Jess and Molly come out of hiatus to share our recommendations for local non-partisan races and ballot initiatives. Move the Needle signup: Zoom or Insta. Get a sample ballot (scroll down) Our list of recommendations (Reminder: These are only the contested races): JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT 8 Year Term Kimberly Ann Thomas JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT Inc…

Check out the week of events and updates at www.dogoodwork.org/houseparty Registration for Jess' panel: History to Present Day: Race and Housing in Ann Arbor Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us …

Today we talk to Yodit Mesfin Johnson about the problematic promises of community “engagement,” and what it could look like to pivot more towards community-driven planning. Yodit is presently co-leading (with Jess and developer partners Avalon Housing and the Ann Arbor Housing Commission) a community-driven planning effort for the mixed-use afforda…

We continue our Civic Therapy miniseries talking to Ann Arbor Public Schools parent Liz Lin about WTF Schools: amygdala parenting, Zoom kindergarten, why she almost ran for school board, and why she didn’t. Links we referenced: The Free Press article that broke the story of the lawsuit The original lawsuit filing itself The form to sign up to make …

Our Civic Therapy miniseries continues with Reverend Donnell Wyche about WTF Transportation. We embrace our collective Big Feelings about kids being able to bike to school, e-bikes as a vector of radicalization, the just-proposed Driving Equality Ordinance, and the cost of not taking Vision Zero literally. Links we referenced: Transportation Altern…

In a continuation of our new miniseries, Civic Therapy, we are talking with Dan Adams about WTF, Library Lot. Dan is a corporate attorney, local housing activist, and long-time bike person. He has lived in Ann Arbor since 2008 and grew up down the road in Dexter. In November 2022 he published a long piece in Damn Arbor about the current status of t…

A proposed development with robust sustainability and affordability components, considered by many in our community to be a slam dunk for approval, hit a surprising road block this week. Join Jess and Molly for our first Civic Therapy session with Lisa Sauvé and Scott Trudeau: what happened to SouthTown, and why what happened points to some larger …

We’re back! Ann Arbor AF is…the same but different. Molly and Jess catch you up on the haps and where the pod will be going this summer. Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help…

Today we are talking with Ben Connor Barrie about yet another blue-language civic engagement media project: Damn Arbor! We cover a lot of ground, including why it's important to say nice things about where you live. Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on…

Today we are talking with Jerome Horne about radically abundant transit. We also took deep detours into being vulnerable, what our kid selves would think of us today, and navigating advocacy as and with humans. Links we mentioned: TransitCenter's website and podcast, High Frequency Jerome on socials: Twitter and LinkedIn Jerome as t-shirt influence…

Today we talk (and dream a little) with members of the Coalition for Reenvisioning Our Safety. Paul is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and helps to organize the Michigan Chapter of Public Health Awakened. He spends his time thinking about, researching, teaching, and organizing around root causes of healt…

Today we are talking with Jenny Schuetz! In addition to being the author of the phenomenal book Fixer-Upper: How to Repair America's Broken Housing Systems, she is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro and is an expert in urban economics and housing policy. Before joining Brookings, Jenny worked at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. and tau…

We’ll be talking about the November 2022 general election up and down the Michigan, Washtenaw County, and Ann Arbor ballots, plus some general tips that will help you vote smart no matter where you live. Getting ready to vote (especially in Michigan): Preview your ballot Read answers to the League of Women Voters surveys at Vote411 Come check out o…

It’s a new season of Ann Arbor AF, and with the new season comes a new format! Today we are talking with Aaron Lubeck of Durham, N.C. about Jim Crow zoning, why some advocacy feels so taboo in community conversations, and how churches might be coming to save the day on housing. We also dropped a hint about the next interview coming to the pod… Here…

Molly and Jess do an impromptu reflection on the excellent election results. (Brought to you in part by a very good idea from #a2council Twitter, thanks #a2council Twitter; and also car-free streets, thanks car-free streets.) Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going wit…

Today, we are talking about the climate millage coming up on the November 2022 ballot. Last episode, we interviewed Office of Sustainability and Innovation director Dr. Missy Stults about what passing the millage would accomplish. This time, we get into some differences of opinion about the millage, including a little skepticism and a little hope. …

Today we are talking to the director of Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Dr. Missy Stults, about A2Zero, the climate millage coming up on Ann Arbor’s November ballot, and a little big dreaming. This is the first of two episodes where we’ll talk about this millage; this one we’ll get informed, and in the next episode, Molly and I…

Today we are talking about this summer’s primary election, coming up in just a few weeks on Tuesday, August 2nd. Absentee voting is already open, so make your plan to vote! Links we mentioned: Preview your ballot Request an absentee ballot or find your polling place Learn about and support the AAATA transit millage Between now and July 30, vote us …

Today we are rerunning episode 47: That. Damn. Bridge. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…

Today we are rerunning episode 35: our conversation with Alex Thomas. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…

Today we are rerunning episode 15: our Deeper Dive on Healthy Streets. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…

Today we are rerunning episode 7: our Deeper Dive on Boards + Commissions. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, May 16th. We talk about the agenda, but the way we do it is that Molly has a rant, Jess has a rant, and then Molly has another rant. At the end of the episode, we’ll be looking ahead to the summer, and talking about some changes that are coming to the pod then and beyond! L…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Thursday, May 5th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including budget, tax collection, and spending…a.k.a.: money, money, and money. Links we referenced: this week’s City Council agenda; our annual survey is up. Come tell us things! also, maybe nominate us to be …

