44F1-ACA2-38933844EB7D&Options=&Search=">CA-9</a> is the sale of the Y Lot to the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle reader, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062179&GUID=72A10A68-6E3E-4A2D-9C1B-15FF554DC60F&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a modest, 13-item consent agenda. Interestingly, street closures are back at the top of the consent agenda, after two meetings at the end. Wild times. CA-1 through CA-4 are all street closures. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6320669&GUID=FA682CA7-F3F5-420C-A437-C52C11395104&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a> is Festifall. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312388&GUID=E20195B5-893C-417B-B959-5463F60E04B4&Options=&Search=">CA-2</a> is for the Eli Lilly Mobile Research Unit. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312374&GUID=C583691F-6315-42E9-9072-6A268B22385C&Options=&Search=">CA-3</a> is for the UM Show Your Love A2 Party. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312387&GUID=BDCAB069-4733-4B6D-B8AC-27973F751C67&Options=&Search=">CA-4</a> is for the Neutral Zone's 25th Anniversary. <br /><br />Perhaps more interestingly, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279103&GUID=4486E780-AEC1-44F1-ACA2-38933844EB7D&Options=&Search=">CA-9</a> is the sale of the Y Lot (350 S 5th) to the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation. This will be used to build a large building that includes a substantial portion of subsidized housing. You love to see it. Some people have questioned why the city is not just giving the property away to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. The reason for that has to do with the bonds that the city took for the property sale. In order to protect the tax-exempt status of these bonds, the city has to sell the property at fair market value. You can read more in the<a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6321970&GUID=BCA09D81-7CE8-4333-B0EC-9EFDCECC4B35&Options=&Search="> administrator's report to council</a>. <br /><br />There are three public hearings on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279098&GUID=0F2FE49F-914D-4806-89EC-5E12B9814D03&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is for a batch of routine township island annexations. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6299453&GUID=5C6AE6E1-45C1-4344-B5F4-554AF6FDB16B&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is the second reading of the ordinance adding the Home Energy Rating Disclosure requirement to the city's building code. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6313491&GUID=2F7AF33E-7FAD-400C-AA94-F8F29C922270&Options=&Search=">PH-3/DB-1</a> is on the Brownfield plan for 303 N Fifth, and 312, & 314 Detroit Street. <br /> <br />There are two ordinance first readings on the agenda this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312253&GUID=410FA52E-92DB-42BA-98F5-4A2E0A257C44&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is on rezoning 2670 & 2690 Ann Arbor-Saline Road from R1C to Office. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6312254&GUID=993AB8D9-89B1-439D-B337-892E927BE486&Options=&Search=">C-2 </a>is to make some tweaks to the city's recreational Cannabis law. Specifically it adds some new rules for Cannabis microbusinesses among other things. <br /><br />On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6305798&GUID=C077D5D4-37EF-4BFD-A5DF-945A45E8E151&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is to appoint Vanesa Jackson to the Human Rights Commission as a non-resident elector. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6296655&GUID=69EAA229-DE42-47DF-A946-180F81D324C3&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is to approve the FY24 contract with SPARK. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6315991&GUID=C12377FB-0B5D-4589-AA59-B4AFBF89F423&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to urge the legislature to end the sale of flavored tobacco in the state. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6319891&GUID=24F57D82-EEAC-471E-B192-150F8E9F80A1&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a> is a resolution to approve disbursements from the community events fund. <br /></p><p>And that's all there is. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-86391247803159692062023-08-07T14:57:00.003-04:002023-08-07T14:57:21.064-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: August 7, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yfsN3vJnsp14bXAEhrmTeY71_WlmIFMjmZwm2AIeUlM68tZSCu0cFB0yF3rcM4hf7CHDgz4veg2dVWSbWno83mjkccxS1XhSf0CiWS3OBHVam9AgpxIPcUDmPXs0eE68m42lmAdDwCyy2GtmelJHh86hrqIZQIjXpAa047Zij-09p2O72IHvF0q5W90k/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yfsN3vJnsp14bXAEhrmTeY71_WlmIFMjmZwm2AIeUlM68tZSCu0cFB0yF3rcM4hf7CHDgz4veg2dVWSbWno83mjkccxS1XhSf0CiWS3OBHVam9AgpxIPcUDmPXs0eE68m42lmAdDwCyy2GtmelJHh86hrqIZQIjXpAa047Zij-09p2O72IHvF0q5W90k/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062178&GUID=B8648D38-14BD-483C-AB0A-8A1C5F526088&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with a deep 21-item, consent agenda. This meeting continues the new tradition of placing street closures at the end of the agenda. To wit, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6300202&GUID=9AFB3BAE-38E1-49CD-9799-1CD0C3DFF11E&Options=&Search=">CA-21</a>, a street closure for the Go Blue Mix, Sept. 2. </p><p>There is one public hearing on the docket this evening.<a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062178&GUID=B8648D38-14BD-483C-AB0A-8A1C5F526088&Options=&Search="> PH-1/B-1</a> is on changes to Transportation Commission. Specifically, it's a resolution that changes the rule that only seat on the commission be reserved for someone who owns a transportation business. This seat has been extremely difficult to fill and has been vacant since Jim of HEH chose not to be reappointed. <br /><br />There are three ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6300534&GUID=2982C7CD-AC79-48A8-A9B4-A7717A933139&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is the first reading for the South Town rezoning. This is a really cool project encompassing the entire block bounded by State, Henry, White, and Stimson. It will replace several old houses with a super environmentally friendly midrise. <br /><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6300535&GUID=63B41C04-F68A-4B18-9E57-0F1FEB13B1DF&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is the first reading of an ordinance that makes some minor changes to TC-1 Zoning. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6299453&GUID=5C6AE6E1-45C1-4344-B5F4-554AF6FDB16B&Options=&Search=">C-3</a> is the first reading of an ordinance to add a chapter on home energy rating disclosure (HERD). <br /><br />Closing out the agenda, we have the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6283152&GUID=627E42B4-7CC8-4FA4-83F0-23BDC3ADA56B&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to appoint Julius Buzzard to the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6293099&GUID=97A6AFE7-12C4-4A84-AF9F-758A4761F249&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to approve Kerrytown Concert Houses request for a liquor license. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6307921&GUID=02BFC213-4A59-4D82-AF6C-9E2D98D9246A&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to study Ann Arbor's response during severe weather emergencies. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6301129&GUID=24192C8C-4EFA-4311-A055-7BCB28A29F4C&Options=&Search=">DB-1</a> is new bylaws for transportation commission. <br /><br />And that's all there is. