Saturday, January 7, 2012

January 2012 - A2 City News




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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • January 2012• Volume 6 • Number 1

In memory

In memory and honor of the passing of Eastern Michigan University Police Chief Greg O’Dell (retired Ann Arbor deputy chief), his family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the EMU Athletic Department or the Ann Arbor Police Department via the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
AVL snow plow tracking website image

Ann Arbor snow plow tracking available online

New this season, citizens will be able to view the progress of snow plows via an online city map. The City of Ann Arbor automatic vehicle location (AVL) system’s  public-facing website lets users zoom in on the online city snow route map to see the real-time locations and status of snow plow activity (where the plows are right now and what they are doing). An easy-to-remember link to a range of city winter street maintenance procedures is posted online atwww.a2gov.org/snow.  Or click here forthe direct link to the AVL snow plow Web page.
The city vehicles are depicted on the map via icons indicating the type of actions underway  — when and where a vehicle is actively spreading a salt-sand mix and/or when and where the plow blade is down and pushing snow. Users may hover a cursor over a vehicle icon and get a pop-up box describing the type of truck at work — such as a large vehicle (used to de-ice or plow streets) or a smaller pickup truck (typically used for clearing cul-du-sacs and tight spaces). The snow plow AVL Web page includes a step-by-step guide to using the online system as well as providing additional winter street maintenance information.
City snow plows actively maintain major streets, which are indicated on the Web snow map with dark colors. Plows generally clear residential-street snow when the accumulation is over 4 inches deep. The plows then typically followthe solid waste collection schedule, starting with the route after the current collection day in order to avoid knocking over carts already at the curb. 
Online AVL snow plow location and activity information helps the city provide a 24/7 self-serve option to the public, addressing the most frequently asked questions, including, “Where are the street plows right now, and what are they doing?”

Comments sought for Hazard Mitigation Plan 2012 update

The City of Ann Arbor Office of Emergency Management is seeking public comment until Feb. 1, 2012, regarding the city’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update for 2012. A copy of the plan is available on the city’s website, or by clicking here (23 MB PDF). A hard copy of the plan also is available to view between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the City Clerk’s office, second floor, Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St.
Citizen comments or questions should be directed to Sergeant Ed Dreslinski via email. Comments may also be mailed to: Ann Arbor Office of Emergency Management, attention Sergeant Ed Dreslinski, 301 E. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Public comment will end Feb. 1, 2012, followed by Council consideration and adoption of the plan and any relevant modifications by the end of February.

New hours for certain AAPD units

New hours are now in effect, as of Jan. 3, 2012, for the Ann Arbor Police Services Unit records section, detective bureau administration office, property unit and police payroll office. These units will be closed to the public on Fridays. The offices will be open to the public Mondays–Thursdays from 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m., with the exception of city government holidays.
Dispose of Christmas trees at the Drop-off Station

Christmas tree disposal reminder

Undecorated Christmas trees may be dropped off — free and 24/7 — in the parking lot adjacent to the Drop-off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth through Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Please note that curbside collection of Christmas trees was discontinued as of last season. Therefore, residents should plan to dispose of their trees either outside of the Drop-off Station during the posted collection timeframe; or residents may cut and tie their trees into bundles and reserve for the beginning of compost-collection season, the first Monday in April. Go online for details.

Safety tips from AAPD

No one wants to think about being a victim of crime, however, the time to think about a robbery is before it happens. Some crime prevention measures may include keeping expensive and easily accessible household items out of plain site. If you received big-ticket items during the holidays, such as a new flat-screen television or computer, rather than just setting the boxes and packaging at the curb right away, cut up the boxes or packaging entirely, and also wait a few weeks to discard.
In an effort to increase personal safety and awareness, Ann Arbor Police crime prevention specialists want to also remind citizens of actions they should take to protect themselves during the event of a crime.   
  • Stay calm.
  • Do what you're Told.
  • Give it up.
  • Don't fight.
  • Wait to sound an Audible alarm.
After a Crime 
  • Don't follow.
  • Observe.
  • Cooperate with police.
More information on these tips is available on the city’s website.

