Archive for August, 2011

Included as a part of the city council’s Aug. 4 agenda information packet is a summary of responses to the city’s online survey on the topic of slightly increasing the street repair millage, up for renewal in November 2011, to include sidewalk repairs. Sidewalk repairs have up to now been the responsibility of property owners. The survey reflects overwhelming sentiment that it should be the city’s responsibility to repair the sidewalks.

But the survey reflects some resistance to the idea that an increase in taxes is warranted. From the free-responses: “Stop wasting taxpayer money on parking structures, new city buildings, and public art. You are spending money like drunken sailors while we’re in the worst recession since the Great Depression.” Balanced … [Full Story]

The Detroit News reports on the impact of the new “oddly shaped” U.S. 14th Congressional District in metro Detroit, which resembles a large S and spans a wide range of communities. The article quotes John Chamberlin, a University of Michigan professor of political science and public policy: “It’s the ugliest district Michigan has had since they’ve started doing redistricting. It’s clearly tortured. Something is going on.” [Source]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor planning commission voted to approve a temporary Verizon cell tower at the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing property on 400 E. Stadium Blvd., east of the corner at Stadium and Main. The tower will be 80 feet tall and remain located there from Aug. 15, 2011 until Dec. 15, 2011. The purpose of the tower is to boost coverage for wireless communications during University of Michigan football games at Michigan Stadium.

According to a staff memo, the tower base would be surrounded by a 6-foot high opaque fence and would not be visible from East Stadium Boulevard.

Last year, a similar temporary tower – about 100 feet high – was installed on a gravel lot … [Full Story]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners approved a mid-year budget adjustment that increased the general fund budget by $1.42 million. The adjustment also increased the county Community Support and Treatment Services (CSTS) department’s budget by $150,003.

The general fund adjustment reflects an increase of $3,476,225 in property tax revenue for 2011, offset by a $1,034,000 shortfall in anticipated expense reductions. The 2011 budget approved by commissioners in late 2010 included the use of $5,289,000 from the county’s fund balance. In light of increased property tax revenues, only $2,921,391 will be used from the fund balance for the current budget year, which ends Dec. 31. The total 2011 general fund budget is $100,696,000.

The CSTS increase reflects an adjustment in the … [Full Story]

Initial approval to apply for an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant was given by the Washtenaw County board of commissioners at their Aug. 3, 2011 meeting. A final vote is expected at their next board meeting on Sept. 7.

The $42,587 grant would be awarded to the Washtenaw County sheriff’s office by the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funds would be used to support the sheriff’s community outreach program, according to a staff memo. Specifically, the grant would fund a part-time community engagement coordinator and two of the program’s five peer outreach workers.

Commissioners also set a public hearing for Sept. 7 to get input on how the grant will be used.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the … [Full Story]

At their Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, Washtenaw County commissioners gave initial approval to continue the county’s participation in the Urban County program – from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015 – and to expand the program to include six additional jurisdictions. A final vote is expected on Sept. 7.

“Urban County” is a designation of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, identifying a county with more than 200,000 people. With that designation, individual governments within the Urban County can become members, making them entitled to an allotment of funding through a variety of HUD programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships. Those two programs provide funding for projects to benefit low- and moderate-income … [Full Story]

At their Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, Washtenaw County commissioners gave final approval to a major consolidation of three county departments: the office of community development (OCD); the economic development & energy department; and the employment training and community services (ETCS) department. An initial vote of approval had been taken at their July 6, 2011 meeting, though some commissioners had asked for more details about the proposed changes, which would take effect on Jan. 1, 2012. [.pdf of responses to commissioner questions]

OCD director Mary Jo Callan will lead the new office of community & economic development. The goal is to cut costs by eliminating duplicated services in the face of declining revenues, while finding ways to deliver those services more efficiently … [Full Story]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners authorized a contract with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, funding educational programs at the county’s Juvenile Detention Center and the Daybreak Residential program.

The agreement provides $380,379 for the 2011-12 school year, and gives the county administrator the authority to sign second-year contracts for the 2012-13 school year. The county expects to be reimbursed by the state for all but $75,370 of the annual cost. According to a staff memo, the WISD would provide two certified teachers and a half-time school social worker for up to 30 youth, based on the program capacities and a ratio no greater than one teacher to 10 youth, as required by state and federal … [Full Story]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners gave final approval to an agreement with the Michigan Nurses Association – Unit I. The agreement covers the period from July 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2013.

The collective bargaining agreement, which affects 13 public health nurses and nurse coordinators in the county’s health services department, was given initial approval on July 6. It’s the first of 15 union agreements being negotiated as part of the 2012 and 2013 budget cycle, and is expected to achieve an annual savings of $132,000.

In total, the county hopes to see about $8 million in labor concessions for the two-year budget cycle, to help address a projected $17.5 million deficit. [There are 17 ... [Full Story]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners scheduled three public hearings for its Sept. 7 meeting – including two related to countywide millages.

The hearings are intended to get feedback from the public on these three items: (1) a millage levied under the Veterans Relief Fund Act; (2) a millage collected under Public Act 88 to be used for economic development purposes; and (3) the use of funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, awarded by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

The veterans relief millage would not exceed 1/40th of a mill, to be levied in December 2011 for use during the calendar year 2012. It’s estimated to bring in $344,486 and would be used to provide services for … [Full Story]

At its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners held a public hearing and subsequently approved an interlocal agreement with the Southeast Michigan Energy Office Community Alliance (SEMRO). The Ferndale-based nonprofit (SEMRO) provides technical services to the county in identifying and implementing federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant projects. [.pdf of interlocal agreement]

The energy office is a division of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. County commissioner and board chair Conan Smith is CEO of the alliance. The board voted initially to join the energy office at its March 17, 2010 meeting. Smith abstained from that vote. Smith was absent from the Aug. 3 meeting.

During the Aug. 3 public hearing on the issue, one person spoke – Thomas Partridge. … [Full Story]

Washtenaw County’s finance staff and county administrator Verna McDaniel gave a second-quarter budget update to the county board of commissioners at its Aug. 3, 2011 meeting. Expense reductions haven’t materialized as much as expected, but property tax revenues were higher than anticipated. When commissioners originally approved the 2011 budget in late 2010, they had anticipated using $5.289 million from the county’s fund balance. But because property tax revenues were about $3.5 million higher than initially projected, less of the fund balance will be used.

The county now expects to use $2.9 million from its fund balance during 2011. Without that transfer, there would be a projected $2.5 million deficit for the year, on a general fund budget of roughly $100 million. Among several shortfalls … [Full Story]

The Detroit Free Press reports that donations to the University of Michigan athletic department, including donations required for premium seating at Michigan Stadium, had increased 22% by the end of May, compared to the previous year. The article notes that the increase began soon after UM hired Brady Hoke to replace Rich Rodriguez as its football coach. A UM spokesman downplayed the connection, while some fans indicate otherwise, like Mike Warren of Grand Rapids: “Me and some friends were actually talking about getting some of those club seats, but they sold out before we got them. We weren’t going to do it if RichRod was still there, but I think Brady is going to turn this whole program around.” [Source]

Based on unofficial vote totals from all precincts, incumbents in three Ann Arbor city wards have won the Democratic Party’s nomination for city council representative, and they will appear on the ballot in November.

In Ward 2, Stephen Rapundalo received 57% of the vote: 573 votes, compared with Tim Hull’s 420.

In Ward 3, Stephen Kunselman received 59% of the vote: 637 votes, compared to 389 for Ingrid Ault and 55 for Marwan Issa.

And in Ward 5, Mike Anglin received 66% of the votes: 1,088 votes, compared with Neal Elyakin’s 562.

Turnout was down in every ward compared to previous odd-year Democratic primaries. In Ward 2 only 6.39% of registered voters turned in a ballot. In Ward 3, only 8.84% of those who are registered actually voted. And in Ward 5, registered voters had a turnout of only 8.71%.

In the city’s other two wards, no Democratic primary was contested. No ward had a contested Republican primary.

In Ward 2, for the Nov. 8, 2011 general election, Rapundalo does not currently face a challenger. The deadline for an independent candidate to file is Aug. 15.

In Ward 3, Kunselman’s name will appear on the ballot along with Republican David Parker. In Ward 5, Mike Anglin will face Republican Stuart Berry.

In Ward 4, which did not require a primary election, incumbent Democrat Marcia Higgins will face Republican Eric Scheie in November. In Ward 1, incumbent Democrat Sabra Briere faced no primary challenger and will face no challenger on the ballot in November unless an independent files qualifying petitions by Aug. 15. [Full Story]

Dine Michigan features a review of Arbor Brewing Co.: ”This pub has it all. Chef Nichole is outstanding with her desire to buy fresh, locally grown products and changing the menu often to keep up with Michigan’s seasons. The founders Matt and Rene [Greff], to you we tip our hats. They are keeping up with the food movement by serving the food fresh and chemical-free and the brews are tasty and refreshing!” [Source]

Based just on totals from absent voter count boards, it looks likely that incumbents in three Ann Arbor city wards will win the Democratic Party’s nomination for city council representative, and to appear on the ballot in November.