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. <br /><br /><br /></p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-15357067235838386002023-08-03T15:08:00.004-04:002023-08-03T16:13:17.598-04:00Letter to the Editor: A Tragedy at Ann Arbor Public Schools, and a Call for Accountability<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><b>Editor's Note</b>: from time to time we make the decision to run a letter to the editor anonymously. In this case we are doing so due to the author's genuine fear of retaliation. <br /><br /><b>Content Warning: </b>This article contains references to physical abuse of a young child with autism in Ann Arbor Public Schools. Some of the links on this article also contain videos of the assault itself. </span></p><p>---</p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A recent lawsuit against Ann Arbor Public Schools revealed that, in 2021 Rochanda Jefferson, a bus aide, assaulted a 7 year old boy with autism. This happened on an AAPS bus run by Durham School Services. There were multiple witness report yet the bus aide was allegedly allowed to continue to supervise him and other children for weeks after the incident. The district administration failed in its duty to report any suspicion of child abuse immediately. <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/abuse-neglect/childrens/mandated-reporters/mandated-reporters-list">This crime</a>, and the district's response, are evidence of a failure of leadership at a district level. We as a community must act and make changes to ensure it is never allowed to happen again. AAPS leadership may not have physically struck the child themselves, but they are accountable for their failure to act. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There must be consequences for those who are in a position to have done more. Those who could have broken the chain of abuse but chose to remain silent, or worse, covered up or downplay the abuse. It is time to call upon <span style="color: black;">Superintendent Jeanice Swift to resign, or if she refuses, be terminated for cause. The School Board, which has a duty to oversee the district's leadership, must act. To do so, they must hear from families and the AAPS community to make it clear we no longer find this leadership acceptable. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">The board can be contacted </span></span></span>at <a href="mailto:boe@aaps.k12.mi.us">boe@aaps.k12.mi.us</a>. The next m<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">eeting is on August 23rd at 6pm, 3700 Earhart Road, where the Board will perform an evaluation of Superintendent Swift's performance. Those wishing to provide public comment must sign up in advance </span></span><a href="https://www.a2schools.org/Page/576" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" target="_blank">at this site</a><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the lawsuit was filed on July 26th, more information has continued to come out in various news reports, including <a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/bus-aide-attacked-special-needs-student-mom-says-ann-arbor-school-hid-incident-for-weeks" target="_blank">this piece on WXYZ news </a>(CW: contains video of assault), This <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/07/27/lawsuit-ann-arbor-schools-covered-up-bus-assault-of-autistic-boy/70410879007/ " target="_blank">Detroit Free Press story</a> (CW: includes video of assault), and <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/07/autistic-boys-assault-on-ann-arbor-school-bus-wasnt-reported-to-parent-for-5-weeks-lawsuit-alleges.html" target="_blank">this MLive report</a>. You can also read the <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67639073/1/jaime-nelson-molnar-individually-and-as-next-friend-of-jw-a-minor-v/">court filings here.</a> </span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><ul>An Overview of the Timeline of the District Response as alleged:</ul></h3><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since 2020 - Rochanda Jefferson is moved around on AAPS buses 3 times over a year and a half, once after threatening a teacher</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/14/2021 - Jefferson, an aide on a special needs bus, assaults a young boy with autism, on a bus with other special needs students. </span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/15/2021 - Multiple witnesses notify the staff and leadership at AAPS of the assault</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/15/2021 - Staff notifies the principal at Carpenter Elementary by written report</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/15/2021 - Report filed with Child Protective Services (CPS) by an unidentified person</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/16/2021 - The child's teacher contacts mom to say she is unhappy that Jefferson remains on the child's bus</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>~4 weeks later</b> - AAPS administration reviews tape of assault and removes aide from bus, and files report with CPS</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/18/2022 - Child's teacher emails Carpenter Elementary principal that she feels she can no longer keep the assault from the child's mother</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/19/2022 - Carpenter Elementary Principal emails mother to notify her of "incidents" involving her son</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/15/2022 - Police inform mother of assault charges, provide with video, the first time she learns the extent of the violence against her child.</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6/28/2023 - Jefferson is convicted of 4th degree Child Abuse in criminal court</span></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7/26/2023 - lawsuit naming AAPS, Durham School Services, and Principal filed</span></li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note, nowhere in this timeline was the AAPS Board of Education notified of the assault. Multiple sources indicate that the Board was not notified until after the lawsuit was filed last month. </span></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Administrative Response: Smokescreens and Deception</span></h3>Under the<span> leadership of Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift, the Ann Arbor Public Schools administration has developed an organizational culture of self-preservation. As many AAPS parents know, district press releases and emails are care</span>fully crafted to say a lot of words without acknowledging any culpability when something goes wrong. In this particular circumstance, the press release states that AAPS "removed the offending individual from duty on <b>the day the incident was observed</b> on the video and contacted Child Protective Services immediately." Note the language, meant to imply the district acted immediately. In fact, the lawsuit reveals the district waited 5 weeks until it viewed the video of the incident, and forced this child, and the children who witnessed the violence witnesses, to ride the bus <u>17 more times</u> with the now-convicted abuser. Rather than come clean and allow healing to begin, district leadership has doubled down, saying it followed appropriate procedures.<br /><blockquote><h3 style="text-align: center;">How can these procedures be appropriate if a child has been assaulted, it is reported immediately to leadership, and this child was forced to continue to ride the bus with his abuser 17 times?</h3></blockquote>Beyond the mishandling of the incident itself, there is the district's incredibly poor communication with the boy's mother, Jaime Nelson. This looks like it could be a deliberate coverup. After the assault occurred on December 14th, it took the administration until January 19th to communicate with Nelson. Even then, it was a smokescreen of half-truths. The Principal of Carpenter Elementary sent Nelson an email full of passive voice, avoiding blame and providing no hard details. The email said "there have been two incidents shared that have resulted in unsafe conditions" for her son. Nelson asked to see a copy of the video of the incident and was rebuffed, only getting access months later when police became involved.