ELIZABETH NELSON

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is inviting community members to weigh in on the city’s plan for a new speed-reduction program to further the city’s traffic-safety goals. Ann Arbor residents begging for cars to slow down on neighborhood streetsHewitt already put new ones back up, while taking aim at the city on social media, saying it should be putting resources toward enforcing speed limits, not policing “slow down” signs. It’s part of the city’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on city streets by 2025. And because they have more lanes, higher speed limits and higher traffic volumes than local neighborhood streets, major streets have a different set of potential solutions. Based on crash data, the city determined which major streets are high, medium and low priorities for speed management.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor has taken another step to expand renter rights. A sign advertising a house for rent near the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sept. 12, 2022.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor NewsMayor Christopher Taylor thanked those who’ve been advocating for the law since last year. The Ann Arbor City Council votes to adopt the city's new right-to-renew ordinance Oct. 3, 2022. She encouraged those who’ve worked on Ann Arbor’s right-to-renew law to bring it up with county commissioners and other municipalities to help renters outside the city. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Manchester animal sanctuary to host vegan chili cook-offAnn Arbor’s first public curbside EV chargers coming to 2 streetsMeet Ypsilanti’s mayoral candidates for the Nov. 8 general electionWhat should unarmed crisis response in Ann Arbor look like?

ANN ARBOR, MI — After getting legal advice from the city attorney’s office, the Ann Arbor City Council is holding off on voting on an expanded renter rights law just yet. At this week’s meeting, council delayed the proposed city ordinance that would give renters the right to renew apartment leases if their landlords don’t have a legal reason to evict them. Proposed Ann Arbor law aims to stop landlords from evicting tenants without causeAs proposed, the ordinance would not apply to fraternity and sorority houses, student cooperative housing, subleases or leases shorter than 210 days. Council Member Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward, thanked members of the Renters Commission working on the issue. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:‘It’s like pulling teeth.’ Ann Arbor officials growing frustrated with developersAnn Arbor officials draw applause for 10-1 vote on $459K public power studyCentury-old relics from when Ann Arbor had streetcars unearthed downtownChelsea history is the focus of 2 upcoming community eventsWashtenaw County employees demand wage increases after study found many are underpaid

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Nelson acknowledged she was initially nervous about going down the giant slide on Detroit’s Belle Isle. “It was so much fun,” the 4th Ward Democrat said, acknowledging it wasn’t a particularly smooth ride. Famous Belle Isle giant slide reopening for a short time at just $1 per rideThe original slide on Belle Isle was put in place in 1967 and replaced with the one there now in the 1980s. The slide made headlines in The New York Times last week when it was briefly closed because it was sending children airborne. “But yeah, it’s just so fast.”MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Proposed Ann Arbor law aims to stop landlords from evicting tenants without causeA rare look inside Ann Arbor’s EPA lab helping the nation curb auto emissionsGraduate Ann Arbor hotel offers cuisine from around the world with new kitchen conceptAmazon cancels Ypsilanti-area warehouse, delays building new facility near Ann ArborSip tea with a sloth at The Creature Conservancy’s new event

ANN ARBOR, MI — For the second Ann Arbor primary election in a row, Mayor Christopher Taylor’s camp has swept all City Council races across the city. Ann Arbor Ward 5 candidate Jen Cornell (middle) speaks at an election night party at York Food and Drink in Ann Arbor on August 2, 2022. Ann Arbor Ward 4 incumbent city council member Elizabeth Nelson (right) hugs a supporter at an election night party at Black Pearl in Ann Arbor on August 2, 2022. Over $175K pumped into three Ann Arbor City Council racesSaying he faced a smear campaign, Ramlawi also lamented that many people now get their information from social media. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Live election results for Aug. 2 primary in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw CountyYour guide to what’s on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot in Washtenaw CountyThis year’s Ann Arbor mayoral race now includes one more candidateCouncil member beats incumbent in Ypsilanti mayoral primaryNearly $1M in campaign cash pumped into Ann Arbor-area Michigan House, Senate races

