Ypsilanti meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ypsilanti Council approves water, sewer rate hikes; HDC clears carriage house demolition

Ypsilanti City Council approved first readings of water and sewage rate adjustments and awarded several contracts, including a $305,860 bridge design, at its Aug. 18 meeting. The Historic District Commission also approved the demolition of a contributing carriage house at 306 S Huron with conditions.

City Council

The council voted 5-0 to approve first readings of ordinances adjusting water service and sewage disposal rates. It also approved a consent agenda that included a new collective bargaining agreement with TPOAM.

Contract awards approved:

• $96,900 to SmithGroup for a comprehensive master plan update (5-0)
• $142,825 to OHM for the Frog Island parking lot replacement (5-0)
• $305,860 to OHM for the Prospect Road bridge design (5-0)
• $38,200 to OHM as a contract amendment, bringing the total to $278,760 (4-1)
• $73,638 to R.W. Mercer for DPW/Fire monitoring upgrades (4-0)

Historic District Commission

The commission approved the demolition of the contributing carriage house at 306 S Huron (4-0), with requirements for photographic and measured recordation and construction of a new carriage house. It also approved certificates of appropriateness for window replacement at 314 S Washington, a mural at 34 E Cross, garage door replacement at 14 S Washington, a re-roof and deck at 46 E Forest (4-1), a rear addition at 410 E Cross, masonry veneer replacement at 229 W Michigan, and a re-roof with hardship finding at 300 N Washington. A finding of demolition by neglect was made for 302 E Cross, requiring the owner to attend the next meeting.

Other meetings

The Administrative Hearings Bureau held hearings on Aug. 13 (12 cases) and Aug. 20 (24 cases) for property code violations, including offenses at 101 S Adams St, 693 Arbor Drive, 616 E Cross St, 917 W Cross St, and 753 S Grove St. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Fire and Police Retirement Board met Aug. 17. Its agenda included payment resolutions totaling over $37,000 to Fifth Third Bank, Seizert Capital Partners, Orleans, Deroy & Devereaux, Mariner, and Ancora; a resolution on poverty threshold changes for pension calculations; and discussion of a contract for Joanne Meriwether. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

The Administrative Hearings Bureau will hold hearings on Aug. 27 for 28 property code violations, including cases at 301 N Adams St, 11 S Adams St, 452 Ainsworth Cir, 1123 N Congress St, and 402 W Michigan Ave.

Ypsilanti roundup: Water Street committee names new leadership; City Council set to weigh $1.1M parking lot contract

The Ad Hoc Citizens Committee for the Water Street Redevelopment Area appointed Diana Gonzalez as its next chairperson and Steve Wilcoxen as vice-chairperson at its July 22 meeting, one of the few bodies with official minutes published this past week. Most other meetings on the calendar were agenda-only, with minutes not yet available, meaning several high-dollar items listed for City Council remain proposals until minutes confirm action.

Water Street Redevelopment Committee

The committee approved its agenda and the June 26, 2026 minutes by consensus. Members agreed by consensus to wait until the August meeting to discuss the future meeting schedule. The committee also discussed values and benefits for the redevelopment area, including housing, sustainability, and indigenous stewardship, and agreed to provide further comments on the RFQ and 100-year vision documents. Gonzalez and Wilcoxen were appointed to the two leadership posts.

Police Advisory Commission

The Police Advisory Commission approved its agenda, with introductions added, on a 4-0 vote, and approved the June 25, 2026 minutes 4-0. Members decided to include the 2025 report in the Annual Report to Council. The commission tabled its review of crisis response and mental health policies; no further detail on timing was included in the minutes.

City Council — items scheduled for consideration

The July 21 City Council agenda listed several items for action, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. Among the items on the agenda:

• Rezoning of 424 S. Mansfield from Production, Manufacturing, & Distribution to General Corridor, in connection with TRUE Community Credit Union.
• Frog Island Parking Lot Replacement contract with T&M Asphalt Paving, Inc. for $1,144,212.
• Property and Liability insurance renewal with Michigan Municipal League for $529,456.
• Parkridge Community Center Roof Replacement proposal with OHM for $39,500.
• Demolition orders for buildings at 539 S. Huron Street, 558 Madison Street, 601 E Michigan Avenue, and 1032 Watling Blvd.