Ann Arbor Bridges project update; meeting is Jan.19

The Ann Arbor Bridges reconstruction project is well underway, finishing the year with the demolition of the bridge over South State Street. Work will resume this month.
Also taking place this month, on Thursday, Jan. 19, is an Ann Arbor Bridges Reconstruction Project Update Meeting. The meeting is 7–8:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center shelter, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
And for ongoing details, be sure to visit Ann Arbor Bridges website.http://www.annarborbridges.org
Dreiseitl fountain at Ann Arbor Municipal Center Plaza

Sculpture lighting installed

The lights are permanently installed now on the sculpture in the Ann Arbor Municipal Center plaza. The water feature will be activated in the spring.

Protect water meters and pipes from freezing

Remember to bundle up your water meter and pipes to keep them from freezing during extreme cold spells. The following precautions can help prevent frozen meters, burst pipes, water damage, and avoid plumbing and meter replacement costs: Insulate water pipes in crawl spaces; apply heat tape to the entire pipe in an unheated area (according to manufacturer recommendations); add insulation between the outside wall and meter; set up a space heater near the meter; or simply leave the utility closet door open to circulate indoor heat. Residents may choose to allow a tiny trickle of water to run through one faucet to keep the water lines moving during a cold snap. If leaving town, you may call the Customer Service Center at 734.794.6333 to have the water turned off.
In this issue: In memory of Chief Greg O’Dell * Online snow plow tracking * Hazard mitigation plan 2012 update * AAPD units new hours * Christmas tree disposal * Safety tips * Ann Arbor Bridges project * Sculpture lighting installed * Protect water meters and pipes from freezing * Crosswalk ordinance; new crossing beacons * Grants for skate park and canoe livery * Sustainable Ann Arbor Series * January dates to remember
WalkBikeDrive logo

Council revises pedestrian crosswalk ordinance; new crossing beacons planned for Plymouth Road

Last month, Ann Arbor City Council approved revisions to the city’s crosswalk ordinance,  replacing the concept of requiring a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian “approaching or within” a marked crosswalk with requiring a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian standing “at the curb” as well as “within the crosswalk. The revised ordinance allows drivers to proceed after stopping once the pedestrian has safely cleared the roadway in the direction the vehicle is traveling; but an existing code remains in effect requiring that a vehicle is not permitted to pass another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. These codes, together, maximize safety for pedestrians and provide clear sightlines while reducing unnecessary delays for vehicles.
At the same City Council session, city staff was authorized to install four new rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) along Plymouth Road at Georgetown Boulevard, Traver Village, Beal and Bishop streets and another RRFB at the intersection of South Seventh and Washington streets. These RRFBs are pedestrian-activated devices that initiate flashing yellow lights at overhead and curbside crosswalk signs, which alert drivers to be alert and stop for pedestrians when present at the curb or in the roadway crosswalk direction the vehicle is traveling. The RRFBs are anticipated to be installed over the winter and to become functional in spring 2012.
Go online to the city’swww.a2gov.org/WalkBikeDrive website for more information.
Canoeing on the Huron River

Grants received for skatepark and canoe livery improvements

On Dec. 7, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board of Trustees recommended to Michigan Legislature to award two grants to the City of Ann Arbor. One is a $300,000 grant to develop an in-ground concrete skate park at Veterans Memorial Park, and the other is a $300,000 grant to develop Gallup Park Livery to include barrier-free access, energy improvements, barrier-free docks for boating and fishing, a patio area, along with updates to the livery building and trail improvements. Both grants were awarded the maximum available funding for a project. 
The recommendations go to the Michigan Legislature for their review and to go through the appropriations process. The Legislature will then forward a bill to the Governor for his approval. 
City staff will begin working with members of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark to develop an RFP for the design and construction. In addition to the $300,000 MNRTF grant, the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark have raised over $100,000 to date, and the Washtenaw County Parks Commission has pledged $400,000 in matching funds to bring over $800,000 in funds currently available for the construction of the skatepark.
City staff is also working on finalizing design plans for the Gallup Canoe Liveryimprovements and looking forward to moving the project ahead in the near future. 
"These grants will assist in the development of a new recreational amenity and significant improvements to a heavily used and much loved facility," said Colin Smith, manager of City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services. "The amenities improve Ann Arbor's park system and recreational offerings. The work of the MNRTF staff and board, along with the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skate Park, Washtenaw County Parks Commission, and city staff is greatly appreciated."
More details will be available in the coming months.

