A2 City News Community Newsletter

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

​ A2 City Ne​w​s, June​ 20​24​​​​​​​ (PDF), Volume 18, Number 6 (ori​ginally distributed May 31, 2024, via e​mail to "community new​sletter: A2 City News" subscribers​​)​​ ​​​​​​​

A N N  A R B O R  B I C E N T E N N I A L  -  1 8 2 4 - 2 0 2 4​​​

Bicentennial upda​​​te

The Ann Arbor Bicentennial celebrations continue! On the heels of the anniversary party that took place last month (watch CTN coverage), the A200 Committee is sharing events, projects and opportunities that are coming up, including A2ZERO Week, a digitized historical image collection via the Bentley Historical Library, Rotary Club contributions to Bicentennial Park and more. See what's in store, mark your calendar, and learn about the projects underway commemorating the bicentennial.

Dexter-Ann​​ Arbor Run

The Annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run takes to the city streets Sunday, June 2, 2024. See the course maps to steer clear of road closures. 

Wishing good luck to all participants!

Share input for An​n Arbor Phase II Municipalization Study

A study will take place by the City of Ann Arbor (“Phase II Study") to understand the detailed costs associated with acquiring DTE's electric infrastructure and replacing DTE as the electric utility for Ann Arbor. This process, known as municipalization, is complex and will require a significant amount of technical, economic, political and social information. To help shape the Phase II Study, community members are invited to share their thoughts and concerns about what they hope the Phase II Study includes. Anyone interested in submitting a comment may do so by completing a brief form by June 28, 2024. 

The city will review all comments submitted during this timeframe as it prepares a technical request for proposals for the Phase II Study. Please note that the Phase II Study will NOT include a reliability, resilience, undergrounding or improvement assessment or a detailed study of costs to operate the utility as these are separate studies not budgeted for at this time. The Phase II Study will solely focus on the costs to acquire DTE's electric assets and the right to serve all electric customers within Ann Arbor (e.g., stranded costs, value of the right to serve customers, and new equipment needed to operate the utility).​

Get social with OSI

It's never been easier to keep up with events, updates and opportunities from the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovation (OSI). Check out the official OSI accounts on Instagram, @a²zero2030, and Facebook, @A²ZERO, and be sure to follow!

A2ZERO Wee​​​k is June 9–15

Dozens of activities are planned for the fourth annual A²ZERO Week in Ann Arbor Sunday–Saturday, June 9–15. There's something for everyone — and on every day of the event! From tours to games, cocktails to crafting (and SO much more), the diverse lineup of events makes learning about sustainability and carbon neutrality easy to understand and lots of fun! Plus pick up a passport from partner, Ann Arbor District Library, to log your participation, and you could even win some great prizes.

June 1 marks the four-year anniversary of the adoption of the A²ZERO Plan to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor. A²ZERO Week commemorates the plan adoption and celebrates the work of the city and its sustainability collaborators in unique, fun, interactive ways. Also … save the date for this fall, when the sustainability celebration continues with annual Mayor's Green Fair Friday, Sept. 20.

To learn more about A²ZERO and for a full schedule of events, visit www.a2gov.org/a2zeroweek.​

Which Ann Arbor flag ​design is your fav?

As the City of Ann Arbor plans to redesign the city flag, the public is invited to review and vote on their favorite design concept, all of which were submitted by residents. This effort to design a new flag is meant to encourage joy and civic pride. A panel of judges, led by Mayor Christopher Taylor, will use this public input as part of their decision-making process to determine which design will move forward for Ann Arbor City Council consideration. The survey is open through Friday, June 28, 2024. Choose your favorite!

Sharing roads, b​ike lanes and sidewalks

When it comes to moving around Ann Arbor, more patience and understanding are musts. Drivers often need to share the road with cyclists; cyclists need to share the bike lane with scooters and wheelchairs; and those walking, biking or scootering often share the sidewalk. This is especially true during construction season when vehicle lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks may be closed. Learn more.

Know where​​ to turn

With construction “season" in full swing, and community events occupying city streets, find out in advance where detours may interrupt your travels around Ann Arbor. Sign up to receive planned road and lane closure notifications, and see a list of temporary traffic control plans in progress, at www.a2gov.org/roads. In addition, the city provides road closure notices to WAZE, a free app can be downloaded to a phone or other mobile device.