Until minutes are published, these should be treated as scheduled for consideration rather than decided.

Ypsilanti Housing Commission

The Housing Commission held its annual meeting July 20 to elect officers and review property policies. The agenda included the annual election of Co-Chairs and Secretary per bylaws, a Space Use Policy discussion for YHC community spaces, and a proposal to establish a memorial marker for Ometha Smith at Hollow Creek. Reported property occupancy rates were: Strong Future 97%, New Parkridge 97%, HC1 96%, and HC2 93%. Strong Future's NSPIRE inspection score was reported at 89/100. Minutes were not yet published.

Administrative Hearings Bureau

The bureau's July 23 docket included 26 property code cases, according to the agenda. Listed cases ranged from formal hearings, such as Case EN26-2812 for 317 W Cross St, to informal hearings at 558 Harriet St, 108 S Huron St, 101 E Michigan Ave, and 12 S Washington St. Outcomes are not yet available.

Other meetings

The Non-Motorized Advisory Committee met July 23 to review the Non-Motorized Plan update, a Community Input & Outreach Plan, and Fall River Day scheduling. The Human Relations Commission met July 27, with approval of April 27, 2026 Action Minutes on the agenda. Minutes for both were not yet published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days, according to the available schedule. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted sessions.

Planning Commission recommends rezoning 424 S. Mansfield; City Council to vote on contracts and demolitions

The Ypsilanti Planning Commission has recommended that City Council approve rezoning the True Community Credit Union property at 424 S. Mansfield Avenue from PMD (Production, Manufacturing, & Distribution) to General Corridor. The recommendation now heads to City Council, which is scheduled to take up the matter July 21.

Planning Commission

On July 15, the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning for 424 S. Mansfield Avenue. The body also discussed several zoning text amendments, including one for Planned Unit Developments, one for Data Centers, and one for Party Stores (now described as Vape Shops). A draft Hazard Mitigation Plan was also on the agenda as Resolution No. 2026-01. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so the scope of discussion beyond the rezoning recommendation is not yet part of the public record.

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission met July 14 and held a public hearing on a demolition request for the Ypsilanti Transit Center at 220 Pearl. The applicant proposes replacing the current structure, described as non-contributing, with a new transit passenger terminal and related site work. Additional items on the agenda included demolition of the North Shed at 206 N Washington, a sign reface at 301 W Cross, a partial re-roof at 101 S Adams, and demolition of a carriage house at 306 S South Huron. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of these items are not yet confirmed.

Administrative Hearings Bureau

The Administrative Hearings Bureau held two sessions in the past two weeks. On July 9, the bureau scheduled informal hearings on 23 pending cases involving property code violations, including housing, nuisance, and zoning offenses. Listed cases included 456 Bates-Ainsworth Circle (section 302.7), 693 Arbor Drive (section 122-563), 550 First Ave under Godwin Ighodaro (sections 122-563 and 122-682), 856 Harriet St under Kenyetta Lindsey (sections 122-203 and 122-562), and 1409 Whittier Rd (section 42-74 and PMC 302.1).

On July 16, the bureau conducted formal hearings involving multiple property owners, including Scott Klaassen at 301 Nadams St, Shafiq Kasham at 317 W Cross St, Philip & Amelia Panzica at 109 Farmer St, and 539 Huron Real Estate Co. LLC at 539 S Huron St. Additional hearings covered properties on Hamilton St, Washington St, and Michigan Ave. Minutes for both sessions are not yet published.

Coming up

City Council — July 21: Council will consider the rezoning of 424 S. Mansfield from PMD to General Corridor. Also on the agenda: a Frog Island Parking Lot Replacement contract with T&M Asphalt Paving, Inc. for $1,144,212; a Property and Liability insurance renewal with Michigan Municipal League for $529,456; a Parkridge Community Center Roof Replacement proposal with OHM for $39,500; and demolition orders for buildings at 539 S. Huron Street, 558 Madison Street, 601 E Michigan Avenue, and 1032 Watling Blvd.

