Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

City Income Tax?

Posted by Matt Hampel on 19. December 2008

Leigh Greden issued a call for thoughts about a city income tax in the thread about the recent Pfizer purchase. His charge:

… The income tax issue is fascinating. I expressed support for one five years ago because: (1) About 60,000 people commute to the City every day, and they use our roads, but pay nothing in taxes; (2) The income tax would result in the elimination of the City’s 6+ mill general operating property tax millage, which means that some (or maybe all) of the new income tax paid by homeowners would be offset by a dramatic reduction in property taxes; and (3) The income tax exemption could be set high enough to mitigate the impact on low-income renters who wouldn’t benefit from the property tax reduction.

I would be very interested in hearing what people think about an income tax.

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Transportation funding in the hands of lame ducks

Posted by Murph on 16. December 2008

Everyone from getDowntown to the Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board to the Michigan Municipal League are urging action on a package of bills before Michigan’s lame duck legislature. The bills would provide for an increase in State transportation funding, which could in turn leverage increased Federal funding. (Without the bills, we will apparently see a decrease in Federal funding.) One such call to action is as follows:

A three-year effort to increase transportation investment in Michigan all comes down to a single day— this Thursday, the final day of debate for the lame duck session.

Policymakers are considering a transportation investment plan that would provide an additional investment of $1.5 billion per year. In short, the legislation would get rid of the state’s per gallon gas and diesel tax and replace them with a percentage tax based on the wholesale price of fuel. The funding package would also adjust vehicle registration fees and close various loopholes. (The bill numbers are House Bills 4577, 6749, 6750 and 6752.)

Your help is needed!

Legislators often tell us that they never hear from constituents regarding this issue. This is your chance. We strongly urge you and all your employees to call your legislators beginning today through Thursday and ask for their support for the transportation investment plan. Go to: http://mi-ita.com/legislative_contact.asp to find your representative and senator.) Tell them how important jobs and the economy are to our state.

Ask to speak to your elected official directly. If they are not available or you get a voicemail, leave them a message encouraging their support. Feel free to make a follow up call again on Thursday to ask how your legislator is going to vote.

The Legislature must not put off action until next year—they MUST act on Thursday.

Please contact Mike Nystrom at mikenystrom@mi-ita.com or Keith Ledbetter at keithledbetter@mi-ita.com or call the MITA office at 517-347-8336 with any questions or comments.

Comment [20]

City Budget Cuts Proposed

Posted by Nancy Shore on 11. December 2008

A memo was recently sent out to City of Ann Arbor Employees asking for their help to cut as much as 15% of the City’s Budget over two years, without materially reducing services.

Below is the text of the memo sent to City Employees:

From: Fraser, Roger
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 3:50 PM
To: *All Employees
Subject: Your Ideas Are Needed

City of Ann Arbor
FY 2010 & 2011 FISCAL PLAN

Introduction

The City has had a good year in FY 2009 thus far. Very few budget cuts were needed due to the actions taken in FY 2008. Now is the time for us to begin our planning for the next two year budget and we need your help. Once again, we need to come up with ways to reduce our spending while keeping our focus on our primary mission, service to the Ann Arbor community. Historically staff has done a great job in coming up with creative and innovative ways to balance expenditures. During the next several weeks, we need to identify ways to cut 15% over two years, without materially reducing services.

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Election Night: special!

Posted by Murph on 3. November 2008

Election Night’s a good night to spend out with like-minded folk, celebrating or commiserating, as the case may be.

For those who want to go straight to the source, County Clerk Kestenbaum will be hosting a shindig:

If you want to be social on Election Night, here’s another option for you.

We’re reviving the old tradition of Election Night at the county seat, featuring immediate access to local election results, local politicos, local reporters, much election conversation and speculation, plentiful food, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Also, televisions to follow national results.

It all starts at 8:00 pm at 200 N. Main (corner of Main & Ann), in downtown Ann Arbor.

Unlike partisan victory parties, you don’t even have to pretend to have worked on a campaign. Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, Socialists, and the unaffiliated all welcome.

You can also stroll to and from, um, partisan parties only a couple blocks away.

To my knowledge, there will be election night parties at the Arbor Brewing Company and Corner Brewery (one can expect these to be leaning, ahem, slightly to the Democrat), and the Sidetrack has a “free beer with ‘i voted’ sticker” special (requires a coupon, too – find a friend on their e-mail list).

Others?