Sustainable Ann Arbor series kicks off this month

The City of Ann Arbor is collaborating with the Ann Arbor District Library to host a “Sustainable Ann Arbor” discussion series. This series will bring the public together with University of Michigan faculty, representatives from community organizations and city commissioners and staff to discuss local sustainability concepts and efforts — past, present and future. Each of the four planned forums will be held at 7 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch (343 S. Fifth Ave.) on the second Thursday of the month January through April 2012.
The series is organized around four theme areas and will include short presentations followed by a question and answer session.
Jan. 12 — Resource Management, including regional planning, natural areas, waste reduction, recycling, compost, urban forestry, water and air quality.
Feb. 9 — Land Use and Access, including transportation designs, infrastructure, land uses, built environments, and public spaces.
March 8 — Climate and Energy, including an overview of Ann Arbor’s climate action plan, climate impacts, renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency and conservation.
April 12 — Community, including housing, public safety, recreation, outreach, civic engagement, and stewardship of community resources.
These forums are part of the City of Ann Arbor’s sustainability framework project; and discussions will help guide the city’s sustainability planning efforts. Ann Arbor’s current sustainability framework efforts are funded by the Home Depot Foundation.
More information on the sustainability framework and the Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums is available on the city’s sustainability website and on the State of Our Environment Report Web page. 
January 2012 Tree Town Log cover

January dates to remember

Happy New Year! The following list highlights just some of the city meetings and events taking place in January.
  • West Park storm water project update meeting is Monday, Jan. 9.
  • South University Park public meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 10.
  • City government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will not be a delay in trash or recycling collection.
  • The City Council Work Session will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 17, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
  • An update meeting for the Ann Arbor Bridges reconstruction project is Thursday, Jan. 19.
Visit www.a2gov.org/calendar for many more important January dates.

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Monday, December 5, 2011

December 2011 - A2 City News



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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • December 2011 • Volume 5 • Number 12

MDOT's Kirk Steudle addresses the crowd at the Ann Arbor Bridges groundbreaking event.

Ann Arbor Bridges project underway

(pictured above, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle addresses the crowd at the Ann Arbor Bridges groundbreaking event)
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Ann Arbor Bridges Project took place on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, by the bridge overpass on South State Street. Celebrating the federal TIGER II grant support for the Ann Arbor Bridges Reconstruction Project, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje was joined by Michigan Congressman John Dingel, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle, and Federal Highway Administration, Regional Administrator Russell Jorgensen.
Follow construction project updates and traffic impacts atwww.annarborbridges.org.
Ann Arbor Municipal Center images

Building services and parking referees return to Larcom City Hall

Visitors to the Ann Arbor Municipal Center will see many signs that construction has neared completion.
The pedestrian bridge in the Ann Arbor Municipal Center plaza opened to the public on Nov. 2. The bridge spans through the plaza’s rain garden on the building’s south side. The Herbert Dreiseitl-designed water feature sculpture, which integrates storm water reuse from the site, is situated adjacent to the rain garden and bridge. At this time, the water feature has not been turned on, but when in operation, it will allow water to travel down a path heading back into the rain garden. The water path is shallow and has movable parts that visitors can use to adjust the flow of the water.
The north parking lot (entrance on Ann Street) opened Nov. 1 to serve short-term visitors to Larcom City Hall and/or the Ann Arbor Justice Center and features half-hour parking meters. In addition, the north entrance to the Larcom City Hall atrium is open, providing access directly from the new north parking lot and the street parking on Ann Street. The new entrance is a convenient entryway to City Hall, and can serve as an easily accessible walkthrough to the neighboring Justice Center, on the south (Huron Street) side of the municipal center site.
With the expansion of onsite parking, the city’s building services and the parking referees divisions have returned to Larcom City Hall. The parking referee offices have relocated back to the fifth floor of City Hall. Building services is now located on the first floor of City Hall.

