Public comment sought for fire restructure plan
At the City Council budget work session on March 12, a fire department restructuring proposal was presented by Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard which would position the department to operate from three fire stations: stations 1, 2 (reopened) and 5. This plan would enable four firefighters to be on duty at each of the three stations. Before this proposal is considered further, the City Administrator and Council would like to give community members the opportunity to hear more about the proposal and ask specific questions. There are a variety of options available to citizens to learn about the Fire Restructure Proposal including:
Website survey
Concerts in the park
The Ann Arbor Civic Band summer 2012 concert series is underway. Bring the family, bring a friend and enjoy music in the open air at the West Park band shell. Concerts are Wednesdays at 8 p.m.:
- July 4: Tribute to the USA
- July 11: Children's Concert
- July 18 (season finale): Big Bands
MDOT to host meeting for I-94 Business Loop improvements
The Michigan Department of Transportation will host an open house-style meeting on Tuesday, July 10 to discuss improvements to I-94 Business Loop (BL) in Ann Arbor, between I-94 and Main Street. The meeting will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Abbot Elementary, 2670 Sequoia Parkway.
MDOT officials will be available to answer questions about plans to convert a section of I-94 BL, between Dexter Avenue and Burwood Avenue, from four lanes to three. There will be no formal presentation given at the meeting; however, maps and project information will be on display. Construction is currently scheduled for 2014. Go online(PDF) for more information. 
2011 water quality report
Grand opening of Library Lane Parking Structure
On Thursday, July 12, a grand opening party will take place 5–8 p.m. for the Library Lane Parking Structure, 319 S. Fifth Ave. Hosted by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, there will be cake, music and a fabulous collection of vintage cars on display, a preview of the Rolling Sculpture Car Show.
Bring along something for the parking structure time capsule (which has a 12-inch diameter). Visit the DDA online for details.
Transportation survey
The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study is beginning development of the 2040 long-range transportation plan for Washtenaw County. To help inform this process, WATS is inviting feedback via the Community 
West Park construction
In 2010, various improvements were made to West Park, including band shell seating; new access stairs from the Huron Street entrance; new pathways from Seventh Street; relocation of the basketball court; regrading the open-field play area for better drainage; a boardwalk; and installation of stormwater-management features, such as swirl concentrators and bioswales.
During the construction in 2010, problems were encountered with the new underground stormwater treatment systems. Therefore, repairs and alterations will be made this summer and fall to the treatment units and reconnect them to the stormwater system, along the west edge of the park. During construction, the north and south access paths to West Park off of North Seventh Street will be closed. The central access path will remain open. This work is expected to be complete in early fall 2012.
Ann Arbor Bridges Facebook giveaways
The Ann Arbor Bridges Reconstruction Project (AAB) is continuing to progress. Project update meetings are being held every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burns Park Shelter, 1200 Baldwin Ave., with the next meeting taking place Thursday, July 17. Updates are also available on the AAB website or Facebook page.
When you like AAB on Facebook, you will be entered for a chance to win project logo buttons or a project golf wind shirt. This contest will run until the project’s next public meeting, Thursday, July 19, 2012.
Ann Arbor to host sustainability conference
The City of Ann Arbor is set to host the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Leadership Academy later this month. Senior officials and key stakeholders from up to 20 Michigan communities, counties and regions will attend workshops about local government sustainability, economic development and planning staff to help further sustainability initiatives around Michigan. These peer-learning workshops will showcase national and local examples of effective action at the intersection of sustainability and local economies. Go online for more about the City of Ann Arbor’s sustainability efforts.
New electric vehicle-charging stations
The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Clean Energy Coalitionheld an event last month at the Forest Avenue Parking Structure, 650 S. Forest, to celebrate the installation of 18 electric vehicle-charging stations. The charging stations can now be accessed by the public free of charge; electric vehicle owners need only pay the usual parking fees.
This project was substantially funded by a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Recovery Act grant awarded through Ann Arbor-based Clean Energy Coalition.
