[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6625036,"mediaKeyId","2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a","parentId",2762910,"title","Votes at a glance: Ann Arbor council approves library measures, zoning and nonconforming-structure changes; municipalization study rejected","audioSeconds",4674,"startMs",2765000,"endMs",7439000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a&start=2765&end=7439","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625036/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Ann-Arbor-council-approves-library-measures-zoning-and-nonconforming-structure-changes-municipalization-study-rejected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625036-f591fdfa5de537d4c2a1dd30fe28a3ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199404&Signature=j1exraiwsynNQ6R1G5u~5JD8GYJ0-Y6-9VRiobmnwIb7foFVAKJIPnvznxTZN6FtM~k1VhGrjRUaf8n3Kr4aEd7baje~GUm3HJve7C0-zmNGpmaoRSHlCR-9i-LiZQ-fEBFj8~wuuPI0tRSefpMONkGBWBUpk~Q9YW-lSkexKDs5-mMubY~4zttPgJO-ik1vhlpMmbkOVBtaqt3CcuLyvMdWs2lzTU1HWQfN4PIdYFP6e3yITajoeGjLNQP4u~bWYFapyupzZVntaGFoH7hzbdkLBWUdDMKDGIHfhCHDbUHh3oMkInC7S6V7rNiiPgp1015EUm9Y6o947ky0K0yK7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ann Arbor","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","Key outcomes from the Ann Arbor City Council meeting on March 3:

- DC 3: Resolution to order election and determine ballot question to authorize sale/transfer of 319 South Fifth Avenue to the Ann Arbor District Library — APPROVED (roll call: 10 yes, 0 no; Briggs absent). Council instructed staff to provide additional public materials before the election.

- DC 4: Resolution to order election and determine ballot question to repeal section 1.4 of the city charter (removing special designation of the library lot for park use) — APPROVED (roll call: 10 yes, 0 no; Briggs absent).

- DC 1: Professional services agreement for a phase 2 municipalization study (NewGen Strategies and Solutions, $1,728,000) — FAILED on roll call (5 yes, 5 no; required six affirmative votes).

- DC 2: Resolution to authorize preparatory staff work for acquisition vote and litigation — FAILED (council discussion; no authority granted).

- CA 5: Construction contract for 2025 miscellaneous utility projects including the Harding–Wallingford intersection work — APPROVED as amended (amendment directed additional collaborative engagement on intersection design before final decision).

- B1: Ordinance rezoning approximately 0.6 acres at Dexter Road and Siebel Drive from R1C (single-family) to PL (public land/park) to restore a basketball court used by adjacent West Arbor residents — APPROVED.

- C1: Ordinance amending the Unified Development Code on nonconforming structures to reduce the number of projects requiring ZBA variance— APPROVED. The amendment specifies conditions under which alterations to nonconforming structures may proceed without ZBA review.

Other actions: Confirmation of appointments presented on Feb. 18 (Alice Owings to the Board of Review); consent agenda approvals (with CA 5 pulled for discussion and amendment); direction to staff on public engagement for the Harding–Wallingford intersection. The council also entered closed session under the attorney-client exception to discuss a written attorney-client communication dated March 2, 2025.

For details on individual roll call tallies, refer to minutes and the transcripts of the March 3 council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ann Arbor City Council Meeting 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of council actions at the March 3 meeting including approvals of charter amendments to place library-lot measures on the ballot, passage of a rezoning and a development-code change, and failure to approve a municipalization study contract.","taxTitle","Ann Arbor City, Washtenaw County, Michigan","taxId",5773,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625041,"Council narrows language on Harding–Wallingford redesign after residents’ objections; contract approved with amendment",517,3668000,4185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a&start=3668&end=4185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a/thumbnail_3668000.jpg","/articles/6625041/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Council-narrows-language-on-HardingWallingford-redesign-after-residents-objections-contract-approved-with-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625041-b0111007608390477e60ee3b5ab42eb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199404&Signature=Hc7IHLncYBhBzJ7LfRDo--TcsRzzIiqKiIW5tb9dk0f9fHEz8OeCpKJrhx3I~r4zwhdRltaUWSRK-vSh785dipQvPIXx6wsjzgf7OlXFQj0Jiiy~5oayfENDJh3zzsG8t079yfVBKoJg25guIsyS-E1omYxk7W6wuDbJZhCzK~dn-Juz9uaOZN7nU-omhw5OxMxwPnpk6FyAQ0gLYpNpOtjxI4vD1zWVhNUMgKdjrqLDI2949prO2xoEB8o7oJ-ct23fk6GsmaLvzX6-n6hiTsvOM5gl3i5N7IJCgwypuUsFrvb9OmTr4xdx4fxkYVmPuk7z4pdnOyIaSyqD7jKb3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on March 3 approved a multi-site 2025 miscellaneous utilities contract (CA 5) that includes work at the Harding and Wallingford intersection, but only after adopting an amendment that changed staff language from \"narrowing of Wallingford–Harding intersection\" to \"Wallingford–Harding intersection safety improvements\" and directed the city administrator to continue collaborative engagement with residents before final design.

