Many advocates from Camp Take Notice, a program not funded by the DDA that previously provided a campsite with tents to the homeless in Ann Arbor, came to voice their disapproval of the ordinance. While the program isn't currently active, Caleb Poirier, founder of Camp Take Notice, said they hope to have a campsite in the city this summer that is near the Ann Arbor Transit Authority’s bus lines.

Poirier said the homeless are often not visible to the average citizen.

“Sometimes during the daytime, we get cleaned up and don’t want to be recognized as such, so that’s why the homeless population isn’t necessarily visible to the middle class,” Poirier said. “The middle class … doesn’t realize when they are zipping by a bridge that people are living under it.”

In response to the barrage of public comments, Kunselman steadfastly defended his proposed ordinance. His main argument is that these funds can be better allocated by the city and individual entities rather than the DDA, and that the proposed increase of roughly $1 million in funds to the DDA in fiscal year 2015 is completely unnecessary.

Kunselman added that while he understands the place the DDA holds in the city, he questions whether it's the appropriate vehicle for allocating many of these funds.

“It’s a great reflection of what we all do believe, and that is that the DDA is a great institution for the city of Ann Arbor,” Kunselman said. “That being said, the issues that we are discussing have to do with future tax dollars that should be directed to the city and the taxing authorities that also need them.”

Councilmember Jane Lumm (I-Ward 2) said she believes the rhetoric has risen to a highly “uncivil level,” and she said she believes Mayor Hieftje is off-base in suggesting that Kunselman’s motives for this legislation are purely political.

Councilmember Christopher Taylor (D-Ward 3) said while the ordinance would not be the “death nail” to the DDA, he believes the legislation, as is, would be harmful.