Comments on: Ann Arbor DDA Ponders Response to City

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:43:20 +0000

I was mistaken. It would be a doubling of the rent, not a quadrupling.

By: Karen Sidney

Karen Sidney — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:17:30 +0000

I know there are substantial costs associated with issuing municipal bonds because of various professional fees. The implication is that the $1.5 million is going to the city, not underwriters and other professionals. Is my assumption correct? If so, what services is the city providing in exchange for the $1.5 million?

By: Stew Nelson

Stew Nelson — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:02:19 +0000

It is ironic that the AA News on the editorial page today raised the issue of the DDA utilized as Council’s ATM or Piggy Bank. Perhaps the AA News should review their notes of meetings last fall with candidates for the general election. In a Ready, Fire, Aim manner the News endorsed every council candidate that today continues to perpetuate this questionable practice. Hopefully this year the AA News will ask each city council candidate how they feel about this practice. It will be interesting to see what response the Editorial Staff get from current council candidates up for re-election.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:01:00 +0000

I’m confused – is the $2 million per year for on-street parking spaces? I thought that it was for the city-owned structures. I don’t really understand the meter rent/fee question.

And while we’re at it, the DDA is also responsible for a $500,000 annual payment toward the City hall/addition/public safety and justice bldg, or whatever, right? That is in addition to these other sums and comes from the TIF fund, right?

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:29:10 +0000

Karen Sidney asks: “What is the $1.5 million payment in fiscal year 2009-10?”

Apologies: a helpful explanatory phrase was struck during editing. I’ve restored it: “$1.5 million municipal bond fee paid in fiscal year 2009-10.”

There’s also a subtlety involving the year in which the fees are “assigned.”

The details of the resolution will no doubt be firmed up by next Wednesday when the full board meets.

The connection of the bond fees to the meter rent payment seems like an opening to the conversation about the parking agreement, which the city has asked to take place: Yes, let’s talk about the parking agreement … and while we’re at it, let’s talk about bond fees!

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:26:15 +0000

I think it’s interesting that what was originally an agreement for an annual $1 million payment by the DDA to the City over a ten-year period, in which the City exercised its option to receive the funds in annual payments of $2 million over the first five years, has now become a request for $2 million for the same purpose (if I understand correctly.) That’s essentially a quadrupling of the original rent for the on-street parking spaces, assuming that they’re asking that the payments extend beyond the next fiscal year.

I find it even more interesting that no one on either council or the DDA (with the possible exception of Jennifer Hall, who at least seems to smell something fishy) has acknowledged/realized that.

Someone please tell me I’m mistaken.

By: Karen Sidney

Karen Sidney — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Another menu item that would be less symbolic would be for the DDA to reduce its meter rent payment to the city by the $1.5 million paid in fiscal year 2009-10.

What is the $1.5 million payment in fiscal year 2009-10? The only two payments from the DDA parking fund to the city that I know about is the “rent” and the $700,000 to $800,000 annual payment to maintain the streets. Is there now a third payment?

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:54:33 +0000

Thanks, Diane. Once again, you expressed the thoughts that I had in my own mind. The AA Chronicle has already exponentially ratcheted up the information flow in the AA area. Let’s keep the Chronicle going and that information flowing…

By: Linda Diane Feldt

Linda Diane Feldt — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:44:50 +0000

You can do your own subscription. Rather than a lump sum, I donate a “subscription” amount each month. The monthly status report is my reminder it is “due”.
According to the tip jar page, there are far fewer contributors for Feb. It would be great if March brought in a bunch of people wanting to donate or “subscribe”.
If you haven’t seen this page yet, look to the right of the mast head on every page for “tip jar”. That’s the link. It feels good, so I hope more people will do it!

By: Peter Bratt

Peter Bratt — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:15:28 +0000

The AA Chronicle is a great paper-It makes me miss AA from out here in Philly. Keep up the great work, and let me know if there is a subscription plan in the works.