September 2012 - A2 City News

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • September 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 9

A2 Open City Hall debuts Ann Arbor residents have a new way to share feedback with city staff and Council members with the debut of A2 Open City Hall. This new online forum will feature questions about specific projects and initiatives on a regular basis, inviting the public to give input from the convenience of their keyboards.  The first topic on A2 Open City Hall is already underway and focuses on changes residents would like to see along the South State Street Corridor. Additional topics will be launched this fall. Fire restructure proposal meetings  In March, Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard presented a fire department restructuring proposal to City Council, which would position the department to operate out of three fire stations. One station would be located on the north side of the city (Station 5), one on the south side of the city (Station 2) and one in downtown Ann Arbor (Station 1).  However, before this proposal is considered further, community meetings have been scheduled in each of the city’s five wards to give citizens the opportunity to hear more about the fire restructure proposal and ask specific questions pertaining to fire suppression coverage. Please consider attending one of these forums. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6–8 p.m., Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 6–8 p.m., Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.    Thursday, Sept. 20, 6–8 p.m., Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, 343 S. Fifth Ave., conference room A.     Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6–8 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive, program room. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6–8 p.m., Community Television Network, 2805 S. Industrial, Suite 200. This meeting will be taped and later replayed on CTN Channel 19 and available online to view on demand.  More information about the fire restructure proposal is available on the city website.  Be street savvy The streets of Ann Arbor are again bustling with vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians as schools are back in session, and summer vacations have come to a close. Check out the rules-of-the-road reminders and resources on the city’s “walk bike drive” Web page to help ensure safe travels for all, including:  For those on foot, cross at marked crosswalks, and make sure to give motorists enough time to see you and stop. For bicyclists, ride on the road when possible — and obey the traffic signals. Use bike lanes when available. For motorists, be extra alert at crosswalks, and stop when pedestrians are present to cross. Drivers should also safely give bicyclists room on the road, ideally 3–4 feet of space. Fall/Winter registration now open Registration for Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation fall/winter classes is now open. Find the new, 56-page, color guide at Larcom City Hall, local library branches, Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center (at Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road) and all parks and recreation facilities. It's also posted on the parks website as a PDF that you can view or download.  Classes include indoor swim lessons at Mack Pool, instructional skating, beginning hockey skills, yoga, cultural arts programs at the senior center and much more. The guide also features events at the canoe liveries and Leslie Science & Nature Center. Sign up is easy and convenient. Register in person, or use the online registration system. Solid waste plan update The City of Ann Arbor five-year Solid Waste Management Plan updating process is underway.  An advisory committee representing Ann Arbor residents, businesses, agencies and the University of Michigan has been working with staff, City Council, and city environmental commissioners over the last year to update the plan. Opportunities for residents to participate are now being offered as well. Take the solid waste planning survey online or use the printed version in the WasteWatcher newsletter (with a prepaid return mailer) that is delivered to all city residential addresses in September. All residential survey participants have the option to include their address to be eligible for three random drawings for a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant or grocery store of your choice, or a $50 certificate for an Argo Livery canoe rental or from iTunes. Just respond by Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, to be included in the survey summary and prize drawings. After the survey is closed and tabulated, Solid Waste Management Plan updating process public forums and hearings will be held. The meetings will provide opportunities for small-group discussion about city solid waste program and policy areas, such as easier disposal options for specific materials, expanded recycling, waste-reduction strategies, composting expansion and Drop-off Station operations.  Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Community Television Network studio, 2805 S. Industrial. (The draft  Solid Waste Management Plan presentation and discussion group summaries will be taped for replay.) Public hearings will be held at Environmental Commission and City Council meetings, tentatively in December.  Please visit the Solid Waste Management Plan Five-year Update Web page for project updates. CTN hours change Beginning Sept. 1, Community Television Network will have new facility hours for the public and education channels. The new hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Wednesday: 4–9 p.m. CTN is located at 2805 S. Industrial Highway, suite 200, in Ann Arbor. Go online for more information.  CERT Program registration The Ann Arbor Police Department Office of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Washtenaw County Emergency Management Division is accepting applications for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. The application can be found online, or call Crime Prevention Specialist Adele El-Ayoubi, ICPS, with the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734.794.6933. A background investigation will be conducted on all applicants. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.  The training will be held every Tuesday from Sept. 25 to Nov. 6, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Coursework is a combination of classroom sessions and hands-on training in scene assessment, fire safety, emergency medical response, team organization, disaster medical operations and light search and rescue. Attendance at all classes is required for certificate completion. The CERT program educates residents about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact Washtenaw County and trains participants in basic disaster response skills. