Exclusive: Complaint filed against Ann Arbor's Library Green Conservancy for Michigan Campaign Finance Act violation

 

A screenshot of the complaint filed against the Library Green Conservancy 

Andrew Robbins, a researcher at  U of M, has filed a complaint against the Library Green Conservancy (LGC) for violating the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. Under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act 501(c)(3)s like the LGC are limited in their ability to spend money advocating for specific candidates or ballot initiatives. 

The complaint against the LGC alleges the following:

The Library Green Conservancy (LGC), a Michigan 501(c)(3) organization, is in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by having spent over $500.00 on campaign advocacy related to a ballot question without having registered as a ballot question committee and without having disclosed their expenditures. 

LGC have caused themselves to meet the definition of a ballot question committee under MCL 169.203(4) through expenditures exceeding $500.00 in a calendar year. Despite this, they have not registered as a ballot question committee. Their communications meet the requirements for express words of defeat under MCL 169.206(2)(j), and their expenditures in calendar year 2025 have exceeded $500.00 as described under MCL 169.254(3). 

Examples of language designed to persuade voters to vote no include: 

"Proposals A & B are not needed to replace the downtown library." 

"Proposals A & B would allow the sale of valuable downtown public land for $1 for private development" 

"Proposals A & B would [...] overturn the will of the majority of 2018 voters." 

"Proposals A & B are NOT needed for a new library." 

"Proposals A & B are misleading." 

"YOU CAN VOTE AGAINST PROPOSALS A & B AND STILL GET A NEW LIBRARY!" 

"The park we voted for is under attack!" 

"Proposals A & B are the 1st step toward the goal [...] to sell our Parks and Park Land to High Rise Building Developers" 

Direct attacks against elected officials, including AADL president Molly Kleinman.

The complaint contains evidence, including statements made by the LGC's attorney, Tom Wieder, that the LGC spent $59,000 advocating against Proposals A and B. 

Though it is probably too late to directly impact the vote on Proposals A and B, it will be interesting to see how this complaint plays out. Stay tuned for more on this story as it develops. 

Letter to Damn Arbor: The Library Green Conservancy and AADL

NOTE: This is a letter to Damn Arbor from former AADL Director, Josie Parker. If you'd like to submit a Letter to Damn Arbor, please send it to damn.arbor@gmail.com. 

The Library Green Conservancy's Observer Ad

When I first saw the Library Green Conservancy’s full-page ad in the Observer, insinuating that an unrealistic rendering of a building over the Library Lane garage, was actually an AADL document, I was reminded yet again of how this group is willing to sacrifice the good reputation of the AADL to meet its own ends. A number of years ago, there was another drawing showing a walkway from William Street through to the parking garage rooftop across the properties of the AADL and the University of MI Credit Union. Seeing the published rendering was the first that AADL knew of its existence and there was no answer to our queries of what was intended. We did, however, have to spend a lot of time reassuring our neighbors and the general public that the rendering was not an AADL document. 

It seems that this group knows it has failed to deliver on its promises from when the ballot proposal designating the public property owned by the city as "The Center of the City” was passed in 2018. Many years later, nothing has changed, and the Library Green Conservancy seems determined to take no responsibility for that. I am sadly not surprised. 

From the moment that a paid worker gathering signatures for the initial 2018 ballot initiative stopped me in front of a library branch and asked me to sign so that the Library’s proposal for a park could go on the ballot, I knew that the AADL was being used. When I challenged a leader of the Library Green Conservancy, I got a smirk and a shrug. Years later after failed attempts to raise money and deliver on their promises, they approached the AADL about financially contributing to an investment opportunity to support their work. I declined after explaining that it would be an unlawful use of library funds and I was very disappointed at having been solicited. Once again, I got the smirk and the shrug. 

I remember seeing a name listed among the Library Green Conservancy’s supporters I was surprised to see there. When asked, these claimed supporters were also surprised to hear they were on a list of supporters of an organization they decidedly did not support. This has happened to local businesses as well. A smirk and a shrug. 