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over $175,000 in campaign contributions are fueling Ann Arbor City Council races in the Aug. 2 primary. Ann Arbor mayoral candidates differ on city’s growth and developmentHere’s a quick look at fundraising and expenses in the three council races as of July 17, with some of the factional alliances highlighted. Smith netted donations from many critics of the mayor and his allies, including $1,000 from former 4th Ward Council Member Jack Eaton, $500 from 4th Ward Council Member Elizabeth Nelson, $500 from 2nd Ward Council Member Kathy Griswold, about $140 from mayoral candidate Anne Bannister, $100 from 5th Ward Council Member Ali Ramlawi and $50 from former 1st Ward Council Member Sumi Kailasapathy. Dharma AkmonElizabeth Nelson5th Ward raceJenn Cornell, left, is challenging incumbent Ali Ramlawi for a 5th Ward Ann Arbor City Council seat in the Democratic primary on Aug. 2, 2022.Photos provided by candidatesRamlawi is defending his 5th Ward seat against Jenn Cornell, who raised triple the funds. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Here’s your Ann Arbor-area voter guide for the August 2022 primaryOver $122K pumped into Ann Arbor mayoral race, criticisms fly$40K DTE Energy donation fuels Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti transit millage campaignIs now the time for a major expansion of Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti bus services?

Elizabeth Nelson (D) is defending her seat as Ward 4 Ann Arbor City Councilmember.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Should Ann Arbor officials push for a citywide minimum wage of $15 an hour? The question has come up this election season with the issue raised in a three-way City Council race in Ward 4. “As a former service employee and union member, I firmly stand with workers who deserve a living wage,” she said. “To address these challenges, I think Ann Arbor needs leaders who collaborate, problem solve and build effective working relationships,” she said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Here’s your Ann Arbor-area voter guide for the August 2022 primaryAnn Arbor mayoral candidates share views on challenges facing cityAnn Arbor-Jackson area state House candidates discuss guns, social justiceLatest look at Ann Arbor developments taking shape in 2022Should Ann Arbor ban RVs in neighborhoods for Michigan football games?

ANN ARBOR, MI — Candidates for Ann Arbor mayor and City Council are continuing to make their platforms known with the Aug. 2 primary less than a month away. There are contested council races in wards 1, 4 and 5 this year, in addition to the citywide mayoral race, and early absentee voting began recently. All candidates in the running are Democrats competing for four-year terms. Mayor Christopher TaylorMayoral challenger Anne Bannister1st Ward candidate Cynthia Harrison1st Ward candidate Angeline Smith4th Ward incumbent Elizabeth Nelson4th Ward challenger Dharma Akmon4th Ward challenger Mozhgan Savabieasfahani5th Ward incumbent Ali Ramlawi5th Ward challenger Jenn CornellRead more Ann Arbor-area election coverage. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:3 Democrats running in new Michigan Senate district covering Ann Arbor, Jackson4 vying to be next 14A District Court judge in Washtenaw CountyThe Firefighter Spray Park cools the community after Fourth of July paradeRappel down the side of an Ann Arbor skyscraper for this fundraiserDowntown Ann Arbor street reduced to one lane for bikeway project

ANN ARBOR, MI — Under a first-of-its-kind agreement in Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor firefighters are going to staff an ambulance provided by Huron Valley Ambulance. HVA will provide a basic-life-support ambulance, while city firefighters, who are trained EMTs, will use it to transport patients who generate revenue for HVA. The plan is to coordinate with HVA, not replace HVA, said Fire Chief Mike Kennedy, noting full replacement of HVA in Ann Arbor would be a monumental effort. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:How Ann Arbor plans to recruit more minority police and firefightersThis crumbling Ann Arbor path may be the worst, but who should pay to fix it? Michigan construction trade group opposes new Ann Arbor bid practicesHere are the Washtenaw County tax proposals on the August primary ballotAnn Arbor OKs nearly $500K plan to fill sidewalk gaps in 5 areas

