Anne Arbor City Council hears transit grants and fare plans
Buses will run without fares on November 3, while a $6.6 million grant will fund planning for faster service along a regional corridor.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — ann arbor area transportation authority (aaata), old business, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The transit authority said it has made no final bus rapid transit decisions and will seek public input as planning continues.
Bus fares will disappear for one day this November. At an Anne Arbor City Council meeting, a transit authority representative said buses would run fare-free on November 3, Election Day, following a proposal from county commissioners. The authority is working with the county to explore low-cost transportation for people experiencing homelessness during the coldest winter months. It did not announce a specific winter service.
The transit authority also reported a $6.6 million state grant for advanced planning of bus rapid transit along the corridor between Anne Arbor and a neighboring city. The money will fund data collection, analysis of possible improvements, preliminary engineering and work on the federal review process. The representative said no final decisions have been made and that the public will have opportunities to weigh in.
Riders face a more immediate change downtown: construction has temporarily closed the transit center, moving its terminal to a nearby street. The authority has no firm return date but hopes to move back by the end of the year. It also reported $25 million in federal funding for low-emissions buses, plus a $1 million grant and a separate $1 million earmark for a neighboring city's transit center. Construction there is expected to begin next year. The representative closed by thanking the mayor for years of service.
Old Business: Bylaws Term-Limit Language Discussion Deferred; Policy Subcommittee Chair Assignment
The Anne Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission put off a detailed review of its term-limit bylaws until November. Its chair asked a commissioner to lead the policy subcommittee after its previous chair resigned. The commissioner agreed to bring proposed language to the next meeting, giving members a draft to consider before they discuss changes.
The chair said the current rules could cause the commission to lose four members in May 2027. With 10 members now, that would leave six, which the chair described as the minimum needed for a quorum. One more departure could then threaten the commission’s ability to conduct business. The chair said a change to the term-limit language could give the commission more time to maintain its membership.
The chair suggested consulting the city attorney to check the proposed wording and the process for eventual Anne Arbor City Council approval. Commissioners agreed to defer the fuller discussion. The Anne Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission took no vote on a bylaws change, leaving the current rules in place while the policy subcommittee prepares its proposal.
Council hears testimony on glue trap ban
Anne Arbor City Council held a public hearing on a proposed glue trap ban. Speakers described animal suffering, risks to other wildlife and public health concerns; several urged people to seal entry points and remove food sources instead of using the traps. The council closed the hearing after taking comments in person and remotely.
The proposal would change which pest-control products businesses can use, and residents have now weighed in publicly.
Police oversight commission reports vacancy, schedules complaint review
The Anne Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission welcomed two new members and reported a resignation that leaves one vacancy. Its chair scheduled a November 4 review of materials and body-camera videos for five or six completed complaints, and reminded commissioners that three missed meetings in a calendar year require notice to the mayor.
The vacancy affects commission staffing as members prepare to examine completed police complaints.
Parks commission reports trail reopening and survey
The Anne Arbor Parks Advisory Commission heard that a trail reopened after a temporary culvert fix and that the splash pad closed for the season. Staff said a public parks-planning survey remains open through December 15, with open houses November 12 at the downtown library and November 14 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Residents can use the survey and open houses to help shape the city’s parks plan.
Buhr Park extends skating hours during rink closure
The Anne Arbor Parks Advisory Commission heard that Buhr Park will take on more skating while Veterans Memorial Pool & Ice Arena is closed for the year. Staff said Buhr Park extended closing time from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to fit more groups; last year it recorded 10,000 open-skate visits, up 17%.
The later closing time gives skating groups another hour of ice time during the rink closure.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
ANN ARBOR had 68 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCENatural Area Preservation (NAP) Update — USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Grant Restoration Work. NAP Supervisor Rachel Maranto described a $1 million USDA Forest Service grant (with $375,000 for NAP) focused on ecological restoration in disadvantaged census tracts. She detailed a four-phase invasive shrub removal and follow-up plan across 41 acres and highlighted forestry mowing at Black Pond Woods as a new, efficient restoration technique.
- GOVERNANCEResolution to Approve Conversion to One-Way Traffic on Kerry Street. Council approved CA7 to convert Kerry Street to one-way traffic, described as necessary to advance the Division Street Bikeway extension and address safety issues at the Division/Kerry/Broadway area. Staff presented safety findings and traffic impacts; council members debated safety, congestion, and alternatives before approving.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance to Add Chapter 83 (Virtual Currency Kiosk Regulations). Council adopted C1, an ordinance adding Chapter 83 regulating virtual currency kiosks. The sponsor cited local fraud incidents and emphasized consumer protections such as licensing, warnings, identity verification, and transaction limits.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance to Amend Chapter 108 Disorderly Conduct (Protections for Access to Places of Worship). Council adopted C2 amending the disorderly conduct ordinance to add protections for access to places of worship, addressing threatening, harassing, intimidating activity and physical obstruction that creates reasonable fear for safety. Council members cited incidents and long-running harassment concerns while emphasizing constitutional limits.
- GOVERNANCECouncil establishes a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness. Council approved a resolution establishing rights for people experiencing homelessness, emphasizing dignity and non-discrimination. It directs the City Administrator to review policies, training and procedures and report back within 180 days; commissioners discussed possibly supporting the resolution at a future meeting.
- GOVERNANCEResolution to Establish Small Business Development as a Strategic Priority within the Office of Economic Development. Council approved DC1 establishing small business development as a strategic priority within the Office of Economic Development. Sponsors cited challenges such as rising rents and permitting delays and emphasized technical support, process improvements, and equity. Council adopted an amendment to address displacement and relocation support.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment (Opening) — Nixon/Traver Crossing Safety and Crossing Guard Support. A parent and crossing-guard-related commenter urged the commission to address safety at Nixon and Traver, describing difficulty getting drivers to stop and requesting a mechanical traffic-control aid such as flashing lights.
- GOVERNANCEResolution to Support Geothermal Installations in City Facilities. Council approved DC3 supporting geothermal installations in city facilities. Sponsors cited A20 decarbonization goals and noted federal tax credits for geothermal systems expiring in 2027, urging timely action to take advantage of incentives.
- GOVERNANCECouncil Communications — Farewell Remarks and Announcements. Council communications included a farewell statement from Council Member Cornell, an announcement about a fire station reopening and ribbon cutting (Oct. 30 at 1:00), and multiple nomination/appointment actions to boards and commissions.
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