<br /><br />And finally, district leadership has not given any indication that children affected by this assault, either directly or as witnesses, have been appropriately debriefed or counseled. After assaulting the young boy, Jefferson intimidated everyone else on the bus too, saying "That’s OK he’s going to jail. You’re old enough to go to jail. You don’t have to be no certain age to go to jail, they got children's jail for kids." A lot of children on the spectrum take these threats literally, especially at this early age. As witnesses to this violence, the district owes these families the clarity and resources they need to process what was likely a traumatic event. Has this taken place? The district press releases refer only to the investigation of the event itself, not how it helped children and families cope with the emotional fallout. Given the fact that the event was hidden from the boy's mother for weeks, it appears likely that the other families were also kept in the dark.<br /><br />AAPS district leadership's mishandling of the aftermath of this assault has compounded the suffering of these vulnerable children and their families. Such a failure of leadership, and a failure of organizational culture, cannot go without consequences for those in whom we place such trust. When AAPS should have provided healing and clarity to the affected families, it sought to deny responsibility, bury the details, and eventually hide behind a smokescreen of carefully-worded press releases.<h3><blockquote style="text-align: center;">Either district leadership incorrectly believes it acted appropriately, or they are actively trying to escape blame. Both are unacceptable.</blockquote></h3>As news broke, it also became apparent that the School Board had been kept in the dark regarding this case. School Board President Rima Mohammad tweeted that the board "recently learned of the bus incident that occurred in December 2021," while trustee Jeff Gaynor asked questions in a Facebook post about why there was such a delay in reporting the incident:<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTy0NtDkvsnAwrHX2x4KIhS7uTDrSS2hZaNCE0rmS67xRdFs9aeKd9eaF0R01TOskOYf8htfWMqVr2Qt9Icpe67cWQ1kLbU0UX20dcVNh9tzYoNRg47St5LkY-7VO_TtGkNAkAOTVSpaXSAtWBbKXssURVqr8Xaq4yUkY8mSsDyY8-leQ_eSEWpeHnoE/s1080/Screenshot_20230802-211239.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1080" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTy0NtDkvsnAwrHX2x4KIhS7uTDrSS2hZaNCE0rmS67xRdFs9aeKd9eaF0R01TOskOYf8htfWMqVr2Qt9Icpe67cWQ1kLbU0UX20dcVNh9tzYoNRg47St5LkY-7VO_TtGkNAkAOTVSpaXSAtWBbKXssURVqr8Xaq4yUkY8mSsDyY8-leQ_eSEWpeHnoE/s320/Screenshot_20230802-211239.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A statement from Board President Rima Mohammad, alluding to being recently informed of the student's assault </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuMtIfwtewhSusZ6wkWAtReplDWjQMOfAkMedftG9uXxL3lSxa_IW6jkWVmBJp70AaYQ7HWlMaF66pmUzH5raAppjo1XN9TuWVrw3ki_yQ2LWbwPS21NJJm_iDQtq0XDoXPstQQdcD_XH2rHsGB_wuqCQe9Tljs8JEclbbOJq_YHGDeV5MZr_9PZtTC0/s1080/Screenshot_20230801-122815~2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1080" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuMtIfwtewhSusZ6wkWAtReplDWjQMOfAkMedftG9uXxL3lSxa_IW6jkWVmBJp70AaYQ7HWlMaF66pmUzH5raAppjo1XN9TuWVrw3ki_yQ2LWbwPS21NJJm_iDQtq0XDoXPstQQdcD_XH2rHsGB_wuqCQe9Tljs8JEclbbOJq_YHGDeV5MZr_9PZtTC0/s320/Screenshot_20230801-122815~2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A statement from Trustee Jeff Gaynor, expressing frustration over the statement released by AAPS leadership</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>It is time to hold district leadership accountable. It's time Superintendent Swift stepped down. Email the board or sign up for public commentary and let your voice be heard.<br /><h2><span style="font-weight: normal;">A Time to Live our Values</span></h2><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is far from the only recent evidence of incompetence by AAPS leadership. It's not even the first or second time <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2018/04/ex-ann_arbor_schools_special_e.html" target="_blank">a child with autism has been assaulted</a> by staff at AAPS. Whether it's the recent <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/06/report-on-pioneer-high-race-climate-is-misleading-based-on-incomplete-information-attorney-says.html" target="_blank">botched investigation</a> into allegations of a hostile racist environment at Pioneer High, or the <a href=" https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2021/07/02/ann-arbor-students-sue-state-school-district-over-special-education/7828416002/" target="_blank">many recent examples </a>of children on the autism spectrum being <a href=" https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2017/02/four_burns_park_families_file.html" target="_blank">denied required IEP services</a>, Ann Arbor Schools has a long way to go when it comes to proving it means it, when it says "<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">we live by the deeply held core values of welcome, embrace and celebration of all in our community."</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> It is time we sought new leadership for our schools, and demand an administration that stands for accountability and openness. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"><br /></span></span></div>We can move on from this, but not by forgetting it happened. To begin a culture of open and honest communication, and begin healing from these traumatic events, we need a new start.<br /><br />The AAPS Board of Education can be reached at <a href="http://boe@aaps.k12.mi.us.">boe@aaps.k12.mi.us.</a>Damn Arborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03592797364779363912noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-89959782132431454692023-08-03T14:41:00.004-04:002023-08-03T14:41:56.067-04:00The Path to Progress in Ann Arbor: Prioritization and Accountability<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies3KQKgtWgFy1qf4WoEVnWsvAkesWIbTAwBRtXCiCy95WPE-65xUqnwvzwh4RIlwZ2VwDcFd-S44ptyXlyaGmw-41ECJQitiiuiJop_IfsdwdSTf0ItE68tHhEaaNVepCAo8cByIuHy0NuCVZuRRmz4-neHlICyBp6ZmR9zOgNTpaGWyMcYYsanx2fkI/s1548/cars%20washtenaw%20traffic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Traffic backup on Washtenaw Ave." border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1548" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies3KQKgtWgFy1qf4WoEVnWsvAkesWIbTAwBRtXCiCy95WPE-65xUqnwvzwh4RIlwZ2VwDcFd-S44ptyXlyaGmw-41ECJQitiiuiJop_IfsdwdSTf0ItE68tHhEaaNVepCAo8cByIuHy0NuCVZuRRmz4-neHlICyBp6ZmR9zOgNTpaGWyMcYYsanx2fkI/w400-h203/cars%20washtenaw%20traffic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you lived here, you’d be home by now (photo by author)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>Editors note: this is a guest article from former planning commissioner and Ward 2 Councilmember Kirk Westphal.</i></span></p><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." - John F. Kennedy<br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Ann Arbor city government is in uncharted waters. Voters decisively changed the composition of City Council over the past two elections. All members of the conservative faction that briefly held a majority on Council from 2018-2020 were off Council by 2022. This faction notably <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/02/ann-arbor-city-administrator-fired-in-7-4-council-vote.html">fired the City Administrator</a> and made decisions that many characterized as <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/04/transit-oriented-development-proposal-stalls-with-divided-ann-arbor-council.html">housing-averse</a>, <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2019/08/ann-arbor-approves-one-road-diet-plan-rejects-two-others.html">car-centric</a> and <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2019/05/special-assessments-for-sidewalk-safety-project-nixed-by-ann-arbor-council.html">anti-pedestrian</a>. Ann Arbor voters delivered a decisive rebuke of these conservative policies.