Comment [10]

Impact this Weds.

Posted by Nancy Shore on 8. September 2008

Thought Arbor Update Readers might be interested in getting information about what’s going on with the Schools and Local Government straight from the people in the know.

That’s what Impact is all about. Here are the details:

At Impact 2008, local leaders will be providing conference attendees with a picture of the current state of affairs as well as a vision of hope for the future. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with leaders and administrators from Ann Arbor Public Schools and Washtenaw Intermediate School District and government officials from the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County in a community dialogue on the issues of cooperation, collaboration and shared services.

Attendees can choose from two breakout sessions where there will be a closer look at the issues and the challenges. The sessions will consist of:

1) “The Schools” Dr. Bill Miller, Dr. Todd Roberts and other school administrators will be heading up discussions on the innovative programming going on in area schools, the gaps in the financial structure and plans for developing a ‘Washtenaw Promise.’

2) “Local Government” Roger Fraser and Bob Guenzel, among other local government leaders, will be leading discussions regarding ongoing and future collaboration efforts, government efficiency, your expectations of your local government and the difficult choices ahead.

Cost is $65 for Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce Members, $75 for others. You’ll need to register for the event by Tuesday, Sept 9th at 12noon.

Even if you can’t go we can start a discussion here about these topics and how folks think they should evolve in the coming years.

Comment

City Council: It Takes a Village (Corner)

Posted by Juliew on 6. August 2008

Thursday, August 7 at 7:00 pm.
Ann Arbor City HallAgenda

Highlights:

  • Maple Cove mixed-use Office/Residential Complex Site Plan
  • 601 Forest (Village Corner) Site Plan and Development Agreement
  • Revisions to the Citizen Participation Ordinance
  • Resolution to order election and determine ballot question for charter amendment requiring voter approval of the sale of park land

Comment [15]

August 2008 primary tomorrow

Posted by Bruce Fields on 3. August 2008

For all those people who like to cram for tests at the last minute:

ArborUpdate articles:

Comment [60]

Candidate Debates

Posted by Juliew on 21. July 2008

The League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area is holding candidate debates July 22, 23 and 24. These will air on Ann Arbor’s Community Television Network’s channel 19 and will be rebroadcast multiple times. The forums will include candidates for Mayor, and the contested Wards 2, 3 and 5 as well for Washtenaw County Commission districts 8 and 9. Please note, these are not the only candidates on the ballot on August 5. August 5 primary election information may be found on the city’s Web site at www.a2gov.org/elections. The Ann Arbor News also has good information in their A2Politics section. Full information on the debates/forums after the break.

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City Council: 42 North Sky

Posted by Juliew on 20. July 2008

Monday, July 21 at 7:00 pm
Ann Arbor City HallAgenda

Highlights:

  • Presentation by DDA on status of design of S. Fifth underground parking structure (not a public hearing, just a presentation)
  • Resolution to Approve North Sky Planned Project Site Plan and Development Agreement, 31.77 Acres, West Side of Pontiac Trail, North of Skydale
  • Resolution to Approve 42 North Site Plan, Development Agreement and Wetland Use Permit, 15.32 Acres, 1430 South Maple Road
  • Changes regarding height and setbacks of buildings in areas other than downtown. These would increase the Floor Area Ratio, increase the maximum height for some zoning, and decrease minimum setbacks in the proposed areas.
  • Ordinance to prohibit the use of plastic grocery carry-out bags for large retail stores (any store with over $1 million in sales).

Comment [49]

City Council: Post-Holiday Cleanup

Posted by Juliew on 6. July 2008

Monday, July 7 at 7:00 pm.
Ann Arbor City HallAgenda

Highlights:

  • Proposal to allow grass clippings in compost (revisited)
  • Resolution to approve a payment in lieu of taxes for Burton Commons Apartments
  • Resolution to approve the sale of three of Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation’s Property in order to allow for a merger with Avalon Housing
  • Resolution to add Project Grow funding to FY09 budget
  • Resolution to approve a conceptual plan to redesign Fifth Avenue and Division streets between Packard and Beakes to be more bicycle and pedestrian friendly (revisited)

Note: This Monday, July 7 is the last day to register to be able to vote in the August elections. Click here for a registration form. The City of Ann Arbor’s Clerk’s Office only lists a P.O. Box, but I think you can take it to the office at 100 N. Fifth Avenue, Phone: (734) 994-2725.

Comment [37]

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