ANN ARBOR, MI — A decade after a major storm highlighted flooding problems in southwest Ann Arbor, the city is gearing up for a $3.2 million project to address the situation. In the Churchill Downs neighborhood in southwest Ann Arbor, residents described an intense scene. Jennifer Lawson, the city’s water quality manager, said a 2014 drainage study included several recommendations and the Churchill Downs Park pond project came out of that. Most of the time, the pond won’t have water in it, but when there’s a big storm, water will fill up in the pond and slowly release into the drain system, she said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ypsilanti-area sewer main collapse floods resident’s basement with sewageAnn Arbor mayor faces criticism from supporters over Michigan Medicine bridge wideningDemolition begins to make way for 19-story high-rise in downtown Ann ArborAnn Arbor subdivision reckoning with its racist past, repealing 1947 whites-only policyTwo men honored for intervening in tense altercation at Ann Arbor housing complex

ANN ARBOR, MI — Factional tensions on the Ann Arbor City Council were once again on full display during a six-hour meeting filled with acrimonious exchanges. After a lengthy debate, council voted 7-4 Monday night, Dec. 6, to strip Council Members Elizabeth Nelson and Ali Ramlawi of key committee assignments as punishment after an independent investigator claimed they disclosed information from a closed-session meeting, an accusation they vehemently deny.

ANN ARBOR, MI — After over a year and a half of meeting virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann Arbor officials may be forced to return to in-person meetings soon. Some aren’t happy about it, while at least one City Council member said he welcomes it. Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, was alone in saying he’s looking forward to in-person meetings. She asked if she’d be allowed to remotely attend a council meeting after Dec. 31 if she’s in quarantine again. The state law after Dec. 31 will not allow council members to participate virtually, Fournier said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A group of local landlords is suing the city of Ann Arbor over a new renter rights law. ‘They don’t give a damn about us.’ Debate over Ann Arbor renter rights heats upThe new law gives renters several extra months before landlords can force them to renew or lose their apartments for the next year. Together, they own thousands of apartments in Ann Arbor. The Washtenaw Area Apartment Association represents 310 members, including 122 with a combined 16,528 rental properties in Ann Arbor, according to the lawsuit. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor aims to lead by example while promoting sustainable, plant-based dietsDowntown Ann Arbor lot long envisioned as future green space gets new coat of asphaltNew Ann Arbor law aims to protect night skies from light pollution‘Literally power to the people.’ Ann Arbor group gearing up for ballot campaignAnn Arbor gives final OK to relaxing rules for home-based businesses

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor’s A2Zero carbon-neutrality plan calls for spending over $200,000 promoting plant-rich diets over the next decade to get residents eating less meat. Ramlawi proposed adding UM to the list of entities with which the city administrator should collaborate, at which point Acting City Administrator John Fournier pushed back and asked council to give him more flexibility. “A lot of the food choices that we highlight here can potentially impact the cost of the food as well,” he said. “And I want to make sure that we identify that.”Those concerns are valid, but bad food choices result in more disease and medical costs, Ramlawi said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:How a vegan diet could fit into Ann Arbor’s carbon-neutrality planDowntown Ann Arbor lot long envisioned as future green space gets new coat of asphalt‘Literally power to the people.’ Ann Arbor group gearing up for ballot campaignNew Ann Arbor law aims to protect night skies from light pollutionAnn Arbor homeowners use solar backup batteries to weather power outages

ANN ARBOR, MI — After seven years as Ann Arbor’s mayor, Christopher Taylor is undecided on running again in 2022, while others are giving it consideration. Ann Arbor Councilmember Elizabeth Nelson, D-4th Ward, speaks outside Craig Teschendorf's apartment in Ann Arbor on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. The Ann Arbor Tenants Union organized a rally to protest Teschendorf's impending eviction. Ann Arbor has a weak-mayor form of government in which a city administrator appointed by City Council manages day-to-day city operations. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:A historical look back at the times Ann Arbor mayors flexed their veto powerAnn Arbor moving forward on $820K worth of sidewalk gap projectsMain Street lane reconfiguration part of Ann Arbor Healthy Streets programAs Ann Arbor eyes move away from gas, DTE Energy investing billions in itFeds deal blow to Ann Arbor train station plan, citing high costs, too much parking

After tens of thousands of people in Michigan lost power for days following storms in early August, an Ann Arbor City Councilmember wants to look into creating a community-owned, nonprofit utility service.

