City Council Meeting May 19, 2026

The City Council meeting of Ypsilanti on May 19, 2026, included extensive discussions on several procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement actions included approval of contracts for construction coordination services for the Frog Island Accessibility Improvement Project ($48,995) and an amendment to the OHM proposal for the reconstruction of Haria Street ($37,850). The council also approved a tax levy ordinance and recognized Juneteenth with a flag display. A significant portion of the meeting focused on budget deliberations, including proposed reductions and reallocations in building maintenance, forestry transfers, and senior center funding. The council discussed overtime costs, particularly in the police department, and the need for transparency and detailed expense breakdowns. Additionally, the council supported a zoning text amendment to define and regulate harm reduction service facilities, including buffer zones from schools, with an amendment to increase the buffer for harm reduction facilities to 1,000 feet. The council unanimously passed a resolution supporting a moratorium on water and sewer service commitments to hyperscale data centers pending due diligence studies. Other procurement-related discussions involved fee waivers for community events and considerations for future budget amendments related to mini grants, fee waivers, and council compensation. The meeting also featured public comments on housing, public safety, and community services, and a presentation by Eastern Michigan University's new president emphasizing town-gown collaboration.