A2 City News Community Newsletter

Meeting location​​ change

The Monday, May 6, 2024, City Council meeting will take place at Ann Arbor CTN, 2805 S. Industrial Highway, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, 48104. The location change for May 6 is due to technology updates taking place in Council chambers.

​​Ann Arbor Bicentennial news

Did you know? Ann Arbor's actual anniversary is this month, May 25 to be exact! Check out the Ann Arbor Bicentennial (A200) events taking place on anniversary day as well as the whole month through, including the opening reception for 200 Exhibition (May 17); Bicentennial Bikeapalooza (May 25); and picnic at Liberty Plaza (May 25). And the celebration doesn't stop in May! Be sure to visit A200 online to keep up with news, project updates and happenings throughout 2024. 

Goals for Trees: Bicentennial oaks

AFC Ann Arbor has joined the effort to commemorate the Ann Arbor Bicentennial. The soccer club has incorporated the bicentennial A200 logo into its home and away kits and is also funding a Bicentennial Legacy Project. AFC Ann Arbor has pledged to donate three trees to the City of Ann Arbor for every goal its teams make during the 2024 season! The tress will then be planted at Bicentennial Park. This demonstrates the club's commitment to A2ZERO and preserving and enhancing public spaces for generations to come.

Opportunities are also available to support the following projects

• The James L. Crawford Elks Lodge
• The Kathy Kozachenko statue at Larcom City Hall
• New amenities at Bicentennial Park (formerly known as Southeast Area Park)

Would you like to collaborate with the A2 Bicentennial on your event or add your community event to the calendar? Please email [email protected].

​Get social downtown

Downtown street closures will be in place for 2024 May 2 through Oct. 27 to accommodate the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District. Throughout the district parameters, patrons of participating restaurants, pubs and breweries may carry an open alcoholic beverage in a designated container provided by a participating business. Visit Main Street Ann Arbor to learn more about the social district. 

​​Fun will flow at the Ann Arbor Water Open House

Looking for an inside glimpse of how your drinking water is treated and free fun for the whole family? Come to the 2024 Water Treatment Plant Open House, May 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., 919 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor 48103. This annual event aligns with National Drinking Water Week.

There will be plenty of activities to enjoy from our friends at:

• Leslie Science & Nature Center.
• Ann Arbor Fire Department (touch a fire truck!).
• Washtenaw County Water Resources Rain Garden Program.
• Huron River Watershed Council.

The city treats and delivers drinking water to more than 125,000 customers. Learn more about the open house event!

​​Ann Arbor Water repeats best-taste title

The results are in: Ann Arbor once again has the best-tasting water in the region! The award was announced at the Michigan American Water Works Association regional meeting in April. Next up, the best-tasting water in the state will be decided at the American Water Works Association's September state meeting. Cheers!

​​Get a bird's-eye view of your water usage

Summer is approaching, a time when many residents are watering lawns and gardens, washing cars and filling swimming pools. In short, water usage can be on the rise. AquaHawk is a free service that allows City of Ann Arbor water customers to efficiently manage their water usage and possibly lower their bills. Not already signed up? Customers interested in AquaHawk can create a new account and opt in to receive notifications — including alerts of potential water leak detections and when water consumption levels are nearing the limits of their choosing. Visit AquaHawk to get started!

​​Fiscal year 2025 budget process

City Council, with at least seven affirmative votes, will vote to adopt the City of Ann Arbor fiscal year 2025 budget at its meeting Monday, May 20. Even though the city plans for multi-year budgets, City Council members can only adopt one fiscal year at a time. Fiscal year 2025 begins July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025.

Recorded budget presentations are available online via CTN's YouTube channel. All presentations and materials are posted online.

​​​Spend a Saturday with first responders

Meet local first responders (including police K-9s!), watch demonstrations, “touch a truck" with fire and police vehicles onsite and more at the annual City of Ann Arbor Fire and Police Open House! Snacks will be available, too, while supplies last. The free event takes place along Fifth Avenue, in front of fire station No. 1, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

PRO TIP: Before and/or after the open house, visit the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Kerrytown (315 Detroit St.), just a short stroll away, for an all-out epic Saturday in the city. The market is open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. See what's fresh at www.a2gov.org/market.