Winter taxes due

Winter property taxes are due this month. Taxes may be paid online, by mail, at the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center (now 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, Fidelity Bank, Citizens Bank and Ann Arbor State Bank will accept tax payments in December only. Online payments can also be made.  
Due to the holiday, payments will be accepted through Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, without penalty.
Go online to the treasury page of the city website for more information, including how property taxes are calculated.
Santa Live on CTN

Kids: Talk to Santa live on CTN!

He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice … and just in time, kids (naughty or nice) can share their holiday wishes and questions directly with Santa himself.Community Television Network A2TV, Public Access Channel 17 (on Comcast Cable), will telecast the Santa Satellite Network LIVE from Santa’s home in the North Pole Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. An annual tradition, boys and girls are invited to watch and call in to the CTN studio hotline at 734.794.6155 to talk with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their helpful elf, Audrey. (Kids, ask your parents before making the call.) 
Encore presentations of "Santa Live" will be telecast Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25 on Channel 17 (Comcast Cable) at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. 
For more information about CTN, visit the website or call CTN at 734.794.6150. For additional CTN news, follow onTwitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Close of curbside compost/yard waste collection

The seasonal curbside pickups of yard waste and compostable materials will end for the season on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. Ann Arbor’s compost collection is extended into December to provide additional time to collect fall leaves and other yard debris. Residents should put these materials in paper lawn bags or compost carts or tie brush into bundles and place on their lawn extensions near the curb, as described atwww.a2gov.org/compost.  The city’s curbside compost collection service will resume Monday, April 2, 2012.
For 24-hour information on the city’s solid waste services, please call  99.GREEN (734.994.7336) or consult the city’s website atwww.a2gov.org/recycle. Details on the city’s fall leaf-management programs are posted at www.a2gov.org/leaves.
Dispose of Christmas trees at the Drop-off Station

Christmas tree disposal

While many residents are just beginning to deck their halls for the holidays, others, like those heading out of town for the season, may already be wondering what to do with their Christmas trees before they leave. Undecorated Christmas trees may be dropped off — free and 24/7 — in the parking lot adjacent to the Drop-off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth Thursday, Dec. 15 through Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Please note that curbside collection of Christmas trees was discontinued as of last season. Therefore, residents should plan to dispose of their trees either outside of the Drop-off Station during the posted collection timeframe; or residents may cut and tie their trees into bundles and reserve for the beginning of compost-collection season, the first Monday in April. Go online for additional details.
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation gift certificates on sale!

Give the gift of recreation

What’s fun, healthy and would make a great gift? Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation gift certificates! A table will be set up at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market (315 Detroit Street) to sell this unique gift on the following days:Saturday, Dec. 3; Wednesday, Dec. 7; Saturday, Dec. 10; Wednesday, Dec. 14; Saturday, Dec. 17; and Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Gift certificates can be easily redeemed for a variety of activities including golf,swimming, ice skating, hockey,canoeing/kayaking and more.
While you’re at the Farmers Market, be sure to pick up the latest parks and recreation brochures and the 2011 – 2012 fall/winter Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Activities Guide.
Can’t make it to the market? Call the parks and recreation customer service office, and order gift certificate in any amount. The number to call, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is 734.794.6230. The gift certificate will be mailed to you.
Have a happy — and healthy — holiday season, from Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation!

Single stream recycling, one year later

Over the last year, Ann Arbor’s recycling rates have increased by 24 percent, and trash tonnages have been reduced by 10 percent. In July 2010, the City of Ann Arbor’s recycling system underwent a transformation to a single-stream operation, and other enhancements were made.
Now, the city is looking back over the first year of the upgraded recycling program. Go online to learn more details about recycling — then and now — in Ann Arbor.