Administrative Hearings Bureau — July 23: The bureau will review 26 property code cases, including a formal hearing for 317 W Cross St (Case EN26-2812) and informal hearings for 558 Harriet St (EN26-2721), 108 S Huron St (EN26-2625), 101 E Michigan Ave (EN26-2717), and 12 S Washington St (EN25-1867).

Election Commission approves staff for August primary; code violation hearings and demolition reviews ahead

The Ypsilanti Election Commission has approved the appointment of Chairs and Inspectors for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election, the only formal decision recorded among recent city meetings. Other boards held discussion-only sessions or had no business to conduct.

Election Commission

On July 1, the commission approved minutes from its October 10, 2025 meeting in a 3-0 vote. It then approved Resolution No. 2026-001, appointing election Chairs and Inspectors to serve during the August 4, 2026 Primary Election, also by a 3-0 vote. These appointments fill the personnel needed to staff polling places for the upcoming primary.

Tenants Rights Subcommittee

The Tenants Rights Subcommittee met June 29 to discuss updates to the City Rental Inspection Ordinance and review the 2020 Housing Affordability and Accessibility Subcommittee Report. The group also proposed a meeting schedule of the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. Minutes from this session have not yet been published, so no formal actions are confirmed.

Administrative Hearings Bureau

No hearings were scheduled for July 2; the agenda indicated no business would be conducted.

On July 9, the bureau was set to conduct informal hearings on 23 pending property code violation cases. Listed cases include:

• 456 Bates-Ainsworth Circle: violation of section 302.7
• 693 Arbor Drive: violation of section 122-563
• 550 First Ave (Godwin Ighodaro): multiple violations of sections 122-563 and 122-682
• 856 Harriet St (Kenyetta Lindsey): multiple violations of sections 122-203 and 122-562
• 1409 Whittier Rd: violation of section 42-74 and PMC 302.1

Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes for these cases are not yet available.

Coming up

July 14 — Historic District Commission: The commission will hold a public hearing on a demolition request for the Ypsilanti Transit Center at 220 Pearl. The applicant proposes replacing the current non-contributing structure with a new transit passenger terminal and related site work. Additional agenda items include demolitions at 206 N Washington (North Shed) and 306 S South Huron (carriage house), a sign reface at 301 W Cross, and a partial re-roof at 101 S Adams.

July 15 — Planning Commission: The commission will consider a rezoning request for the True Community Credit Union property at 424 S. Mansfield Avenue, proposed to move from PMD to General Corridor zoning. The agenda also includes zoning text amendments on Planned Unit Developments, Data Centers, and Party Stores (now Vape Shops), plus Resolution No. 2026-01 on a draft Hazard Mitigation Plan.

July 16 — Administrative Hearings Bureau: Formal hearings are scheduled for multiple properties, including 301 Nadams St (Scott Klaassen), 317 W Cross St (Shafiq Kasham), 109 Farmer St (Philip & Amelia Panzica), and 539 S Huron St (539 Huron Real Estate Co. LLC). Additional hearings cover properties on Hamilton St, Washington St, and Michigan Ave.

Ypsilanti Election Commission approves poll workers for August primary; Water Street committee reviews developer qualifications

Election Commission appoints Chairs and Inspectors for August 4 primary

The most consequential decision this week came from the Election Commission on July 1, which approved Resolution No. 2026-001 appointing Chairs and Inspectors to serve during the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. The resolution passed 3-0. The commission also approved minutes from its October 10, 2025 meeting, also by a 3-0 vote.

Water Street redevelopment committee reviews developer qualifications

The Ad Hoc Citizens Committee for the Water Street Redevelopment Area met June 24 to review the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document for developer selection. The committee also examined new environmental contamination maps from AKT Peerless and discussed a 100-year vision narrative for the Water Street site. Members were scheduled to approve minutes from March, April, and May 2026 meetings. A public comment period was set at 3 minutes per speaker. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.

