Be sure to click on the red envelope (on the right)
to receive the next A2 City News directly to your inbox!
A2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor. Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105. The current A2 City News resident newsletter articles appear below in plain-text format. The newsletter, in its entirety, can be viewed in a printable format, similar to the original e-newsletter, by clicking the PDF below.
A2 City News, June 2013, Volume 7, Number 6 (PDF)
(originally distributed May 31, 2013, via email to "Resident Newsletter: A2 City News" subscribers)
IN THIS ISSUE FY 2014 budget adopted * AAFD increases medical response *Ann Arbor parks summer lineup * Bike fix-it stand * Bicycle-friendly input sought * Farmers market for all * Good news * Green Fair * Ann Arbor Marathon & more street closures planned * Leslie Park Golf Course event *Listen in to CTN * Dates to remember
FY 2014 budget adopted
On May 20, 2013, Ann Arbor City Council adopted the fiscal year 2014 budget after many hours of deliberation and discussion. The City of Ann Arbor fiscal year 2013 runs July 1, 2013, until June 30, 2014.
The adopted budget was described as City Administrator Steve Powers as a “maintaining budget,” and amendments included: $75,000 for a sidewalk gap study analysis; $48,899 to restore human services funding (totaling $1,244,629); $10,000 to Washtenaw Health Initiative; $4,500 toward a food program at Miller Manor public housing; and the elimination of $326,464 in public art expenditures. A more extensive description of the key highlights can be found in the draft budget book: www.a2gov.org/GOVERNMENT/FINANCEADMINSERVICES/Pages/Home.aspx. To view the May 20 meeting online, visit CTN Video on Demand at http://a2govtv.pegcentral.com/.
Ann Arbor Fire Department increases medical response support to community
On June 1, 2013, Ann Arbor Fire Department personnel will increase emergency medical 9-1-1 call assistance by responding to incidents classified as Category 2. Fire Department personnel have always been dispatched to major medical calls for assistance (Category 3), but after June 1, personnel will also respond to unknown medical calls, such as an accident on the freeway where information isn’t readily available, if an extraction is needed or the level of medical assistance required. The category response change will increase service to Ann Arbor residents and visitors by improving countywide dispatch consistency for fire departments and allow for better deployment of needed resources and equipment at an incident.
Sizzling summer lineup in the Ann Arbor parks
Summer has begun — slightly ahead of the calendar — in the Ann Arbor parks, and fun is in store every day of the week.
- All three of the city’s outdoor pools — Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial (www.a2gov.org/pools) — are now open, offering open swimming, swim lessons and party rentals. Summer Splash Day events also take place on Saturdays throughout the summer.
- Gallup Canoe Livery construction is complete! Both Gallup and Argo canoe liveries (www.a2gov.org/canoe) are open daily for canoe and kayak rentals, river trips and more. Special family events are also planned for summer weekends.
- Golf is in full swing (www.a2gov.org/golf). Dads can play free all day with a paid child on Father’s Day, June 23 at Leslie Park or Huron Hills golf courses. Did you know tee times can be booked online? Plus, be sure to check out the calendar of special tournaments, and the instructional programs for all ages — including kids.
- Sign up your little superhero, prince or princess for a fun-filled event 1–3 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Kids, ages 4–8, will go on a kryptonite treasure hunt; learn how to be a junior crime watcher; and much more. The event ends with a special snack and red carpet fashion show for all the (parent) paparazzi. The fee is $30. Be sure to pre register soon by calling the senior center at 734.794.6250. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- With the ice long gone from the rink, drop-in rollerhockey is offered at Buhr Park outdoor arena (2751 Packard Road, www.a2gov.org/buhr). Through Sept. 1, drop in for a game in this fully covered arena: 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays. Men and women, and all ages, are welcome. Go online for details.
- The whole family is invited Saturday, June 9 1–3 p.m. for Family Fun Day at Burns Park, 1300 Baldwin Ave. This free event will include live music, belly dancing, SNAG golf for kids demo, story time, games, pizza and salad bar and more! Please pre register by June 5 with the Ann Arbor Senior Center: 734.794.6250.
