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 in any city law, rule, or procedure, call your council representatives. a2gov.org/departments/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 $16,231.76/year, and the mayor is paid $45,210. 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/archived on its website: 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.