A grassroots group called Ann Arbor for Public Power gave a presentation to the city’s Energy Commission in February about the advantages and obstacles to creating a public power utility for Ann Arbor, estimating about $120,000 would be needed to conduct a feasibility study. It’s time for a municipal community run utility in Ann Arbor.”DTE officials did not respond to a request for comment from The Ann Arbor News/MLive. As many in Ann Arbor were still without power on Aug. 15, Rabhi vented his frustrations again. There were storms across the Midwest and “Michigan had by far the highest rates of prolonged power outages,” they wrote. After the storms and extended power outages, City Council members discussed the issue at their Aug. 16 meeting.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A new renter rights law in Ann Arbor that’s been months in the making is now approved, though some city officials expect it may be challenged in court. “So many people in Ann Arbor do indeed rent, and every single one of them is just as important as any homeowner. Renters who sign 12-month leases now will have roughly seven months to live in their apartments before deciding on renewing. A majority of Ann Arbor residents are renters and city officials heard their concerns about landlord troubles and pressures to renew leases during long public hearings in recent weeks. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor councilman suggests bringing in emergency manager to lead cityAnn Arbor gives initial OK to ban sale of fur productsTensions high as Ann Arbor council OKs city administrator separation deal 7-4Street closures OK’d for return of Taste of Ann Arbor food and music festivalBefore and after: See Ann Arbor neighborhood block’s total transformation

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Taste of Ann Arbor food and music festival is scheduled to return next month. A representative for the Main Street Area Association, sponsor of the event, said health guidelines in place at the time of the event will be followed. With those assurances, council OK’d the plan, which calls for closing Main Street from Washington to William streets, and Liberty Street from Ashley Street to Fourth Avenue. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:University of Michigan requiring COVID vaccines for students, faculty and staff‘Advisory bike lanes’ coming to 2 more Ann Arbor streets. Before and after: See Ann Arbor neighborhood block’s total transformationAnn Arbor council gets earful from residents at latest meeting on administrator controversyHow they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for July 2021

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials found themselves in the middle of a heated debate this week as they once again considered a new renter rights ordinance. “They don’t give a damn about us,” one renter said of landlords in Ann Arbor. Scott Brock, an Ann Arbor landlord and real estate attorney, fired back and told council he’d be first in line at the federal courthouse if the city approves the ordinance. It unfairly favors them and UM campus housing, said Jay Holland, an Ann Arbor landlord who argues the new ordinance takes away property owners’ rights and is likely illegal. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:‘Best value’ ballot proposal headed to Ann Arbor voters9-page investigation report details allegations against Ann Arbor city administratorCity OKs plan for return of Ann Arbor MarathonAnn Arbor council casts split vote to part ways with embattled city administrator5-story Fairfield Inn and Suites slated to rise in downtown Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor voters could be asked this November to OK changes to the city’s competitive bidding process for awarding city contracts. City Council Member Jen Eyer, D-4th Ward, announced she plans to bring forward a resolution at the council’s next meeting to place a city charter amendment on the ballot. “This is going to be aiming to bring the charter in line with council policy with respect to the procurement of construction contracts,” she said. That information then is to be weighed to determine which bidder provides the best value to the city, Eyer said. She hopes the city can be more strategic about contracts it awards while acknowledging it won’t waste public funds on more expensive contracts without justification, she said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials are taking steps to figure out how to spend roughly $24 million in federal stimulus funding under the American Rescue Plan Act. City Council voted 10-0 Tuesday morning, June 8, to direct City Administrator Tom Crawford to come up with a plan and report back to council by Oct. 1 with recommended priorities. Like municipalities across the country, Ann Arbor received the first half of its American Rescue Plan Act allocation last month and is expected to receive the other half next year. Ann Arbor’s stimulus spending priorities should be in line with the city’s strategic plan, the council resolution states. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor gives initial OK to high-density zoning to end ‘the era of strip malls’Ann Arbor opens door to more accessory apartments in neighborhoodsNeighbor promises lawsuit against Ann Arbor for approving $100M housing complexAnn Arbor OKs $1.5M for new Avalon Housing apartment developmentsAnn Arbor council officially asks Jeff Hayner to resign over offensive language