<br /><br />For the first time in years, Council appears to be in genuine, unanimous agreement on certain basic values beyond providing the typical essential city services. These are the issues that have previously divided Council; for example, quickly adding housing supply to address the affordability crisis, eliminating road violence (aka Vision Zero), expanding non-car options for travel, and making systemic changes for a more equitable and sustainable future. Councilmembers frequently express urgency about these issues, even calling some of them a “crisis.” <br /><br />Barack Obama said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Ann Arborites have taken this to heart over the past two elections, and you could argue that there’s never been a more, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” political moment on the local level.<br /><br />But we’re not seeing the values expressed by Councilmembers and the public translate into action.<br /><br />This isn’t necessarily a matter of budget priorities. Budgets matter a lot, and councilmembers have been willing to put financial resources behind their values as a sign of their urgency. But the act of allocating money doesn’t move us forward as a community. To make our money work, Council needs to publicly articulate their priorities, create realistic and measurable goals, monitor progress, take economic development seriously, and make sure we can attract and retain the best staff possible.<br /><br />How should we fix this?<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">1. Set Council priorities </h4><p></p><a name='more'></a><br />There already are hundreds of goals contained in the City’s various plans and resolutions. Most are probably worth pursuing, but the vast majority of them simply can’t be. Some are decades old and no longer relevant, others are aspirational or out of scope, and many have no funding source. So, which goals are the most urgent for the well-being of our current and future residents? Are they measurable and equitable? And if the existing goals don’t fully capture our values, what new goals does Council need to set? <br /><br />And the biggest question: When will they be accomplished?<br /><br />We are finding out what happens in an environment of too little prioritization and accountability. For example, despite an adopted city goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on city roads by 2025, this year is looking deadlier than ever. [see crash endnote]<br /><br />We’re also not making promised zoning changes fast enough, which is actively worsening the housing crisis and undercutting the council’s transportation reform and climate agenda. As I write this, new suburban-style buildings—such as 1980s-style drive-thru banks and fast-food chains—are being proposed and built along transit routes, functionally eliminating housing opportunities, endangering road users, polluting the air, and burning transit dollars for decades to come. What’s more, Council is taking an inordinate amount of time to reverse downtown zoning changes that we’ve known for years have <a href="https://annarborobserver.com/the-last-high-rises/">completely stopped</a> approvals for new dense housing where it’s needed most. While we wait, rents continue escalating.<br /><br />Another small but meaningful example: despite years of studies, informed debate, community energy, and a plan for managing the deer population, Council has inexplicably defunded the program. The herd has since exploded and—just like years of failed management of road repairs—will end up costing residents more to undo the damage. (It will take far longer, however, for the native plant species in our natural areas to recover.)<br /><br />Then again, why should we expect anything different? Council has not indicated which goals they think are the most important, nor signaled to the Administrator that he is accountable for accomplishing them—even goals in recent plans that already have specific timelines on them (e.g., building five miles of “all abilities” bicycle lanes each year, allowing more diverse housing types in neighborhoods, or reducing driving in the city). And we see staff continuing to use the same antiquated methods that created the housing shortage and road violence crises we are seeing here and across the country. [traffic engineering endnote]<br /><br />City Council should consider the following steps to translate our resources into community progress: <br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><u>Hold a moderated working session every year to decide what their policy priorities are.</u> This used to be routine, but it’s not done anymore.</li><li>In public discussion with staff and commissions (but not driven by staff and commissions), a<u>gree on the specific, measurable outcomes of the prioritized policies in the community and direct the City Administrator to meet them by specific dates. </u>[see administrator endnote] These could include items such as road conditions, A2 Fix It report clearance rates, road injuries and deaths, rates of walking and cycling, housing production or vacancy rates, water-quality metrics, complaints against police, etc., all with time-bound goals. </li><li><u>Show the progress that’s being made on high-priority goals on a monthly or quarterly basis. </u>All high-performing organizations—including many cities—do this, and many have a public dashboard to display progress in a user-friendly way. [dashboard endnote]</li><li><u>Evaluate the Administrator publicly on these priorities at a working session once or twice a year and discuss the status with each department manager during the course of the year. </u>Find out what’s going well, what’s not, and why. Correct course and adjust accordingly.</li></ol>Here are some examples of dashboards from other cities:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="685" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4EicFAEepgWaktXEYJUF7IfXSecQGDnpVqDeFWfX5eCouFXnixFql282EBcTkKX2QvW7-htlwJN7JQx59u2v7csk7biw6xBd4Asc-lqq5ZF4IkuqYC1fA7TREuFJcvq-eVRl1qOou4PeN-ruLcyWyMo=w409-h685" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="409" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dashboard from Boulder, CO.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="255" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/szhEHJ8f8g0aJ5ZTSw0D4GBMvgah8IFWKH1U5gO6toXnppNIANMgbl3_iSb9c2dvicyo93fbArqO8_i9vKETtaSyGRsY5IJjaM7uWrTJoBLsMTCYFYywt9Fe0Y3RefJkKQd20pHn8_cnbTpWymDQAEo=w517-h255" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-wrap: wrap;" width="517" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dashboard from Kent Co., MI</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="472" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8CX5HkwDqHSQyj7OzC58EORLhCfAFeICXw2JVQm3vGSVvuY7M5PkYoQEwLaDdhxwmm6HWLyeIgvgLBWFZKcKt_FJ7flQFxTMoxnSPFuBjh0g1xvAWBVf6KRY6WovDSOnC5MgAxEsOCwz-ztOV9WEPLY=w522-h472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: -35px;" width="522" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dashboard from Austin, TX. </td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><br /><br />Agreeing on policy direction, outcomes, and timelines would also have many other downstream benefits:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Demonstrate to the community that the elected officials they supported are prioritizing the issues important to them</li><li>Prevent the common refrain that staff gets “pulled in different directions”</li><li>Create continuity and reduce excuses when there’s inevitable turnover in the Administrator or senior management positions</li><li>Stop bogging down citizen commissions [see commissions endnote]</li><li>Highlight high-performing departments and serve as an early warning system before deadlines are missed</li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Increase city revenues </h3>Ann Arbor has been better than some cities at deciding how to spend money, but we’ve been oddly unstrategic about the revenue side of our balance sheet. Each year, we passively wait and see what the property tax receipts and millages bring in, put some in reserve and other long-term obligations, and if there’s a positive cash flow, the Administrator doles out the rest across departments that have asked for more.