Know where ​​to go

The City of Ann Arbor now has public restrooms open for business. The free restrooms, from Throne Labs Inc., can be found throughout the city with designs that celebrate Ann Arbor's bicentennial milestone. The portable public restrooms will be accessible by scanning a QR code or using a mobile app; access cards will also be available to pick up in advance for those without cell phones. The restrooms locations are (see also the map – PDF) :

- 100 block of East Washington Street, east of Main Street on the north side of the street.

- The Robert J. Delonis Center (312 W. Huron St.) 

- The Ann Arbor Farmers Market (315 Detroit St.) 

- Liberty Plaza Park (310 S. Division St.) 

- West Park (215 Chapin St.) 

- Riverside Park near the B2B trail (1000 Canal St.) 

- Two units will be located at Veterans Memorial Park (2150 Jackson Ave.) 

For those without cell phones, bathroom access cards will be available at Larcom City Hall (301 E. Huron St.) or the Delonis Center (312 W. Huron St.) during regular business hours.

Baby-changing stations and menstrual products are included in each location, and the restroom design exceeds Federal ADA standards to ensure accessibility for all abilities. Throne's turnkey restroom solution also includes all cleaning, servicing and user support. Learn more! 

Parks moves ahead with plan for ADA improve​​ments

Ann Arbor is committed to making sure city parks and recreation facilities can be enjoyed by all. An important milestone in this effort, which launched in 2022, has been achieved with City Council's recent approval of the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan (PDF). This comprehensive plan provides recommendations to remove barriers and make other improvements so people of all abilities can participate with greater ease and comfort.

Projects from the 30-year plan will range in scope, including incremental improvements and incorporating ADA recommendations into already established projects. Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation's current accessibility features include chair lifts at swimming pools, programming geared toward promoting independent living for older adults, universal-access boat launches at city canoe liveries (PDF), and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Centennial Universal-access Playground at Gallup Park, to name just a few.

Learn more about the ADA transition plan.

Parks summ​​er news

What's cooking at ​​​the market?

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the place to be this summer for local food, local treasures and local chefs as the market prepares to celebrate its 105th birthday! Visit www.a2gov.org/market for additional details before you plan a visit.

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market has received a food safety grant from Michigan Farmers Market Association to host free cooking demonstrations (11 a.m.–noon during the second Wednesday market of the month). The demos feature local guest cooks from the community preparing dishes highlighting seasonal ingredients grown by local farmers. Each demo will offer tips and samples for customers, while vendors will have the featured ingredients available for purchase at their stalls.

June 12, Eleva Potter (Natural Area Preservation): Foraging edible invasive plants; July 10, Karen Wanza (community member); Aug. 14, Mary Balog
(Argus Farm Stop) and Sept. 11, TBD.

Outdoor pool season is und​​​erway

All three City of Ann Arbor outdoor pools (Buhr Park, Fuller Park and Veterans Memorial Park) are now open for the 2024 swim season! Pool punch passes are on sale at each facility. The card is good for daily admission for you and your family members. One punch per visit per person, and it is valid for all open swim and lap swim times. Punch passes are not valid for master's swim times.

Fees:

• 10 punches: $40.
• 25 punches: $100.
• 50 punches: $187.50.
• 100 punches: $350.

Swim lessons information for Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Mem​orial park pools

Octopod swim team and session one of learn-to-swim (group) lesson registration is underway! Registration for private lessons begins Saturday, June 1. Swim lessons for session two will be open for registration Monday, July 1, at 8 a.m. Buhr Park Pool, 734.794.6234 | Fuller Park Pool, 734.794.6236 | Veterans Memorial Park Pool, 734.794.6235.

For location hours, pricing and offerings, including learn-to-swim classes, visit www.a2gov.org/pools. See also information about (and the schedule for) the combined swim team, the Octopods, at www.a2gov.org/octopods.

Work in the Ann Arbo​​r parks

There are a variety of positions open in the Ann Arbor parks if you want to have fun, earn money and work outdoors this summer. Jobs include day camp counselors, golf course turf specialists, lifeguards, cashiers, swim instructors and more. To view the jobs then apply online, visit www.a2gov.org/parksjobs.

Canoe livery seas​​​on is in full swing

Argo and Gallup canoe liveries (www.a2gov.org/canoe) are open seven days week, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. For the Argo to Gallup trip, go to Argo Park any time 9 a.m.–4 p.m. There is a stillwater rental option from both Argo and Gallup liveries every day 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Argo Park also offers tube rentals and tube for sales every day 9 a.m.–6 p.m.​

Juneteenth holi​​day

City of Ann Arbor municipal offices will be closed Wednesday, June 19, to observe Juneteenth. Collection of trash/recycling/compost, however, will continue as regularly scheduled.