Background and public concern: The utility project requires replacement of water and sewer mains on Harding Road and will remove pavement at the intersection, presenting an opportunity to reconfigure the corner for pedestrian safety and ADA compliance. Neighbors said they were surprised by proposed drawings and complained of insufficient early collaboration; petition signatures (171 residents and 111 households cited in public comment) were presented opposing a narrowing design and citing low traffic volumes and study data indicating modest speeds.

Staff response and amendment: City engineering staff told council the design was not final and that additional calming options—roundabouts, speed humps and alternatives—were being analyzed. During the consent-item debate, Council member Regina (mover of the amendment) proposed and the council adopted language that (1) replaces the memo wording to read \"Wallingford–Harding intersection safety improvements\" rather than \"narrowing,\" and (2) directs the city administrator to continue to engage and collaborate with the public and to make the final decision on the design only after that public engagement.

Council member Adena said the amendment was intended to restore trust with residents and emphasize that no final design decision had been made. Council member Cornell voted against the amendment; the amended motion passed on roll call and the main contract (as amended) was approved by council.

Engineering rationale and process: Staff said the intersection was evaluated because the pavement will be removed for utility work, not because it had been prioritized above other locations. Staff cited ADA noncompliance, long pedestrian crossing distances, large-radius curves that encourage higher turning speeds, and proximity to Tappan Middle School and Burns Park Elementary as reasons to evaluate safety improvements. Staff also said the formal traffic-calming program budget is separate and that this project would not draw down petition-driven traffic calming funds.

Next steps: Staff will analyze alternative design concepts, share suitable alternatives with the public for an additional round of feedback, and return with a final design. The amendment directed the city administrator to continue collaborative engagement prior to final selection.","Council amended a consent-item contract after resident complaints about engagement and the proposed narrowing of the Wallingford–Harding intersection, directing the city administrator to continue collaborative public engagement before finalizing design.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625047,"Council sends two charter amendments on downtown library lot to voters; measures would authorize sale and repeal earlier provision",1073,6366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a&start=6366&end=7439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a/thumbnail_6366000.jpg","/articles/6625047/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Council-sends-two-charter-amendments-on-downtown-library-lot-to-voters-measures-would-authorize-sale-and-repeal-earlier-provision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625047-ebc26b4615b64347d3ee051eeb902cb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199404&Signature=VfpCQwRREo7XHoOUA-lS6TiOpkvTcGsdKkZUymRWBKSSGHzuNHG6zc6BKUN2MVEXinQzxIkGuvT-Ow6-UUKf8npxI9LL-3UGoSUSnfXsKMPc3wcdfg4gYATkZCE6tjg-shYb5xcjd6sVdM3sBjqT4Kl4KFSZb9PQ7B83B4Pi5ONj82~mHNg11wIpu1-8gTf5M5YASbPTAfsSUmHUgCzngH~PtMcY9EqoRWFIls6eFQ3g0ssbUrPpP9D1vM5MxUu8tgUsjgnleB5RMnmrbjOnPW8AcM2tZ6JrJIf~0TYtdx3eoaPmJ5HbQ~RJuwAEFewNCDpDEra6A3SrISjkgVkzXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ann Arbor City Council voted on March 3 to place two charter amendment questions on an upcoming ballot that would (1) authorize the sale or transfer of the downtown \"library lot\" (319 South Fifth Avenue and related parcels) to the Ann Arbor District Library for redevelopment and (2) repeal the charter text that currently identifies that specific lot for park/open-space use.

Council members framed the measures as a practical path to produce a new, expanded downtown library, mixed-income housing above ground-floor public amenities and a programmed public open space without new taxes. Supporters argued the site has remained underutilized for years and that the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) has the organizational capacity to develop a modern downtown branch and activate adjacent open space.

Several public commenters and members of the Library Green Conservancy urged care in preserving true public green space and insisted on clear, public-facing details about what the library and any developer would provide. Opponents and some residents questioned whether the ballot language should be more specific about housing amounts, open-space square footage, or other design details; council and staff said the ballot text must avoid advocacy and that more specifics would be provided through subsequent public outreach and planning documents.

Council member Cornell, who supported the measure, said the city had studied the site for years and that the new approach is a viable path to combine affordable housing, library services and active public space in the downtown core. Council member Ira (co-sponsor) described the plan as an opportunity to secure the library’s long-term future and transform the lot without raising taxes.