​​Spring blooms at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market

Wednesdays resume

There's good news for shoppers seeking fresh, local produce, plants, products and SO much more! The Wednesday market reopens for the season May 1, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. The Vegano Italiano food truck will also be onsite! Additionally, the weekly Saturday market shifts to summer hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) starting May 4. Shoppers will find spring produce, vegetable and herb seedlings, cut flowers, annuals, hanging baskets, honey, native plants, maple syrup, house plants, maple syrup, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, fish, cheese, bread, baked goods, jam, pickles, beverages, prepared food, artisan items and a whole lot more. Market vendors accept cash; tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at the market office window. Service animals are welcome. Accessible restrooms are available.

Pardon our dust

The farmers market office is slated for demolition due to foundation issues discovered during routine inspection. The building will close May 1, however, the market will remain open — and bustling as usual — for the duration of the project.

Flower Day

Coming up later in the month, save the date for the return of Flower Day, Sunday May 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.! This event, hosted in collaboration with the Sunday Artisan Market, offers attendees the opportunity to purchase, learn about and celebrate spring flowers and plants. In addition to farmers market and Artisan Market vendors, there will be information booths, kids' activities and live music. Kerrytown Shops will offer flower-themed specials as well.

Follow along

Find more information at www.a2gov.org/market, and keep up with what's new and fresh via the market Facebook and Instagram pages.

​​​2024 Huron River Day at Island Park

Huron River Day will once again bring the community together Sunday, May 19, noon–4 p.m., to celebrate one of our area's greatest amenities. A change in venue brings this event to Island Park, 1420 Island Drive in Ann Arbor, with parking available at nearby Fuller Park, or ride your bike to Island Park and use the complimentary bike valet provided by Common Cycle.  Guests can enjoy the beautiful Huron River with free, family-friendly fun, including:

• Live music from Hullabaloo, Pontiac Trail Blazers, Flute Circle and Gemini.
• Activities such as water squirting lessons with Dirt Doctor; live animals with Leslie Science & Nature Center; Huron-Clinton Metroparks Mobile Learning Center; 30-minute nature walks (starting at the information tent at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• More than a dozen exhibitors (and counting!).
• Food trucks/carts from Coffee Grind Coffee Truck, EJ's Gourmet Street Cuisine, Hello! Ice Cream, Hummus Falafel, Pizza Pazza and Why Not Pie Pop-up.

You can even plan ahead to arrive in style by purchasing Huron River Day merch online now!  Visit the event page for all the fun details!

​Parks scholarships help residents get in the game

All families should have the chance to gain and refine life skills, get active, get involved and more. The Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Scholarship Fund is in place to help make participation possible for city residents with low income.

How to apply

Download a copy of the scholarship application (PDF) or pick up a copy from the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Customer Service Office at 2781 Packard Road, 48108. Then submit your application and all relevant documents to the parks customer service office. An incomplete application will lead to either a delay or a denial of your application.

The Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Scholarship program is available to people who:

• Live within the city limits of the city of Ann Arbor — simply having an Ann Arbor mailing address outside of city limits or living within the school district, but outside of city limits, does not qualify.
• Have income/support that falls within the “very low" or “extremely low" U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines.

For more information, visit the scholarship webpage. To ask questions, check if your scholarship is still active or to reapply (required annually), contact the parks customer service office at 734.794.6230, ext. 0, or email [email protected].

​Fight the bite of tick and mosquito season

The Washtenaw County Health Department is sharing steps to take to prevent tick and mosquito bites, especially as local cases of Lyme disease from tick bites have increased in recent years. 

Tick bite prevention tips

• Check for ticks after being outside. Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held mirror, if necessary. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and especially in the hair.
• Use insect repellent with 20% or more DEET or other ingredients shown to be effective against ticks, and follow label instructions. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
• Wear long sleeves, shoes and socks when outdoors.
• Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming inside from outdoor activities.
• Examine gear and pets for ticks. Ticks can also attach to dogs and cats — do tick checks on pets regularly and talk with your veterinarian about tick prevention.

Mosquito bite prevention tips

• Use insect repellent and follow label instructions. To find a repellent that's right for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency's insect repellent search tool. 
• Wear long sleeves, shoes, and socks when outdoors.
• Repair screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Reduce mosquito breeding conditions by getting rid of standing water around your home. Once a week, empty flowerpots, barrels and other items that can hold water.