Juneteenth is a holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States, following its establishment on the North American mainland in 1619. City Council approved Juneteenth as a city holiday in 2021 via Resolution R-21-182.

CTN hi​​​ghlights

CTN wins 2​​024 Hometown Media Award

Ann Arbor Community Television Network (CTN) has been recognized with a national 2024 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation. The awards program honors and promotes community media, community radio and local cable programs that are distributed on public, educational and governmental (PEG) access cable television channels. CTN won first place in the category Overall Excellence in P. E. or G. Access (PEG). The winning entry is a compilation of the best of CTN's 2023 programs, which includes clips from PSAs, promos, CTN series, CTN Sports, special events, community partners, government meetings and public access. Congratulations to CTN's talented team for earning this award!

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

A2 Bicentennial — Ann Arbor's 200th Birthday Bash

Adventures In Crafting — Cartoon Fashionistas

Adventures in Parenthood — ProtectMiChild 

Ann Arbor Inclusive — Two young ice skaters from Hockettes Unified Synchronized Skating team, Chris Pasko and Rylee Inman, discuss the team, half of whose members have disabilities and their dreams about competitions including the upcoming Special Olympics. 

CTN Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — MiTAI: Chants of the Motherland Saga 

CTN SPORTS — Top Plays of the Season 

CTN SPORTS 2024 — Saline @ Huron Girls Lacrosse, May 6 

CTN SPORTS 2024 — Pioneer @ Huron Girls Water Polo, April 29 

CTN SPORTS 2024 — Pioneer @ Skyline Girls Water Polo, April 25 

CTN Tour — Ypsilanti Community Middle School 

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

FYI— Isaac Selling with the Off Color Art Fest shares details on this new art fair taking over Arbor Brewing Company (Corner Brewery) on May 18 and 19; Eastern Michigan University unveils rowing course on Ford Lake; and the Water Treatment Plant Open House 

FYI — Pam Labadie with the Huron River Watershed Council shares how we can honor our local waterway during Huron River Day; MITAI hosts The Chants of the Motherland Sagas at the Ann Arbor District Library; and Ann Arbor Water Lantern Festival 

FYI— Brandon Hewitt, attorney/COO for Michigan Auto Law, talks sharing our roadways, work zone safety, and how to react when an accident arises. 

Green Light — Electric Lawn Care 

League of Women Voters Ann Arbor Area 2024 — Washtenaw County Sheriff Democratic Primary 

Soapbox 2024 — Ann Arbor Greek Festival 

Soapbox— Shelter Association of Washtenaw County Almost Home Fundraiser 

Soapbox— Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy 

Senior Moments — Pittsfield Township Senior Center 

Senior Moments— Ann Arbor Musician/Multi-instrumentalist Betsy Beckerman talks about her life and musical activities for seniors and performs in the studio.

Ward Talk — Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, Ann Arbor City Councilmember from the 3rd Ward 

Time for firew​​orks?

If you're planning to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, please remember to do so safely and responsibly. Also remember, the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011 (PDF) permits fireworks usage only during certain timeframes and only around national holidays. 

Also note, fireworks use without permission is ALWAYS PROHIBITED at:

- City parks

- Schools

- All public and private property that isn't your own

Further, anyone setting off fireworks that cause a fire resulting in property damage will potentially face civil and criminal liability.

Please be aware of these important safety reminders as well:

- Keep a water source ready to spray embers from fireworks. Drench the entire area where you've been using fireworks when done.

- Toss used fireworks into a bucket of water for at least 24 hours before disposing.

- Don't try to reignite fireworks that won't go off.

- Don't launch fireworks into forests or fields. Dry grass or leaves could ignite.

- Keep fireworks away from your face and eyes.

More information is available on the National Fire Protection Association website.

Fireworks also pose a risk to pets. Visit the American Veterinary Medical Association website for tips on how to keep pets safe for the holiday and all summer long. 

If you plan to use fireworks, please follow the laws, do so safely and be courteous by letting neighbors know in advance. This includes being mindful of any military veterans or others who may be sensitive to the noise associated with fireworks.

Prepare for upcoming ele​​ctions

The next election in Ann Arbor is the State Primary Aug. 6. And the time is now 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.

It's 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.

Visit www.a2gov.org/elections for all the details!

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! ​

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Special ​​​Accommo​​dati​​​​ons