A2 City News Community Newsletter

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A2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor. Please share comments via email o​​r call 734.794.6110, extension 41105. T​he current A2 City News community newsletter articles appear below in plain-text format.

 

​A2 City Ne​​w​​s​, November​ 20​24​​​​​​ (PDF), Volume 19, Nu​mber 2 (ori​ginally distributed Jan. 31, 2025, via e​mail to "community new​sletter: A2 City News" subscribers​​)​​ ​​​​​​​

Learn, share and Engage Ann Arbor

A dynamic, online hub is enhancing how the City of Ann Arbor shares information and gathers public input on projects and programs. Check out the new Engage Ann Arbor (EA2) [ https://engage.a2gov.org/ ] for detailed, interactive information about city projects and initiatives — all in one place — with data presented in visual ways, a mapping feature, and surveys when input is being collected. Similar tools have been used in the past, and now EA2 brings them all together for the city to communicate and collaborate with the community.

Visit EA2 [ https://engage.a2gov.org/ ] to stay informed and to play an active role in city projects and planning. EA2 is intended to complement, not replace, the other ways the city interacts with the community, ultimately helping to ensure everyone can participate and be heard, effectively and as conveniently as possible.

Snow Match: Volunteers needed!

Neighbors are helping neighbors throughout the city, and you can be a part of this community effort. The A2 Snow Match program, www.a2gov.org/snowmatch, is still accepting volunteers to be paired with a nearby neighbor to assist with sidewalk snow removal! Volunteers are matched with homes within a 10-minute (half-mile) walk from their location.

Residents in need can also still sign up to receive volunteer assistance. Recipients of the volunteer assistance must be city residents 55+ years of age or older OR who self-identify as having a disability AND who do not have access to resources — neither finances to hire a service nor nearby family members or friends to help out with snow removal tasks.

Register online to volunteer –or– to request snow-clearing help. The city thanks all who have already joined this community-building program!

On-street snow parking ban

Recently, Ann Arbor City Council approved changes to the ordinance regarding street parking during significant snowstorms. The city has always had the ability to call a street-parking ban, but the rules had been confusing and difficult to follow and enforce. This comes on the heels of Council approving contracts in December that give city public works additional resources to plow residential streets.

The city is committed to a multi-year program to help residents understand how a snow parking ban would work, if needed. This educational effort will also highlight the importance of the community voluntarily removing cars from street parking to aid in snow removal. The city does not anticipate recommending such a ban for snow removal this winter prior to any public education or outreach and would do so only in the most extraordinary circumstances.

More information on this topic will be coming in the months ahead to further explain how the city is improving processes for snowstorm response and street parking regulations.

City introduces new leadership team member

Please join the city in welcoming Jordan Roberts, who has been appointed to public services area administrator! Roberts began leading Ann Arbor public services — which includes engineering, public works, water services and more — Jan. 22.

He was previously the process improvement manager with the City of Dearborn, Michigan, Department of Public Works (since 2023) and also held positions of superintendent, assistant superintendent and supervisor with the City of Dearborn Neighborhood Services Division, starting in 2014. Roberts also served as a budget analyst with the State of Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Office of Capital Budgeting, beginning in 2013. He is a University of Michigan graduate and also earned a master’s of public policy degree from the University of Maryland.

Sign up to attend the Ann Arbor Community Academy

The Ann Arbor Community Academy (A2CA) is returning for its eighth year to provide a close-up look at local city government. The popular program, free and for ages 18 years and older, will meet weekly on Wednesdays throughout March and April, either online or in person, 6:30–8:30 p.m. In-person tours will also take place on select Tuesdays with a separate signup, and on a first-come basis.

Get a first-hand look at what goes into long-term planning and day-to-day operations throughout Ann Arbor directly from various city leaders. Registration, while spaces are available, is open until Monday, Feb. 17! Visit www.a2gov.org/A2CA for details and to register.

We ‘love’ February in the parks

Celebrate February with Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation! What’s not to love about a nature-inspired Valentine’s workshop Monday, Feb. 10, 1–3 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.? Led by Eleva Potter, Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation environmental educator, participants will create unique, nature-themed valentines using watercolors or colored pencils. All materials are provided, and the event is free. Learn more at www.a2gov.org/senior. Preregistration is required! Call 734.794.6250 to secure your spot.

