Archive for September, 2012

Washtenaw County plans to sell a small strip of land along Washtenaw Avenue to the Michigan Dept. of Transportation, in a deal that was given initial approval by the county board of commissioners at their Sept. 19, 2012 meeting. MDOT has offered $16,500 for the land, plus an additional $2,500 for a sidewalk easement. A final board vote is expected on Oct. 3.

The land, near the county’s service center, is located at the intersection of Washtenaw and Hogback. MDOT plans to make improvements to the intersection, including the addition of right-turn lanes. The parcel contains 10,586 square feet, but 8,407 square feet of that is in the Washtenaw Avenue right of way and can’t be developed. A staff memo states that conversations … [Full Story]

A net gain of 1.7 full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions is part of a proposed 2012-2013 budget for Washtenaw County’s community support & treatment services (CSTS) department. County commissioners approved the CSTS budget at their Sept. 19, 2012 meeting.

The CSTS budget runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, in sync with the state’s fiscal year. The county operates on a calendar year cycle.

The proposed $29,607,596 budget – an increase from the $26,838,557 budget approved for the current fiscal year – calls for eliminating 1 FTE as a result of reclassifying the job, and creating 2.7 new FTE positions. (Last year’s budget had a net loss of five FTEs, and an additional 19 FTE positions were reclassified.)

Though CSTS is a county department … [Full Story]

Several items related to state reimbursements for Washtenaw County units were given initial approval by county commissioners on Sept. 19, 2012. The timing reflects the state’s fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. In contrast, the county works on a calendar-year budget cycle; but many of its units receive significant state funding.

The Washtenaw County Trial Court juvenile division anticipates $4,329,042 in reimbursements from the state child care fund budget. Programs supported by these revenues include family foster care, institutional care and in-home care, according to a staff memo. The trial court’s Friend of the Court program is also seeking reimbursements for “services to residents who are seeking to establish paternity and/or child support orders.” Over a three-year period through Sept. 30, … [Full Story]

Four entities – including the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the local Huron River Watershed Council – have filed letters of objection with the state of Michigan to a project that would add a recreational section of whitewater along the Huron River, next to the new Argo Cascades.

Colin Smith, Ann Arbor’s parks and recreation manager, informed the park advisory commissioners about the opposition at PAC’s Sept. 18, 2012 meeting, describing the news as “not especially positive.” Other letters filed against the project were from the state Dept. of Natural Resources fisheries division and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The project requires a permit from the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) because it affects the Huron River, a state waterway. The project was originally approved by the Ann Arbor city council in 2010, as part of a larger effort that included building the Argo Dam bypass, which wrapped up earlier this year. Subsequent to that council approval, DTE Energy offered to pay for and oversee the whitewater aspect, to coordinate it with environmental remediation work that’s taking place on property it owns along that stretch of the river, just downstream of Argo Dam.

DTE is the applicant for the whitewater permit, although the company is working closely with the city on the project. The city is interested in acquiring the DTE property along the Huron after remediation is completed – and it’s hoped that the company might gift it to the city as a park.

Smith told PAC members that the EPA objection – because it comes from a federal environmental oversight agency – has triggered a process that might stop the project. The EPA filed its letter on Aug. 15. From that date, the MDEQ has 90 days [until Nov. 13] to resolve the EPA’s concerns with the applicant.

The EPA’s letter from Tinka Hyde, director of the agency’s water division, states that the project could significantly degrade the Huron River by inhibiting fish passage and increasing the water velocity, which in turn could affect sediment flow and degrade the stability of that section of the river. Another concern cited is that the project could constrain public use of the river. Because of these issues, the EPA believes the project does not comply with the federal Clean Water Act. [.pdf of EPA letter]

Similar concerns were cited in the other letters of objection. Additional issues raised include water quality concerns that could affect the health of those using the whitewater area, who might come in contact with E.coli in the river; and exacerbated flow problems during drought periods. [U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services letter] [DNR fisheries division letter and additional attachments] [HRWC letter]

The DNR fisheries letter – signed by Jeffery Braunscheidel, senior fisheries biologist – also alludes to the contentious “dam in/dam out” debate involving Argo Dam. Structures used to create the whitewater are in essence dams, he stated, and the division does not support new dam construction. “Planning should provide for a naturally functioning system below Argo Dam as history has made clear that, at some point in time, the Argo Dam will be modified or removed. Impediments should not be constructed in the river that the public will again be asked to address.”

