May 2011
A2 City News Resident Newsletter Articles
Electronic distribution: Friday, April 29, 2011
2012 budget update As the City of Ann Arbor fiscal year 2012 budget process continues, citizens are invited to attend the following meetings:
Monday, May 2, 2011, 7 p.m. City Council Regular Meeting — Fiscal year 2012 budget public hearing at Larcom City Hall, second floor Council chambers, 301 E. Huron St.
Monday, May 9, 2011, 7 p.m. City Council Work Session — City Council discussion of City Administrator's recommended fiscal year 2012 budget; Larcom City Hall, second floor Council chambers, 301 E. Huron St.
Monday, May 16, 2011, 7 p.m. City Council Regular Meeting — City Council consideration of City Administrator's recommended fiscal year 2012 budget; Larcom City Hall, second floor Council chambers, 301 E. Huron St.
In addition, the 2012 and 2013 budget presentation from City Administrator Roger Fraser at the April 13 Town Hall meeting as well as the budget presentation given to City Council at their regular meeting April 19 are available for viewing online.
Per City Charter, City Council will adopt the annual budget in May. The fiscal year 2012 budget will be in effect July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. Please see the online budget guide for additional information on the city budget and the planning process.
New City Administrator Stakeholder meetings on May 3
On Thursday, April 28, the City of Ann Arbor’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Crawford became interim city administrator. Crawford will remain in this position until a permanent city administrator is appointed by City Council in early September.
On March 21, Mayor John Hieftje appointed a search committee charged with recommending a selection process for the new city administrator. The City Administrator Search Committee recommended to City Council on April 19 that the search process include business and citizen stakeholder meetings moderated by the recruitment firm Affion Public Inc.
As a result, two stakeholder meetings will take place Tuesday, May 3, at the County Administration Building, 200 N. Main, in the lower level conference room:
6 p.m. Business Stakeholder Meeting
7 p.m. Citizen Stakeholder Meeting
These stakeholder meetings will give business owners and citizens the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the new city administrator’s role and responsibilities as identified in the City Charter. The city administrator job description can be viewed on the city website or by clicking here for the PDF.
In addition, citizens can e-mail questions about the stakeholder meetings.
In June, onsite public interviews with selected candidates will be scheduled. Once available, specific dates will be announced on the city’s website.
May 3 special election
The Washtenaw Intermediate School District Election takes place Tuesday, May 3. All City of Ann Arbor polling places will be open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Visit the elections Web page for further ballot and polling place information or to check the status of your voter registration in the city, or contact the city clerk’s office at 734.794.6140. mailto:cityclerk@a2gov.org
Farmers Market extended hours begin
In addition to Saturdays, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is again open on Wednesdays, through December. The market resumes its seasonal extended hours as well, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Still wishing for more market time? Come June, you’re in luck. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market will pilot a very special evening market, 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through September. More details will be available toward the end of May. For updates, visit the Ann Arbor Farmers Market online, or become a parks and recreation fan on Facebook.
LIVE public meeting Web streaming
Now all Community Television Network Channel 16 live televised public meetings are also available to watch live online from CTN’s website, on “The Meeting Place” page.
Live Web streaming is one more way, in addition to these listed below, to stay in touch with Ann Arbor City Council and board and commission actions and deliberations.
Cable: Watch CTN Channel 16 public meeting programming via Comcast Cable channel 16.
Justice Center eventThe Ann Arbor Justice Center was officially unveiled to the public at an open house event Saturday, April 16. Guests went on a guided tour of the new facility, which houses the city’s information technology services unit, 15th District Court as well as the Ann Arbor Police Department.
The entrance to the Justice Center, located adjacent to Larcom City Hall, is on the building’s south side, at Huron Street and Fifth Avenue. Larcom City Hall’s main entrance has also been relocated here, on the south, Huron Street, side. See the map PDF for directions.
Spring hydrant flushing continues
The City of Ann Arbor water utilities division continues its annual fire hydrant inspection and system maintenance. Hydrant-flushing schedules are posted on the city’s “news” Web page; and more information is available on the city’s field services website.
Why is it helpful to know when hydrant flushing is happening in your neighborhood? On occasion during the hydrant-flushing process, the water in area homes may have an orange or rusty appearance. The discolored water does not pose a health or safety risk, but the water can cause stains to laundry. If water appears discolored, please run the cold water for several minutes to clear your lines. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes. The iron sediment in the water main being disturbed by the hydrant flushing causes the discoloration.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the hydrant-flushing process, please visit the website or contact the City of Ann Arbor field services unit at 734.794.6350.
A2 Downtown Blooms and Adopt-a-Park events
Two annual events take place Saturday, May 21 to engage the Ann Arbor community in beautifying the city.
Hundreds of volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. downtown at Liberty Plaza (Division and Liberty streets) to kick off A2 Downtown Blooms Day. Volunteers help plant and mulch flower planters throughout the downtown, and each volunteer receives a t-shirt and pizza lunch. To preregister, call 734.794.6000, extension 43112. Go online for more details.