Tick identification and what to do if you find a tick on your body

• To remove a tick, use tweezers and grip the body firmly and pull straight out of the skin. Do not twist the tick. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands. Your risk for Lyme disease is very low if a tick has been attached for fewer than 24 hours. You do not need to keep the tick for testing. Dispose by flushing it down the toilet.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers tick identification based on photos at no charge for Michigan residents. To submit a photo of a tick for identification, email the photo to [email protected] using the instructions at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
• MDHHS does not offer tick testing because the results do not predict infection. Instead, MDHHS suggests that if bitten by a tick, individuals should monitor for symptoms such as rash, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle pain or joint swelling/pain occurring within 30 days of the latest tick bite and/or visiting an area with ticks. Individuals should seek prompt medical attention if illness occurs.

​2024 road and utilities construction season continues in A2

Another busy construction season for roads and bridges is underway in Ann Arbor. Numerous utility and road improvement projects include those on Hill Street, Miller, Seventh Street, Greenview Drive and the East Medical Center bridge.

The city uses the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system (PASER) to assist in determining which streets to treat and the best “fix" for each. The PASER system is used by municipalities throughout Michigan to evaluate the condition of road segments, rating each segment on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the worst condition, and 10 being the best condition (new pavement). The city's pavement condition scores have improved since 2021.

Visit the city road and lane closures webpage to keep up with closures due to city projects, special events and MDOT construction. This page also offers the opportunity to sign up for email and/or text alerts to be notified of closures.

A project map is also available, showing all the projects scheduled for 2024 and providing links for more information, when available. Projects include street resurfacing, new sidewalk construction, crack sealing, sidewalk gap filling, underground utility work, street surface treatments and asphalt sidewalk resurfacing. 

Also check out the city street selection video, which explains, in 150 seconds, how streets are selected for resurfacing. 

​​​CTN highlights

Check out CTN's wide range of programs available to watch online now!

A2 Bicentennial Show — Ann Arbor City Club

Adventures In Parenthood — Dr. Julie Zoibro, neurology and pediatrics with Michigan Medicine, Mary Anne Meskis, executive director of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, and Dana Wright, a parent of a daughter with Dravet Syndrome, share how this epileptic disease starts in infancy and lasts a lifetime. 

CTN SPORTS — Huron @Pioneer Boys Lacrosse April 8

CTN SPORTS — Huron @ Skyline Girls Soccer April 22 

CTN SPORTS — Pioneer @ Skyline Boys Lacrosse, April 19

CTN SPORTS — Pioneer @ Skyline Girls Water Polo April 25. https://youtu.be/mY7y-GVGwmY

CTN SPORTS Promo

CTN Monthly Cooking Show Marathons

CTN Tours — Boy Scout Troop 2456 and Troop 448

CTN Tours — Boy Scout Troop 2456 and Troop 448

FYI— Susan Westhoff and Allie Schneider discuss Ann Arbor's upcoming Earth Day Festival; Fool Moon and Festifools; and opportunities to volunteer with Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation. 

FYI— Trevor Zhou, writer and director of the film Ann Arbor, talks about this love letter to our city and the crowdfunding campaign; Catherine St. Affordable Housing Development groundbreaking; and Arbor Day. 

FYI– Guest, Paul Conway, with A2 Smart Tours talks visiting 177 landmarks on self-guided walking, biking and driving tours in honor of Ann Arbor's bicentennial; Ann Arbor City Club; and Amal Walks Across Ann Arbor. 

FYI— Chris Anderson, founder of the Ann Arbor Black Film Festival; Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival; and the Moments in Time Art Exhibit. 

Senior Moments — Kim McIntire, Pittsfield Township recreation manager, and Stacie Jackson, recreation specialist, discuss updated information of the Pittsfield Township Senior Center such as upcoming events, current and new programs and classes. 

Soapbox — Ann Arbor Black Film Festival

Soapbox— Ann Arbor Grail Singers

Ward Talk — Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, Ann Arbor City Councilmember from the Third Ward

​Prepare for upcomi​​ng elections

The next election in Ann Arbor is the State Primary Aug. 6. But it's not too early to make sure you're prepared. Check your voter registration status, and if you're not already, register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center. (PRO TIP: Students attending college in Ann Arbor in the fall can check this off their to-do lists now!) City residents can also submit a voter registration form by mail, email, fax or in-person at the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office.

