Councilmember, Ward 5· 2022–2026
Jenn Cornell
Ann Arbor
No biography on file yet.
Contact
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 3
- Total speaking time
- 3:31
- Avg per meeting
- 1:10
- Segments
- 46
Want every word Cornell has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Cornell said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Woodbury Gardens Rezoning (1310 Wisteria Drive)
Development agreement includes $25,000 for a pedestrian crossing and $195,000 in park improvements; demolition of existing affordable townhomes would follow.
Carey Street one-way conversion and Division bikeway extension
Part of the DDA's Division Street bikeway extension project ahead of spring 2027 resurfacing.
$10 Million Park Improvement Bonds
Up to $10 million in bonds backed by the city's general taxing power.
City Policy Agenda Feedback
Indirect — state and federal legislation can affect grant funding and mandates, but no dollar figures were given.
Pedestrian safety and crash data
Council approved a $3.48 million construction contract with $1.32 million in contributing funds for the South Main sidewalk project.
Basement ceiling-height code appeal at 1122 Mixtwood
The homeowners must revise and resubmit their plans, adding time and possibly design cost to their basement project.
Small business support
LDFA funding underwrote the entrepreneurship programs behind the record company and job counts.
Police Oversight Commission Update
The 2027 city budget funds a new APD records management system.
Protection of places of religious worship
Costs not specified; involves police training and city attorney drafting work.
Virtual Currency Kiosk Regulation
The $1,000 daily cap limits how much a scam victim can lose in a single transaction.
Veterans Memorial Park ice arena closure and repairs
Repair cost not yet known — a quote is expected within a week.
AFSCME Contract Negotiations
Union contract settlements directly affect the city's personnel costs, one of its largest budget items.
Tenants' Right to Organize ordinance
Enforcement costs for the city are uncertain; the administration has flagged investigation burdens.
Proposal E — public power ballot initiative
Ongoing litigation carries legal costs for the city, though no figure was stated.
Glue trap ban
Dean II Rezoning and Area Plan
Critics say using a PUD instead could have yielded 36 affordable units or about $3.5 million for the affordable housing fund.
SPARK budget reallocation and IT closet relocation
The proposed amendment would allow up to 25% overage on the SPARK Central infrastructure line, funded by shifting dollars from Software, Talent, and Internship Program line items.
State and Federal Legislative Updates
Village of Ann Arbor Brownfield Amendment
About $35 million in future tax capture diverted from other taxing jurisdictions.
Rear-setback variance for Highland Road home addition
No direct city cost; affects only the private property value and usability of the Highland Road home.
Decisions during term (667)
Recorded while Cornell was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Agenda approval and additions
MC-1/MC-2 Appointments confirmed
MC-3 Transportation Commission appointment
Consent agenda (minus CA-1, CA-2)
CA-2 Springhill Suites development agreement postponed
CA-1 Winter emergency shelter contract
PH-1/B-1 The Dean II rezoning, 548 S. Fifth Ave
PH-2/B-2 Worship protection ordinance
PH-3/B-3 Virtual currency kiosk ordinance
B-4 Commercial vehicle markings ordinance (substitute, first reading)
C-1 Sweatfree procurement ordinance (first reading)
C-2 Contractor prequalification amendment (first reading)
DC-1 Ashley Mews covenant release and land trust sale
DC-1 amendment: $257,000 repayment to general fund
DC-2 Restrictive covenant at 841 Broadway
DC-3 Arlington Place water main easement
DC-4 Human Services Partnership priorities
DC-5 Extend mayor pro tem and returning council member terms
DS-1 $10 million park capital improvement bonds
DS-2 Dean II Area Plan
Voting record (46)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
that Council enter into Closed Session
B-3 / PH-3: Woodbury Gardens rezoning, 1310 Wisteria Drive (ORD-26-25)
DB-1: 1310 Wisteria Drive site plan and development agreement
Closed session under the Open Meetings Act
that the Resolution be approved
DC-4 Resolution Regarding Proposal E
Supported it to prepare for an 'inevitable legal battle' and protect city finances.
the Resolution be postponed to the City Council, due back on 10/19/2026
the Ordinance be approved on First Reading, due back on 10/19/2026
the Resolution be approved
the Resolution be approved
C-1 Woodbury Gardens Rezoning, 1310 Wisteria Drive (ORD-26-25) - First Reading
DS-2 Brownfield Plan Amendment #1 - Village of Ann Arbor (R-26-372)
DC-3 Regional Deer Management Program Resolution (R-26-377)
that the Resolution be approved
DS-1: Park capital improvement bonds notice (R-26-360)
that Council enter into Closed Session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268 (8) (1) (H) to discuss attorney/client privileged communications, specifically a confidential memo dated August
C-1: Substitute amendment to Special Events ordinance (Chapter 125)
C-1: Special Events ordinance fails on first reading
Questioned whether rule-breakers would ever apply for a permit and preferred targeting the specific hazards.
that the Ordinance be adopted on Second Reading
that the Ordinance be Approved as Amended on First Reading to the City Council
Consider Substitute Ordinance.
Closed Session under MCL 15.268(8)(h)
that the Resolution be approved as amended.
that Council enter into Closed Session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to discuss the Attorney/Client privileged communication of July 17, 2026 as set forth in MCL 15.268 (8) (1) (H).
DC-2: Short-Term Rental Moratorium Direction (R-26-301)
that the Resolution be approved
that the Resolution be approved
that the Resolution be approved
that Council enter into Closed Session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to discuss Attorney/Client privileged communication under 15.268 (8) (1) (h)
Anti-Displacement Plan Resolution (DC-4)
Charter Amendment on Petition Signature Counting (DC-2)
Charter Amendment on Terms of Office (DC-3)
C-1: Ashley Mews PUD Rezoning, 414 South Main Street (First Reading)
DS-1 Charter amendment election for 2027 street, bridge and sidewalk millage
DS-3 Charter amendment election for 2027 new sidewalk construction millage
Closed Session under the Open Meetings Act
that Council enter into Closed Session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to discuss the Attorney/Client privileged communication of April 2, 2026, as set forth in MCL 15.268 (8) (1) (H)
2026 Capital Improvement Bonds, 350 S. Fifth Avenue Affordable Housing (DS-2, R-26-106)
the Resolution be approved
that the Ordinance be referred to the City Planning Commission, due back on 7/6/2026
B-1 Bicycle and Vehicle Parking Ordinance — referred back to Planning Commission
that the Resolution be approved
DC-3 Arbor South Brownfield Plan — Postponed to February 2
Insufficient time to review the late, substantive changes to the proposal.