<br /><br />Contrast the lack of the city's economic development efforts with the work of the Downtown Development Authority (which makes important infrastructure investments that help attract private investment) or Ann Arbor SPARK (which helps accelerate certain types of companies and picks up the phone when employers are looking to locate in the area). These groups, however, have limited jurisdiction and budgets; they are not a substitute for a muscular, strategic approach to revenue creation in City Hall.<br /><br />I recently learned that our City Charter prevents the city from doing what basically everyone else can do (including the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Public Schools): confidentially buy options on land to be used for government purposes (e.g., new buildings or affordable housing, parks, transportation) or to assemble to facilitate private development. This should be fixed in the City Charter as soon as possible. (As should the unfortunate <a href="https://www.damnarbor.com/2022/11/guest-opinion-desolate-and.html">trick</a> that was played on voters with the “Center of the City” ballot question and ensconced in our charter in 2018. Put it back on the ballot, City Council!)<br /><br />One thing that has significantly helped shore up city finances is new construction, mostly arising from downtown zoning reforms 15 years ago. [zoning endnote] I think we’re headed in some good directions, zoning-wise—although inexplicably slowly. We will soon embark on a new “comprehensive plan” update. Revising our land use plans is a good and necessary thing, but why should we expect residents to keep participating in these processes? As it is, Council hasn’t implemented the recommendations we already have from 15 years ago, and staff has said that it’s “optimistic” to hope for significant zoning changes (outside downtown and some limited corridor areas) anytime sooner than four or five years from now. Anyone who believes we are in the midst of a housing and climate crisis should find this position to be unacceptable.<br /><br />Lastly, we could be doing a much better job of leveraging not just our land but our natural features. A small example: We are among very few Midwestern cities that have picturesque, clean, swimmable water within walking distance of downtown. For much of our city’s history (up until about 70 years ago), the river was at the center of warm-weather fun for people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. It closed due to increasing pollution, but it’s arguably cleaner now than any other time in the modern era. <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="457" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WAdqcrN3BMRrMqf2HJ2HFlkhFPYwNF9xM3C0UygD6bIy-PUAWm0cJCo7PuMBoJX6ScOqlKcHozl94q3dVq0GE34s0IyQr8MBuUAHfKtOA527tzzoSlzjC9qOKrsNMJXCagRIJ0ner6mu-AKCQcfQTTg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="577" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children in 1938 loved Argo Beach! Credit: The Ann Arbor News, donation to <a href="https://aadl.org/N026_0949_001">Ann Arbor Public Library</a> </td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p>The nearby Argo Cascades has been a success, but it’s not as accessible as a beach because you need to be able-bodied and own or rent equipment to fully enjoy the experience. There’s also little economic spillover to the city, because we have refused to allow more residential and commercial activity in this incredible area on public and private land. (Wouldn’t you know it, this was already recommended by two lengthy planning processes dedicated to the <a href="https://www.a2gov.org/departments/systems-planning/planning-areas/water-resources/Documents/HRIMP_final_WithCostMatrix_02June2009.pdf">river</a> and <a href="https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Documents/North%20Main/NMVTF%20report%209-3-13_FINAL.pdf">North Main Street</a>.) Where are our beaches, beer gardens, and riverfront apartments?<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Standardize Performance Reviews</h3>City Hall is Mission Control for city life. Like in any healthy organization, city employees deserve to get regular feedback to know how they’re doing. Employees who excel should be rewarded or promoted; those who don’t should be offered training or assistance in finding a path that might be a better fit for them. <br /><br />There are widely-known deficiencies in City Hall—just ask any builder who has done a major project here, or look at the condition of our roads relative to what staff promised, or see reports that have uncovered toxic leadership in different city departments. How many of these problems are ongoing? Are they due to specific individuals or department heads? Council could choose to find out and direct the Administrator to remedy them. To my knowledge, employee feedback is not being provided in many departments—save for the current vague evaluations of the Administrator and City Attorney.<br /><br />Council should also hire an impartial expert at least once every ten years to gather public input and do a top-to-bottom assessment of the organization. Are we staffing too light or heavy in certain areas relative to our peers, needs, or best practices? How exactly should each department be evaluated for effectiveness? Are we able to attract the best talent? Are we over- or under-using consultants and contractors? Is the chain of command in our departments structured in an efficient manner? <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="420" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6dsvatnpC2TZKgz8ujqy-f_p6Y7YH3hc_DVy_jYb-6DTZ4Gf5EOVJhyKTlEOuWro3bZYbrjI0AwMXSvuw1S-fUF-l6zTi7fc2VQ21ILL3loIwIuxDe0WBr7A8OJ7d54Qv19Rw6xh6NnY94wdYw38VYc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City staffing has increased 20% over the past decade, while our population has stayed relatively stable. Maybe this is appropriate, but how do we know? Who have these positions helped? (Source: City of Ann Arbor)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />You could say that answering these questions is the City Administrator’s job, but—to put it mildly—past experience indicates that Administrators have been reluctant to make needed staffing changes. <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h3><br />I remember how overwhelming it was to be elected to council. You’re thrown into public view, obligated to an expanding list of meetings and functions, and firehosed with emails about different priorities and problems. It’s easy to live in “reactive mode” and spend most of your time addressing quotidian concerns [see A2 Fix It endnote] and dealing with issues as they come in from commissions and staff. <br /><br />But reacting to public comment isn’t the job. The real job is to set a direction for the community and make sure staff gets us there.<br /><br />During the time I served, there was a closely divided council that spent a lot of energy debating the pros and cons of “change,” mostly about buildings. There’s no such debate now. The community has spoken loudly about the need for progress and is expecting results.<br /><br />To Council’s (and community activists’) credit, Ann Arbor has been a leader among cities in several respects recently; funding affordable housing, initiating a universal basic income pilot program, passing ranked choice voting, and beginning to aggressively reform zoning and parking regulations are among my favorites. But we are capable of so much more. Cities should be laboratories for excellent government and policies that lead directly to societal progress. The faster City Council can articulate measurable goals, prioritize financial and organizational performance, and become transparent about progress, the faster we can live up to Ann Arbor’s progressive legacy and improve people’s lives.