Votes and next steps: The two resolutions (DC 3 and DC 4) were passed by the council. DC 3, authorizing a ballot question to permit the sale or transfer of 319 South Fifth Avenue to the Ann Arbor District Library, passed by roll call with 10 yes votes among council members present; DC 4, repealing section 1.4 of the charter that names the lot for park use, also passed. Staff and AADL officials said they would provide more detailed descriptions of proposed uses to the public before the election.

Council and public meetings will follow to present the library’s development concept, explain project financing and provide additional opportunity for public comment ahead of the ballot vote.","The council voted to place two related charter amendments on the ballot that would authorize sale/transfer of the downtown library lot to the Ann Arbor District Library and repeal the charter provision that names that parcel for park/open space.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":44,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":50,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625052,"Ann Arbor council rejects funding for next-phase municipalization study; debate focuses on costs, equity and reliability",3481,6246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762910-ae18e4fcd067a4530bee40bbfdbc521a&start=2765&end=6246","/articles/6625052/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Ann-Arbor-council-rejects-funding-for-next-phase-municipalization-study-debate-focuses-on-costs-equity-and-reliability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625052-ef39a27ae321c1c2c68be201858e4656/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199404&Signature=I0DTXkzAinGyCZY90aRohDjPzOP5LsX9PcY2NzV7GSaCco~Pdbx~d1Z~lNcpQryfrvYAdBf1cmn2dDfUvCNKFfeGhdcchPJn9cixMTiw3conno6~gAy98ObqPxMny0oKD17zOmdGzHHPd-cfIFTKBpN-Jft0MCBiNuOVedwbFD1GU8U0aaiLT1DEB4aa~jXlQ837q5rxluPHeRjVPr3Tc-z9wILYyj3JH2t6NShQSSmMWkCmA-DQvZSgwLzNIQLwRBfVC9AioCnZJwrIrrX0thHdI-3Il5FRHslvotItZplRQptvyeMVvnMRg~tq2I96iwHM5yyxbEpkNzOfIbMvyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ann Arbor City Council on March 3 rejected a proposal to hire NewGen Strategies and Solutions LLC to complete a phase 2 electric-grid valuation and municipalization study, after weeks of public comment and more than two hours of council debate.

Proponents called for the study as a necessary independent analysis to determine whether municipal ownership could deliver greater reliability, faster transition to renewables and lower long-term costs. Opponents and some council members said the city cannot afford the study now and should prioritize immediate social services and existing climate programs.

Council member Maaz Malek, who supported the study, said it would provide essential information for any future voter decision on acquiring DTE’s local distribution assets. \"Passing DC 1 and DC 2 tonight will help me make an informed decision on whether pursuing full municipalization is worth it,\" Malek said during debate. Supporters in the audience and callers told council that DTE’s outages, rate structure, and treatment of rooftop solar make municipal options worth studying.

Opponents pointed to uncertain legal, operational and financial risks. Council member Regina Disch, who voted no, said recent federal actions created a fiscal environment in which spending nearly $2 million on a study endangers funded programs that reduce emissions and help low-income residents. \"The study before us is valued but can be postponed,\" Disch said.

The formal resolution before council (DC 1) would have authorized a $1,728,000 agreement to evaluate grid valuation and municipalization. The companion resolution (DC 2) would have authorized staff to perform preliminary work to prepare for a possible public vote and litigation. Both measures failed.

Public commenters supporting the study included residents who said outages and DTE's net-metering practices harm households and that municipalization or local control would prioritize resilience and equity. Speakers opposing or urging caution cited the high acquisition cost estimates from the city’s first-phase study, potential years of costly litigation, and the risk of diverting funds from homelessness services, energy-efficiency programs or other priorities.

Outcome and next steps: With DC 1 defeated on a 5–5 roll call (failing to reach the six-vote threshold needed), council did not authorize the phase 2 contract. Council members who opposed the measure said the topic will remain a live policy discussion but that the timing and funding approach require rethinking.

Votes at the meeting reflect continued council division on the issue and underscore community interest. Council members who voted yes on DC 1 were Maaz Malek, Yasmine Medina, Mayor Taylor, Gopal Iyer and Council member Watson. Council members voting no included Gazzi Edwin, Ackman, Cornell, Disch and Harrison. The motions to authorize staff preparatory work (DC 2) also failed.

The council did not adopt any new municipalization actions at this meeting; advocates said they will continue outreach and that citizen-led petitions or a future ballot initiative remain possible.","The Ann Arbor City Council voted down a request to fund a phase 2 study assessing purchase of DTE Electric assets, after extended public comment and council debate about cost, equity and timing amid federal funding uncertainty.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ann Arbor council approves library measures, zoning and nonconforming-structure changes; municipalization study rejected

Council narrows language on Harding–Wallingford redesign after residents’ objections; contract approved with amendment

Council sends two charter amendments on downtown library lot to voters; measures would authorize sale and repeal earlier provision

Ann Arbor council rejects funding for next-phase municipalization study; debate focuses on costs, equity and reliability