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials say the city’s restrictions on adding accessory apartments to homes are keeping homeowners from building them, but new rules could allow them on over 22,000 properties. About a couple dozen Ann Arbor homeowners have applied to add accessory dwelling units — known as ADUs — to their properties since the city adopted an ADU ordinance in 2016. Without the owner-occupancy requirement, Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, said he’s concerned investors are going to go after lower-priced homes, putting pressure on the poor and working class. At some point in the future, she would be open to lifting the owner-occupancy requirement, she said. “I don’t see the owner-occupancy requirement being really helpful given that we’re in a housing crisis,” she said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Despite pushback from some landlords, Ann Arbor is banning criminal background checks of renters, with few exceptions. The ordinance makes exceptions for landlords required in some cases to take a person’s criminal history into account. That rental agreement would commit the landlord to providing the apartment as long as the applicant meets federal and state mandated criminal history criteria. “The unmet housing needs of formerly incarcerated people in Ann Arbor are an acute challenge to dignity, public health and safety and equality,” it stated. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor mayor urges council to cut losses on short-term rentals and move onAnn Arbor council unanimously supports developing unarmed 911 response programAnn Arbor officials urge residents to get vaccinated, stay vigilant in fight against COVIDAnn Arbor administrator tells central park group to temper funding expectationsSidewalk construction will create better pedestrian access along Ann Arbor road

ANN ARBOR, MI — Dedicated short-term rental properties such as Airbnb houses that aren’t owner-occupied are now officially banned in Ann Arbor’s residential neighborhoods. In the meantime, short-term rental businesses that have been operating in some cases for years are temporarily in limbo, though a regulatory solution may be coming soon. The rules council crafted back in September ban dedicated short-term rentals in neighborhoods, but still allow homeowners to occasionally rent out their own owner-occupied homes as short-term rentals, and dedicated short-term rentals are still allowed in mixed-use zoning districts. “You need to take this very seriously,” she added, arguing against declaring existing short-term rentals legal. Joan Lowenstein, a former City Council member, pushed back against some of those concerns, calling it fear mongering.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials are exploring launching a pilot program to have a mental health/medical response to psychiatric emergencies instead of armed police. She anticipates it would serve the community at large, in addition to the Housing Commission’s low-income housing properties that have some tenants with mental health issues. The county also is the mental health service provider for the area, Hall noted. Ann Arbor may trim police and fire budgets while putting millions extra toward climate changeAmid calls from the public to defund and reform police, Ann Arbor officials and police oversight commissioners have had conversations in the past year about alternatives to armed responses to mental health crises, such as police social workers or others involved with crisis intervention. It’s a challenging situation.”MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:‘Being armed is just really a part of our job.’ Ann Arbor police chief weighs in on disarming officersCrisis team talks armed man out of house peacefully in Ypsilanti Township$5.1M from new Ann Arbor affordable housing tax could go toward downtown high-rise71-year-old Ann Arbor Catholic parish expanding with social justice in mindHow they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for February 2021

ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and several city council members are weighing in on the ongoing debate over Ann Arbor Public Schools’ returning to the classroom. Also included were small groups of middle and high school students most in-need of in-person classes. Additional stages proposed bringing students back by grade level in one-week increments, with middle and high school students entering the hybrid format last. READ MORE:Ann Arbor School Board to vote on plan for most students to finish year virtuallyConfused about Ann Arbor Public Schools’ return-to-school plan? Here’s what happenedWith mental health struggles looming, Ann Arbor Public Schools students organize rally for in-person learning

ANN ARBOR, MI — Amid the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann Arbor is instituting new poverty guidelines to allow more low-income residents to seek exemptions from property taxes. Local governments are allowed to set income limits for poverty exemptions from principal residence taxes that are higher than federal guidelines, City Assessor Jerry Markey assured council members. Ann Arbor waives late penalties for winter taxes to minimize COVID-19 hardshipsFederal poverty income standards are set annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “There is an urgent need to strengthen our property tax relief measures. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor council OKs ordinance requiring EV parking for new developmentsElks Lodge in Ann Arbor raising money after fire damages historic buildingAnn Arbor officials’ inability to work together delays central park group appointmentsFrom Zingerman’s to the movies: Viral Bernie Sanders mitten meme hits Ann ArborAnn Arbor council discusses free speech rights, then hears parade of F-bombs

