Title
Resolution to Approve the Recommendations of The Council of the Commons Regarding Activation of Library Lane Surface Parking Lot for Regular and Recurring Use (Deleted from Agenda on 8/16/21)
Body
Whereas, Per City Council Resolution R-21-044, The Council of the Commons is an advisory body to City Council and the City Administrator that will build upon the work of the Center of the City Task Force by providing written recommendations annually on such subjects as funding needs, an operations and maintenance model, and the role of the Council of the Commons;
Whereas, At their August 5, 2021 meeting, the Council of the Commons unanimously approved recommending to City Council that they direct city staff to create a plan to activate the Library Lane surface parking lot for regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other like commercial vendors such as artisan pop-ups, etc.;
Whereas, The Council of the Commons recommends that the plan:
• Makes use of any and all existing city ‘use’ processes from like spaces and activities (e.g. A2 Farmer’s Market, street fairs, and community events*) to aid activation of the Library Lane surface parking lot, including but not limited to: application processes for vendors, cleaning, health and safety management, marketing and external engagement. The Council of the Commons urges the City to not “reinvent the wheel”, to the extent possible, and use best practices associated with similar activities.
• Solicits involvement from Center of the City block participants - including the Downtown Development Authority, the Ann Arbor District Library, private businesses, and others - to collectively ensure this activation is successful, noting that some planned and recurring activities might not be within the expertise of individual block participants. Engage block participants to bring vendors to the space that help supplement and complement their expertise and serve the community.
• Involves an activation strategy that deliberately creates planned recurring activities and markets them in the community.
• Works to attract a diversity of vendors, as well as the creation of activities that attract diverse participants, as reflected in Ann Arbor’s values of social and racial equity and inclusion.
RESOLVED, City Council accepts this recommendation and directs the City Administrator to create a plan to activate the Library Lane surface parking lot for regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other like commercial vendors such as artisan pop-ups, etc. based on the approach proposed by the Council of the Commons, and that said report shall be communicated to the City Council by November 1, 2021; and
RESOLVED, That if the City Administrator concludes that it is infeasible for staff to administer this program, then the City Administrator shall provide an evaluation of the feasibility of creating a partnership with an external or non-profit entity to manage the program on the city’s behalf.
Sponsored by: Councilmember Briggs and Griswold