The Ann Arbor City Council met at Larcom City Hall on the evening of Aug. 19 to discuss approving federal grants for urban forestry initiatives in Ann Arbor, a new rental housing project near the University of Michigan’s North Campus, and resubmitting the Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom, and Economy) legislation to the Michigan Legislature. The legislation allows Ann Arbor residents to obtain driver’s licenses and state identification cards without needing proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. documentary status.
In an update to the City Council, Jeffrey Pfeifer, public affairs and engagement manager for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, announced that the Federal Trade Administration had approved a $25 million grant to build zero-emission hydrogen buses.
“First … there was some exciting news at TheRide regarding zero-emission buses,” said Pfeifer. “In April, we submitted an application to the FTA for a low-emission (or zero-emission) bus grant and are pleased to announce that in early July, we learned from the FTA that we would be receiving $25 million as part of our grant application.”
Pfeifer also announced that starting August 25, TheRide will expand its service hours and increase the frequency of transportation at night, on weekends and holidays. Weekday service hours will begin at 6 a.m. and end at 11:30 p.m., and intervals between bus arrivals have been shortened to 30 minutes on weekends.
“Secondly, we want to announce that TheRide is proud to continue to deliver on the promises we made to our voters in our 2022 millage proposal,” Pfeifer said. “Starting next Monday, August 26, we will be expanding our service, basically offering more service at shorter intervals.”
During his speaking time, Adam Goodman, an Ann Arbor resident in District 5, addressed the shortcomings of Ann Arbor’s Vision Zero plan. The plan, which was in the works for years and finally completed in 2021, aims to reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in serious traffic crashes by 2025. Goodman attended the protest rally outside City Hall on July 26, calling for improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians on Ann Arbor streets.
“Almost 10 years ago, we set a Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and serious crashes by 2025, and at that point it was clear we were not going to meet that goal,” Goodman said. “So I think it’s worth asking what we’ve actually done over the last nearly 10 years. Well, one thing we’ve done is make a lot of plans.”
Goodman acknowledged the positive impact of city initiatives, including the 2015 Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force report and the Vision Zero plan, but said progress on pedestrian safety in Ann Arbor remains limited.
“My question is: Most of these plans look great, but when can we stop planning and start implementing?” Goodman said. “Because it seems like we’ve spent the last 10 years in a never-ending cycle of plans and more plans that have probably cost millions of dollars without actually showing many improvements on the ground.”
Another topic of discussion at the meeting was the expansion of a free gun lock program in Ann Arbor. Free, no-questions-asked gun locks are now available at three Ann Arbor District Library locations – Downtown, Westgate and Malletts Creek. The program came about after a collaboration with Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson about the need to expand gun safety measures in Ann Arbor, according to City Councilmember Dharma Akmon, D-Ward 4.
“One important tool for (shooting) prevention is locking your gun,” Akmon said. “A few months ago, a constituent approached me and asked if the city could offer gun locks in vending machines, similar to what we do for Narcan and other public health products. That led to a conversation with Chief Anderson and his team about how we could offer free gun locks with no questions asked.”
Mayor Christopher Taylor also announced that Ann Arbor will receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act, earmarked for urban forestry conservation. Previous sustainability initiatives supported by Inflation Reduction Act funds include Ann Arbor’s multimillion-dollar purchase of solar power technology.
“We as a community organization will receive $1 million to support our urban forestry efforts, which are critical to the quality of life, health and pollution control here in the city,” Taylor said.
The City Council approved the resolution to accept these funds.
Councilwoman Lisa Disch, D-Ward 1, introduced Resolution DS-1, a rezoning proposal to approve a 131-unit housing project in Owl Creek near UM North Campus. The new complex will integrate existing infrastructure to make the construction process more efficient, Disch said.
“I am very pleased to discuss this project, which, as a public commenter mentioned, is a housing project that utilizes existing infrastructure to efficiently provide additional housing units,” Disch said. “This rezoning allows us to consider a development plan that will construct a 131-unit multifamily development adjacent to an existing parking lot.”
City Councilman Chris Watson, D-Ward 2, expressed his support for the housing project. He said new rental housing is not only a need in the Ann Arbor community, but it will also help the city meet its sustainability goals.
“I am pleased to say that I support this project because it is an infill development that will provide much-needed rental housing in District 2 on a site that has already been prepared for residential use,” Watson said. “In addition to the electric units, there are parking spaces (for electric vehicles), 10 of which are already installed and 86 are ready for use. Overall, this project helps achieve our sustainability goals for the city.”
This resolution was adopted.
The City Council then discussed the resolution supporting Michigan’s Drive SAFE laws, sponsored by City Council members Erica Briggs, D-Ward 5, and Akmon. The bills, introduced back in 2021, allow Ann Arbor residents to obtain a driver’s license or state ID card regardless of their documentation status. Currently, 19 other states and Washington, DC have passed similar laws. Akmon spoke about the history of bills in the state.
“The purpose of these bills is to restore Michigan’s pre-2008 practice whereby residents can obtain a Michigan driver’s license and identification card regardless of whether they can prove U.S. citizenship or immigration status,” Akmon said. “It is in our collective interest that all Michigan drivers be trained, screened and tested, familiarized with Michigan driving laws and also have the opportunity to obtain auto insurance.”
Akmon also emphasized the importance of passing the law, including reducing the number of hit-and-run accidents and uninsured drivers in Michigan.
“Law enforcement and other states have expressed support for this because it allows them to focus on other important public safety issues,” Akmon said. “Far fewer people are being found guilty of illegal driving. There is a dramatic decrease in the number of uninsured drivers and fewer hit-and-run accidents as well.”
This resolution was adopted unanimously.
Daily editor Claudia Minetti can be reached at [email protected].