Over the years the AADL met with the Library Green Conservancy several times, because an activated public space in that area serves all of the community’s interests. Our efforts were met with ridiculous, unworkable proposals, such as a cryptocurrency that would be unique to their Commons, or drawings playing fast and loose with scale, showing large mature trees growing in surface pits. They would propose that the Commons could include meeting rooms and art galleries and develop collections of local history. Just like a library. 

The Center of the City’s infrequent events, usually announced on short notice, accompanied by last-minute requests for Library support, became a challenge for the library services running next door. They would close the parking lot for a weekend and hold a 12 hour event with just a handful of attendees. They would drape cables unsafely down the parking structure stairs or leave equipment on site after their event permit had ended. Alcohol was sold at one of their events, without a permit, just steps from the Library. 

Ultimately we came to the realization that distancing the operations of the AADL from the Center of the City was the wise and prudent choice. 

Now, when the City and the AADL are working together to make the corner of 5th and William and the parking garage roof a place to live, work and play for generations, the Library Green Conservancy with their ads and mailers are once again trying to misuse a beloved and valued public institution’s reputation, and for what? They don’t appear to be serious about developing the area as a park. They are accountable to no-one and take no responsibility for their lack of progress since 2018. Shouldn’t an organization that wants to be responsible for public space take some responsibility for their work on that public space? I think it is worth the public’s time to ask them. 

I hope that those of you who vote in the City of Ann Arbor will see through the Library Green Conservancy’s attempts to confuse the public and avoid accountability, and vote yes on Proposals A & B by August 5th. We’ve all seen what they can do with the surface of a parking garage. Now let’s see what the Library can do with it.

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: July 21, 2025

 

Gentle reader, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the agenda. 

The night kicks off with a respectable, 21-item consent agenda. The first 6 items are street closures. CA-1 is for Ann Arbor Pride, CA-2 is for the UA Block Party, CA-3 is for Move-In, CA-4 is for Festifall, CA-5 is for GoBlueMix, CA-6 is for the Autumnal Green Fair. That's a lot of street closures!

CA-7 is the development agreement for the Braun Court mid-rise. CA-8 is the development agreement for the townhouses going in at 318 E Jefferson. 

There are 5 public hearings on the docket this evening. PH-1/B-1 is for some changes to the UDC. PH-2/B-2 incorporates changes to citizen participation rules for Planning Commission. PH-3/B-3 is for a routine township annexation for 5.9 acres at 255-371 Scio Church, 2180 Ann Arbor-Saline. PH-4/DB-1 is for the the site plan for the above address, which will be called 75 South Main. PH-5/DS-1 is for the first amendment to the Broadway Park Brownfield Plan. 

DC-1 is a resolution to appoint Jessica Francis to the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission. DC-2 is for the reappointment of a non-registered elector, Michelle Merusi, to the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA). 

DC-3 is this evening's spicy chili. The vaguely titled Resolution Regarding the Draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CULP). This resolution requests Planning Commission make several additions to the CULP. My take is that this is an attempt to placate the Pause the Plan folks. It also specifically authorizes an amendment to the contract with Interface Studios for the additional extension of time and the creation of an additional iteration of the Draft Plan, and to support attendance at upcoming public meetings at an amount not to exceed $83,300, for a total revised contract of $883,990. This probably deserves a whole article on its own. I'll just say to listen to public commentary tonight. 

And that's all there is. If you want to follow the blow by blow tonight, make sure you check out the #a2Council hashtag on Bluesky. 

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: July 7, 2025

 

Gentle readers, tonight is #a2Council night. Here's the agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a modest, 14-item consent agenda. CA-1 is an update to the site plan for 625 Church Street. CA-2 is an update to the site plan for 303 Detroit Street. 

There are no public hearings nor ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. 

There is but one resolution on the docket this evening. DC-1 is a resolution approving the recommendation of the City Administrator for the Timing of Bond Issuance for the Arbor South Project. This is probably tonight's spiciest chili. The big question here is how involved the city should be in the parking structure for new South Town project. 

And that's all there is. If you want to follow the blow by blow tonight, make sure you check out the #a2Council hashtag on Bluesky. 