In this issue: Ann Arbor Bridges project * Building services and parking referees to Larcom City Hall *  Santa Live on CTN Dec. 8 * Compost collection ends Dec. 16 * Christmas tree disposal * Parks and recreation gifts certificates on sale now * Single-stream recycling recap * Winter parks and rec fun * Snow removal in A2 * Holiday safety tips * HUD Sustainable Community Grant * West Park tennis courts * Kudos * December calendar

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Skaters at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena

Winter parks and rec fun

From swimming to skating — indoors and out — there are activities for all to enjoy this month in the Ann Arbor parks.Click here (PDF) for an overview of the parks December schedule, including school-break open skating times.
City snow plow gets ready for action

Snow-removal resources and reminders

Want to know — from the warmth and comfort of your home — if specific neighborhood streets have been de-iced or plowed? When there is a significant snow event in Ann Arbor, with 4 or more inches of accumulated snow, the city activates a Web page that posts the status of plow activity to clear the streets.
For up-to-date snow information, please visit the general city snow page,www.a2gov.org/snow. Sign up for an automatic email announcement whenever the snow plow Web page is activated. Click on the red envelope in the corner of the “snow” Web page at www.a2gov.org/snow.
In addition, the city is dependent upon its citizens for providing sidewalk snow removal. The city reminds property owners or occupants that:
  • Immediately after the accumulation of ice, sidewalks must be treated with sand, salt or other substance to prevent it from being slippery and the ice removed within 24 hours after accumulation.
  • Within 24 hours after the end of each accumulation of snow greater than 1 inch, the owner or occupant of every residentially zoned property must remove the accumulation from the adjacent public sidewalk and ramps leading to a crosswalk. The accumulation may be from any source including precipitation and drifting.

Holiday safety tips

Among the stacks of wrapped presents, festive candles and dry Christmas tree needles, an elevated risk for fires exists during the holidays. Ann Arbor fire services is providing safety tips to keep in mind to help keep the season merry.
Washtenaw County leaders and HUD gather for the grant announcement

Washtenaw County earns Sustainable Community Grant

(pictured above, holding check, is HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Antonio Riley, left, and City of Ann Arbor Councilman Tony Derezinski, right; leaders from throughout the county look on)
Today, 64 percent of the residents in Washtenaw County live in the urban core which runs from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, connected by Washtenaw Avenue. This corridor is the busiest road in the county, yet few housing options presently exist directly on the corridor, with mostly low-density neighborhoods in their place.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced a $3,000,000 grant will be awarded to Washtenaw County for the Washtenaw County Sustainable Community project. The goal of this project is to remove barriers and create a coordinated approach to affordable and energy-efficient housing, as well as to connect these affordable housing options to job centers and healthy food via an enhanced multimodal transportation corridor. The City of Ann Arbor and several other agencies and municipalities will work together on this initiative.
Read more about the grant on the HUD website.  Learn about the Washtenaw County Sustainable Community Project by clicking here (opens new document).
Tennis racket image

West Park tennis courts update

The paving of the West Park tennis courts is being delayed until spring 2012 due to rainy weather this fall. The construction will resume as soon as weather permits next spring.
In the meantime, the tennis courts atVeterans Memorial Park were recently rebuilt and are available for use.
Questions? Please contact Park Planner Amy Kuras at 734.794.6000, extension 42590.
Ann Arbor is a 2011 Digital City

Kudos

Ann Arbor has recently been recognized in the following ways:
  • For the fourth year in a row, the City of Ann Arbor has been recognized by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities magazine for its use of technology to create a seamless environment between local government and citizens. The annual survey focused on results achieved by cities, via the use of technology, in operating efficiencies and realizing strategic objectives despite current fiscal constraints. The City of Ann Arbor is listed at No. 5 in the 2011 Digital Cities Survey rankings (in the 75,000 to 124,999 population category). Learn about the initiatives that helped Ann Arbor earn Digital-city status on the city’s website. 
  • USAA and Military.com have named Ann Arbor in their 2011 list of Best Places for Military Retirement: Second Careers. Among the factors earning Ann Arbor this recognition are its: employment opportunities and sectors that align with military skills sets, and the overall jobs climate based on unemployment rate and number of small businesses; proximity to a military base and a VA hospital or clinic, base amenities and state taxation on military pensions; and general quality of life and pocketbook issues, such as affordability, housing costs, crime rate, sales taxes and climate.
  • Ann Arbor is being touted as the No. 1 “smartest big city” according to a list issued bybizjournals.com. Ann Arbor; Cambridge, Mass.; and Berkeley, Calif., hold the top three places in the analysis of educational attainment in 269 communities with more than 100,000 residents. Seventy-two percent of all adults (25 or older) hold bachelor's degrees in Ann Arbor.
December 2011 Tree Town Log city meetings and events calendar