In Ward 2, Stephen Rapundalo received 232 absentee votes (60%) compared with Tim Hull’s 155. In Ward 3, Stephen Kunselman received 159 absentee votes (56%) compared to 120 and 7 for Ingrid Ault and Marwan Issa, respectively. And in Ward 5, Mike Anglin received 298 absentee votes (72%), compared with Neal Elyakin’s 117.

Absent voter count board totals reflect absentee voting totals across all precincts in the ward. Those totals are thus not as susceptible to reflecting an advantage a candidate might enjoy that … [Full Story]

In the city council Democratic primary race for Ward 5, initial combined results from precincts 5-4 and 5-5 show incumbent Mike Anglin with 163 votes, compared to 91 for challenger Neal Elaykin.

Stuart Berry received 2 votes – he was the only choice on the Republican side of the ballot.

On Monday, Aug. 1, Ypsilanti resident David H. Raaflaub submitted ballot language for a recall petition against state Sen. Rebekah Warren, an Ann Arbor Democrat who represents District 18. The language submitted for the recall reads: “Michigan House Bill 4362 eliminates the job-killing Michigan Business Tax; however, on May 12, 2011, State Sen. Rebekah Warren voted ‘No’ on final passage of Michigan House Bill 4362.”

Raaflaub most recently was a Republican candidate in 2010 for Washtenaw County commissioner in District 6. Warren is married to Conan Smith, a Democrat who represents District 10 on the county board of commissioners and who is chair of the board.

Initial steps of a recall require that ballot language be deemed clear by the board of election commissioners in … [Full Story]

In what’s become an election day ritual, The Chronicle will be spending much of the day visiting polling places throughout the city.

For this year’s city council Democratic primary, we’ll be visiting Wards 2, 3 and 5. Only those three of the city’s five wards are contested this year among Democrats. No wards have more than one Republican on the ballot.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

To find your polling place, type in an address on the My Property page of the city of Ann Arbor’s website, and click on the Voter tab.

If you’re still researching the candidates, check out Chronicle coverage of the Democratic city council primary campaigns.

And we’re off – check back throughout the day for updates.

7:20 a.m. Ward 5, Precinct 6 (Eberwhite Elementary School, 800 Soule Blvd.): Met Chronicle commenter DrData face-to-face leaving the polls. Even after chatting, allowing more time for additional voters, DrData remained only the second voter. Poll workers noted that only a couple dozen absentee ballots had been marked in their voter books. The absentee ballots will be counted separately in this election, instead of distributed to the precincts to be run through with the ballots marked at the polls. It’s already plenty stuffy in here in the gym. Poll workers brought fans. [Full Story]

Editor’s note: The monthly milestone column, which appears on the second day of each month – the anniversary of The Ann Arbor Chronicle’s launch – is an opportunity for either the publisher or the editor of The Chronicle to touch base with readers on topics related to this publication.

It’s also a time that we highlight, with gratitude, our local advertisers, and ask readers to consider subscribing voluntarily to The Chronicle to support our work.

Today, on the occasion of the primary elections for the Ann Arbor city council, The Chronicle reminds readers to vote and to encourage their neighbors and co-workers to do the same. Not sure where your polling place is located? Type your address into the My Property page of the city website.

Next month, publisher Mary Morgan will write a column commemorating the third anniversary of The Ann Arbor Chronicle. The achievement of that chronological milestone will be a big deal. Given the overall economic climate in Michigan, I think it’s a big deal for any new enterprise to stay in business for three years.

But the milestone I look forward to achieving is not chronological. It’s a milestone that will depend on The Chronicle’s meeting more than modest pay-the-bills financial goals. It’s the milestone of … dog ownership.

I’d like a dog.

Owning a dog is a big time commitment. And currently, the demands of reporting, writing and editing for The Chronicle make it impossible even to contemplate adding the burden of that commitment.

That’s fine for now. Besides, the two cats that share our house would likely not vote for the addition of any dog to the household. They have been known to register their dissent on various (unknown) household issues using standard feline communication channels.

So for now, I’d join the feline party in voting against a dog. That vote is based in part on deference to the cats. But it’s also based on the fact that The Chronicle has not yet achieved the financial success required to add a dog to the household. Some of our work is already farmed out to paid freelancers. But only when we are able to distribute more of the current work load to other people (by rewarding them with cash money), will I be able to think about taking on a dog.

So once again, I will use the monthly milestone column in part to sit up and beg: Here’s how to support The Chronicle with a voluntary subscription.

To lend some detail to this month’s pitch, I’d like to stress that it’s not just any dog I am looking for. I’m looking for a dog that can easily carry the name Shep the Newshound. He’ll come from the Humane Society of Huron Valley’s shelter. And I will refer to him always with his complete name – Shep the Newshound. This is not rational. (Shepherds are, of course, not hounds.)

But when it comes to other animals, humans are not a completely rational species. [Full Story]