But it’s the EPA’s objection that carries the most weight. If the EPA does not withdraw its objection and the MDEQ still decides to grant the permit, then DTE would also need to seek a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before the project can move forward. [Full Story]

Washtenaw County parks and recreation commission meeting (Sept. 11, 2012): Commissioners took another significant step toward receiving a $2.275 million $975,000 grant from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund to buy land for the Arbor Vistas Preserve natural areas connector – by approving $975,000 in matching county funds for the project. The property is located in Ann Arbor Township.

In other action related to natural areas preservation, WCPARC gave initial approval to commit $109,864 to purchase a conservation easement on 124 acres of the Donald Drake property in Lodi Township; and $64,200 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on 73 acres of the Hornback property in Salem Township. Both deals are in partnership with the Ann Arbor greenbelt program.

The commission also approved staff recommendations to increase spending by $522,260 – bringing the total to $1.4 million – on the River Terrace section of the Border-to-Border Trail in Dexter. And the group approved up to $205,587 to replace the pedestrian bridge at Sharon Mills Park, in southwestern Washtenaw County.

Several written financial reports on claims paid and fund balances for parks & recreation functions were approved. The commission also was briefed on a record-setting numbers of users and revenues at the county’s major outdoor parks & recreation facilities this summer – at Independence Lake Park, Pierce Lake Golf Course, and Rolling Hills Park and its water park. However, revenues and attendance for the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center have declined.

During its Sept. 11 meeting, the commission passed a resolution of appreciation for the public service career of Rodney Stokes, former director of the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources. Bob Marans, WCPARC’s president, noted that Stokes has helped Washtenaw County secure millions of dollars in state DNR trust fund grants over the years. Stokes is expected to attend the Sept. 19 meeting of the Washtenaw County board of commissioners, when a similar resolution of appreciation is on the agenda. [Full Story]

Ann Arbor’s sustainability framework – an ambitious project that began in early 2011 – will be distributed to neighboring jurisdictions as the next step toward incorporating these goals into the city’s master plan. At its Sept. 18, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor planning commission recommended that the city council take this action. The commission had previously recommended approval of the 16 overarching sustainability goals, which are organized into four categories: resource management; land use and access; climate and energy; and community. [.pdf of sustainability document]

State law requires that changes to a community’s master plan must be communicated to adjacent jurisdications and other stakeholders to allow the opportunity for feedback. The sustainability framework will be distributed to these entities: the … [Full Story]

On a 7-2 vote, Ann Arbor’s park advisory commission passed a resolution urging the city council to get more input for a possible downtown park. The action, taken at PAC’s Sept. 18, 2012 meeting, comes in response to a request from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, which had asked park commissioners for input on the Connecting William Street project. That effort is focused on developing a plan for five city-owned properties along William Street, between Ashley and Division. Four of the parcels are surface parking lots; the fifth is a parking structure at Fourth & William.

Voting against the resolution were two of PAC’s newest members: Ingrid Ault and Bob Galardi. Galardi also serves on the DDA’s leadership and outreach committee for the … [Full Story]

Bloomberg News reports on the small percentage of women who lead the nation’s top university athletic departments. The article quotes David Brandon, athletic director at the University of Michigan, who says that about 40% of his leadership team is female: “Succession planning is a huge part of a senior executive’s job in the corporate world. In higher education, it’s something that isn’t emphasized. When you don’t have a plan driven by strategy, you become more of a victim of the marketplace.” [Source]

The city of Ann Arbor’s updated hazard mitigation plan was approved by the city council at its Sept. 17, 2012 meeting.

The plan submitted to the council for approval included some information that had not been updated. For example, the plan describes options for a structure located at 3432 Platt Road: “Sell structure if possible, otherwise demolish and lump with other Springbrook properties Study Swift Run to determine flood levels; if no study, remove structure to be safe, convert to open space use. Remove structures; study Swift Run to assess possibility for unoccupied use on part of parcel.” However, the 3432 Platt Road house was demolished in 2008.

The plan is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grant funding. The city … [Full Story]

A resolution to establish a five-year program to replace sidewalk gaps in the city of Ann Arbor was voted down by the city council at its Sept. 17, 2012 meeting. The resolution had been added to the council’s agenda by Mike Anglin (Ward 5) via an email sent to the city clerk on the morning of Monday’s meeting.

The resolution was amended just to require a report on the issue by Sept. 15, 2013, but it still fell one vote short of the six votes it needed.

The resolution received support from Anglin, Sabra Briere (Ward 1), Jane Lumm (Ward 2), Christopher Taylor (Ward 3), and Margie Teall (Ward 4). Councilmembers voting against the resolution pointed to the fact that the city’s … [Full Story]

No final action was taken at the Ann Arbor city council’s Sept. 17, 2012 meeting on funding for continued study of a transportation corridor from the northeast of Ann Arbor to the city’s southern edge. But the council kept the possibility alive that it would eventually make a $60,000 budget adjustment to fund the study, choosing to postpone the issue until its Oct. 15 meeting.

The council had failed to approve a requested $60,000 appropriation from the city’s general fund at its Sept. 4, 2012 meeting. However, the council brought back the resolution for reconsideration at its Sept. 17 meeting. The council voted without much discussion to postpone the issue, in part because the city’s transportation program manager, Eli Cooper, … [Full Story]

A light rescue truck, to be staffed with two firefighters, will be added to the city of Ann Arbor’s fire department fleet at a cost of $264,597. The purchase, from Ferrara Fire Apparatus, was authorized by the city council at its Sept. 17, 2012 meeting.

The light rescue truck will replace a heavy rescue vehicle, which is staffed with three firefighters. The heavy rescue vehicle dates from 2001 and was scheduled for replacement in 2015. It will be retained by the department as a reserve engine. An even older heavy rescue truck, dating from 1991, which is currently in reserve, will be sold at auction.

The city is contemplating a reconfiguration of its fire stations, which would re-open an old station but close two … [Full Story]

Nonprofits that receive funding from the city of Ann Arbor to provide human services may in the future not be required to adhere to the city’s living wage ordinance. However, a resolution related to that issue was withdrawn from the city council’s Sept. 17, 2012 agenda, pending further review by the city’s housing and human services advisory board.

It’s expected that a recommended ordinance change will be brought to a future council meeting.

The living wage is defined by city ordinance Chapter 23, Section 1:815, and was increased slightly earlier this year in order to conform with the ordinance. The new wage was set at $12.17/hour for those employers paying health insurance and $13.57/hour for those employers not paying health insurance.

The city ordinance applies to … [Full Story]

The city of Ann Arbor’s footing drain disconnection program has been temporarily suspended in the area of the Lansdowne neighborhood. The city council action, taken at its Sept. 17, 2012 meeting, followed a meeting held with neighborhood residents at the Pittsfield branch of the Ann Arbor District Library on Aug. 22. At that neighborhood meeting, residents called for a moratorium on the program.

The program was created in 2001 by the city, in response to backups of sanitary sewers into residents’ basements during heavy rains. The problem is caused by the connection of footing drains to the sanitary sewer system, instead of to the stormwater system. At one time, such connections were consistent with city code, but they are now … [Full Story]

A question about whether net proceeds from the future sale of city-owned land in Ann Arbor will be allocated to the city’s affordable housing trust fund has been postponed and referred to the city council’s budget committee. The action to postpone the issue until Oct. 15 was taken at the city council’s Sept. 17, 2012 meeting.

The policy has a long history dating back to 1996. A previous policy of directing proceeds of city-owned land sales to the affordable housing trust fund was rescinded by the council in 2007. More detailed background is provided in previous Chronicle coverage: “City Council to Focus on Land Sale Policy.”

Resolutions urging the city council to adopt such a policy were approved by the board … [Full Story]

The zoning of property at 5 W. Eden Court, immediately adjacent to the Bryant Community Center, is now finalized as PL (public land). The Ann Arbor city council voted nearly a year ago, at its Sept. 6, 2011 meeting, to appropriate $82,500 from its open space and parkland preservation millage to acquire the property. The final vote on the rezoning came at the city council’s Sept. 17, 2012 meeting.

The 2011 taxes on the property were estimated at $1,400, which will be eliminated from the city’s tax base. The parcel is expected to be used to expand the community center’s programming services. It could also be used in other ways in support of the city’s parks and recreation system.

During her staff report given to … [Full Story]

The Washtenaw County clerk’s office has confirmed the filing – on Sept. 13, 2012 – of a ballot question committee Protect Our Libraries. The group opposes the ballot proposal that the Ann Arbor District Library is asking voters to approve on Nov. 6. The AADL is requesting that voters approve $65 million in bonds for construction of a new downtown library building on its current site at 343 S. Fifth Ave.

Listed as treasurer of the group is Kathy Griswold, a former Ann Arbor Public Schools board member. She also served as campaign manager for Sumi Kailasapathy’s Ward 1 Ann Arbor city council Democratic primary election campaign, which Kailasapathy won on Aug. 7. The URL for the group will be protectourlibraries.org, … [Full Story]

A draft report of the South State Street corridor plan will be considered at the Sept. 18, 2012 meeting of the Ann Arbor planning commission. [.pdf of draft report] The plan includes more than 40 overall recommendations for improving the corridor, which stretches about 2 miles between Stimson Street at the north end down to Ellsworth in the south.

