Brines Recommended for Greenbelt Group

At its Oct. 12, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor greenbelt advisory commission voted unanimously to recommend that Shannon Brines be appointed to fill a vacancy on the commission.

Brines is an Ann Arbor resident and owner of Brines Farm in Dexter. He is a lecturer and manager of the environmental spatial analysis (ESA) lab at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. Since 2007 Brines also has served on the city’s public market advisory commission, which handles issues related to the farmers market. His current term on that commission ends in 2014.

Two vacancies opened on GAC earlier this year. Liz Rother was appointed by the city council in June to replace term-limited Jennifer Santi Hall. The remaining vacancy is an at-large slot, held by former GAC member Gil Omenn. For most city commissions, members are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the council. However, greenbelt commissioners are both nominated and confirmed by the city council.

It’s likely that his nomination will be put forward by city councilmember Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5), who also serves on GAC. Hohnke did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.

This brief was filed from the council chambers at city hall, where the greenbelt advisory commission meets. A more detailed report will follow: [link]