Dharma's Council Newsletter, August 17, 2025

Neighbors,

City Council meets next on Monday, August 18 at 7 p.m. We have a very light agenda, and I will keep things short and get right to it.

City Council Meeting, Monday, August 18 at 7 p.m.

• Meeting Agenda

• Responses to Council Member Questions

Agenda Highlights

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

• Purchase of Park Land at Furstenberg Nature Area (CA-5). City Council is set to approve the purchase of a small, privately-owned quarter-acre parcel on Fuller Road that is entirely surrounded by Furstenberg Nature Area. For decades it’s been used as a private garden, but adding it to the park will protect riverfront habitat, prevent future boundary disputes, and make land management and restoration easier. The property was appraised at $91,000, with the landowner agreeing to donate $10,000 of that value. Including due diligence and closing costs, the total appropriation from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage is $108,500. The Park Advisory Commission’s Land Acquisition Committee unanimously recommended the purchase.

• Accept a $500,000.00 LWCF Grant for Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena Improvements, Approve a Project Agreement with MDNR, and Appropriate $1,000,000.00 (CA-6). Council will vote on whether to approve $1M in funding for major upgrades at the Buhr Park outdoor ice arena, supported by a $500k federal Land and Water Conservation grant with a $500k City match. This project will replace the arena's outdated refrigeration system and add improvements and accessibility upgrades. This investment ensures the arena can continue as a welcoming gathering place for skating, hockey, and community connection well into the future. While this appropriation gets the project started, additional Council approval will be required as design and construction contracts move forward. This project has been a long time coming, and I'm grateful the City secured grant funds for it.

• Best Source Purchase of LiDAR Equipment (CA-9). City Council will consider approving $36,975 to purchase LiDAR traffic detection equipment and analytics software from D2 Traffic Technologies for the intersection of W. Stadium Boulevard and S. Seventh Street. The technology will allow the City to better detect vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and even near-miss incidents to advance Vision Zero and improve traffic safety. After testing two LiDAR systems, staff found D2’s equipment and customer support to be the most effective.

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!