Disability commission tables recruitment chair vacancy
A vacancy on the recruitment committee raised a basic question: does the commission need an election now, or can one volunteer step in until next month?
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — new business, staffing updates and annual stall move, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Members left the chair open for now, with Zach Damon set to lead the recruitment committee in the meantime until the issue returns next meeting.
One vacant chair slowed a simple piece of commission business. During new business at the Anne Arbor Commission on Disability Issues, a commissioner said the recruitment committee chair had resigned and argued the post is elected, which meant the commission might need to hold another vote. That set off a short debate over procedure, not personalities.
Zach Damon said the commission does not always need a formal election in every case. He pointed to a recent example where only one person sought the recruitment chair role. Under that approach, a vote would be needed if two people wanted the job, but not necessarily if only one member volunteered. Damon said he would lead the recruitment committee in the meantime.
Another commissioner urged the group to wait, saying members who were absent might still want to serve. The commission agreed. Members made and seconded a motion to table the recruitment committee chair issue until the next meeting and place it on the agenda. The motion passed without opposition, leaving the committee with interim leadership and the formal question unresolved for now.
Staffing Updates and Annual Stall Move
Staff said the Farmers Market is still working through a shifting lineup. Taylor is nearing the end of a two-month stretch with the market, and his last market day will be next Saturday, with staff on site for a half day. Staff said Taylor is expected back at the end of November, Jade could return in early October once paperwork is complete, and another staff member is expected back fully in mid-February.
That means the market is not fully staffed yet, though staff said the team will soon look different. They told vendors more changes are coming soon, even as several returns are expected over the next few months.
The bigger immediate task is the annual stall move, set for Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Staff said the yearly reshuffle gives newer vendors who have gained annual status a chance at permanent stall assignments, with seniority and listing order shaping who moves where. One artisan and seven producers are gaining seniority this cycle, and staff said multiple stalls should be available.
Resident presses Lockwood heating questions
A resident used public comment to challenge gas heating at Lockwood Senior Living on Ellsworth, saying the project had promised an electric building before city approval. The speaker asked for answers to earlier questions and tied the issue to a later agenda item involving 3695 South State Street.
Resident criticized Lockwood Senior Living's gas boilers after expecting an all-electric building.
North Main study backs three-lane redesign
Consultants presented a preferred Vision Zero concept that would remake North Main as a three-lane corridor with wider sidewalks, buffers, and a shared-use path north of Summit Street. They said the corridor had 15 serious injury crashes in the last 10 years, and projected construction in 2028 for the Huron-to-Depot segment.
Preferred North Main redesign would reshape lanes, sidewalks, paths, intersections, and M-14 interchange access.
Commission reviews Division bikeway extension
Staff, the DDA, and consultants walked through plans to extend the Division Street bikeway from Catherine Street toward the Broadway Bridge and Plymouth Road. Commissioners focused on accessibility, bus boarding island safety, transit stop changes, and how the project fits with the proposed Kerry Street traffic change.
The project would change how people bike, walk, ride transit, and drive through a key north-south corridor.
Commission backs one-way Kerry Street change
The commission unanimously recommended making Kerry Street one-way northbound between Depot and Division after moving the item earlier on the agenda. Public speakers supported the change and connected it to broader safety concerns and the nearby bikeway network.
Drivers, cyclists, and nearby residents could see traffic pattern changes on Kerry Street if City Council gives final approval.
- Ann Arbor Planning Commission. During the closing public comment period, a University of Michigan Law School student said they attended as part of a local government class and asked what local government issues commissioners think are important for younger people to care about. The student did not provide additional comment due to time.
- Ann Arbor Planning Commission. During the opening public comment period, one resident criticized the use of gas boilers at Lockwood Senior Living on Ellsworth, stating the project had promised an electric building but was built with gas heat. The resident asked for follow-up on prior requests for answers and referenced a later agenda item involving Lockwood.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
ANN ARBOR had 38 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCERFP Update: Community Visioning and Engagement Process for the Farmers Market (Market Ventures Recommendation). Deputy Manager Remy Long presented an update on the city’s RFP for a 12-month community visioning and engagement process for the farmers market. Staff recommended Market Ventures as the top proposer from 15 submissions, described the proposed team and scope, and outlined a proposed fee of 378,000 plus a 10% contingency, with the DDA tentatively contributing nearly 60% pending approval.
- GOVERNANCETransportation safety updates span signals, crashes, and quick-build corridors. Commissioners and staff reviewed a wide set of transportation safety issues, from pedestrian signal problems, bike lane obstructions, and stop-control requests to crash data and a fatal July crash on Heron River Drive. The meeting also included a Transportation Commission report and an update on the federal Safe Streets and Roads program, which would test quick-build treatments on 10 corridors in 2027.
- GOVERNANCEMarket operations updates cover events, repairs, and food aid. Staff discussed a short-notice chance to table at Harvest Fest, ongoing facility repairs at the market site, nearby construction and access conditions, and current food assistance programs including SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Produce Connections, and Senior Project Fresh. The update included year-to-date spending figures and noted lower vendor participation in some nutrition programs.
- GOVERNANCEDisability network and library share fall programs. Staff from Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston and the Ann Arbor District Library highlighted upcoming classes, arts events, volunteer opportunities, and services for blind and print-disabled users. Commissioners asked practical questions about dates, costs, and access, and one praised new tactile strips at the library entrance.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncements. Commissioners shared announcements including the Transportation Commission meeting occurring later that day and information about the AAATA Local Advisory Council meeting schedule. A commissioner stated they would email links for October 17–18 events for broader sharing.
- GOVERNANCEU-M Council for Disability Concerns Report and National Disability Employment Awareness Month Event. A commissioner reported that the U-M Council for Disability Concerns did not meet in July or August due to cancellations, and that September’s meeting was abbreviated. The commissioner highlighted National Disability Employment Awareness Month events on October 6 at the Michigan Union, including a keynote, workshop, and resource fair.
- GOVERNANCEAccessibility and outreach updates from commissioners and staff. Commissioners and staff shared brief updates on accessibility issues, including a problem at 3393 Plymouth that appeared to be resolved, an ADA celebration, commissioner name tags, and plans to promote disability arts events. Staff also relayed a City Council update touching on the Klein’s Lot sale, accessibility parking, and policy work underway before a council member leaves office.
- GOVERNANCERecruiting Activity Report. The Vice Chair reported that the commission had filled a position with the addition of Commissioner Ben Bond and stated there was one vacancy remaining. Commissioners were encouraged to recruit and share application information with interested community members.
- GOVERNANCEBylaws Discussion: Term Limits for Chair/Vice Chair (Tabled). The commission discussed potential changes to bylaws language on chair/vice chair term limits, including keeping the current language, deleting the last sentence, or allowing three terms. Members expressed differing views on the need for term limits. The commission voted to table the issue to the next meeting.
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