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, April 18th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including road bonds, water and sewer rates, and something that may or may not be housing. Links we referenced: NACA resolution, where the whereases are chef's kiss White paper on middle-income needs analysis …

We talk about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, April 4th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including ARPA, ARPA, and more ARPA. Links we referenced: This week’s agenda. The ARPA funding resolution. Those infamous amendments. Derrick Miller’s letter on how Ann Arbor’s Community Action Network and Ukraine are linke…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, March 21st. We touch on a few interesting agenda items, including parking, police contracts, and a permanent city administrator. Links from today’s episode: Vote for us as one of Washtenaw’s best podcasts! this week’s agenda Eve Ewing’s article on the concerns of police lab…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up on Monday March 7th at 7:00pm. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including American Rescue Plan Act funds, infrastructure, and a couple of important rezonings. Links we referenced: This week’s agenda The ARPA Funds Recommendation memo The Infrastructure memo Come…

Today we talk about the next City Council meeting for about one hot second and spend the rest of the time on the one thrilling Top Ten list you didn’t know you needed. Municipal reports that made the Top Ten (but actually 3) (but really 6): Moving Together Towards Vision Zero, the city’s comprehensive transportation plan published in 2021; Reimagin…

Today we are recording a special episode, a breakdown (in more ways than one) on the East Medical Center Drive Bridge decision. We’ll be talking about how folks got informed and involved, and how it went sideways anyway. This may go without saying, but there are lots of swears. Discretion for sensitive ears is advised. Support the show Come check o…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, February 7th.. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including transit-oriented zoning, deer, and That *** Bridge. (There are a few swears in this episode, so heads up for sensitive listeners.) Things we referenced: - this week’s agenda; - a video of the Nove…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Tuesday, January 18th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including memos, memos, and more memos. Links we referenced (or think you might find useful): - this week's agenda; - A Brookings Institute article on workforce housing and middle-income housing subsidies, …

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, January 3rd. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including sidewalks, safety, water, and poetry. Linked in today's episode: - this week's agenda - Unarmed Responder response memo - Coalition for Reenvisioning Our Safety Facebook page - Pedestrian Safety Imp…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, December 20th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items AND some non-agenda items. +10 Internet Points to the person who finds the "Plowy McPlowface" reference first and tweets it to #a2council. Links we referenced: - the meeting agenda - Michigan's Redevelopment…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up on Monday, December 6th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including sidewalks, dollars for climate, and justice, and offer some ways for you to get involved. A quick process note: we record this a few days before the Council meeting, which means there will likel…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, November 15th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including cars, churches, and the return to in person meetings. Links we referenced: - the A2 Humans Who Wonk thread on how to follow along with a development - NYT article about how police spend their time…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, November 1st. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including staff changes, a potential sustainable energy utility, and the election that concludes this week, and offer some ways for you to get involved. A quick process note: we record this a few days before…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, October 18th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including the "Moving Together" plan, menstruation, and Medical Center Drive. Links: - University of Michigan's environmental metrics and the PCCN (President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality) report - Ann A…

Today we're talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, October 4th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including council rules, sustainability, and a quick rant about fatphobia. Links: - to this week's Council agenda, - to the benchmarking ordinance, and - to the episode previewing the November 2021 ballot. Com…

Today we are talking about Ann Arbor's next election, with applications for absentee ballots going on now and then voting happening from early October through November 2nd. The ballot has been finalized; there are no candidates, only four proposals, all pertaining to amending Ann Arbor's city charter. Proposed Ann Arbor City Charter Amendments: - P…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, September 20th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including drive thrus, zoning, and we saved the best for the end of the episode: a preview of the proposed renters commission. Links we promosed: -the 538 article about the NFL's Rooney Rule; -Joyce Parker…

Today we are having a conversation with Alex Thomas about all things Ypsi Township. Alex's references: - Liberate Don't Incarcerate - the 2015 study on housing affordability and economic equity in Washtenaw County - the aborted move to rename Ypsi Township to Ford Lake Township - the Observer article documenting the 86% of the township's revenue th…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Tuesday, September 7th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including Dark Sky, DEI, and our forever fave, sidewalks. Here are the links we mentioned, to Scott Trudeau's blog post on the home occupations ordinance, and the MLive article on the equity-driven pay mov…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, August 16th. We touch on a bunch of interesting agenda items including conversion therapy bans, fur bans, and broadband, ending on the infamous COTC (Circus of the City). Links from today's show: -this week's agenda - Michelle's WCBN radio show recapping Council meetings: T…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Monday, August 2nd. We touch on a bunch of interesting agenda items. Links from today's show: - the investigation report on the soon-to-be-former City Administrator, - the Ann Arbor Humans Who Wonk facebook thread from the last episode discussing the City Administrator firing/resig…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Tuesday, July 20th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including water main breaks, city charter amendments, and a little light fangirling. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going wit…

Today we are talking about the next City Council meeting, coming up Tuesday, July 6th. We’ll be touching on a few interesting agenda items, including transit-oriented zoning, rentals, municipal solar, and a couple of city commissions. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation …

Today's episode is a rerun of Deeper Dive Episode 20: "Master Plan + Zoning." Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…

Today's episode is a rerun of Deeper Dive Episode 13: "Power, Personalities, and Perceptions." Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we woul…

Today's episode is a rerun of Deeper Dive Episode 9: "Budgets and Budget Season." Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Twitter and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.…