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist neighbors or fellow employees following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. A2 passes 2,000 mark with latest LED streetlights Ann Arbor was one of the first cities in the world to convert conventional streetlights to light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an effort to contain costs, save energy and support Mayor Hieftje’s Energy Challengeto reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community. Since it began in 2007/2008, cities from across the country and the world are now moving to LEDs. Ann Arbor’s latest batch of LEDs, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, will go up at the Broadway Bridge, nearly completing the conversion of the over 2,000 city-owned streetlights.  The Lumecon brand “Ring of Fire” LED series replicates the decorative acorn style of the lights now seen along Broadway Bridge. Detroit Edison owns and operates another 5,000-plus streetlights in Ann Arbor, and is beginning to pilot more LEDs, especially as they look to replace mercury-vapor streetlights that will no longer be manufactured. LED streetlights in the downtown, arterial streets and in neighborhoods use on average about half of the electricity of conventional lights and are reducing around 700,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year — or the equivalent annual electricity usage of 60 households. Two-thirds or more of the cost savings in converting city-owned lights to LEDs is in the deferred cost of not having to maintain the fixture (work hours to replace the light and components like ballasts and igniters). LEDs manufactured today are expected to last 10 times longer, if not more, than their metal halide, sodium and mercury-based predecessors. The long life of LEDs frees up city labor hours or the need to hire outside support to operate, maintain and replace fixtures. LEDs also contain zero mercury. Each LED fixture saves around $90 per year in energy and avoided maintenance, and, with over 2,000 lights, that is over $180,000 per year in potential costs.  Previous grant support from the Downtown Development Authority for the nearly 1,000 downtown decorative globe lights, and federal grants for much of the remaining LED streetlights, have made this innovative energy solution a reality. Ann Arbor assists USDOT in vehicle crash-avoidance pilot According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 3,000 cars, trucks and buses equipped with “connected” Wi-Fi technology will enable vehicles and infrastructure throughout Ann Arbor to “talk” to each other, in real time. This initiative kicked off last month as part of a year-long safety pilot project by the USDOT. This innovative technology is designed to help avoid crashes and improve traffic flow. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently joined elected officials and industry and community leaders on the University of Michigan campus to launch the second phase of the safety pilot, the largest road test to date of connected vehicle crash-avoidance technology. This study was also made possible with the assistance of City of Ann Arbor information technology and signs and signals staff who assisted USDOT and U-M’s Transportation Research Institute with this first-of-its-kind test of connected vehicle technology in the real world.  The test cars, trucks and buses, most of which have been supplied by volunteer participants, are equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication devices that will gather extensive data about system operability and its effectiveness at reducing crashes. Read more about the project on the USDOT website.  WATS public meeting The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is hosting public meetings to discuss the 2040 Long-range Plan for Washtenaw County. On Wednesday, Sept. 12, 4–6 p.m., WATS will discuss the community values survey results and present draft goals and objectives for the plan. The meeting will take place at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., in the Council chambers on the second floor. Visit the WATS website for more information on this initiative.  Connecting William Street Join the Connecting William Street conversation. The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking input to shape the future of five city-owned sites downtown: the Library Lane lot, the Fifth and William lot, the ground floor of the Fourth and William Parking Structure, the Main and William lot, and the Ashley and William lot.  Community survey feedback and a market analysis have been used to begin crafting strategies for transforming these five parking areas into uses that will better serve the community. Now, your help is needed to shape a more specific plan. Please join the community conversation, and provide input to help frame development strategies for these sites. To participate via an online venue, please pre register for a webinar taking place Wednesday, Sept. 5, 7–8 p.m.  Space is limited, but more dates will be added as the meeting fills.  To participate in person, a public meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 10, noon–1:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch multipurpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave.  Please pre register for this meeting.   At these events, the DDA will present an overview of the project and possible development scenarios. Please select the time and venue that works best for you. The same information will be provided at both the webinar and public meeting. Better Buildings for Michigan Program With winter just a few months away (believe it or not), now is the ideal time to make sure your home has all the proper energy-efficient enhancements. This otherwise daunting task has just gotten a little easier, thanks to the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office (SEMREO).   The SEMREO Better Buildings for Michigan Program offers incentives and rebates for home energy improvements, including double the current rebates offered by DTE (up to $3,000). And the program has recently expanded, making residents of Ann Arbor and all of Washtenaw County eligible.  Better Buildings for Michigan uses a community approach to deliver energy efficiency improvements for homes and businesses by providing access to incentives and affordable loans. The program is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and developed by the Michigan Energy Office; Michigan Saves; the City of Grand Rapids; the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit; and the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office. The Better Buildings for Michigan Program is available for a limited time. Go online for more information.   High-rise lighting reminder Ann Arbor again joins other cities in helping migrating birds have a “Safe Passage” during seasonal migrations. From the middle of August through the end of October, migrating birds are flying over Ann Arbor on their way south from their northern breeding grounds. These birds are at risk of dying when they become confused at night by lighted windows of tall buildings. On clear nights, birds navigate by the stars, but on cloudy and foggy nights, they attempt to navigate using the lights of tall buildings. Birds either crash into lit windows or endlessly circle buildings until they are exhausted.  