NPNA Yard Sale tomorrow in Ypsilanti's Normal Park

 

The Normal Park Neighborhood Association annual multi-family yard sale is tomorrow. There will be close to 100 homes selling things in what many consider to be the nation's premier yard sale. Stop by and say hi. 

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: May 19, 2025

 

Gentle readers, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a scant, 2-item consent agenda. CA-1 is for the YMCA Community Block Party and CA-2 is to accept a $200k Shared Streets grant for improvements around the Transit Center. 

There is one public hearing on the docket this evening, PH-1/DB-1 is for a routine township island annexation at 1155 Arlington Blvd.

There is one ordinance first reading on tonight's agenda. C-1 is an update to the UDC rules on land divisions. 

What this meeting lacks in ordinances and consent items, it makes up for in resolutions. DC-1 through DC-5 are appointments and I'm going to skip them. 

The next batch are fund allocations. DC-6 is for Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Intervention Programs. DC-7 is for Expanding Food Access and Supporting Local Food Distribution. DC-8 is for Shelter Diversion, Eviction Prevention, and Programming in Under-Resourced Communities. 

DC-9 directs the administrator to explore a replacement records management system for the city. 

DS-1 is allocating some of Ann Arbor's Marijuana Excise money to the Home of New Vision.

DS-2 and DS-3 are resolutions to accept sewer and water main easements from Midtown Ann Arbor. 

DS-4, DS-5, DS-6, and DS-7 are fee adjustments for the AAFD, AAPD, Public Service Area and Airport, and CSA, respectively. 

DS-8 is the big one. This is the resolution to adopt the city budget and property tax millage for FY26. 

Dad Arbor: YPT presents: Shrek the Musical this weekend at the Power Center

 

Ex-Damn Arbor editor, and current my spouse, Erika Jost, choreographed Young People's Theater's production of Shrek the Musical. The show runs Friday through Sunday at the Power Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and children. 

Jost is known for her dynamic ensemble work and Berkeley-esque showmanship. Shrek, will, no doubt, deliver. This is her second time choreographing a production of this outstanding show. The first was almost a decade ago so it will be exciting to see how Jost has grown as an artist in the intervening years. 

When I asked "how has your approach to choreography evolved since the last time your worked on Shrek?" Jost responded "I've been in the theater to 11 every night this week. Please, just tell people to see the show."  

All kidding aside, if you are looking for a fun show to see with the kids this weekend, take them to Shrek. The musical is tremendously fun, with rousing numbers like Who I'd Be and Story of my Life. It's hard to beat a nice spring show at the Power Center and YPT always delivers. 

Die-in tonight at City Hall

 

On Monday night, a pedestrian who was crossing Huron at 4th Ave was killed by a driver in a hit and run crash. This is the 4th pedestrian to be killed by a driver this year in Ann Arbor. 

In response, activists are organizing die-in tonight at Ann Arbor City Hall at 6:50 pm. Here are the demands:

1. To City Council and MDOT, hurry up the takeover of MDOT roads within the city
2. To MDOT, allow safety improvements and signal adjustments now
3. To City Council, turn on the GridSmart camera features that automatically create longer crossing times for pedestrians needing extra time
4. Allocate money for Stadium safety improvements to make changes on streets the city controls right now
5. Turn off all flashing yellow left turn signals that don't yet have a pedestrian walk button override

It is imperative that Ann Arbor improve the safety for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.  MDOT is not just an obstacle to this, they are actively working against it. Please show your support for a safer Ann Arbor by participating in the die-in tonight. 

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: May 5, 2025

 

Gentle readers, tonight is the first #A2Council meeting of May. Here's your agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a modest, 13-item consent agenda. Strangely, no street closures. Of note we do have CA-1 the design agreement for 1209 South University. This will be a 19-story building and use a 30% sustainability bonus. 

There are 9, count them, 9 public hearings on the docket this evening. PH-1/B-1 is the second reading of an ordinance that makes some minor changes to the city's alarm code. PH-2/B-2, PH-3/B-3, and PH-4/B-4 are the second readings to ordinances that update the city's water, stormwater, and sewer rates, respectively. PH-5, PH-6, PH-7, and PH-8 are all public hearings and resolutions on updated fees for the Fire Department, Police Department, Airport, and Community Service Area. PH-9 is a resolution to adopt the city budget and update the property tax millage rates for FY26. 

