People-powered campaign for Ypsilanti
Amber Fellows for the People of Ypsilanti
Vote Amber
Fellows for
Ypsilanti
Mayor Aug 4th

Platform

These platform categories are confirmed. The final issue-by-issue language still needs to be reviewed and approved by the campaign.

Platform

01

Housing Justice

At nearly 70%, Ypsilanti has one of the highest percentages of rental households in the state. Landlord monopolies are at the root of housing injustice, especially for low-income, bipoc, disabled, lgbtqia+, immigrant, single parent, senior, and student residents. Enacting a Tenant Right of First Refusal, and overturning the statewide ban on rent control is one path toward stability for many Ypsi residents.

Platform

02

Broaden Decision-Making Power

A few staff and seven city council members should not make every governmental decision. We can include resident input on important community issues via survey and city-wide vote on a semi-annual basis, on issues like what to do with Water Street, the YPD budget, and more.

Platform

03

Community Resilience

Ypsilanti's tax burden is tough on residents and for few services. We can explore ways to reduce financial stress that will help residents thrive. Investing in green infrastructure and public power is a next step in climate resilience; and relaxing lawn ordinances and encouraging native and edible landscaping will help both Ypsilanti residents and the planet.

Platform

04

Repair Systemic Harm

Creating a Reparations Commission could help us imagine reparations as a community and deeply draw perspectives from residents impacted by racial injustices of the past and present. This would set off a cascade of healing for many Ypsilanti residents.

Platform

05

Improve Public Safety and Health

An important next step in improving public safety and community health is to allocate funds for an unarmed crisis response team that residents can count on for help. Fentanyl and other opioids present a serious danger to vulnerable residents. Resourcing community-led initiatives around harm reduction and drug-checking is life-saving.

Platform

06

End Local Cronyism

Replacing a regressive appointment system to a democratic elected system when City Council seats are vacant will allow residents to have more say in who is representative of community interests.

Other Issues

Additional platform priorities and record

These issue areas expand on the campaign platform with concrete actions, resolutions, and priorities.

Issue Area

Community Resilience

  • Redirected $1.6 million of Public Safety & Mental Health Millage to public infrastructure and services.
  • $1 million for unarmed Community Responder Program.
  • $300k for high quality public restrooms and drinking fountains in Parkridge, Riverside, and Prospect Parks.
  • $100k annually to Housing Trust Fund for 24/7 winter sheltering.
  • Led effort to identify over $1.6 million in city budget savings FY 2025-2028.
  • Introduced resolution to drop charges against a Ward 2 neighbor subjected to a 30-hour militarized police siege.
  • Struck historic Dorsey Estates deal: for-sale homes affordable to someone with $34k/year income, no landlord sales.
  • Led the local effort to end Right To Work.
  • Supported Rx Kids $1500 prenatal cash.
  • Secured fund support ($7.5k) for Water Street encampment neighbors.
  • Advocated for property tax reform.
  • Wrote a repeal of the state ban on rent control, endorsed by MDP Platform.
  • Supports YpsiBIG ballot proposal to put police budget increases to citywide vote.
  • Co-founded REDY to write the second Community Benefits Ordinance in the nation.

Issue Area

Data Centers and Environment

  • Led City Council fight against Los Alamos/UM data center.
  • Won one-year data center moratorium on water and zoning.
  • Led Ypsi in Mayors for Peace (8,300+ cities, 167 countries).
  • Introduced resolution to affirm Huron River protective buffer zones and end illegal tree clear-cutting at Water Street.
  • Worked to stop the removal of Paw Paw, Peach, and native fruit trees.
  • Allocated funds for Forestry program.
  • Supports municipal ownership of the energy grid and 100% renewables.

Issue Area

Stop Wars and ICE

  • Led resolution to defund ICE and CBP and refund housing, healthcare, and education, while calling on Congress to act.
  • Led Know Your Rights campaign.
  • Called on Wayne County to halt deportation flights from Willow Run (165+ flights from Ypsi in 2025).
  • Supported the release of a Ward 2 neighbor from ICE detention.
  • Led the passage of a ceasefire resolution mobilizing over a hundred public comments.

Issue Area

Transit, Roads and Bridges

  • Initiated survey for D2A2 express bus connection from Ann Arbor to Ypsi to Detroit.
  • Supported road and bridge reconstruction with widened sidewalks and bike lanes.
  • Projects include Forest, Cross, and Prospect Street bridges, plus Harriet and Cornell Street.
  • Supported Frog Island parking reconstruction.

Issue Area

Social Justice

  • Moved to discuss the violent assault of a Black woman by Beer Cooler staff.
  • Advocates for reparations to Black and Indigenous neighbors.
  • Plans for a city commission to study reparations and sunset discriminatory laws.
  • Plans for economic mobility negotiated into city contracts.
  • Supported Transgender Empowerment Month.
  • Wrote the resolution to display the Trans Pride flag in City Hall.
  • Worked at Planned Parenthood as patient advocate for youth.
  • Created Water Street Citizen Committee with the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed consent.
  • Land Back in discussion.