For information about the Ann Arbor City Council and issues currently before it, see a2gov.org/agenda, or call the Ann Arbor city clerk at (734) 794–6140. If you want to see changes made to any city law, rule, or procedure, call your council representatives. a2gov.org/city-council
City council adopts the city’s annual budget and determines city laws and policies. It has 11 members: 2 from each of the city’s 5 wards, plus the mayor. Ward representatives are paid $29,869.54/year, and the mayor is paid $54,947.03. Councilmembers are elected to staggered 4-year terms: 1 seat in each ward is filled in a partisan election every even-year November. Ann Arbor has not elected a Republican officeholder since 2003, so the Democratic primary (almost always decides the council’s membership.
Regular city council meetings are held the 1st & 3rd Mon. at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 2nd fl. of Larcom City Hall. Agendas for council meetings and notices of public hearings are posted at a2gov.legistar.com/calendar. Special and working sessions, open to the public, are conducted as needed; notice is posted in Larcom City Hall and at the link above. Council and many other city meetings are broadcast live on the city’s Community Television Network and streamed and archived at a2gov.org/ctn.
Registered users of the city’s eComment tool can submit public comments as late as 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. For more information, go to a2gov.org and search for City Council Meetings.
The mayor, elected in a partisan election every 4 years, presides over city council and is a voting member; leads council in setting policy and approving the budget; nominates members of boards and commissions, subject to confirmation by city council; has the power to veto most council actions; has certain police powers in emergencies; and acts as ceremonial head of the city.