December dates to remember

City of Ann Arbor government offices will be closed at the following times during the holidays. Have a safe and peaceful season.
  • Fridays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30: City government offices close at noon. No delay in trash/recycling collection.
  • Mondays, Dec. 26, 2011, and Jan. 2, 2012: Christmas New Year’s Day observed — City government offices are closed. There is no trash or recycling collection on these holiday Mondays. Pickups resume one day later, Tuesday through Saturday.
Visit www.a2gov.org/calendar for other important December dates.

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

November 2011 A2 City News



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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • November 2011 • Volume 5 • Number 11

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Vote button image

Election Day reminders

Tuesday, Nov. 8 is the City General Election to elect City of Ann Arbor Council candidates in all five wards. Three City of Ann Arbor Charter amendment proposals will also appear on this ballot, including the renewal of the Streets Repair and Resurfacing Millage, the Sidewalk Repair Millage and an amendment to restructure the Ann Arbor City Employees Retirement Board of Trustees. City of Ann Arbor polling locations will be in operation from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Polling place locations, candidates and millage information is available on the city’s election website at www.a2gov.org/elections; and for Election Day tips, click here. You can also find out your exact polling location by visiting the Michigan Votes online voter information center atwww.michigan.gov/vote.
For residents voting via absentee ballot, the City Clerk’s office, on the second floor of Larcom City Hall, will be open on Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for voters to pick up or turn in their absentee ballots.
To learn more about the candidates running for City Council, be sure to tune in to the League of Women Voters Candidate Forums. All debates are being  rebroadcast on Community Television Network CitiTV Channel 19 until the Nov. 8 election. Check the CTN website for replay dates and times, or watch online at CitiTV Video on Demand. http://a2cititv.pegcentral.com

Ann Arbor Municipal Center updates

Additional signs of progress around the Ann Arbor Municipal Center site are scheduled to take place in early November.
The north parking lot (entrance on Ann Street) is expected to open during the first week in November. The lot will feature parking meters and will serve short-term visitors to Larcom City Hall and/or the Ann Arbor Justice Center.
During the same timeframe, the north entrance to the Larcom City Hall atrium is scheduled to open, providing access directly from the new north parking lot and the street parking on Ann Street. The new entrance will be a convenient entryway to City Hall, and may serve as a convenient walkthrough to the neighboring Justice Center, on the south (Huron Street) side of the municipal center site.
With the expansion of onsite parking, the city’s building services and the parking referees office will then return to Larcom City Hall during the second week of November. The parking referee office will relocate back to City Hall, on the fifth floor, on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Referee sessions will be cancelled on that day to accommodate the moving of staff. Building services will open at 8 a.m. on the first floor of Larcom City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Building service’s last day of business at the South Industrial office will be Monday, Nov. 14.
Ann Arbor Bridges project detour map

Ann Arbor Bridges project

The Ann Arbor Bridges project will be gearing up in November. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Pioneer High School, cafeteria annex, 601 W. Stadium Boulevard. At this meeting, information will be shared about the East Stadium bridges reconstruction project, including construction schedule, funding, project impacts, planned detour routes, what to expect during construction, etc.
Please also note the following project milestones kicking off in November 2011.
  • East Stadium Boulevard will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011.
  • South Street will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic Monday, Nov. 28 to Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011
  • East Stadium Boulevard reopens to traffic November 2012
  • Project completion and final restoration: May 30, 2013
Use these resources to stay connected about construction impacts and detours, progress and more.
Use these resources to stay connected about construction impacts and detours, progress and more.

