Title
Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment to Authorize the Sale of 319 South Fifth Avenue to the Ann Arbor District Library (7 Votes Required)
Staff
Prepared by: Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Approved by: Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Body
Whereas, Section 14.3 currently reads:
Limitations on Contractual Power
SECTION 14.3
(a) The City shall not purchase, sell, or lease any real estate or any interest therein except by resolution concurred in by at least eight members of the Council.
(b) The City shall not sell without the approval, by a majority vote of the electors of the City voting on the question at a regular or special election, any City park, or land in the City acquired for park, cemetery, or any part thereof.
(d) Except as provided by ordinance authorized by Section 14.2 of this chapter, each contract for public improvements or for supplies or materials shall be let to the bidder that provides the best value to the City, after reasonable opportunity for competitive bidding. All bids shall be opened in public by the City Administrator, or if the City Administrator is absent or incapacitated, by the City Clerk. The Council may reject any or all bids if deemed advisable. If all bids are rejected, or if no bids are received, the Council may obtain new bids or authorize the City Administrator to negotiate in the open market for a contract at a reasonable price, or to purchase in the open market, or to have the work performed by city employees.
(e) No contract shall be made with any person who is in default to the City.
(f) No extra compensation shall be paid to any agent, employee, or contractor after the service has been rendered or the contract entered into;
Whereas, August 5, 2025 is available as an Election Date;
RESOLVED, That the following amended charter provision be placed on the ballot and submitted to the voters at the next available election date:
Limitations on Contractual Power
SECTION 14.3
(a) The City shall not purchase, sell, or lease any real estate or any interest therein except by resolution concurred in by at least eight members of the Council.
(b) The City shall not sell without the approval, by a majority vote of the electors of the City voting on the question at a regular or special election, any City park, or land in the City acquired for park, cemetery, or any part thereof.
(d) Except as provided by ordinance authorized by Section 14.2 of this chapter, each contract for public improvements or for supplies or materials shall be let to the bidder that provides the best value to the City, after reasonable opportunity for competitive bidding. All bids shall be opened in public by the City Administrator, or if the City Administrator is absent or incapacitated, by the City Clerk. The Council may reject any or all bids if deemed advisable. If all bids are rejected, or if no bids are received, the Council may obtain new bids or authorize the City Administrator to negotiate in the open market for a contract at a reasonable price, or to purchase in the open market, or to have the work performed by city employees.
(e) No contract shall be made with any person who is in default to the City.
(f) No extra compensation shall be paid to any agent, employee, or contractor after the service has been rendered or the contract entered into;
(g) The City is authorized to sell any of its interest in 319 South Fifth Avenue or 326 South Division Street only to the Ann Arbor District Library by resolution concurred in by at least eight members of the Council.
RESOLVED, That August 5, 2025 is designated as the day for holding an election on the proposed Charter amendment;
RESOLVED, That the Clerk shall transmit a copy of the proposed amendment to the Attorney General and the Governor of Michigan and shall perform all other acts required by law for holding the election;
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment shall appear on the ballot in the following form:
CITY PROPOSAL A
AMENDMENT TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY TO THE ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY
Shall Section 14.3 of the City Charter be amended to authorize the City to sell its interests in 319 South Fifth Avenue or 326 South Division Street, commonly known as the Library Lane Parking Structure, only to the Ann Arbor District Library for the purpose of building a mixed-use development that includes additional library services, housing, retail, and programmable open public space? This proposal does not authorize new taxes. Adoption of this amendment is conditioned on adoption of City Proposal B at this election.
¨ Yes ¨ No
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment and proposed ballot question shall be published in full in the Washtenaw County Legal News and on the City’s website; and
RESOLVED, That if the amendment is adopted, it shall take immediate effect.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers Eyer, Harrison, Cornell and Akmon
As Amended and Approved by Ann Arbor City Council on March 3, 2025