<br /><br /><i>Kirk Westphal is a former planning commission chair and former representative on the Ann Arbor City Council (D-Ward 2). He is the executive director of Neighborhood Institute, an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Ann Arbor focused on housing and transportation.</i><br /><br />—------------------------------<br /><br />Endnotes<br /><br />[Crash] One road safety advocate is currently tracking serious injury and fatal crash reports that appear in police records, otherwise the data on these crashes can be delayed by up to two years. I think road violence is both the most serious public safety issue directly in the city’s control and the cheapest to solve.<br /><br />[Traffic engineering] The US has per capita roadway deaths that are 2-4x the rate of peer countries. Outcomes like crashes are not “accidents,” they are the result of local policies and tools (such as motorist “level of service”) that perpetuate existing dangerous road conditions. The relative lack of public outrage is partially due to “omission bias,” a logical fallacy that tends to exonerate decision makers for errors of omission (e.g., someone dying because a dangerous road hasn’t been fixed) versus errors of commission (e.g., a police officer harming a community member). Harms resulting from city inaction are just as devastating and unacceptable as ones caused by city action, especially problems that cost little or nothing to change.<br /><br />[Administrator] City Council reps do a lot of things, but their most important job often gets overlooked: evaluating how the City Administrator implements their policies. The Administrator—currently Milton Dohoney—is the singular person responsible for running the city, and he reports directly to Council. (This is similar to how the board of directors of a large corporation or nonprofit tells the CEO to operate the organization according to their collective direction.) Put another way, he translates the goals of the community—as expressed through our elected Council reps—into action by directing the staff under him.<br /><br />[Dashboards] The good news is that the Environmental Commission passed a<a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11371131&GUID=DE9FF8B8-1794-4C8E-9052-266ED986B70B"> resolution</a> last fall requesting that council get a start on exactly this: to direct staff to implement a system of goals and accountability via a public city dashboard with metrics that quantify the progress on our priorities (e.g., “SMART goals”—Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound—or “Key Performance Indicators”). My understanding is that the Energy Commission is discussing it, and is on its way to council. I simply can’t imagine a more important project that the city should undertake as soon as possible. <br /><br />There have been multiple attempts at accountability and transparency over the years, including environmental variables in the early 2000s (something I worked on as a member of the Environmental Commission) and a limited range of staff-selected activities that has not been maintained since 2019. Former Administrator Howard Lazarus was making headway on metrics for outcomes of several departments, an effort that appears abandoned. An attempt at tracking<a href="https://www.a2gov.org/departments/engineering/Pages/Construction-Projects.aspx"> road repair projects</a> came after a<a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/11/39-of-ann-arbors-local-neighborhood-streets-in-poor-or-failing-condition.html"> staff admission</a> that road repair<a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2017/09/ann_arbor_hopes_to_have_80_of.html"> promises</a> made several years prior were unachievable. The current dashboard does not track accomplishments and is difficult to use (and more importantly, no effort has been made to publicly grapple with how a deficiency of that magnitude happened in the first place). Also, our police department has recently created their own <a href="https://portal.arxcommunity.com/dashboards/community/mi-ci-annarbor-pd">dashboard</a>, but it is missing critical variables like geography and years prior to 2019. It is useful enough, however, to see that the AAPD has dramatically reduced issuing moving violations to motorists at the same time that pedestrian injuries are skyrocketing. (Do we know or care what they are doing?) As they say, “What gets measured, gets managed.” Bloomberg Philanthropies' “<a href="https://whatworkscities.bloomberg.org/about/">What Works Cities” initiative</a> is devoted to helping cities with their accountability efforts.<br /><br />[Commissions] I spent 12 years on various commissions and can attest to the incredible generosity and expertise of our citizen volunteers. But the power dynamics within each commission—and their resulting productivity—vary. Part of this comes from a muddied input and accountability structure. Commission work plans (to-do lists) are created internally by each commission in consultation with staff and sometimes public input. The fodder for these to-do lists depend on a small number of individuals’ subjective feelings. I’ve seen management-level staff and the specific City Council liaisons to commissions heavily influence what tasks get prioritized along with their associated timelines—timelines that can be as vague as “sometime during a calendar year” or worse yet, just a list with no deadlines. The full council theoretically reviews these work plans—if and when they’re created—but I’ve rarely heard significant discussion at the council table about them.<br /><br />The worst manifestation of this dynamic is the creation of new, permanent commissions that either do not have specific associated goals, or they have missions or tasks that could be handled by an existing commission or a time-limited, ad-hoc committee. There are simply too many commissions as it is, operating with overlapping (and occasionally cross) purposes. It is unfair to obligate councilmembers, staff, and the public to devote more time attending marginally productive commissions.<br /><br />Citizen commissions are extremely valuable for raising issues, helping diversify input, overseeing planning processes, enabling additional opportunities for the public to give feedback, and making recommendations. But City Council shouldn’t passively allow commissions to initiate or schedule policy attempts to address the community’s major priorities.<br /><br />[Zoning] The increase in density that comes from, say, apartment buildings replacing strip malls equates to vastly more property tax income relative to the vanishingly small additional expense they require for services, which is one reason we hear so much praise for “infill” and “density.” (Increased density also decreases the per-capita carbon footprint of city residents, as it provides opportunities for people to live in smaller dwellings and drive less.) It’s the only significant way to generate new income in a sustainable fashion without state-level changes to tax collection, so it’s the most financially advantageous way for a city to grow (and it’s also the most important way we can offer direct relief to current and future residents: lower rents through increased supply). But where do the spoils of efficiency go? Instead of returning excess revenue to residents through tax relief or housing subsidies, the incentive for politicians and city managers is to spend the new revenue on staff and over-engineered infrastructure projects (a 650-parking-space train station, anyone?). This is part of the reason why dense cities like New York don’t have extremely low property taxes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />[A2 Fix It] The best way to get day-to-day concerns resolved is through an app called <a href="https://www.a2gov.org/services/pages/report-a-problem.aspx">A2 Fix It</a>. While this usually works very well, if something remains unresolved, there’s a record of the request and your council representative can then find out more. Incidentally, council used to get updates on how A2 Fix It is performing, which was helpful because it’s the most immediate window into common problems people experience.