Enjoy extra skating sessions at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena during Ann Arbor Public Schools mid-winter break, Friday–Tuesday, Feb. 14–18. Highlights include the Valentine’s-themed Frozen Friday Skate Feb. 14, 7–8:45 p.m., as well as open skate, sticks and pucks and drop-in hockey throughout the weekend. See the full February mid-winter break schedule at www.a2gov.org/buhr.

Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 17, brings additional activities to Mack Indoor Pool with an open swim noon–4 p.m., while Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena hosts an adult skate 11 a.m.–1:10 p.m. and open skating 1:10–2:30 p.m. Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena will also feature extended open skating sessions noon–2 p.m. and 3–5 p.m., plus drop-in hockey (18+) 9–10 p.m. Find details at www.a2gov.org/mack.
For full schedules, visit Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation at www.a2gov.org/parks.

CTN highlights

Discover CTN’s wide range of programs available to watch online now!

A2 Bicentennial Closing Ceremony  
Adventures In Parenthood — Sexting and Sextortion 
CTN SPORTS 2025 — Lincoln at Huron Girls Basketball, Jan. 10 
CTN SPORTS 2025 — Skyline at Pioneer Girls Basketball, Jan. 17 
CTN SPORTS 2025 — Dexter at Pioneer Boys Basketball, Jan. 24 
FYI — Chris Hunter, senior trial attorney for Michigan Auto Law, shares safe practices for navigating the roadways during the winter months; A2 Bicentennial Closing Ceremony; and the Ann Arbor Community Academy 
Soapbox — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan 
Senior Moments — Fitness Instructor Mark Harris demonstrates how to avoid and manage falls and shows us exercise movements to maintain bone and muscles health. 
Senior Moments — Brittany Patton, Ann Arbor Senior Center director, discusses events and activities at the center. 
Ward Talk #197 with Jen Eyer, Ann Arbor City Councilmember from the 4th Ward 

Barton Dam embankment work and public access restrictions to begin in March

In early March 2025, Barton Dam construction work will begin in Ann Arbor, restricting public access to certain areas of the adjacent Barton Pond, Barton Nature Area, Bird Hills Nature Area and trails to and along the Huron River. This planned, required work will include stabilizing a berm on the downstream slope of the right embankment to address seepage and stability concerns and is projected to be completed by June 2027.

Restricted areas will include:
  * North of the pedestrian bridge on the west side the railroad crossing 
  * The right embankment including the canoe portage on Barton Pond 
  * The spillway 
  * No public on-site access to Barton Pond 
  * What will still be accessible by the public? 
  * The parking lot at Barton Nature Area, though the access drive, pathways and adjacent yard will be shared by construction operations/traffic 
  * The pedestrian bridge over the Huron River 
  * The city canoe launch downstream of the pedestrian bridge 

While there will be barricades and signage posted, the public using the Barton Nature Area is urged to remain cautious in the parking lot, pathway and other areas west of the Huron River. See the map (PDF) indicating restricted areas as well as areas that will be maintained for public access, and visit the city dams and hydros webpage for any project updates that may become available.

A potential for noise also will exist, coming from equipment situated between the railroad tracks and the dam, as dewatering equipment must remain running 24 hours, seven days per week during key excavation work.

Visitors to this area are asked to comply with the safety restrictions, barricades and posted signage on site and to remember that crossing railroad tracks beyond designated, posted access points is extremely hazardous and is against the law.

The city thanks community members for their patience during this Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-required project.

Blaze & Blue Camp registration begins March 17

Back for its fourth year, the Ann Arbor Fire and Police departments will host Blaze & Blue Camp 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Friday, July 7–10. Registration begins Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m.
The free, four-day program provides local young women ages 15–18 years the opportunity to experience the most challenging and exciting tasks in firefighting, first response and law enforcement. The week will focus will be:
  * July 7–8 — Fire department 
  * July 9–10 — Police department 

When enrollment begins March 17, priority will be given to city of Ann Arbor residents, followed by residents of other Washtenaw County communities. Questions? Contact Fire Department Office Manager Chantel Jackson at cjackson@a2gov.org.

