Ann Arbor · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ann Arbor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Virtual Currency Kiosk Regulation
New ordinance regulates crypto kiosks with warning signs, receipts and a $1,000 daily cap, targeting scams that disproportionately drain seniors' savings.
Protection of places of religious worship
After more than 20 years of weekly picketing outside Beth Israel Congregation, council adopted a 50-foot buffer ordinance barring force, obstruction or intimidation at worship entrances. Critics called it an unconstitutional speech restriction.
Construction site safety reforms
Two new initiatives strengthen construction safety: enforceable OSHA 30 supervisor requirements in city contracts and permit notices enforcing skilled trades apprentice supervision — following a 2025 worker death on the Miller Avenue project.
Homelessness Bill of Rights
Council approved a resolution establishing a Bill of Rights for people experiencing homelessness, with local homelessness up 118% since 2022 and shelters facing funding cuts. It doesn't add shelter beds but sets values and triggers a review of city policies.
Pedestrian safety and crash data
A former councilmember told Council that vehicle-pedestrian crashes rose 22% last year and injury crashes 40%, and urged a sidewalk on Maiden Lane — questioning whether the Transportation Department is reporting on the problem.
Non-functioning FAA-owned weather station
The FAA-owned weather station at the airport isn't working, and the committee discussed it along with what records the tower keeps. Pilots rely on current weather data for safe operations.
Winter Emergency Shelter Funding
The city will spend $222,000 on the 2026-27 winter emergency shelter and warming center run by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County — critical as county homelessness hits an all-time high of 821 people.
Special Events Ordinance (Chapter 125)
A new ordinance would create a permit pathway for large private-property events like concerts, requiring 60 days' notice, and imposing fines up to $1,000 plus misdemeanor penalties. Small event organizers like Ann Arbor Bike Party say it's overbroad; council deadlocked 5-6 on first reading.
Unarmed crisis response (Sprout)
Councilmember Harrison's resolution directs the city administrator to explore partnering with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health on crisis response, aiming to connect people in mental health crises with care instead of jail or emergency rooms.
Legislation affecting PEG channels
House Bill 5123 and Senate Bill 719 would let cable providers call themselves streaming services and stop paying franchise and PEG fees — the money that funds CTN and flows into the city's general fund. A similar move by Wide Open West in Livonia dropped quarterly payments from about $36,000 to $2,000. The commission was urged to get the mayor and council engaged, since elected-official letters carry the most weight in Lansing.
Masking and identification ordinances for law enforcement
Councilmember Harrison announced final drafts of two ordinances — one requiring visible officer identification and one banning facial coverings for officers operating in the city — now under 30-day review by the city administrator per council rules.
Outdoor warning siren survey
The city is surveying residents about possibly decommissioning the outdoor warning siren system; Councilmember Cornell urged everyone to weigh in at engage.a2gov.org.