Ann Arbor · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ann Arbor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Student housing conditions at Saga
A U-M student described apartments stuck at 75-78 degrees with sealed windows, asking the city to investigate ventilation adequacy as student rents soar.
Glue trap ban
Ann Arbor banned glue traps, becoming one of the first Midwest cities to do so, after testimony from PETA, wildlife rehabilitators and even the former mayor of Ojai, California, who passed a similar ban.
Commercial vehicle markings
First reading of an ordinance requiring business vehicles doing work in the city to display the company name, aimed at safety and accountability.
LSNC tree relocation
$1,290 approved to move six trees planted at the Leslie Science and Nature Center.
Transit updates and federal funding
The Ride's CEO reported a stable temporary downtown terminal, a ratified union contract, and the release of a $25 million low-emissions bus grant stuck in federal delay.
Citizen Pruner program equipment
Up to $1,700 was approved for new pruning pole sets so volunteer Citizen Pruners have proper tools.
Fuller Park hackberry planting
Two hackberry trees will be planted and watered at Fuller Park for $1,200.
Fall Park Facility Hours and Programming
All three pools will stay open through Labor Day; facility hours adjust as students return to school. The city is hiring three new full-time parks positions and seeking feedback on the new bicentennial splash pad.
Community Events Fund rising costs
Councilmembers noted that downtown event hosting costs are climbing while the Community Events Fund hasn't been increased in years, raising the question of boosting the fund going forward.
City pool access policies
A Pittsfield Township childcare provider says her camp of Ann Arbor kids has been barred from city pools this summer while privately paid camps get access, and she's asking why.
11 P.m. Council Meeting Cutoff Rule
A new rule would stop Council from voting on agenda items after 11 p.m. unless a majority agrees to keep going. If adopted, late-night decisions on big issues could become rarer.
State and Federal Lobbying Services
The city is putting out an RFP to hire lobbyists who represent Ann Arbor's interests in Lansing and Washington. The city's lobbying priorities get set through the annual policy agenda.
Buhr Park pocket forest watering
The young pocket forest at Buhr Park will get watering for two more years thanks to $2,000 in approved funding.
Committee bylaws update
The committee is reworking its bylaws with the clerk's office; changes go to a vote in September.
July Work Session Rescheduled to July 22
The July work session moved from the 15th to the 22nd; if most members can't attend, it will be canceled and moved to August. Big topics like North Main Street are on the agenda.
Credit card processing at city golf courses
As golf courses switch to Club Caddy software, the city must sign with Fiserv for card processing (up to $279,000/year). Fees are baked into rates, so no net revenue hit — but questions about Fiserv's recent cybersecurity litigation were flagged.
Bicentennial Park splash pad opening and celebration
The park construction contract grew by $230,106.31, bringing the total to nearly $797,000.
511 W Jefferson St basement egress window
The owners wanted a safe basement bedroom exit near the front of the house rather than in the back hallway. The commission accepted the location but required the fake-stone window well be swapped for something more low-key, subject to staff approval.
Driveway paving added to staff approvals
Routine driveway paving in standard materials will now be handled by staff instead of coming before the commission — faster for homeowners, with anything fancy or footprint-expanding still coming to a hearing.
Percent-for-Art on Private Development
Commissioners floated requiring a percentage of private development budgets to fund public art. Staff will research how other cities do it and whether the city has any legal lever with privately funded projects.
Jury rotation process for art review panels
Commissioners agreed to rotate through opportunities to serve on public art selection juries, so the same veterans don't take every slot. It's about fairness and giving newer members a look at how the city picks its art.
Restoration of two-way traffic on Ingalls and Kingsley
Ingalls and Kingsley streets go back to two-way traffic, changing how drivers navigate near the hospital area.
Miller Road construction completion
Councilmember Cornell announced final Miller Road construction through the end of the month — speed tables, pedestrian islands, crosswalks and bus stop improvements — with brief lane closures.
South Barton Pedestrian Bridge Replacement
Council authorized applying for a state DNR grant to replace the South Barton pedestrian bridge.
Transportation Commission Meeting Access
A resident criticized the Transportation Commission's Zoom-only meeting schedule; Councilmember Briggs said the commission is considering returning to some in-person meetings.
Fire Truck Antitrust Litigation Participation
The city will hire outside counsel to join a class action over fire truck price gouging by Oshkosh and others, hoping to recoup money on what the fire chief called 'completely bonkers' truck costs.
Solid waste regulations update
The Council held a hearing and adopted an ordinance aligning the solid waste code with updated regulations, including cart placement rules near bike lanes.