City shares highlights from Nov. 5 City Council meeting

The Ann Arbor City Council approved new regulations for virtual currency kiosks, strengthened protections for places of religious worship, and authorized funding for park improvements, among other actions, during its Thursday, Nov. 5, meeting.

Here are highlights from the meeting:

• New regulations aim to protect consumers from virtual currency scams: City Council approved an ordinance regulating virtual currency kiosks, which allow customers to exchange cash for cryptocurrency. The ordinance requires kiosk operators to obtain a city license and implement consumer protections, including fraud warnings, photo identification requirements, transaction receipts and live customer service. It also limits transactions to $500 per day for new customers during their first 30 days, $1,000 per day for other customers and $10,000 over a 30-day period. The regulations are intended to help prevent scams and limit financial losses. The ordinance takes effect six months after adoption. Read the ordinance.
• City strengthens protections for places of religious worship: City Council approved amendments to the city's disorderly conduct ordinance to prohibit disturbing the peace at places of religious worship. The addition, obstructing entrances and exits at places of religious worship through force, threats or physical obstruction, is now prohibited. The amendments also prohibit conduct within 50 feet of a place of religious worship that puts people in reasonable fear for their safety, including assault, threats, harassment or intimidation, when committed through force, threats of force or physical obstruction. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Read the amendments.
• Council authorizes up to $10 million in bonds for park improvements: Council approved the issuance of up to $10 million in capital improvement bonds to finance improvements to city parks. The bonds will be repaid using revenue from the city's Park Maintenance and Capital Improvement Millage. Read the resolution.
• City explores new approach to supporting affordable housing through Ashley Mews properties: Council approved the release of affordable housing restrictions on two city-owned condominiums at 105 and 166 Ashley Mews and directed the city administrator to explore selling the properties to the nonprofit Ann Arbor Community Land Trust for $1. The properties have been difficult to maintain as affordable housing because of high condominium association fees and mortgage down payment requirements. Under the proposed approach, the nonprofit could sell the units at market rate and use the proceeds to support other affordable housing efforts in Ann Arbor. The resolution does not finalize a sale. Read the resolution.
• City receives national recognition for its budget: Ann Arbor has received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2027 budget. The award recognizes governments whose budget documents meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, demonstrating excellence as policy documents, financial plans, operations guides and communication tools while promoting transparency in government budgeting. The recognition was shared with City Council as part of the meeting's communications. View the award information.

Additional meeting information, including the full agenda and supporting documents, is available through the city's Legistar meeting records. 

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Media Contact: 

Joanna Satterlee, City Communications Manager, jesatterlee@a2gov.org