Now is also the time to enroll in the automatic ballot mailing list to have a ballot mailed to you for upcoming elections. Ballots for the Aug. 6 election will be mailed beginning June 27.

55th annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week

While voter preparations are top of mind, it's also prime time to pause and think about all that goes into ensuring accessible, safe and secure elections. The work of the Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office reaches every corner of the city (literally, there are 53 precinct locations on election day!). May 5–11, is observed as the 55th annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, a time of celebration and reflection on the importance of clerk's offices across the United States, Canada and 15 other countries.

The City of Ann Arbor Clerk's Office provides a multitude of services to both staff and the community. Some of those regular services are:

• Support to all proceedings of the City Council.
• Either serving as or coordinating city staff liaisons for 60+ boards and commissions.
• Operation of Fairview Cemetery.
• Issuance of a variety of resident and business permits and licenses.
• Management of and response to hundreds of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

In an election year, the clerk's office increases office hours and kicks into overdrive by:

• Recruiting, hiring and training hundreds of election workers.
• Partnering with the University of Michigan to operate satellite clerk's office locations on campus.
• And, yes, providing a secure and efficient voting experience for residents while responding to ever-changing Michigan election laws.

Stop by the city clerk's office on the second floor of Larcom City Hall to say hi, or think of them next time you're enjoying a drink downtown, walking your dog or voting. 

​​Home toxics collection events

Washtenaw County Water Resources Materials Management Division is providing residents (Washtenaw County only) with a convenient — and safe — way to dispose of household hazardous waste. Check out the 2024 Saturday Home Toxics Collection Event schedule, and sign up for a drop-off time. 

Acceptable materials for drop off include latex paint, aerosols, motor oil, fluorescent lights, cooking oil and batteries. Material from local businesses, government agencies, non-profits or other organizations is not accepted, however, pesticides are accepted regardless of residency or use.

Disposing of hazardous household waste safely is an important step in protecting our waterways and keeping toxins out of landfills. Collections will be held through November.

​Gas leaf blower phase out

In December 2023, Ann Arbor City Council passed an ordinance to phase out use of gas-powered leaf blowers to promote cleaner air, improved community health, less noise pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Go online for details, including the phase-out timeline, and see the ordinance summary (PDF) for an overview.

Promoting pollinators

Without pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and beetles, our ecosystem would suffer. Approximately 75 percent of all plants rely on pollinators for fertilization to produce fruits, seeds and young plants. And not only do we need plants for food, plants help prevent soil erosion, remove carbon from the air and provide homes for wildlife.

To help promote pollinators, Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution in support of pollinator habitat that encourages property owners reduce mowing frequency and maintain lawn heights between 6 and 12 inches on their properties during spring months. The resolution also asks property owners to reduce raking and cleanup of leaves on their properties during the fall months as pollinators and other invertebrates rely on fallen leaves and on hollow stems of native plants for cover and insulation from the elements.

In addition to less mowing and raking, property owners can:

• Consider replacing harmful chemical pesticides with integrated pest management (IPM). This system is based on sustainable principles such as pest-resistant plants, natural sprays and beneficial insects.
• Use native plants in rain gardens and landscaping. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also help build a sustainable landscape.
• Reduce the area of mowed turf grass in your yard by extending your maintained garden beds or by planting native groundcover in place of turf grass.
• As an alternative to reducing the area of mowed turf grass in your yard, try adding a clover mix to your turf grass areas — this will add diversity that benefits pollinators and will add nutrients to your soil, helping to make your turf grass healthier without chemical inputs!

Discover more ways to help make your yard pollinator friendly by visiting the “pollinator aware yard care" webpage.

The city also takes steps to protect pollinators.

• Rain gardens are continuously built and maintained in parks and along streets to provide wildlife habitat, support pollinators, reduce erosion and improve water quality in the Huron River.
• City parks are home to over 60 maintained garden beds which contain native plant species support to local pollinator populations.
• Check out the “alternative mow pilot" findings from Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation's 2023 initiative, which tested alternative mowing practices at eight parks. 
• The Veterans Memorial Park display garden was planted in 2023 to demonstrate an alternative, pollinator-friendly lawn. The garden continues to grow in 2024.