<br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Kirk Westphalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12007247160312812290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-54537275623815464662023-07-17T16:56:00.002-04:002023-07-17T16:56:18.578-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: July 17, 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dE5czouypZGTwTroWPTAIjEW6fMCvmcmlDMTMGH8OcCTqC6eGy8nYghURu0rIPT--VqfE4tFeLb_07vbMlQkeNSE7-fK85PN8ZccAPeWshgPBmsUs8z1YNpvq0A9IZ-BDkP22eIlg-MJEAYuL2l0llj1T6Cetd6p0xA27AVvi0v7p6rBMl_LguuxOO_m/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dE5czouypZGTwTroWPTAIjEW6fMCvmcmlDMTMGH8OcCTqC6eGy8nYghURu0rIPT--VqfE4tFeLb_07vbMlQkeNSE7-fK85PN8ZccAPeWshgPBmsUs8z1YNpvq0A9IZ-BDkP22eIlg-MJEAYuL2l0llj1T6Cetd6p0xA27AVvi0v7p6rBMl_LguuxOO_m/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br />Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062177&GUID=C34A240A-927A-4588-928D-77501A644084&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with at modest, 13-item consent agenda. In a huge surprise to dedicated council watchers, the street closing items are at the end of the consent agenda. What is even happening? Anyway, there are 4 street closures coming up for a vote. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279105&GUID=96A4B669-E8EA-49EA-BF5C-9F5E56001444&Options=&Search=">CA-10</a> is for the 2023 football season, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279106&GUID=FF937E54-1C47-401A-A561-C169AEAC4376&Options=&Search=">CA-11</a> is for student move-in, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279108&GUID=4FB62621-82F6-4E62-B1CF-3B97527E3DCC&Options=&Search=">CA-12</a> is for the NTI Block Party, and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279107&GUID=949653D5-47A8-4FE2-A04F-2F8F34DBAF6C&Options=&Search=">CA-13</a> is for the UA Block Party. Also, we've got <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279103&GUID=4486E780-AEC1-44F1-ACA2-38933844EB7D&Options=&Search=">CA-9</a>, the sale of the Y-Lot, 350 S 5th, to the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation. <br /><br />There are two public hearings on the agenda this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6252995&GUID=D8220A19-D79A-4468-B5F8-4DFE3BF5CA51&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of an ordinance to rezone phase 3 of the Lowertown project. This is technically a rezoning from C1A/R to C1A/R, but what's really happening is that some of the conditions of the zoning are changing. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279102&GUID=4CCA127C-109C-4F87-978D-50051A40F2BC&Options=&Search=">PH-2/DB-1</a> is an amendment to the project at the old DTE Gasworks at 1140 Broadway. <br /><br />There are two ordinance first readings on the docket tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279098&GUID=0F2FE49F-914D-4806-89EC-5E12B9814D03&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is for an ordnance to authorize a the process of annexing a batch of township islands. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6279104&GUID=24F90135-F54A-4EF2-AD03-A4DEC3B610CD&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is on an ordinance to amend the rules around the Transportation Commission. <br /><br />Rounding out the agenda, there are two resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6277071&GUID=20ADF0D6-1B95-442A-87B2-C1910115DF9D&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to appoint Derek Mehraban to the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6283424&GUID=E3A1DD05-0F5A-4826-9C6D-0C9DE495D10E&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to recognize Garrett’s Space as a Civic Nonprofit Organization. <p></p><p>And that's all there is. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-11287647452597699582023-07-06T16:30:00.004-04:002023-07-06T16:30:56.417-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: July 6, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SNPLtHSx41waEDN8Gi_wYKwcwxpyRG4Wkq1PdRpiHpz_5CCL3vh2U8b7TJRQjsrsBCIRUZrgvGBHSb2ukG8kSW7my-swQW-CnxNSWR899Civ3zKzwj05QaFmhRjfR1LYm_2Ssj3EbNpJuCUb4AIwmO2veBgfzSrRtfLVQecnZhrwfBPNTTfKx369aGgT/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SNPLtHSx41waEDN8Gi_wYKwcwxpyRG4Wkq1PdRpiHpz_5CCL3vh2U8b7TJRQjsrsBCIRUZrgvGBHSb2ukG8kSW7my-swQW-CnxNSWR899Civ3zKzwj05QaFmhRjfR1LYm_2Ssj3EbNpJuCUb4AIwmO2veBgfzSrRtfLVQecnZhrwfBPNTTfKx369aGgT/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle reader, tonight is a special Thursday edition of #a2Council. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062176&GUID=56E9F3C2-EADA-444D-A032-83787ECDB03A&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <br /><br />The evening kicks off with at deep, 20-item consent agenda. We've got one street closure: <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6267518&GUID=1449BB1D-AB59-4D8A-AE2A-9E21C0E4685A&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a> the Make your Mark event on July 18. <br /><br />There are two public hearings on the agenda this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6262484&GUID=CAD21C07-930B-445C-953B-0DA6F94E0E5E&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is for the second reading of the driving equity ordinance. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6263972&GUID=045A17DE-5DA6-4761-B2A8-D111E4E200BE&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2</a> is for the second reading of the ordinance to allow people to put free items on the curb. Both of these are good. <br /><br />There are no resolutions on docket this evening. <br /><br />And that's all there is. Looks like the meeting could be pretty short. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-43505765496821507102023-06-20T16:23:00.003-04:002023-06-20T16:23:38.408-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: June 20, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zPnzHDA6NEFeiS0gLLmK-zDnQj47gPILoN8VXa03rEU7rLH1tDicTmwdSSn3YbFDR6EdQ4TqGsf5sX28vvZtyLAgVhE8qYR5oP9rZXV3Y0bntuYr9OJteYKMQ-zC_e9A86WfMfGj7NO-NWFrwZUX0AfznJ3ecxcNyaadUBeiEDHjd_kWLMP91GB-uo2v/s288/us-mi-aa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zPnzHDA6NEFeiS0gLLmK-zDnQj47gPILoN8VXa03rEU7rLH1tDicTmwdSSn3YbFDR6EdQ4TqGsf5sX28vvZtyLAgVhE8qYR5oP9rZXV3Y0bntuYr9OJteYKMQ-zC_e9A86WfMfGj7NO-NWFrwZUX0AfznJ3ecxcNyaadUBeiEDHjd_kWLMP91GB-uo2v/s1600/us-mi-aa.gif" width="288" /></a></div>Gentle readers, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1062175&GUID=12D68442-3C05-49C4-B7C4-BA812403BD29&Options=&Search=">agenda</a>. <p></p><div>The evening kicks off with a thick, 30-item consent agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6252829&GUID=DC0BDDEC-ED36-4324-AB83-FAD5C201B89E&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6252830&GUID=32103C40-16F1-4884-8BB5-FFCDE93512B3&Options=&Search=">CA-2</a> are street closures for Firefighter Spray Park and A2 Artoberfest. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are 5 public hearings on the docket this evening. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228962&GUID=90B70A34-0D86-4414-85AB-DB2B1FC0B3F9&Options=&Search=">PH-1/B-1</a> is the second reading of an ordinance to allow the city to donate abandoned bikes on city property to local non-profits. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228983&GUID=BD17A62B-2FE3-4B09-8478-735B2F451914&Options=&Search=">PH-2/B-2 </a>is the second reading of the ordinance removing the requirement that landlords give tenants information on their rights as tenants and how to vote. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6244694&GUID=81E9044D-55B6-4C16-9B6F-7F78E4A47D04&Options=&Search=">PH-3/B-3</a> is the second reading of the Humane Pet Adoption ordinance. <br /><br /><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6197112&GUID=C7FFD08D-0E4C-4494-840A-23DF6FA6C13D&Options=&Search=">PH-4/B-4</a> and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6252807&GUID=6F4022F5-60E7-431B-B169-B0C122BF4A9A&Options=&Search=">PH-5/DB-1</a> are both on the proposed PUD for 721 S Forest. This is a great project. It replaces a mid-rise with an energy efficient high-rise. Unfortunately, there is already some opposition to this good project. So if you feel so inclined, please call into council tonight and let them know you support this project, gentle readers. <br /><br />There are three ordinance first readings tonight. