top of page

Dharma's Council Newsletter, Jan. 7, 2023 | COFFEE HOUR

Hello Neighbors,


Happy New Year! Before I get to a preview of our City Council meeting on Monday, I have information on an upcoming coffee hour, public input opportunities on unarmed response, and a citizen participation meeting for a proposed Ward 4 apartment development.

Ward 4 Coffee Hour with Dharma and Jen

Councilmember Eyer and I are holding our first joint coffee hour Sunday, January 15 from 1-2pm at York Food and Drink (1928 Packard St.). This is an opportunity for us to discuss local issues and to hear your thoughts on council work. I hope to see you there! RSVP (or just show up!) https://fb.me/e/2lOcBIB1r.

Unarmed Crisis Response Team Public Forums

In April 2021, City Council passed a resolution directing the City to develop an unarmed crisis response team. There are three upcoming forums to gather feedback from the community on the best way to create a team of unarmed social and human services professionals to respond to crisis and public safety calls in Ann Arbor:

  • Monday, January 9, 1pm. In person at the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library, Multipurpose room in the basement.

  • Thursday, January 12, 6pm. In person at the Pittsfield Ann Arbor District Library Branch, Program room.

  • Thursday, January 19, 6pm. Virtual via Zoom. https://pscinc.co/discuss. Meeting ID: 859 4501 3079 Passcode: 090446.

More information can be found on the Unarmed Crisis Response Program page.

Citizen Participation Meeting, 5 Corners PUD Site Plan

The property owner is proposing a Planned Unit Development to construct a 6- to 14-story apartment building of approximately 360 units, located near the intersection of State and Packard streets. A citizen participation meeting is being held Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom (https://zoom.us/join. Meeting ID: 876 9388 8643 Passcode: 768261. Or dial by phone 888-788-0099 or 646-931-3860). This is an opportunity to review plans, ask questions, and provide comments.

City Council Meeting, Monday, January 9th at 7pm

Please reach out if there are items on the agenda that raise questions, concerns, or thoughts for you. Email: DAkmon@A2gov.org. Phone/text: 734-492-5866.

There are a few ways to share your thoughts on items on the agenda:

  • eComment

  • Email City Council: CityCouncil@a2gov.org

  • Comment at the meeting (online or in person): Call the city clerk's office at 734.794.6140 beginning at 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting to reserve a public speaking time. NOTE: you do not need to reserve time to speak at a "public hearing."

A few items of note from the agenda:

  • CA-8 Resolution to Rescind Resolution R-22-214 for a Power Purchase Agreement with Enerlogics Networks, Inc., Approve a Construction Contract with Enerlogics Networks, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Solar at City Facilities, to Reallocate Funding for Solar Projects Previously Approved, and to Appropriate Necessary Funds ($8,133,255.00). In June of 2022, City Council approved a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Enerlogics Networks, Inc. for solar systems to be installed at seven city locations. However, the Inflation Reduction Act now makes it possible for the City to receive a 30% tax rebate if it directly purchases the solar system. This resolution seeks to rescind the PPA and, instead, directly purchase the solar system, which will ultimately save the City $3,511,028. Several questions related to this item are answered in the Response Memo from Dec. 19.

  • PH-1 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 14 (Purchasing, Selling and Contracting Procedure) of Title I of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor related to the Best Value Procurement Program. The original ordinance was adopted approximately a year ago. Staff are asking for revisions intended to streamline and strengthen the program. This is the second reading of this ordinance, and Council will vote on it.

  • PH-4. Resolution to Adopt the 2023- 2028 Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan (Adopted by the CPC on January 4, 2023). An element of the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan (PROS Plan) provides a vision for the future, an overview of services and programs, an inventory of parkland and amenities, an explanation of the budget and land acquisition process, and the long-term goals of the park system. The process for updating the plan started a year ago and involved extensive public input via a City-wide email survey, focus groups, and public meetings. The scope of our parks system is impressive, and I highly recommend you have a look at the PROS Plan.

  • C-1. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.19 Acres from R4C (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development District), 530 N. Division Street Zoning and Supplemental Regulations. This is a proposal to rezone a 0.19-acre site in the Old Fourth Ward Historic District from R4C (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development), and to construct a residential building with 4 residential units totaling 24 bedrooms in a single building. Notably, the proposed building will be all electric (the natural gas supply to the property will be removed) and carbon-neutral. City Planning Commission unanimously approved the current proposal, and now City Council will vote on it.

How Council Voted The Ann Arbor Voting Charts Project is a community-maintained for voting history for City Council. Check out the December 19, 2022 Voting Chart.

Comments


bottom of page