Police Advisory Commission approves agenda and receives department report

The Police Advisory Commission met June 25 and approved its meeting agenda 5-0 and the May 28, 2026 minutes 5-0. The commission received the Police Department's monthly statistics report. No policy changes or budget items were on the agenda.

Human Relations Commission to consider removing commissioners for absenteeism

The Human Relations Commission met June 22 to discuss planning an August town hall meeting and to consider removing commissioner seats due to absenteeism, per the commission's bylaws. The agenda also included approval of minutes from the April 27, 2026 meeting and a public comment period. Minutes have not yet been published, so it is not known what actions, if any, were taken.

Tenants Rights Subcommittee discusses rental inspection ordinance

The Tenants Rights Subcommittee met June 29 to discuss updates to the City Rental Inspection Ordinance and review a 2020 report on housing affordability and accessibility. The subcommittee also proposed a meeting schedule of the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. Minutes have not yet been published.

Administrative Hearings Bureau handles code violations

The Administrative Hearings Bureau held routine property code violation hearings on June 25, presided by Officer Hector Schmidt. The docket included four cases at 550 First Ave, three cases at 320 E Michigan St, two cases at 517 Washtenaw Ave, and hearings for 123 N Adams St and 731 W Cross St. A July 2 session was canceled with no cases scheduled.

Coming up

The Administrative Hearings Bureau will meet July 9 to hear 23 pending code violation cases, including multiple violations at 550 First Ave (Godwin Ighodaro) and 856 Harriet St (Kenyetta Lindsey). Property owners will have the opportunity to respond to citations.

Election Commission appoints poll workers for Aug. 4 primary; other boards meet

The Ypsilanti Election Commission approved a slate of election inspectors and chairs for the upcoming August 4 primary during its July 1 meeting. The 3-0 vote on Resolution No. 2026-001 ensures precincts will be staffed for the first major election of 2026.

Election Commission

Commissioners voted 3-0 to appoint Chairs and Inspectors for the Aug. 4, 2026 primary election. The board also approved minutes from its October 10, 2025 meeting by the same 3-0 tally. No other business was conducted.

Police Advisory Commission

On June 25, the Police Advisory Commission approved its meeting agenda and the minutes of its May 28 session, both on 5-0 votes. Members also received the monthly report on police department statistics, though no action was taken on the data.

Other recent meetings

Several other city boards met in the past two weeks, but minutes are not yet published. Agenda documents show the following planned discussions:

Human Relations Commission (June 22) – Members planned to discuss an August town hall meeting and to consider removing commissioner seats due to absenteeism under the commission’s bylaws. Approval of April 27 minutes was also on the agenda.

Water Street Ad Hoc Benefits Committee (June 24) – The committee reviewed a Request for Qualifications for developers, examined new environmental contamination maps from AKT Peerless, and discussed a 100-year vision narrative for the Water Street redevelopment area. Public comment was accepted.

Administrative Hearings Bureau (June 25) – Officer Hector Schmidt presided over property code violation hearings at 550 First Ave (4 cases), 320 E Michigan St (3 cases), 517 Washtenaw Ave (2 cases), and single cases at 123 N Adams St and 731 W Cross St. No policy changes were heard. A subsequent hearings session on July 2 was canceled.

Tenants Rights Subcommittee (June 29) – Members discussed updates to the City Rental Inspection Ordinance, reviewed a 2020 report on housing affordability and accessibility, and set a proposed permanent meeting schedule for the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m.

Coming up

Administrative Hearings Bureau – July 9

Twenty-three code violation cases are on the docket, including multiple violations at 550 First Ave (owned by Godwin Ighodaro), 856 Harriet St (Kenyetta Lindsey), and single-address cases at 456 Bates-Ainsworth Circle, 693 Arbor Drive, and 1409 Whittier Rd. The hearings are informal, giving property owners a chance to respond to citations.