Ann Arbor City Council Preview: December 20, 2021

Gentle reader, tonight is the last #a2Council meeting of 2021. Here's the agenda. You'll also want to make sure you listen to the A2AF episode about tonight's meeting. 

The evening starts off with a small, 6-item consent agenda. Of note CA-6, a resolution to purchase 730 Madison Place, an undeveloped 0.410 acre lot on the city's west side, for $320,000.

What the agenda lacks in consent agenda items, it makes up for in public hearings; there are 6. PH-1/B-1 and PH-2/DB-1 are on the rezoning and site plan for the Mill Creek Townhomes development at 3002 Chelsea Circle. This (PH-1) rezones 32.6 acres from R3 (townhouse) to RB4 (multi family). These come to council with full support of planning commission. I'm happy to see this increase in density. 

PH-3/B-2 is the second reading of the Dominick's PUD. This is about the promised deletion of a driveway. PH-4/B-3 is an ordinance to amend Chapter 27 (Water Service). I feel like this is important, but I don't remember what it's about. 

PH-5/B-4 is an update to the laws criminalizing sniffing model glues. The update makes it easier to read and add gender neutral language. I think trying to solve public health problems (substance use) with our broken criminal justice system is a bad idea. I think that this law should be repealed. They discuss this on A2AF and you can read more of my thoughts here. 

PH-6/B-5 is an update to the law that criminalizes nunchuck possession. No thoughts on this other than this: when the outlaw nunchucks, then only outlaws will have nunchucks. 

Elsewhere on the agenda we have two ordinance first readings. C-1 is the first reading of a township island rezoning. C-2 is the first reading of an ordinance updating the rules for city purchasing in light of the charter amendment revision that passed in November. 

On to the resolutions. DC-1 is a resolution to appoint new members to the Independent Police Oversight Commission. DC-2 is a software purchase agreement. DC-3 is an employment agreement with the new city attorney, Atleen Kaur. DC-4 is the city's participation plan for the National Prescription Opioid Settlement. And finally, DC-5 is a resolution to require masks at future, in person, #a2Council meetings. Wait there's more: DS-1, a resolution to approve new advanced water metering infrastructure and opt-out fees. 

And that's it, I think. As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor should get rid of its laws criminalizing drug use

The city council should start tonight by deleting Chapter 113: Regulation of Model Glues.

The penalties section from Ann Arbor City Code, Chapter 113: Regulation of Model Glues

 

Ann Arbor is in the process of reviewing all the city's ordinances and modernizing them. As explained by City Attorney Slay at the Dec. 6th council meeting, part of this effort involves making sure Ann Arbor's ordinances use gender neutral language, and that they are are easy to read. These are admirable goals. The systematic review of the city's ordinances gives council the opportunity to get rid of all city ordinances that criminalize drug use. 

Substance use disorder is a disease. Laws that criminalize drug use are ineffective at curbing drug use. They are also immoral; these laws serve as a legal means for the use off state violence against members of our community with substance use disorders. Our broken criminal justice system is an inappropriate tool to use to solve a public health problem. 

At tonight's #a2Council meeting, the council will have a public hearing and vote on the second reading of an ordinance to modernize the city's laws that criminalize inhalant use (PH-5/B-4). It is my hope that council will not pass this ordinance as written and will instead delete this entire chapter from Ann Arbor's Code of Ordinances. If you feel the same way, please write council or share your thoughts tonight during Public Hearing 5. 

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: December 6, 2021

Gentle reader, tonight is the second to last #a2Council meeting of the year. It promises to be a barn burner. Here's the agenda. Check out the Ann Arbor AF episode about this meeting. I always do before writing these previews. The elephant in the room tonight is not really on the agenda. Last week, council voted to release the content of the Guajardo/Fournier report. This was an independent investigation of allegations made by former HR Director Guajardo against Assistant City Administrator Fournier. The report absolved Fournier but also revealed that two CMs, Ramlawi and Nelson, may have broken the confidentiality of a closed session. I imagine this will come up at the meeting. 

The evening kicks off with a substantial, 25-item consent agenda. Of note: CA-4, renaming Winchell Park, which is named after a super racist former Ann Arbor resident. 

There is one public hearing on the agenda tonight on PH-1/DB-1, the site plan for 106 North Forth. This is a relatively minor addition and comes with unanimous support of planning commission. 

There are 4 ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. C-1 is on a rule change to the opt out program for advanced water metering infrastructure. C-2 is updates the rules around Storm Water Management, Soil Erosion, and Site Plans in the Unified Development Code. C-3 updates the criminalization of huffing model glue to include new types of glues. This is part of an ongoing modernization of local laws. This is a great opportunity to truly modernize our laws and stop ciminializing substance abuse disorders. This should be sent back to the drawing board. C-4 is a modernization of the city's laws around weapons. Interestingly this maintains the city's prohibition of nun-chuks and throwing stars.

