Ypsilanti City Council

Ypsi City Council Hears Fire Fighters' Presentation

Bob Eccles — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:07:56 +0000

Despite warnings from the City Manager that it amounted to negotiating Ypsilanti fire fighters' contract in public, city council Tuesday night heard a presentation on why fire fighters don't like the idea of a hybrid police and fire department. WEMU's Bob Eccles has the story.

Local Support For State Effort To Limit Fireworks Use

Bob Eccles — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:31:31 +0000

An Ypsilanti City Council member is applauding the state legislature for considering a measure that would allow local governments to restrict the hours during which consumer fireworks can be used.

Ypsi Firefighters to Present Hybrid Police/Fire Concerns to City Council

Bob Eccles — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:01:11 +0000

It looks as though Ypsilanti City Council will go ahead and allow the city's firefighters union to make a presentation on why it believes a hybrid police and fire model is wrong for Ypsilanti.

City Manager Ralph Lange has recommended cross-training police to also respond to fires as a way to make the best use of city employees.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Question Before Ypsilanti City Council

Bob Eccles — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:19:03 +0000

There are several items on the Ypsilanti City Council agenda tonight. AS WEMU's Bob Eccles explains, among the more interesting is consideration of a moratorium on licenses for new medical marijuana dispensaries.

Make sure to catch "Morning Edition" with WEMU's David Fair on Wednesday for a full wrap-up of this evenings Ypsilanti City Council meeting.

Ypsilanti approves a Water Street Development Project

Bob Eccles — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:56:43 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a portion of the Water Street Property. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the action will result in a new, Family Dollar Store.

Ypsi City Council Approves Family Dollar Purchase Agreement

Bob Eccles — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:46:29 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a Family Dollar store to be built on the northeast corner of the Water Street re-development area.

The approval came after the developer agreed to some changes to make the store fit better with the city’s vision for the property, including moving the store to the northwest corner of the point-eight-five acre parcel.

The city is selling the parcel for $210,000.

Late-Night Re-Consideration Saves Ypsilanti Police Contract

Bob Eccles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:07:45 +0000

Ypsilanti city council Tuesday night approved a contract with the city's police officers union. The approval followed a tie vote earlier in the meeting that rejected the contract.

Council members Brian Robb, Susan Moeller and Pete Murdock had voted "no" on the contract. Moeller wasn't happy that the contract didn't include raises. Robb wanted pension costs for Police Officers Association members capped, similar to the city's contract with the Command Officers Association. Council member Daniel Vogt was not present at the meeting.

Ypsi Council Update: Dollar Store, Water Street, & AATA

Bob Eccles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:39:52 +0000

Ypsilanti's city council got an update on the Family Dollar store proposal for the Water Street development area Tuesday night. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

In other action Tuesday night, Ypsilanti's city council voted to become of member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

Also, with only six councilmembers present, approval of a new contract with the Ypsilanti Police Officers Associaton failed on a 3-3 vote.

Proposed Master Plan and Water Street Rec Center Clash

Bob Eccles — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:59:49 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council may face some tough decisions on developing Water Street, as the process of updating the city's Master Plan clashes with plans for a county recreation center on the northwest corner of the property.

The design team that's taking public input and converting it into recommendations for council recommends locating the proposed recreation center further south on the parcel, mostly due to the building's large size and parking requirements.

Ypsi City Council Member Proposes Having Charter Amendments At The Ready

Bob Eccles — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:24:44 +0000

One Ypsilanti city council member thinks it would be wise for the city to be ready to add some charter amendment issues to the ballot in the event the state puts a road construction funding issue up for a vote.

Council member Pete Murdock has four charter amendments in mind, most of which have been previously recommended by the city’s Charter Commission.

No Action Taken On Environment Michigan Solar Proposal

Bob Eccles — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:06:01 +0000

Environment Michigan Tuesday night made a presentation to Ypsilanti City Council on how the city could become a solar energy leader in Michigan, but its recommendation that the city set a goal of having solar panels on 1,000 roofs by the year 2020 was not immediately acted upon.

City Clears Another Hurdle for DTE Solar Array

Bob Eccles — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:47:30 +0000

Ypsilanti's city council has approved easements and a 20 year lease for the site the city hopes DTE Energy will choose to construct a large solar panel array. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Group Suggests 1,000 Solar Roofs In Ypsilanti By 2020

Bob Eccles — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:12:03 +0000

A new report says Ypsilanti could benefit both environmentally and financially from becoming a “solar destination”, and recommends the city set the goal of having solar panels installed on 1,000 city roofs by the year 2020.

Environment Michigan says the city would benefit from revenue from permits that would be required to install solar panels.

The group says a study in California showed solar panels added $20-thousand to the value of a home.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Moratorium Proposed in Ypsilanti

Bob Eccles — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:22:55 +0000

Ypsilanti Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson thinks it's time for a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

Council Delays Family Dollar Plan for Water Street

Bob Eccles — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:56:00 +0000

Ypsilanti's city council has put off a decision on a purchase agreement that would have a Family Dollar store built on the northeast corner of the Water Street redevelopment area. The delay is due, in part, to the city's master plan update. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Schreiber Delivers State-of-the-City Address

Bob Eccles — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:38:57 +0000

Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber gave his state-of-the-city address Tuesday night. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Full interview:

Council Considers Street Lighting Assessment

Bob Eccles — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:54:42 +0000

Ypsilanti's city council held a work session Tuesday night to discuss a possible special assessment for street lights. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Council Members Appointed to Collaboration Committee

Bob Eccles — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:38:29 +0000

The city of Ypsilanti will be represented on a committee created to make collaboration between the city, Ypsilanti Township, and Eastern Michigan University more efficient. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Council Backs More Urban Gardening in Ypsilanti

Bob Eccles — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:41:37 +0000

Disagreement Tuesday night over the issue of hoop houses and greenhouses nearly scuttled legislation before Ypsilanti's city council designed to expand urban gardening opportunities. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

Ypsi Backs Withdrawal from Regional Transit Authority

Bob Eccles — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:05:37 +0000

Ypsilanti's city council has approved a resolution supporting Ann Arbor's efforts to have Washtenaw County excluded from the regional transit authority for southeast Michigan. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.