Graffiti Ordinance enforcement increases

Beginning on Nov. 1, 2011, the City of Ann Arbor Community Standards Unit will dedicate staff to graffiti enforcement. The dedicated enforcement is in response to the recent increase in graffiti incidences. 
In 2009, City Council passed an ordinance to strengthen the language in the city’s Graffiti Ordinance (Chapter 106 Nuisances, Section 9.6) for removing graffiti on private property. (To read the ordinance, visit the City Code data online, and search “graffiti.”) The appearance of graffiti detracts from Ann Arbor’s aesthetic appeal, can decrease property values and has a negative impact on the sense of safety and security for residents and visitors. As stated in the ordinance, “graffiti” constitutes: a public nuisance and means any mark or marks on any surface or structure made without the prior permission of the property owner and made in any manner, including but not limited to, writing, inscribing, drawing, tagging, sketching, spray-painting, painting, etching, scratching, carving, engraving, scraping, or attaching.
Per the Graffiti Ordinance, property owners are required to remove graffiti within seven calendar days after notice from the city. If the owner does not remove the graffiti, then the city may remove the graffiti and bill the property owner for the work. Removal of the graffiti may be by means of actual physical removal or covering the graffiti over with paint or similar substance applied to the structure. The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority has allocated funds to subsidize the cost of graffiti-removal products for downtown businesses and building owners in 2011.
If any graffiti remains on the property beyond the time indicated in a notice, then the City may remove the graffiti or have it removed in any reasonable manner. The costs to the City for removal and administration shall be charged to the owner and, if not paid, assessed against the property in accordance with section 1:292 of Chapter 13 of this Code.
A violation of this sub section is NOT a civil infraction or misdemeanor for the property owner.
In addition, the ordinance also addresses the consequence faced by the person responsible for doing the graffiti, stating that: No person shall apply graffiti to any surface or structure. A violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:
  1. Community service that is as relevant and appropriate to the violation as possible;
  2. Restitution;
  3. A fine of not more than $500.00 plus costs.
For more on the dedicated enforcement, please click here. 
Fall in Ann Arbor

Managing leaves in A2

As a reminder, the city does not collect leaves raked into the streets. Instead, residents should dispose of leaves using the weekly compost (bag or cart) pickups, April through the end of November. Other options include mulching the leaves directly into the turf; or try at-home composting. In addition, residents may drop off leaves, free of charge, at the Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road, open Monday through Friday (non holidays) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 31. Details are available on the website, www.a2gov.org/leaves.

CTN Philo Festival Award winners

Ann Arbor Community Television Network and its community producers have won several awards at this year’s Philo T. Farnsworth Festival of Media Arts Awards. The Philo Awards is hosted annually by the Central States Alliance for Community Media.
CTN took home 15 first place Philos and 12 finalist (second place) Philos, along with two Excellence Awards. In addition, CTN also received an additional 13 nominations for Excellence Awards. The Philo Festival of Media Arts, a presentation of the Central States Region of the Alliance for Community Media, was held  Saturday, Oct.8 on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
The City of Ann Arbor congratulates CTN and especially the list of winners and finalists, whichcan be viewed by clicking here.

In this issue: Election Day * Ann Arbor Municipal Center updates * Ann Arbor Bridges * Graffiti ordinance enforcement * Managing leaves in A2 * CTN Philo Festival award winners * New mobile website for construction /building professionals * City hosts Indonesian professionals * PACE promotes energy efficiency * Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena is open * Deck the halls with Volunteer 365 * Dates to remember

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New mobile website for construction/building professionals

The City of Ann Arbor Planning and Development Services Unit, together with its information technology staff, are pleased to announce the debut of a mobile website for  construction and building customers. A mobile website refers to the use of Internet-connected applications, or browser-based access to the Internet from a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, connected to a wireless network.
This new site enables people to use their smartphones to access building records and general planning and development information as well as to schedule and obtain inspection results and plan review status. This service is a complement to the eTRAKiT system that currently allows users to access this same information from a website and through its interactive voice response system for phones.
The mobile site, which will eventually be this URL http://etrakit.a2gov.org/mobile, will go live mid November. This feature will allow customers greater access to construction and building information to a user base that does a great deal of their work in the field and on location.
Indonesian professionals visit Ann Arbor Wastewater Treatment Plant