On to the resolutions. DC-2 is going to be a spicy chili. This is council committee appointments for 2022. Two things to note here. CM Hayner is not being appointed to any committees as a consequence of his slur usage earlier this year. Also, CMs Nelson and Ramlawi are not being reappointed to the Council Rules Committee as a consequence of their potential violation of closed session confidentiality. So, you can expect a lot of speeches during DC-2. DC-3 is the resolution to order a ballot question for charter amendment for a community climate action millage. DC-4 is a resolution of internet specifying how the millage funds should be used. DC-5 is a resolution directing the Administrator to develop criteria to utilize low embodied carbon building materials in building and infrastructure projects. And finally, DC-6 a resolution asking the DDA to continue the curb side carryout program. 

And that's it, I think. As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: November 15, 2021

Happy #a2Council night to all those who celebrate. Here's tonight's agenda and the A2AF episode about the meeting. 

The evening kicks off with a short, nine-item consent agenda. Of note, CA-9 litigation services, for an appellate case defending the city's stormwater fees. 

There are three public hearings on the docket tonight. PH-1/B-1 is a township island rezoning. PH-2/B-2 is on the Sanitation Supplies in Public Restroom ordinance. PH-3/DB-1 is on the site plan for Grace Bible Church at 1300 South Maple. 

There are two ordinance first readings tonight. C-1 is an ordinance to rezone ~33 acres at 3002 Chelsea Circle from R3 (townhouse) to RB4 (multi-family dwelling). I don't know a ton about this, but it's coming with full recommendation from Planning Commission. C-2 is an ordinance to amend the Dominick's PUD. This is coming with Planning Commission unanimously recommended rejecting the change. 

Finally we have DC-1 which is a resolution to allow certain boards and commissions to continue to meet electronically. 

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: November 1, 2021

 

Tonight is the first #a2Council meeting of November. Hurray. Here's the agenda and here's the A2AF about the meeting. There's a nice dive into the Sustainable Energy Utility report, INT-2.  

The evening kicks off with a short, seven-item consent agenda. CAs 3 three through 5 are accepting grants from the MI Supreme Court for Veterans, Drug, and Mental Health courts. 

There is one public hearing on the docket tonight. PH-1/B-1 is on ward reapportionment. 

There are no ordinance first readings tonight and just two resolutions. DC-1 is a resolution to opposed Secure MI Vote, which is the current voter access restriction petition. DC-2 is a resolution to approve hiring Atleen Kaur as city attorney. 

It looks like a short agenda, but will it be a short meeting? As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: October 18, 2021

 

Gentle readers, tonight is the final, spooktacular #a2council meeting of October. Check out the agenda here. You should also listen to the latest episode of A2AF. They go into depth about some really important items on the agenda today. 

The evening kicks off with a 11 item consent agenda. CA-3 is really exciting. This is the resolution for professional services to to develop the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero plan and associated engineering services. Again, you should really listen to the A2AF episode for a deep dive into this agenda item. Council has previously voted to support vision zero unanimously, but tonight is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak. For some reason this needs 8 votes, so there is a chance for shenanigans. 

There are three public hearings on the agenda tonight. PH-1/B-1 is a zoning change on permitted uses in the C2B district. PH-2/B-2 is the second reading on the energy benchmarking ordinance. PH-3/DB-1 is on the site plan, wetland use agreement, and development agreement for Concord Pines at 660 Earhart Road. Honestly, this development is a little two low density for me, and I'd love some sort of a walking path that would make it easier to cut out of this subdivision towards the bus stop on Geddes. 

There are three ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. C-1 is on a township island rezoning. C-2 is on a new ordinance that would specify the types of sanitary products needed in all public restrooms. This would require menstrual products in all restrooms. C-3 is on ward reapportionment. With new census data comes new ward boundaries. It seems like most of the changes are minor and concentrated in or near downtown. 

Elsewhere on the agenda we have DC-1, the E. Medical Center Drive Bridge Design Contract. This is kind of a cluster. The bridge is in need of repair. Which, sure, let's fix that. But UM wants to add an additional lane. This is a bad idea. It makes this area, which already has a disproportionate number of drivers hitting pedestrians, even less safe. My understanding is that it's the city's policy to add non-motorized infrastructure when fixing roads. Strangely though, UM and the City's proposal to leave needed non-motorized infrastructure for a later date. This is just super frustrating. The council has voted unanimously to adopt vision zero practices and declared a climate emergency. It is unbelievable that the current version of DC-1 pretends like there is no vision zero plan and no climate emergency. Solutions that I would find acceptable are: fixing the bridge but not adding a new car lane; fixing the bridge, adding a new car lane, and pedestrian infrastructure; or fixing the bridge, NOT adding a car lane, and adding pedestrian infrastructure. The later is my preferred solution. 

