Ann Arbor City Council Preview: March 18, 2024

 

Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a scant, 8-item consent agenda. Of note, CA-5 and CA-6 which combine to be just under $1 million for sidewalk repair and cutting. CA-7 is exciting too. Ann Arbor is getting a $1,000,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the splashpad at Bicentennial Park. CA-8 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. 

There is one public hearing on the agenda tonight. PH-1/B-1 is the second reading of the changes to the GreenBelt rules. 

On to the resolutions. DC-1 is a resolution to support TheRide's proposal to explore alternatives options on the US-23 Corridor Project. I think this is BRT. DC-2 is a resolution to implement anonymous hiring. DS-1 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. 

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. 

Dad Arbor: Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool Open House Tomorrow

 

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. 

Gentle reader, there is an open house for Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool (YCS) tomorrow from 4-6pm Chapelle Elementary School building at 1111 S. Wallace. 

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. 

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. 

Downtown Panning Workshop tonight at Downtown Library this evening

 

Gentle readers, as you may know, Ann Arbor is revising its Comprehensive Plan and yours truly is on the steering committee. 

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. 

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: March 04, 2024

 

Gentle reader, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the agenda. 

The meeting kicks off with a modest, 13-item consent agenda. CA-1, CA-2, and CA-3 are all additions to the Greenbelt. Fans of 99% Invisible will be excited about the Heydon property in particular. CA-8, CA-9, CA-10, and CA-11 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. 

There are 3 public hearings on the agenda this evening. PH-1/B-1 is on tightening up the early leasing ordinance. PH-2/DS-1 is on updated fire and ambulance fees. PH-3/DS-2 is changes to the Fire Department bills for basic life support. 

There is one ordinance first reading on the docket tonight. C-1 is on some changes to the Greenbelt ordinance, including expanding the target area for the program. 

On to the resolutions! DC-1 is a resolution to appoint Sean Duval to the Economic Development Corporation Board as a Non-resident Elector. DC-2 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 here.  

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.