Dharma's Council Newsletter, October 5, 2025

Neighbors,

City Council meets next on Monday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Before my agenda highlights, I have a few updates to share.

Seasonal Leaf Collection in A2 Begins Oct. 6 with Expanded Options

Beginning on Monday, Oct. 6, residents may set out 20 paper yard bags per collection day instead of the normal limit of 10. Individual bags must not exceed 50 pounds. Residents are also encouraged to use compost carts for leaves. To learn more about season leaf collection, visit: https://www.a2gov.org/news/posts/seasonal-leaf-collection-in-a2-begins-oct-6-with-expanded-options/.   

Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Third Draft Released

The city has released the third draft of Ann Arbor’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which lays out how we’ll guide growth, housing, and development in the years ahead. You can review the full draft and share feedback on the city’s engagement hub: engage.a2gov.org/comprehensive-land-use-plan.

On Tuesday, October 7, the Planning Commission will discuss whether to forward this draft to City Council to start the official 63-day public review period or if more edits are needed first.

You can tune in or attend the meeting in person to hear the discussion. Details and the meeting link are posted at a2gov.org/city-of-ann-arbor-calendar.

Ann Arbor Named a National “Top Performer”

Ann Arbor has been recognized as a Top Performer in the Best in Governance Awards for Education, Arts, and Culture by Polco, a national organization that highlights local governments leading the way in innovation, effectiveness, and community engagement.

This recognition reflects the creativity and commitment of both our residents and city staff who help make Ann Arbor such a vibrant and collaborative place to live. Thank you for being part of what makes our community stand out!

A2ZERO Household Electronics Collection Events

If you’ve been meaning to clear out old or broken electronics—phones, computers, keyboards, cords, TVs, printers, and more—two upcoming A2ZERO Household Electronics Collection events are a great opportunity to do so responsibly.

Events will take place on Saturday, October 11, and Saturday, November 15. Most items can be dropped off at no cost, though duplicate or oversized items may have a small fee.

Recycling and reusing electronics keeps valuable materials out of landfills and helps advance Ann Arbor’s A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals, contributing to a healthier environment for everyone. For more details, visit: https://www.a2gov.org/electronics.

City Council Meeting, Monday, October 6 at 7 p.m.

• Meeting Agenda

• Responses to Council Member Questions

Agenda Highlights

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

• Cost Sharing Agreement with UM for Sewer Capacity Improvements Project (CA-5). City Council will vote on an agreement with the University of Michigan to share costs for major sewer capacity upgrades along West Washington, North First, and Miller. The improvements will support both citywide system resilience and the University’s new Central Campus Student Housing Complex, adding roughly 4,800 new student beds across two phases on the former Elbel Field and adjacent properties.

  The $23 million project includes:

  • Part A: Construction of 1,520 feet of new 36-inch sanitary sewer to handle new flows from the housing project—90% funded by UM and 10% by the City.

  • Part B: Rehabilitation of 4,000 feet of existing 36-inch sewer to extend the system’s life—fully City-funded.

  The City will manage the project, with construction beginning in late 2025 and continuing through 2027.

• Resolution to Amend Grant Agreement with State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for the Wheeler Center Solar Park to Now Supporting the Sustainable Energy Utility with Launching a Solar Virtual Power Plant (CA-12). Council will vote on approving an amendment to a $5 million state grant that will help the City’s Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) launch a solar virtual power plant and partially fund the SEU's executive director position for general administrative costs necessary to implement the project. Originally intended for the Wheeler Center Solar Park, the grant was redirected after rising construction costs made that project infeasible. The revised grant will instead fund solar panels, batteries, and software to pilot a virtual power plant: an innovative system that connects many small solar installations so they can operate together like one large power source. This approach helps balance energy supply and demand locally while increasing grid resilience and reducing emissions. The amendment allocates $3 million for solar equipment, $1 million for consulting and installation, and $1 million for administrative and staffing support.

ORDINANCES AT FIRST READING

• Ordinance to Amend Section 1:207 of Chapter 8 of City Code (C-1). I’m sponsoring an ordinance amendment that would add a new duty for the Transportation Commission to formally consider crash data and staff recommendations when advising City Council on transportation safety programs and projects. City staff already analyze local traffic crashes to identify causes and potential improvements. This change ensures that those insights are explicitly part of the Commission’s work, helping us make more data-informed decisions aimed at preventing future crashes and protecting all roadway users. The Transportation Commission unanimously supported this amendment at its September 17 meeting.

CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED RESOLUTIONS

• Resolution to Accept Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to Support a Community Geothermal Installation in the Bryant Neighborhood (DC-4). City Council will vote on accepting a $10.78 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to build Ann Arbor’s first community geothermal system in the Bryant neighborhood, a key step in advancing our A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals. The geothermal system will be owned and operated by the SEU once complete. (Sponsor: Taylor)

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!