Recommendations are organized into categories of the city’s recently adopted sustainability framework: Land use and access, community, climate and energy, and resource management. Among the recommendations are: (1) Evaluate use of vacant parcels for alternative energy generation; (2) Evaluate integrating public art along the corridor; (3) Evaluate use of open land for community gardens; (4) Assess and improve high crash areas along the corridor; … [Full Story]

Washtenaw County board of commissioners – animal control policy task force meeting (Sept. 13, 2012): With five of 11 county commissioners present, a task force for developing policies on the county’s animal control services thrashed through a list of recommendations to make to the full board, possibly at its Sept. 19 meeting.

But at the end of the two-hour task force session, commissioners also opened the door to start direct negotiations with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, rather than pursuing a request for proposals (RFP) from other vendors. For many years HSHV has held the contract to provide services to the county, including those that are state-mandated. Its current contract expires on Dec. 31, 2012. Key points of contention have been the amount that the county is willing to pay for animal control services, both mandated and non-mandated, and how much those services actually cost.

In advocating for negotiations with HSHV, Rolland Sizemore Jr. expressed concern that if the board pursues the RFP process, a service provider won’t be lined up by the end of this year. Then the county will be in the same position it was in the beginning of 2012 – scrambling to get a new contract. He also pointed out that if the county issues an RFP and no other organizations respond, then the HSHV will have more leverage over the county “because they’ll know we’re screwed.”

Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV’s executive director, supported starting contract negotiations. She attended the Sept. 13 meeting and praised the work of the task force as well as a separate group led by sheriff Jerry Clayton, which has been analyzing costs for animal control services. People are more informed than they were when this process began in May, she said, adding that there was more trust between the county and HSHV, too.

At least one commissioner, Barbara Bergman, had explicitly stated earlier in the meeting that she didn’t trust HSHV yet. She said the last time that the county had trusted HSHV, commissioners didn’t get good data about the services that were being provided, and the cost of those services. Bergman – who had left the meeting by the time a suspension of the RFP process was discussed – has been a strong advocate for curbing costs related to animal control, in favor of funding programs for human services.

The task force reached consensus on eight recommendations for animal control services to include in an RFP, or for a contract with HSHV. Those include licensing all dogs at the point of adoption or recovery, holding all stray animals for the minimum number of days required by law, and providing animal cruelty investigations.

The group also reached agreement on broader policy recommendations, including several longer-term goals: creating a civil infractions ordinance and fee structure for unlicensed dogs, and working with local units of government to create a unified, countywide dog licensing program. Currently three other jurisdictions – Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township – have their own dog licensing programs, with varying fee levels.

Several other changes might be proposed in the future. Hilgendorf offered to draft language for an ordinance prohibiting ownership of certain types of exotic animals. She also hoped that commissioners eventually would consider an anti-chaining ordinance and spay/neuter ordinance – “even if it’s just for pit bulls,” which has worked well in Ypsilanti Township, she said. [The township has an ordinance requiring that pit bulls must be spayed or neutered.] Hilgendorf also suggested addressing the issue of feral cats, which are a problem in some parts of the county. HSHV already operates a “trap, neuter, return” program aimed at curbing the feral cat population.

When the task force was formed earlier this year, it were given a deadline of Oct. 15 to bring recommendations to the full board. It’s likely that will happen sooner, possibly at the board’s Sept. 19 meeting. As of Sept. 16, however, there was no agenda item for these recommendations on the board’s ways & means committee agenda or the regular board agenda.

The relationship between HSHV and the county has a long, complex history. For additional background, see ”Next Steps on Animal Control Policy,” “Work Continues on Animal Control Policy,” and ”Revenue Options Eyed for Animal Control.” More information related to this process is also posted on the county’s website. [Full Story]

Matt Callow is putting together a Google map that shows ”drinking fountains, public bathrooms and other water stops in Ann Arbor MI. For runners, walkers and cyclists.” The map is collaborative – anyone can put in additional locations. [Source]

In a profile of poetry critic and Harvard professor Stephen Burt, the New York Times quotes Laura Kasischke, a poet who teaches creative writing at the University of Michigan. Speaking of Burt, who has championed her work, Kasischke says: “He hasn’t put my poetry on the best-seller list, but I think people read him. And because he goes everywhere and speaks, and has mentioned my name, it has made a difference with other poets and with readers.” [Source]