Ann Arbor City Council discusses improved policing, possible infrastructure development projects – The Michigan Daily

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Report: Aligning Urban Development with Sustainable Development Goals

Institutional Accountability and Justice (SDG 16)

Police Oversight and Modernization

The Ann Arbor City Council meeting included a report from the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC), highlighting efforts to advance SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The commission’s work focuses on building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions through improved police-community relations.

• Capacity Building: ICPOC members attended the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) conference to gain insights into best practices for civilian oversight.
• Technological Upgrades for Accountability: Vice Chair Mohammad Othman reported on the evaluation of new Record Management Systems (RMS) for the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD).
• Data-Driven Governance: The acquisition of a modern RMS is anticipated to replace an outdated system, enabling better data generation and statistical analysis. This directly supports SDG Target 16.6 by promoting institutional transparency and accountability.

Sustainable Urban Infrastructure and Community Development (SDG 9 & SDG 11)

Discussions on infrastructure projects revealed both progress and challenges in aligning with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

Pedestrian Infrastructure and Road Safety on Brockman Boulevard

The council addressed a project to enhance sustainable and safe transportation options, in line with SDG Target 11.2, which calls for safe, affordable, and accessible transport systems.

• Project Scope: The plan includes the construction of new sidewalks and the prohibition of on-street parking on the south side of Brockman Boulevard to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
• Community Concerns: A key concern raised was the potential for narrowed road width to impede safe access to residential driveways.
• Engineering Response: The city engineer confirmed that analyses show driveways will remain accessible, although vehicle movement may be tighter. The city remains open to implementing further parking prohibitions if post-construction issues arise.

Arbor South Development Project: A Conflict in Sustainability Priorities

Significant public concern was voiced regarding the Arbor South Development Project, which community members argue contradicts the city’s commitment to sustainable, transit-oriented development as outlined in SDG 11.

1. Prioritization of Car-Centric Infrastructure: The project’s central plan to construct three new parking garages is seen as promoting individual car use over sustainable public transportation alternatives.
2. Deviation from Transit-Oriented Goals: Critics, including resident Peter Eckstein, noted that a project initially promoted as transit-oriented now appears to heavily favor private vehicles, undermining SDG Target 11.2.
3. Financial Impact on Public Transit: A major point of contention is a financial arrangement that would prevent the local transit authority from receiving additional tax revenue from the project for 30 years. This measure is viewed as a direct impediment to strengthening sustainable public transport systems, a core objective of SDG 11.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is relevant to the discussions about urban infrastructure, including the construction of sidewalks on Brockman Boulevard and the Arbor South Development Project. These topics involve urban planning, transportation systems (public vs. private), road safety, and accessibility for residents.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is connected to the report from the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC). The commission’s work to improve police-community relations, ensure accountability, and upgrade data management systems for better analysis directly relates to building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

  This target is addressed through the debate on the Arbor South Development Project, which contrasts building parking garages (favoring individual drivers) with the need for public transportation. It is also relevant to the construction of sidewalks on Brockman Boulevard, which aims to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.

• Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

  The Ann Arbor City Council meeting itself, where public concerns from residents and community members like Peter Eckstein are heard regarding development projects, exemplifies a participatory planning process relevant to this target.

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

  This target is directly linked to the ICPOC’s efforts to provide civilian oversight of the police. The recommendation to acquire a new Record Management System (RMS) to replace an outdated one and “generate better data for better statistical analysis” is a clear action toward making the Ann Arbor Police Department a more effective and transparent institution.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 11.2:
  • An implied indicator is the investment in and development of pedestrian infrastructure, such as the construction of new sidewalks on Brockman Boulevard.
  • Another implied indicator is the prioritization of public transport funding versus infrastructure for private vehicles. The criticism that the transit authority will not get additional tax money from the new development for 30 years highlights this as a key measure of progress toward sustainable transport.
• For Target 11.3:
  • A qualitative indicator is the existence of mechanisms for public participation in urban planning, such as the public comment portion of the City Council meeting where residents voiced concerns about development projects.
• For Target 16.6:
  • A specific indicator is the implementation of an updated police Record Management System (RMS). The article explicitly states the current system is “outdated and needs to be replaced.”
  • Another indicator is the existence of independent oversight bodies, such as the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC), to ensure institutional accountability.
  • The capacity to generate and use data for statistical analysis of police operations is a direct indicator of institutional effectiveness and transparency.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: michigandaily.com