Also beginning at 9 a.m., neighbors can get to know their parks, and one another, during the Adopt-a-Park Kick Off. Training, tools and support will be provided by the city. For participating park locations and details, contact the Adopt-A-Park coordinator via email or by calling 734.794.6627 or go online.
Free-compost or mulch Saturdays
Each Saturday through May 28, residents of Ann Arbor can pick up a maximum 6 bushels (or 1 cubic yard) total of free compost from the Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road. The free compost or mulch, self loaded, is available to Ann Arbor residents, compliments of WeCare Organics. Residents must verify residency (with a water bill and drivers license) at the MRF scalehouse to receive the coupon. Pick-up hours are 8 a.m. to noon, and residents must bring their own shovel and containers or trucks to haul the compost. For details, visit the compost page of the city website.
Mobile discounts in the parks
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation will begin to offer mobile coupons at various park facilities in May. The next time you rent a canoe at Argo or Gallup canoe livery or check in for your tee time at Huron Hills or Leslie Park golf courses, look for an offer at the counter prompting you to text the keyword: A2Parks to 22700 using your cell phone … and you’ll instantly receive a text message in return with a special offer/discount at that location.
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation will begin to offer mobile coupons at various park facilities in May. The next time you rent a canoe at Argo or Gallup canoe livery or check in for your tee time at Huron Hills or Leslie Park golf courses, look for an offer at the counter prompting you to text the keyword: A2Parks to 22700 using your cell phone … and you’ll instantly receive a text message in return with a special offer/discount at that location.
Simply show the cashier the coupon on your phone, and they’ll apply your discount when you cash out.
This season, coupons for a discount on general admission fees will be offered at the city’s outdoor pools as well as for savings at the canoe liveries and golf courses. Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation also plans to use SMS messaging for rewards and opportunities for customers to enter contests this summer.
April showers bring... basement backups?
Intense precipitation creates the potential to overwhelm the city’s drainage systems. In rare instances, basement wetness from seepage or sanitary sewer backups can result. The City of Ann Arbor initiated a Footing Drain Disconnect (FDD) program over a decade ago to address one of the major causes of basement flooding in Ann Arbor. You can be part of the solution! Eligible expenses associated with disconnecting your home’s footing drains from the sanitary sewer system will be reimbursed according to city regulations. Go online for details, or call one of the city’s FDD program staff at 734.794.6410 for more information.
Canoe liveries open, city pools next on tap
Now open daily, the Gallup and Argo canoe liveries feature canoes and kayaks (and paddleboats and rowboats at Gallup) for rent. The Gallup Park Coffee Shop featuring Zingerman’s baked goods and coffee is also open for the season. Go online for details, or call 734.794.6240.
And stick around this Memorial Day weekend. Buhr Park Pool, Fuller Park Pool and Veterans Memorial Park Pool are scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 28. Go online for pool hours, rates and upcoming special events.
Crosswalk cautions
Remember to STOP your vehicle for pedestrians approaching and in marked crosswalks. More tips for safe travel are posted online.
Rx collection event
City of Ann Arbor Police Services will participate in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration National Take Back Day to help rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted medications and prescription drugs. On Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to bring medications for disposal to the Ann Arbor Justice Center at 301 E. Huron St., second floor. The service is free and anonymous; no questions are asked.
For details on this program, visit the National Take Back Day website.
Recycle your eWaste
On Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., you can finally rid your basements and garages of those old computer monitors, broken televisions or any other unwanted electronics. The U-M Office of Campus Sustainability and Ann Arbor Public Schools are hosting a FREE e-Waste Recycling Event at the Pioneer High School parking lot, 601 W. Stadium Boulevard (at Main Street). Go online for details.
Getting noticed
Ann Arbor has recently received the following recognitions …
The National Civic League has named Ann Arbor a finalist for the 2011 All-America City Award, the annual competition for civic activists and community problem solvers. Ann Arbor will compete with 25 other cities, including Philadelphia, Pa., South Bend, Ind., Buffalo, N.Y., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Fort Worth, Texas, for ultimate recognition for its community-based problem solving, grassroots civic engagement and joint efforts on the part of the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Ten winners will be announced in June. Learn more at the award program's website or go to the city’s website to learn about the three initiatives highlighted in Ann Arbor’s application.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has designated the City of Ann Arbor as a GOLD level Walk Friendly Community for its walkability initiatives and programs. Ann Arbor is among only 11 communities recognized nationwide in the inaugural round of Walk Friendly Communities. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and FedEx, Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program aimed at recognizing communities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving and sustaining workability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies.
Dates to remember
There are many public meetings and events taking place in May, including the following highlights (please see the related articles in this newsletter or visit the city’s online calendar for details and a complete list):
Sunday, May 1, noon – 4 p.m. Earth Day Festival — Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive. This free, family-friendly event features environmental displays; live animal exhibits; hands-on activities; live entertainment; and green building features. All ages welcome. Visit website for more details.
Monday, May 30, city government offices are closed in observance of Memorial Day. Trash, compost and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, Tuesday through Saturday.
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