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6252995&GUID=D8220A19-D79A-4468-B5F8-4DFE3BF5CA51&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> is the first reading of an ordinance that modifies the conditional zoning Beekman on Broadway project at 1140 Broadway. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6262484&GUID=CAD21C07-930B-445C-953B-0DA6F94E0E5E&Options=&Search=">C-2</a> is the first reading of a new ordinance that is aimed at stopping the Ann Arbor Police Department from conducting pretextual traffic stops. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6263972&GUID=045A17DE-5DA6-4761-B2A8-D111E4E200BE&Options=&Search=">C-3</a> is the first reading of an ordinance that would allow people to legally put free items on their curb. </div><div><br /></div><div>On to the resolutions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6244798&GUID=7C3B7B9A-5239-4441-A0B3-252D1B32CE20&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to appoint Benjamin Calderon to the Historic District Commission. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6255202&GUID=2637D2CE-917C-4672-B600-7EA3FD150C47&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution directing the City Administrator to engage with the Federal Government on the re-development of Federal Plaza on the 200 block of East Liberty. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6259279&GUID=F1245B4B-D2FE-4319-883B-221C25D13768&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to ensure transparency, non-discrimination and equal opportunity in municipal contracting. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6259313&GUID=76301959-7359-44D2-9369-070688BBC42E&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a> is a resolution to correct the city's budget by adding appropriating $2.6 M from the Major Streets fund. DC-5 is a resolution to authorize an easement on south blvd. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6261657&GUID=141974AE-5A4E-41BC-84F0-6866A63F2A3C&Options=&Search=">DC-6</a> is a resolution to issue a request for proposals for an unarmed response program <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6261685&GUID=D632D347-1091-455F-9BE9-07613023941A&Options=&Search=">DC-7</a> is a resolution authorizing settlement of Harris b City of Ann Arbor. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6263987&GUID=7EAF5181-0AF4-4CE8-9F6B-AD422B1365AB&Options=&Search=">DC-8</a> is a resolution allowing people to put free items out on their curb. <br /><br />And that's all there is. Looks like the meeting could be pretty short. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </div>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281014352729737607.post-90463352853968709652023-06-05T14:15:00.003-04:002023-06-05T14:15:25.739-04:00Ann Arbor City Council Preview: June 5 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfs6iK6BQTH6d9LARzONGEX1qABT3u1cCIs_UaoN29RCPNKfqudjd7YeuC7BWZeyEdrbd3XdfSrm7n1BJRYmktVGIRgQQvx5_lN7tIEYYM4dZ1SOcQhz_FX6mg1wRcIGcIYRhrzPzXs9leSALKe8Kjvs3qj-Jb8OuXoK15Jv0lBOR6dQCKNaxYSui5Q/s375/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="375" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfs6iK6BQTH6d9LARzONGEX1qABT3u1cCIs_UaoN29RCPNKfqudjd7YeuC7BWZeyEdrbd3XdfSrm7n1BJRYmktVGIRgQQvx5_lN7tIEYYM4dZ1SOcQhz_FX6mg1wRcIGcIYRhrzPzXs9leSALKe8Kjvs3qj-Jb8OuXoK15Jv0lBOR6dQCKNaxYSui5Q/s320/Ann%20Arbor%20Seal%20Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gentle readers, tonight is the first #a2Council night of June. Here's the <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?From=Alert&ID=1062174&GUID=31DC514F-17E6-4165-B109-1E668D99737D&Options=info%7C">agenda</a>. </p><p>The night kicks off with a respectable 23-item consent agenda. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228985&GUID=3F4EF6F2-B676-4B71-BAB0-B2EBC24F72D2&Options=&Search=">CA-1</a>, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228986&GUID=8416EE4A-39D1-4B74-B523-D062A2F52A93&Options=&Search=">2</a>, and <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228988&GUID=E5EB5B0F-4D76-44A7-9ED3-529385D68E82&Options=&Search=">3</a> are street closures for the YMCA Community Block Party (June 10), The Event on Main (June 22), and the Townie Street Party (July 16). </p><p>There are no public hearings nor ordinance second readings tonight, but there are three ordinance first readings. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228962&GUID=90B70A34-0D86-4414-85AB-DB2B1FC0B3F9&Options=&Search=">C-1</a> changes the rules around impounded bicycles. Currently if they are unclaimed after 1 month, the AAPD can sell them. This ordinance change would allow them to be donated to a non-profit in the city. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6228983&GUID=BD17A62B-2FE3-4B09-8478-735B2F451914&Options=&Search=">C-2 </a>repeals the portion of the city's tenants rights code that requires landlords to provide tenants with a tenants rights booklet and information about voter registration. This comes after the city of Ypsilanti was sued by five Ypsilanti landlords (Ian Greenlee, Stewart Beal, Karen Maurer, C. Hedger Breed and Robert Barnes) for a similar provision in that city's rental ordinance. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6244694&GUID=81E9044D-55B6-4C16-9B6F-7F78E4A47D04&Options=&Search=">C-3</a> is an ordinance to add a chapter on Human Pet Adoption to the city code. <br /><br />On to the resolutions! <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6194536&GUID=12596987-5224-4E73-997C-3CEB711DF5AF&Options=&Search=">DC-1</a> is a resolution to reappoint non-resident electors to city boards and commissions. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6209367&GUID=44D663AF-6101-455A-A051-1F688B316342&Options=&Search=">DC-2</a> is a resolution to direct planning commission to prioritize TC1 for the Plymouth and Washtenaw Corridors. You love to see it. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6227693&GUID=4F6355B2-C82D-488F-AEA5-D12D9A1C74D6&Options=&Search=">DC-3</a> is a resolution to dissolve the Council of the Commons. For some background on this, check out this <a href="https://www.damnarbor.com/2023/01/guest-opinion-put-library-lot-back-on.html">great opinion piece</a> by Daniel Adams. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6209374&GUID=CAD50903-4075-40F0-B39B-C2C33F17E841&Options=&Search=">DC-4</a> revises the 2023 council meeting calendar. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6227694&GUID=623D39A7-4293-4656-AAA9-FF8EE52DA300&Options=&Search=">DC-5</a> revises council rules. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6209545&GUID=18FBE8D6-0E23-4796-B4CC-4942ABBF118D&Options=&Search=">DC-6</a> authorizes the City Attorney to initiate and pursue legal action on behalf of the city. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6234259&GUID=2DA568F2-D63B-41EE-AB59-2B0517D02AA5&Options=&Search=">DC-7</a> directs the administrator to evaluate bonding the affordable housing millage. <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6235225&GUID=DF7BB50E-8D7E-4F5A-AAAF-9B0CA712430A&Options=&Search=">DC-8</a> is a resolution directing the city administrator to identify incentives that would support voluntary efforts to increase emissions reductions. And finally, <a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6248775&GUID=329FB0AC-CAAA-4583-8B0A-37FC43B7D8BC&Options=&Search=">DC-9</a> is a resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Economic Development of the City. <br /><br />And that's all there is. Looks like the meeting could be pretty short. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag or on a2mi.social. </p>Ben Connor Barriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193673795454832674noreply@blogger.com0