- And of course, day camp takes place each weekday at Argo, Buhr, Fuller, Gallup and Huron Hills parks and Leslie Science & Nature Center. It’s not too late to sign up! Go online for day camp details: www.a2gov.org/camps.
Calling A2 cyclists!
Just in time for summer cycling, a new bicycle fix-it stand has been installed by the bike hoops in front of the Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301. E. Huron St. The stand includes a hanger arm, air pump and a set of tools for basic bike maintenance and repairs — screwdrivers and wrenches of different styles and sizes. Pedal up!
Input sought for a bicycle-friendly Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is reapplying for the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community Award this year. In order to make the application comprehensive and complete, help is needed. The community is invited to a public meeting Tuesday, June 25, 6–8 p.m., to gather input helping to ensure all cycling comments are counted! The meeting will be in the second floor Council chambers, at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St.
A farmers market for all
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market Wednesday Evening Market is back June 5 through October. For its third season, the market will be providing local produce, crafts, artisan food vendors, delicious dinner and desserts from unique food carts and even live music performances for the whole family.
This vibrant, welcoming marketplace is located in the heart of the Kerrytown at 315 Detroit St. and is also open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Did you know you can use a debit/credit card to purchase tokens that are accepted by vendors just like cash? Bridge cards can also be used to purchase EBT tokens to spend on fruits and veggies. Simply stop in the market office to purchase tokens. And Bridge card holders will be eligible to participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program beginning in July. WIC Project Fresh and Senior Market Fresh coupons are also accepted by many of our market vendors.
Go online, www.a2gov.org/market, for details about the Ann Arbor Farmers Market — including the evening market line up and which title the new market book club is discussing — and much more. Also check out Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/a2market) for live updates on what’s fresh.
Good news
Ann Arbor has recently been recognized in the following way.
- The City of Ann Arbor’s CrimeView Dashboard has won a Public Technology Innovation award for Public Safety Technology and Emergency Management. The CrimeView Dashboard is a powerful internal tool for analyzing crime data and capable of complex statistical analysis of crime trends.
Green Fair is June 14
The City of Ann Arbor Mayor’s Office is hosting the 13th annual Green Fair Friday, June 14, 6 to 9 p.m. Celebrate environmental leadership on downtown Main Street with displays of environmental information, “green” products, live music and much more. There will be hands-on activities for all ages, and local vendors will sell organic food on Liberty Street.
The Green Fair features three related events located on Main Street between East Huron and William: the Environmental Leaders Area; The Clean Energy Expo; and the Green Commute Area. This year’s event will also include the inaugural Stormdrain Chalk Art Competition, sponsored by the city and the Huron River Watershed Council.
Go online to learn more about the Green Fair, www.a2gov.org/greenfair … and we hope to see you there!
Ann Arbor Marathon - and more - street closures planned
As the summer season heats up, many event-related (and construction) road and lane closures are planned. Stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to receive mobile and email notifications of scheduled closures at www.a2gov.org/subscribe.
On Sunday, June 9, the Ann Arbor Marathon returns for its second year. As a result, numerous streets throughout the city will be temporarily closed. Go online to view the race course map to see which streets will be closed for the marathon; there are many: http://theannarbormarathon.com/street-closures! The marathon begins at 6:30 a.m., and streets are scheduled to reopen gradually, by 12:30 p.m., as runners complete the course.
One week before the Ann Arbor Marathon is the annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run, on Sunday, June 2. Runners will take to the streets, resulting in multiple temporary road closures (www.a2gov.org/Alerts/Pages/EventRoadClosuresandDetours.aspx).
During these special events and others, please plan your travels in around the city accordingly, avoiding the areas if possible, and be prepared for high traffic volumes and delays.
As with any public event — and even in your day-to-day routine — always be aware of your surroundings (www.dhs.gov/if-you-see-something-say-something-campaign). If you see something that seems out of place or suspicious, report it to local law enforcement. The Ann Arbor police desk phone number is 734.994.2911. Or, in the case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
Leslie Park Golf Course grand opening event
On Saturday, June 22, 5:30 p.m., an event will take place to celebrate the completion of the Traver Creek Streambank Stabilization Project at Leslie Park Golf Course (www.a2gov.org/golf). This project began in November of 2012 with the goals of reducing phosphorus and sediment into the Huron River to improve water quality; controlling ongoing erosion; and capitalizing on water runoff from small storms and improving both the habitat at the course and the ease of maintenance for staff.
