Midterm Update: Promises Kept

Friends, It’s been my honor to serve as your 4th Ward Council Member for the past two years. In that time, I’ve worked with my council colleagues to advance many progressive policies. When I ran for Council, I promised to lead Ann Arbor forward responsibly, inclusively, ethically and sustainably. Highlights of these efforts are listed below.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I look forward to continuing our work to improve city services and enhance the quality of life for Ann Arbor residents.

Discussing Ann Arbor issues with Gov. Whitmer

Leading Responsibly

• Authorized a $15 million bond to accelerate road repairs, including many in the 4th Ward

• Created and refined new Best Value Procurement policy to improve the quality of city construction projects and increase worker safety

• Hired a new city administrator, ending years of leadership turmoil at city hall, and a new city attorney

• Increased transparency of road repair projects with new city dashboard

• Made significant investments in sewer service and the wastewater treatment plant

• Developed and funded an unarmed crisis response program

• Strengthened oversight of contractor compliance with city prevailing wage ordinance resulting in catching and correcting 24 violations

Speaking out with the Defend Black Voters Coalition

Leading Inclusively

• Increased renter protections and established a Renter’s Commission

• Increased funding for human services

• Increased Poverty Exemption Level for Property Taxes

• Increased supply of affordable senior housing

• Increasing supply of affordable housing by building on city-owned properties at 721 North Main, 353 S. Main, & 1510 E. Stadium

• Launched building review process to make development more affordable

• Developed and instituted new TC1 zoning districts to enable more housing to be built along transit corridors

• Created Director of Organizational Equity position for the City

• Banned practice of Conversion Therapy in Ann Arbor

• Prohibited racial discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles

• Spoke out many times against racism, homophobia, and anti-semitism in our community

Coffee hour with Ward 4 residents

Leading Ethically

• Held City leaders accountable for ethics violations and discriminatory actions

• Removed no-bid city lobbying contract and bid out competitively

• Increased transparency by posting contracts on website

• Secured important accountability and oversight changes in AAPD Command Officers contract

• Directed city administrator to investigate whether city can take a company’s political activity into consideration before approving contracts – specifically whether a contractor’s political activities align with the company’s self-professed values

• Worked on behalf of constituents to address many local issues such as power infrastructure upgrades, traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements
  

Talking sustainability with Lawton Boy Scouts

Leading Sustainably

• Launched process to negotiate a new heating franchise that responsibly phases out fossil fuels in our homes and businesses

• Secured stable funding for climate action work through climate action millage

• Won important concessions from DTE, including lower rates for customers and community solar

• Pursued new and ongoing initiatives to provide residents with reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity

• Adopted a new Vision Zero and sustainability-centered Transportation Plan

• Allocated $7.5 million investment to solarize city facilities

• Adopted a more protective flood plain ordinance to ensure more buildings aren’t built in the floodway

• Restructured parking requirements to mandate more electric vehicle parking