Police and fire departments schedule May 17 open house

Save the date to meet our local first responders, including police K-9 officers, get up close with police and fire vehicles, watch demonstrations and so much more at the annual City of Ann Arbor Fire and Police Open House! The event takes place along Fifth Avenue, in front of fire station No. 1, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

Receive (and recognize) local emergency alerts

Wild weather, hazardous materials spill, water impacts, significant traffic situations — these are among the circumstances community members need to be aware of in order to stay safe. If you aren’t already, sign up for the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County emergency alert system, Everbridge. In the event of an emergency, those registered will receive a phone call, text message and/or email to provide the facts affecting their local area or region and instructions on any action that may be suggested or required. But first, if you haven’t already signed up, you must opt in by registering and including how you would like to be contacted.

Everbridge alerts will appear on caller ID as coming from the phone number, 734.794.6060, with the label, “Ann Arbor Alert.” Please save this phone number in your contacts when registering so you can recognize this as an important call not to be missed!

To sign up, for more information or to check whether you’re already on the list, visit the Washtenaw County Everbridge site.

A trained eye on the sky

The Washtenaw County Sheriff Emergency Services Division, in conjunction with the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac, is offering a Skywarn Spotter training at Pioneer High School
Saturday, March 15, 10–11:30 a.m., with check in beginning at 9:30 a.m. The training is free and is open to anyone 18 years of age and older. Participants will learn severe-weather identification, protection and reporting procedures.

Class sizes are limited, and preregistration is required. Don’t delay! 
If you have previously completed training and your identification expires in 2026, you should defer training until next year or attend a virtual session as a refresher. Washtenaw County will continue to recognize trained spotters who attend online training, however, Skywarn Spotter Identification will no longer be issued to individuals not attending in person. You must be a currently trained Skywarn Spotter to receive the official related weather messages.

Questions? Contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office at 734.971.8400.

How are we doing?

Across every department, the City of Ann Arbor is committed to providing the highest level of service to the community. Part of this effort includes providing the public with convenient ways to share feedback — including praise, compliments, concerns and constructive criticisms — regarding:

  * City of Ann Arbor employee conduct or communication 
  * A city process or procedure 

Feedback may be submitted within 30 days of your experience/interaction either in person at the customer service counter on the first floor of Larcom City Hall –or– by using a new online form. When submitting online feedback, please include current contact information if you would like for the city to follow up with you. Please allow 10 business days for a city response. While feedback may be shared anonymously, please know doing so may limit the ability of staff to thoroughly investigate when the feedback involves a concern.
The Ann Arbor Office of Organizational Equity receives and processes all feedback submitted through this effort. Note, information may be subject to Freedom of Information Act requirements.

Washtenaw County winter warming sites

Temporary, weather-related warming sites and shelters are being offered by Washtenaw County, in support of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and the Continuum of Care Winter Sheltering Operations, through April 13, 2025 (pending weather conditions). Visit the county online for complete and consistently updated information. 

Presidents Day

Ann Arbor municipal offices will be closed on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 17. Trash/recycling collection will continue as regularly scheduled, with no planned delays.

New city flag for sale

A new city flag is now flying outside of city buildings, and you can also "fly" the new flag! Two sizes are available for (in-person-only) purchase — a “parade” size for $10 and a 4-foot- by 6-foot flag for $65 — in the city clerk's office, second floor at Larcom City Hall. A FREE laptop sticker can also be picked up from the front counter of the city clerk's office.

“I am honored to raise our new city flag at Larcom City Hall,” said Mayor Christopher Taylor, at the brief flag-raising ceremony Jan. 13. “A great city deserves a great flag, and I am incredibly proud of the collaborative effort led by city staff to engage the Ann Arbor community in the flag design contest. A great deal of praise and thanks is owed to the flag committee members, city staff and the winner of our flag design contest, Dennis Scherdt. Nothing we do here at the city is possible without the incredible work of city staff and the support of our Ann Arbor community.”

Experience: Oscillation

A new, interactive art exhibit has arrived in Liberty Plaza, downtown Ann Arbor (310 S. Division St.)! Through March 16, visit Oscillation [ https://www.a2dda.org/oscillation/ ], a collection of large, glowing crystals that interact with your movement. As you walk toward the piece, Oscillation plays different sounds and pitches depending on your distance from the crystals. As you move around, colors reflect and light changes direction in different ways based on your angle and position.

Oscillation is the debut project from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) public art and placemaking program, Elevate, which strives to enhance the downtown experience for all by funding public art and placemaking installations. will feature a variety of temporary interactive and permanent installations across downtown.
“Get moving,” and experience Oscillation for yourself! And be sure to share your photos and videos with the hashtags #oscillationA2 and #elevateA2. Oscillation is free and open to the public.

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