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In this issue: Comment on fire restructure plan * Website survey * Concerts in the park * I-94 BL improvements meeting * 2011 water quality report * Library Lane Parking Structure * Transportation survey * West Park construction * Ann Arbor Bridges Facebook giveaways * Ann Arbor to host sustainability conference *New electric vehicle-charging stations * Huron River Day is July 15 * Summer taxes due * Art Fair * Vote Aug. 7 * Local rainfall cycles on display * SEMCOG FY 2011–2014 Transportation Improvement Program * Dates to remember
Huron River Day is July 15
Celebrate one of this community’s greatest resources, the Huron River. The 32nd annual Huron River Day is Sunday, July 15 at Gallup Park and Parker Mill Park. Activities include TRI the Huron Triathlon (beginning at 7 a.m.); $5 canoe/kayak rentals; children’s activities; live animal programs; river exhibits; live music; food; fishing; and more. Arrive by bike, and receive a coupon for a free boat rental! Sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation.Go to the Huron River Day website, www.a2gov.org/hrd, for details or call 734.662.9319.
Summer taxes due
Summer property taxes are due this month. Taxes may be paid online, by mail, at the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center (located on the first floor of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron St.) or at several local banks. TCF Bank, Bank of Ann Arbor, Michigan Commerce Bank, Huntington Bank, Citizens Bank and Ann Arbor State Bank will accept full tax payments in July only. Online payments can also be made. Go to the city’s treasury Web page for more information, including how property taxes are calculated. 
Art Fair comes to town
The annual Ann Arbor Art Fair will draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city when it returns this year Wednesday through Saturday, July 18 through 21. Drawing an equally impressive crowd during the Art Fair is the Ann Arbor Community Television Networkvideo greeting booth.
The CTN video booth will be located on North University between Thayer and Fletcher. Be sure to stop by to record a fun video greeting, which will be aired on CTN Channel 19 (Comcast Cable) and online. This year, CTN will be recording interviews with not only fair goers, but fair artists, directors and special guests. Visit CTN’s website for details.
The CTN video greeting booth is also sure to be a draw at the traditional kick off to the Art Fair, the Townie Street Party, Monday, July 16, taking place on East Washington Street, between Fletcher and Thayer streets. While the Art Fair greetings come from visitors throughout the region, country and even the world, Townie greetings are typically for Ann Arbor, by Ann Arbor. Be sure to stop in, say hello, and share why living in A2 is special to you.
With the Townie Party and the Art Fair taking place on streets around the downtown and university areas, several detours will be in place. See the street closures maps on the city website — where you can also subscribe to receive e-notifications, year round, whenever detours are scheduled.
Vote Aug. 7
The City Primary Election is Tuesday, Aug. 7, when polls will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Visit the elections Web page for the list of candidates and information about polling places, times, etc.
Residents who need to register to vote must do so by Monday, July 9 at the City Clerk’s office, second floor of Larcom City Hall; the Washtenaw County Clerk’s office; at any Secretary of State branch office; or by mailing in a voter registration application (postmarked by July 9) to: Ann Arbor City Clerk, PO Box 8647, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. The City Clerk’s office will be open Saturday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for in-person absentee ballot requests.
Please note, the office, and all city government offices, are closed Wednesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Additional details can be found on the elections website, via email or by calling 734.794.6140. 
Local rainfall cycles on display
The bronze, water-feature sculpture on the City of Ann Arbor Municipal Center Plaza,301 E. Huron St., uses only the rainwater that is captured on site and stored in tanks under the structure. As designed by international award-winning artist Herbert Dreiseitl, the water component of the installation is a demonstration of the cycles of local rainfall.
When the storage tanks are low, the pumps stop circulating water over the surface of the sculpture until the next rainfall. However, the energy-efficient lights continue their cascading display. In order to conserve water from evaporation, the pumps generally operate during the daylight hours. Go online for information on the plaza’s rain gardens and adjacent green roof, too.
Comment on the SEMCOG FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is seeking comment on the amendment of projects to the Fiscal Year 2011–2014 Transportation Improvement Program(TIP). The TIP is a list of projects from Direction2035 (the region’s long-range transportation plan) selected for funding by cities, villages, county road agencies, transit providers and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
A total of 137 projects are proposed to be added to the TIP, while another nine are proposed to be deleted. Several of the projects are in Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County. Additional details can be found on the amendment Web page. 
Dates to remember
Among the many public meetings/events taking place in July, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list, www.a2gov.org/calendar.
- City government offices – including the Customer Service Center – will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 for the holiday. Trash/recycling/compost collection will be delayed by one day following the holiday, resuming Thursday through Saturday.
- The Ann Arbor Farmers Markethours on Wednesday, July 4, are 7 a.m.–noon, and 4:30–8:30 p.m.
- Monday, July 9 is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 7 election.
- MDOT is holding a public meeting Tuesday, July 10 to discuss planned improvements for the I-94 business loop in Ann Arbor (PDF).
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