The grand opening celebration at Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Road, will give the community an opportunity to meet the architects and staff involved with the project, tour the holes that underwent renovation and enjoy games, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
Listen in to CTN
On Air with CTN’s exclusive guest for the June podcast is Christine Schopieray, assistant to City of Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje. Schopieray will discuss the 13th annual Mayor’s Green Fair on Friday, June 14, and the exciting features this year’s event will offer. Listen in to learn more: http://ctnannarbor.blogspot.com/!
Dates to remember
Among the many public meetings/events taking place in June, including those featured in articles this month, here are some of the highlights. Go online for a complete list: www.a2gov.org/calendar.
- Artist presentations for public art at the new Ann Arbor Bridges site will take place 2–6 p.m. Friday, June 7 at Larcom City Hall. The four artist finalists will each present their proposed artwork designs for the site.
- Red Fish Blue Fish Teach Kids to Fish takes place at Gallup Canoe Livery Sunday, June 9, 9:30–11 a.m. Join us for the State of Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend when all fishing license fees are waived. Fishing poles, bait and instruction provided. For details, call 734.794.6240 or go online: www.a2gov.org/canoe.
- Tuesday, June 11 is the City of Ann Arbor’s siren outdoor warning system test, conducted at 1 p.m. The city has 22 siren locations, which are tested every second Tuesday of the month, March through November, with one-minute of steady wailing.
- Friday, June 14 is the Mayor’s Green Fair on Main Street. Join the fun 6–9 p.m.
- Sunday, June 23, 1–2:30 p.m., is the next feature of the Cultural Arts Series at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. A Michigan History through Song, Dance and Story highlights period music as the Dodworth Duo, Leah and Ted, sing, dance and tell stories about 19th-century American life in this interactive and historically informative production. Call or go online, www.a2gov.org/senior, for details/tickets: 734.794.6250.
- Family Fun Night at the Ann Arbor Wednesday Evening Farmers Market is June 26, 4–8 p.m. The Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum, musical guest Robinsong, Project Healthy Schools, Ann Arbor Rec & Ed, Project Grow and other local groups will be at the market for an evening of fun for the whole family. Call or go online, www.a2gov.org/market, for details: 734.794.6255.
City Contact Info
City Clerk’s Office
Second floor, Larcom City Hall
734.794.6140
Email: cityclerk@a2gov.org
Larcom City Hall
301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor
734.994.2700 / 734.794.6000
Customer Service Center
First floor, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor
734.794.6320
Email: customerservice2@a2gov.org
Fire Services
Non-emergency: 734.794.6961
Parks and Recreation Customer Service
Cobblestone Farm
2781 Packard Road, Ann Arbor
734.794.6230
Email: parks&rec@a2gov.org
Planning and Development
First floor, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor
734.794.6265
Email: building@a2gov.org
Police Services (now located in the Justice Center, adjacent to Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St.)
Non-emergency: 734.994.2911
Email: police@a2gov.org
Trash collection, recycling, etc.
734.99.GREEN
Web address: www.a2gov.org/recycle
Additional Resources
The following list highlights additional city resources located on the city publications/stay connected Web page or in hard-copy format in the lobby of City Hall. Copies of city’s major plans can also be viewed in the City Clerk’s office.
- Natural Area Preservation newsletter
- Parks and recreation program brochure
- Fire services newsletters
- Tree Town Log monthly calendar and online calendar
- WasteWatcher quarterly newsletter
- Water Matters quarterly newsletter
Special Accomodations
If you know a city resident who requires this newsletter in an alternative format, please email the city communications office or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 734.794.6140 or by written request via email, or mailed or delivered to the City Clerk’s office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests need to be received at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
City Mission Statement
The City of Ann Arbor is committed to providing excellent municipal services that enhance the quality of life for all through the intelligent use of our resources while valuing an open environment that fosters fair, sensitive and respectful treatment of all employees and the community we serve.
City Council
Go to the city’s Web site for contact information for council members or to determine your ward; or contact the City Clerk’s office, second floor of Larcom City Hall, at 734.794.6140.
City Administration