Finally we have DC-2 a resolution to direct public engagement and final recommendation for the use of American Recovery Plan funds. There is some good stuff in here like adding a UBI pilot and an unarmed responders. 

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: October 4, 2021

 

Gentle readers, are you ready for a spooktacular #a2Council? Here's the agenda for tonight's meeting and here's the A2AF podcast about the meeting. 

The evening kicks off with a brief, 10-item consent agenda. Highlights include CA-5, a new sewer lining for the sewer in the Arb, and CA-10, licenses for the new social district. 

There are no public hearings and one ordinance first reading. C-1 is an ordinance to add a new chapter on energy benchmarking to the city code. If you want to know more about this, you should listen to the A2AF episode. 

DC-1 is a resolution that would let public speakers continue to call in once council goes back to in person. DC-5 is a late breaking item pertaining to putting the interim administrator on leave due to vague allegations against him from the new head of HR.

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 20, 2021

 

Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the meeting agenda, and here's the excellent A2AF episode on the agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a small, nine-item consent agenda. CA-1 is for repairing and expanding the bridge on E Medical Center Drive near the intersection with Fuller. I'm all for repairing our infrastructure, but expanding lanes seems like it's counter to our Vision Zero and climate goals. If it has to go through, I'd really like what WCEB has proposed for the area. 

They go into this in the A2AF episode linked above. You should really give it a listen. 

There are two public hearings on tonight's agenda. PH-1/B-1 is on the second reading of the personal mobility device ordinance. This is good an it'll formalize the rules around escooters, ebikes and trikes and where the rules for their safe operation. PH-2/B-2 is the second reading of the updates to the animal ordinance. This is generally aimed at preventing animal cruelty. 

C-1 is the first reading of an ordinance that would remove indoor storage and warehousing from the C2B zone, which is intended for a near downtown-ish commercial districts. This seems good. DC-1 is a resolution to set up a study committee for the potential Hayden House Historic District. DC-2 is a resolution to establish a Renteers Commission. This is great and long overdue. I really appreciate CM Radina for taking point on it. One quibble: there are two non-voting positions for landlords, to which I say "Common man, this is a renters commission, not a rentiers commission. Landlords are welcome to participate just like any member of the public."

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 7, 2021

 

Gentle readers, tonight is a rare Tuesday edition of #a2Council. Here's the agenda and here's the excellent A2AF episode about the meeting. 

The evening kicks off with middling, 17-item consent agenda. Of note, CA-17, a resolution to approve street closings for the Oct. 8th Tech Trek. 

There are two public hearings on the docket this evening. PH/B1-1 is an update to the UDC that would mandate Dark Skies friendly outdoor lighting. This seems like an easy way to help mitigate our impact on our wild friends. PH-2/B-2 is the second reading of an update to the home occupation rules. This is generally in a good direction, but does not go far enough. Scott Trudeau wrote about this and you should probably read it. 

There are two ordinance first readings on the agenda. C-1 adds rules for personal mobility vehicles using city streets and sidewalks. This includes ebikes, and scooters as well as electric assist pedicabs. Molly explained this really well on the A2AF episode. C-2 is an update to the rules around animals. It includes prohibitions of some new types of traps among other things. 

Elsewhere on the agenda, we have DC-1 asking the energy commission to recommend council do a feasibility study for a municipal utility company. This seems like it could be really interesting. Another interesting item is DS-1. Here the Ann Arbor Racquet Club is seeking a waiver that would exempt them from building a required sidewalk. This seems complex, the work they are doing is minor, and having to build the sidewalk would be expensive. They they were granted a waiver when doing more substantial construction in 2017 and that was probably a mistake. Personally, I think sidewalks on both sides of the street are a must unless you ban cars from that street. I don't think the city should grant this waiver. Hopefully the city can come to a creative solution with the Racquet Club. 

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2council hashtag.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: August 16, 2021

 

Gentle readers, it's council night in Ann Arbor. Here's your agenda. Here's the Ann Arbor AF podcast episode about this council agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a moderate, 18-item consent agenda. Road closures are back. CA-2, CA-3, and CA-4 are all street closures. 

There are two public hearings on the docket this evening. PH-1/B-1 is for the fur ban ordinance. PH-2/B-2 is on the conversion therapy ban. 

There are 7 resolutions on the agenda this evening. One of the big items is DC-4. This is a resolution to approve the recommendations of the Council of the Commons regarding activation of the Library Lot. Check out Scott Trudeau's article on this. They also took a deep dive into this in the A2AF episode. But basically, this resolution would direct the administrator to develop programing for the Library Lot, among other things. . Personally, it feel like perhaps the multiple committees that are in charge of the Library Lot could handle this work load. There's a lot to get into here, and this could be the evening's spicy chili. 

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2council hashtag.