Read more about these efforts!

​A2ZERO news

Final sustainabili​ty forum of 2024

Join the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) for the final A²ZERO Sustainability Series of the year. Wednesday, May 29, the expert, engaging panel will explore the topic of “Launching New Services: Rebates and Home Energy Advisor Services." The forum takes place at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch 6–7:30 p.m. Register now to attend! 

Sustainability ch​​ampion

Constellation Research has named Missy Stults, City of Ann Arbor Sustainability and Innovations director, one of the 50 top sustainability champions worldwide! This year's honorees represent a variety of industries, including healthcare, higher education, sports and public sector. Please join the city in congratulating Stults and her team for their engaging and innovative work toward the A²ZERO goal for carbon neutrality in our community by 2030. 

NEW A2ZERO Home Energ​y Advisor program

Launching this month is Ann Arbor's new A²ZERO Home Energy Advisor service. This free service will help residents obtain free home energy assessments, plan projects, connect to contractors and rebates, and get customized "path to zero" decarbonization plans. The service will be open to all homeowners and renters in Ann Arbor. Learn more and sign up for yourfree HEA assessment! 

A2ZERO in the fi​​eld

The Office of Sustainability and Innovations is working with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to ensure residents are ​aware of the federal funding incentives available to support residential decarbonization. This involves a community-wide door knocking campaign by members of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. If they haven’t already been in your neighborhood, someone from the League will likely be coming by in the next several days, leaving a door hanger with more information. These individuals will be credentialed with identification badges. They will appear in blue “Energy Savings Now” vests and carry material that directs you to the​ initiative website.

Green Business Challe​​nge

The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations and Ann Arbor SPARK are announcing a new Ann Arbor Green Business Challenge (A2 GBC)! A2 GBC is designed to bring together local businesses and stakeholders to inspire, inform and connect individuals interested in sustainable business practices. Come learn more about the newly launched A2 GBC, sign up and get inspired! Zingerman's pastries and freshly brewed coffee will be served. Registration is required. If you can't make it but are interested, go online to learn more.

Save the date for A2ZERO W​​eek

The fourth annual A²ZERO Week, June 9–15, will again celebrate our community's collective work to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality. The event includes activities for everyone — food waste challenges, neighborhood ward parties, A2 Summer Festival appearances, solar energy ribbon cuttings, Love a Park Days, and so much more. Go online to learn more about A²ZERO Week and how to get involved. 

​Reminders for your fo​​ur-legged (dog) friends

There are important steps to keep your dog (and others) safe and happy in city parks, neighborhoods and around town. Please note these reminders for safety, comfort and courtesy for all:

• Be sure dogs are properly licensed. Michigan law requires all dogs over the age of 6 months to be licensed. License fees are only $6 for an up-to-one-year license and $15 for a three-year license if your dog is spayed or neutered; fees for unaltered animals are $12 or $30 for a one- or three-year license. For a dog to qualify for a three-year-license, the current rabies vaccination certificate must be valid for at least 24 months at the time of application. There is no fee to license a service dog. An added benefit to licensing, doing so helps control and prevent the spread of rabies since proof of a current rabies vaccination is required as part of the application process. Find more information on dog licenses.
• Dogs must be secured with a held leash at city parks, schools, in neighborhoods, downtown, etc. Does your pup prefer off-leash play? Exercise, socializing and fun are in store at Broadway, Olson and Swift Run off-leash dog parks. Please note, to ensure safety, dogs must be licensed and have a permit to play at the city's dog parks. Learn more! 
• And last, but certainly not least … Please pick up what is left behind. Not picking up your dog's droppings violates the city's sanitation nuisance ordinance. It's also just not very neighborly! If you and your dog plan to stray away from your yard, please be sure to bring along bags so you may properly dispose of any droppings in the trash (never with compost refuse and never in storm drains!).

More information is also available on the city's animal control webpage.

Memorial Day sche​​dule

City government offices and the 15th District Court are closed for Memorial Day Monday, May 27. The city's 24-hour operations There will be no trash/recycling/compost collection on the holiday Monday. Collections will instead be delayed by one day, taking place Tuesday through Saturday.