ANN ARBOR, MI — An Ann Arbor council member’s allegation that an Airbnb property investor hinted at a potential bribe offer in exchange for her vote has been referred to the city attorney and police chief, officials said. Nelson voted with a majority of council last September to ban them in residential neighborhoods, a move the new council is revisiting. Cox and Postema did not respond to requests for comment from The Ann Arbor News/MLive on whether the matter is being treated as a criminal investigation. Ramlawi suggested incorporating it into the council’s ethics rules and putting more responsibility on council members who are approached with an improper solicitation. “It’s pretty self-explanatory that if somebody tries to bribe you as a council member, you should report it.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Short-term rental property owners and investors in Ann Arbor may sue the city if a pending ban on their businesses isn’t lifted by City Council. “And we are interested in continuing that legal operation,” said Poscher, who said she has four Airbnb properties in Ann Arbor ranging from a house to a small apartment building. City Council voted 7-4 in September to ban dedicated short-term rental properties such as Airbnb houses that aren’t owner-occupied in residential neighborhoods effective this March. New Ann Arbor council looks for way to keep Airbnb houses in neighborhoodsPoscher hopes there’s a solution in place by March to avoid going to court. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:New Ann Arbor ordinance looks to a future filled with electric vehiclesAfter completing 2 new developments, Ann Arbor Housing Commission looks to next 11Police shooting of Aura Rosser highlighted in Washtenaw prosecutor’s new policiesA closer look at what’s in Ann Arbor’s new transportation plan24 Ann Arbor developments to watch in 2021

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor water rates will go up 7% on Jan. 1 and another 6.5% next July. City Council voted 8-3 to approve the increases for 2021 after nearly an hour of debate Monday night, Dec. 21. Below is part of a memo and attached chart City Administrator Tom Crawford sent council making a case for the rate increases. Ann Arbor water rate increases for fiscal years 2016-17 through 2020-21 have deviated from the plan for steady rate increases, City Administrator Tom Crawford told City Council in a memo Dec. 15, 2020.City of Ann ArborThe city is still facing a lawsuit over its utility rates. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor officials aim to address City Council’s bad reputation in community‘We’re in turbulent waters.’ Ann Arbor faces potential $9M budget shortfallMichigan congresswoman says ‘good riddance to 2020’ in latest annual ‘Dingell Jingle’State Theatre in Ann Arbor offering private movie screenings starting Dec. 21Ann Arbor gets $170K from state, DTE to install rapid EV chargers downtown

ANN ARBOR, MI — With President Donald Trump still refusing to accept the 2020 election results and concede to president-elect Joe Biden, Ann Arbor leaders are accusing him of undermining American democracy. As Trump makes unsubstantiated claims of massive voter fraud, undermining faith in the nation’s elections, Ann Arbor officials say they feel a duty to speak out. City Council tries not to weigh in on national issues, but this impacts everyone at the local level, council members said, noting until Monday there was a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Washtenaw County’s election results. “Our whole system is threatened when our leaders refuse to accept the results of an election or when they make excuses for why those results should not matter,” she said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Maps show how Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County voted in 2020 electionHigher turnout benefited Biden, but Trump still gained votes across Washtenaw CountyAnn Arbor closing city hall, indoor recreation facilities amid surge in COVID-19 casesMan accused of trying to run over Ann Arbor police officers who were performing welfare checkLocal Eats: Angelo’s still serves homemade bread after 60-plus years in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI —The Ann Arbor City Council can discuss with the University of Michigan the possibility of using university housing to meet an increased need for safe, emergency housing in the event of a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in the community, according to a resolution passed Monday night. The resolution passed, 10-1 at the Sept. 21 Ann Arbor City Council meeting, with Council Member Julie Grand the only vote against it. The city anticipates an increased need for safe, emergency shelter for individuals in the upcoming winter season, the resolution states. Ann Arbor City Administrator Tom Crawford has been directed to try to schedule a meeting between City Council and the UM Board of Regents before Nov. 1 to discuss temporary emergency shelter needs, the resolution states. Citing concerns about UM student gatherings, Ann Arbor enacts emergency ordinanceAccording to UM’s COVID-19 dashboard, 82 students have tested positive for COVID-19, and the university has administered 5,859 tests.