There are 6 ordinance first readings on the agenda tonight. C-1 and C-2 are for township island rezonings on Stone School. C-3 is rezoning ~10 acres from R4A to Public Land to expand Hickory Nature Area. C-4 is the downtown library rezoning to D1. C-5 makes changes to Ann Arbor's rules around Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). C-6 would add green rental housing rules to the city code. 

On to the resolutions. There is only 1! DC-1 makes appointments to the Building Authority Board. 

If you want to follow the blow by blow tonight, make sure you check out the #a2Council hashtag on Bluesky. 

Call to Action: Tell Council what you think about the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Gentle readers, this is a call to action. If you don’t regularly engage with #a2Council or the City Planning Commission (CPC), it is imperative you share your thoughts on the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) draft with them. If you are one of the sickos who regularly engages with these groups, you have a different job: you need to reach out to your friends and neighbors, and make sure that they too are sharing their thoughts on the CLUP with Council and Planning Commission. The City is hosting feedback sessions on April 30th (today) and May 7th from 3-7 pm at the Mallets Creek and Traverwood Libraries, respectively.

However you choose to engage, it is imperative that you share your thoughts on the new CLUP. Council will be voting on this in the fall of this year and it is imperative they hear sustained support for this. This effort won’t stop once the plan is adopted. You need to keep advocating for this as the city adopts new zoning based on the new plan.  Make sure to tell all your friends.

Hyde Park, Chicago, IL. Some people are trying to make sure that this stays illegal in most Ann Arbor Neighborhoods

Ann Arbor is in the middle of revising the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). This document serves as a template for the city’s land use going forward. Hopefully it will usher in major zoning updates. Ultimately, Planning Commission will create the new CLUP. Council passed a resolution instructing the commission to generate a plan that will increase affordability, sustainability, and equity. This is a great direction. CPC answered the call and generated a great plan. Full disclosure, I was on the CLUP Steering Committee, a group that helped advise CPC on the direction of the plan. 

The draft plan is very good. It allows more housing to be built throughout Ann Arbor. This is the single most important thing that the city can do for affordability, sustainability, and equity. Over the last decade, Ann Arbor has seen housing costs rise dramatically. The city’s current zoning dramatically restricts housing supply which causes price increases. Study after study shows that when cities allow more housing to be built, it dampens price increases across all market segments. Cities that have built lots of housing, like Seattle, Austin, and Minneapolis, have even seen rents decrease. 

The new CLUP is also a huge step towards making Ann Arbor more sustainable. Allowing more people to live on the same amount of land reduces sprawl and preserves important ecosystems outside of the city. By allowing more people to live in Ann Arbor, it will allow people to commute shorter distances. It also makes transit, biking, and walking more feasible. Shorter commutes and more transit/walking/biking lessens the environemntal impact of the city’s residents and workers. Studies show that allowing people to live more densely is one of the most important ways that we can reduce GHG emissions and other pollution. 

The new plan also helps equity. By allowing gentle density throughout the city, it makes things like neighborhood grocery stores more viable. The new plan also liberalizes rules for businesses in neighborhoods. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every neighborhood had a Jefferson Market or a Washtenaw Dairy? Beyond the fact that these are forbidden in most of the city's neighborhoods, many areas of the city don’t have the density to support these neighborhood businesses. Restrictive zoning is also associated with decreased racial diversity in neighborhoods and increased wealthy residents. 

I also think something like this is totally fine for most residential areas. But I guess it really freaks a bunch of people out. This is also in Hyde Park.

This is a call to action: Ann Arbor has a once in a generation opportunity to dramatically improve affordability, sustainability, and equity. Please take a moment and engage with Council and CPC on the CLUP. Drop them an email (City Council, CPC) or call in to the next meeting and share your thoughts on the plan. Since the plan’s release, the usual cast of anti-housing activists have been working hard to foment opposition. Ann Arbor has the chance to make the city a more equitable, safer, and vibrant city that more people can call home. We need to do this not just for the city’s current residents, but also for our children and grandchildren. It is important for the city to hear your voice.