Dharma's Council Newsletter, April 19, 2026

Neighbors,

City Council meets Monday, April 20th at 7 p.m. Before I get to an overview of the agenda, here are some updates.

Tornado Aftermath

I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured when a tornado struck Ann Arbor early Wednesday morning. I was grateful for the outdoor alarm system that woke me from a sound sleep, prompting me to check my phone, where I saw the tornado warning and moved to a safe spot in my house.

Prior to the storm, I was skeptical of the staff proposal to remove the outdoor alarms: the cost, after all, is relatively small. But when I found myself heading to the basement at 1:30 a.m. only because those sirens woke me, it made the value of that system unmistakably clear.

I was also glad to learn that, after community feedback, city staff had already decided not to pursue removal of the outdoor alarms and instead move forward with needed upgrades. You can read more here: https://engage.a2gov.org/siren-review.

On Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Ann Arbor following the EF-1 tornado, enabling the city to access state resources to support response and recovery efforts. City crews and emergency responders have been working continuously to restore services and clear debris, with support from state emergency management teams.

Road Construction Season

Ann Arbor’s 2026 construction season will be one of the busiest in recent memory, with a high concentration of city projects, utility work, transportation improvements, and private development, especially in and around downtown. While this will mean noticeable disruption through the spring, summer, and fall, downtown will remain open, events will continue, and parking structures will be accessible.

These projects reflect years of planning and are essential to maintaining infrastructure, advancing sustainability and mobility goals, and supporting housing and economic vitality. For more details on specific projects and on road closures, visit: https://www.a2gov.org/engineering/traffic/road-and-lane-closures/

City Council Meeting, Monday, April 20th at 7 p.m.

• Meeting Agenda

Agenda Highlights

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

• MDOT Road Reconfiguration on Washtenaw (CA-10). Council will consider a resolution supporting MDOT’s 2027 plan to repave East Huron/Washtenaw from Main to Stadium, including ADA upgrades, improved crossings, and other pedestrian safety features. A key element is reconfiguring the roadway between S. University and Stadium by reducing general travel lanes and adding dedicated bus lanes. The Transportation Commission supports a design with one bus-only lane from S. University to Tuomy, and two bus-only lanes from there to Stadium. The goal is to better match the street to current use, reduce speeding and crashes, and improve safety and transit reliability along this corridor. I look forward to voting in support (note that currently MDOT controls this road).

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS

• DDA Plan (PH-1). Council will vote on adopting the DDA’s updated 2026–2055 Development and TIF Plan, which sets the framework for downtown investments and funding over the next 30 years. The plan does three main things: Expands the DDA boundary north of downtown into an area roughly bounded by Depot Street, Main Street, Division, and the rail corridor, adding about 84 acres; Replaces the current capped TIF model with a “gainshare” approach. Today, DDA revenue is limited by a fixed cap on growth, and that means that it is limited in the work and services it can provide downtown. Under the new model, that cap is removed and instead growth is shared, with 70% going to the DDA and 30% returned to other taxing jurisdictions; Outlines a long-term project pipeline, including infrastructure, transit, housing support, and downtown services, though individual projects will still require separate approvals. Some taxing jurisdictions have opted out of the DDA’s tax capture in the expanded area. Washtenaw County and Washtenaw Community College opted out of the expansion, and the Ann Arbor District Library opted out entirely. While this reduces the amount of future TIF revenue the DDA can capture, it does not change the expanded boundary or the list of projects in the plan.

FIRST READING ITEMS

• Water Rates (C-1). Council will consider an ordinance to increase water rates to fund ongoing operations and major infrastructure investments in the city’s water system. Ann Arbor maintains a large and aging system, and the proposed increase is based on updated cost and capital planning to ensure reliable service and meet regulatory requirements. The city has identified over $270 million in needed improvements, with about $240 million planned over the next five years. For residents, the impact is about $5.69 more per quarter, or roughly $23 per year for a typical household. Read the detailed proposed rate changes.

• Stormwater Rates (C-2). Council will consider an ordinance to increase stormwater rates to support maintenance and upgrades to the city’s drainage system. Costs are rising due to heavier rainfall and more impervious surfaces across the city. The increase is based on updated planning to ensure the system can be maintained and improved over time, with more than $60 million in identified needs and about $53 million planned over the next five years. For residents, the impact is about $2.09 more per quarter, or roughly $8 per year for a typical household. See stormwater rate increase details here.

• Sewer Rates (C-3). Council will consider an ordinance to increase sewer rates to support operations and long-term infrastructure needs. The City has identified over $70 million in system needs, with about $64 million planned over the next five years. For residents, the impact is about $4.11 more per quarter, or roughly $16 per year for a typical household. Read the detailed propose sewer rate changes. (Across all three utilities, the expected annual increase ~$50/year to support maintenance and long-term upgrades to the city’s core infrastructure.)

I'd love to hear from you.

Feel free to reach out any time with your questions, concerns, or ideas:

Email: DAkmon@a2gov.org

Phone/Text: 734-492-5866

There are also several ways to share your thoughts with the full City Council:

• Submit an eComment online

• Email all of Council: CityCouncil@a2gov.org

• Speak at a Council meeting (in person or remote):Call the City Clerk’s office at 734-794-6140 starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting to reserve a speaking time.Note: You do not need to reserve time to speak during a formal public hearing.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged!