Title
Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment for the 2012 Sidewalk Repair Millage (7 Votes Required)
Memorandum
In 2011 the City Council approved a resolution in support of the Complete Street philosophy for a safe and balanced transportation system that would accommodate all modes of traffic. The attached resolution includes a proposal for 0.125 mill for the repair of sidewalks by the City, for the years 2012 through 2016. The sidewalk repair millage, if approved, will be used only for the sidewalks adjacent to properties that are on the City’s tax roll, which excludes schools, churches and city owned properties as well as those owned by the University of Michigan. The excluded properties would be responsible for their own sidewalk repairs as they are now. For the first year FY2013, the estimated net revenue for the sidewalk repairs is $563,000.00 after deductions for the DDA. Properties other than single- and two-family homes within the DDA district will continue to be responsible for their own sidewalk repairs as before.
As of today the sidewalk repairs are the complete responsibility of all property owners. In June 2011 staff conducted a public engagement process designed to determine public sentiment regarding the potential to expand the 2012 Street and Bridge Resurfacing and Reconstruction Millage to include a new City-managed sidewalk repair program, which would require an increase to the 2012 Street and Bridge Resurfacing and Reconstruction Millage from 2.0 mills to 2.125 mills.
Three public meetings were held (June 23, 29, 30), which a total of seven citizens attended. The public meetings were complemented by a survey posted online at the City’s Street Millage website from June 21 to July 5, 2011. The survey yielded 620 responses. Of these, 576 respondents self-identified as City of Ann Arbor “residents,” and it is the data generated by these residents that are included in the survey analysis. A brief summa...
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