City hosts Indonesian professionals

(pictured above: visiting Indonesian professionals tour the wastewater treatment plant) The City of Ann Arbor was selected by the International City/County Management Association as a 2011 host community for the International Professional Fellows Program on creating more sustainable communities. This exchange program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and residents of other countries.
Ann Arbor hosted two professional fellows from Indonesia Sept. 29 through Oct. 14. The program fellows, with city staff and other community entities, focused on climate change, energy and sustainability in the context of local government management. Other areas of interest included transportation, municipal water management and land-use planning.
This ICMA program was paid for through the support of the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

PACE promotes energy efficiency

Ann Arbor City Council has unanimously supported the establishment of a Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE). The approved PACE program will provide special assessments for energy projects installed on commercial properties. Electronic files of the resolution to establish, the referenced report and an application package are available online at www.a2energy.org or can be requested via e-mail.
The establishment of a PACE program allows the city to raise capital to use for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on commercial properties located within Ann Arbor city limits. The availability of PACE funding supports economic stimulation creates jobs and reduces operating costs for business owners. The properties pay for the energy projects through the use of a voluntary special assessment. This approach provides more attractive financing to property owners by offering fixed interest rates and a longer repayment period than offered through traditional financing.
Commercial properties — defined as any property that is not a single family home, duplex or certain townhouses — may apply for energy projects such as heating and air conditioning equipment, lighting, system controls, insulation and weather sealing, cool roofs, windows and doors, geothermal systems, energy star appliances and solar photovoltaic systems. Projects may range in size from $10,000 to $350,000.
PACE is a joint program with the City of Ann Arbor and Clean Energy Coalition. Commercial property owners inquiring about the PACE program and application process/qualifications should contact Energy Program Coordinator Wendy Barrott at 734.794.6430, extension 43714.
Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena

Buhr Park outdoor ice arena is open

Dust off your skates … Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena is open for the season! The rink has a cooled subfloor that maintains the ice even when it’s over 50 degrees outside. Activities include pubic ice skating and drop-in hockey. The facility has a heated lobby, restrooms and locker rooms. Skate sharpening and rentals are available. Season passes are available for individuals and for families.
The first Funky Frosty Friday at Buhr Park is Friday, Nov. 4 during general skate (7:15 to 8:45 p.m.). The theme is Peace & Love Skate: Dress like you’re spending the weekend at Woodstock, and skate to the sounds of the late ‘60s.
To learn more about Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena or to inquire about renting the ice for skating or hockey events/parties, call 734.794.6234 or go online.
Volunteer 365 program logo

Deck the halls with Volunteer 365

The weekend after Thanksgiving, join the Volunteer 365 program to help decorate two city facilities — work off some of that turkey and pumpkin pie and make your heart stronger, too. Volunteer efforts will transform the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and the Senior Center with a winter wonderland theme.
First, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., a corps of Give 365 volunteers will decorate the Farmers Market (315 Detroit St.) The seasonal treatment will spruce up the market for shoppers and vendors, alike.
Then, on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2 – 6 p.m., the Ann Arbor Senior Center will get the winter-wonderland treatment from 365 volunteers, adding extra cheer for local seniors to enjoy.
Go online for more details about Volunteer 365and to learn about other opportunities. Orregister to help by e-mailing, or calling 734.794.6230, extension 42510.
November 2011 Tree Town Log

Dates to remember

Among the many public meetings/events taking place in November, including those featured in articles this month, here are some of the highlights. Go online for a more-complete list.
  • The City Clerk’s office will be open Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., for absentee ballots.
  • The General City Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 (www.a2gov.org/elections).
  • The Ann Arbor Bridges replacement project public meeting is 7 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
  • Due to the election, the City Council meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10.
  • Friday, Nov. 11, city government offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. However, there will be no interruption in trash/recycling/compost collection.
  • And Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25, city government offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no collection of trash/ recycling/compost on Thursday the 24th, and a one-day delay will instead occur, Friday and Saturday.
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