Please ask occupants on floors five and above of your building to join the “Safe Passage” effort by pulling the drapes or closing the shades on windows in lit rooms between 11 p.m. and dawn. (These actions may help save energy, too.) For details, please see “safe passage" online.   In this issue: A2 Open City Hall * Fire restructure proposal meetings * Street safety * Fall/winter registration * Solid waste plan update * CTN hours change *  CERT program registration * LED streetlights * USDOT vehicle crash-avoidance pilot * WATS public meetings * Connecting William Street * Better Buildings for Michigan Program * High-rise lighting reminder * Dog Swim * West Nile Virus * Greenbelt Bus Tour * Game day traffic and parking * Urban and Community Forest Management Plan * Fall golf events *Golf for a good cause  * SEMCOG Regional Transportation Plan * Dates to remember Dog Swim After Buhr Park Outdoor Poolcloses for the season, it’s your four-footed friend’s turn to go for a swim. Register today for the annual dog swim, taking place Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 5 and 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. Pre registration is required, and spaces go quickly. For one dog, the fee is $7.50/$6 for residents; for a second dog, the fee is an additional $3.75/$3 for residents. Call today:734.794.6234. Buhr Park Pool is located at 2751 Packard Road.   Prevent West Nile Virus West Nile Virus cases are on the rise both nationally and in Michigan. And as Labor Day weekend is about to begin, Michigan residents are urged to take precautions against mosquitoes while spending time outdoors. A few simple steps can help prevent mosquito bites and potentially contracting West Nile Virus (WNV). Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA approved repellent to exposed skin or clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity periods such as dusk and dawn.  Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.  Empty water from mosquito-breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddy pools or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.  Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.  The unusually hot and dry summer has favored the mosquitoes that transmit WNV. These same conditions have led to a reduction in the number of "nuisance" mosquitoes, which are more abundant during wet summers. WNV-carrying mosquitoes breed in small collections of stagnant water, are common around people's homes and often bite people indoors. While few mosquitoes may be noticed outdoors, those that are present and biting are likely to be the type that potentially carry WNV. Most people bitten by a WNV-infected mosquito show no symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. WNV can cause serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis and can have long-term health consequences. People 50 and older as well as people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe WNV disease symptoms. When you’re running out the door, remember to grab not only your sunscreen, but your insect repellent too. Go online  for more information and surveillance activity updates about WNV. All aboard the Greenbelt Bus Tour! Tour protected farm and open space properties, and learn about the Greenbelt Program, local agriculture and talk with local farmers during the 2012 Greenbelt Bus Tour on Saturday, Sept. 22. The tour’s air-conditioned, luxury motor coach will depart at 10 a.m. from the 3700 Plymouth Road Park and Ride, and will return at 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Pre registration is going on now, and closes on Friday, Sept. 14. The cost is $10 per person. To register, contact  Ginny Trocchio,734.794.6000, ext. 42798. Football fans: Know where to turn The first University of Michigan home football game of the 2012 season is Saturday, Sept. 8. And with the Ann Arbor Bridges reconstruction project targeted for completion in November this year, some football fans may need to plan their routes without the use of East Stadium Boulevard. You can follow the progress of the Ann Arbor Bridges on the  project website  and on Facebook. Will other scheduled construction projects impact your route? Visit the city’s road and lane closures Web page for project listings and to subscribe to road and lane closure e-notifications.  In addition, the university has a2012 football traffic and parking update Web page, which includes details on how to get to the game, maps and parking options once you’re here. Be sure to review the parking policies and procedures, in particular, to make sure your vehicle is safely and legally parked. Enjoy the game!  Urban and Community Forest Management Plan The city is in the process of developing its first Urban and Community Forest Management Plan. The plan will provide a framework for effectively managing the urban forest as a community asset, consistent with the values and needs of Ann Arbor residents. Trees provide many benefits including stormwater runoff reduction, water quality improvement, lower energy costs and increased property values. Ann Arbor’s city-managed trees provide $4.6 million in benefits annually to the city and its residents; the plan will help to maintain a sustainable urban forest that maximizes these benefits.  A series of draft-plan recommendations for the Urban and Community Forest Management Plan have now been developed, and the city will be hosting a public meeting to gather input on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road. For those unable to attend the meeting, an online survey will also be available later this fall for residents to provide input on the draft recommendations.  Please go online for more information on the Urban and Community Forest Management Plan, where you may also subscribe to receive email updates about this project. Fall golf events Just because summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean you have to store away the clubs just yet. Register today for these final golf outings of the season, at nationally acclaimed Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Road. Call the course at 734.794.6245 or go online for details. Longest Hardest Day of Golf:Sunday, Sept. 23, 8:15 a.m., $100 per team. Are you up for the challenge? Tee off from the “tips,” and  hit to pins that are placed in the hardest possible locations – all while greens are sped up; and the weather could change the game! This two-person scramble includes greens fee, golf cart, lunch and prizes. Pre registration is required. Fall Scramble: Sunday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m., $150 per team. This three-person shoot-out scramble includes greens fee, golf cart, lunch, prizes and a potential $1,000 skins pot! Bring your "A” game, and be ready to score! Pre registration is required. NEW! Michigan vs. Michigan State Golf Scramble: Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. shotgun start, $80 per team. This spirit-filled, two-person scramble will take the college rivalry to a new field (on the course). The 18-holes event includes great prizes, fun times and a little inter-school razzing. Chili Open: Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m., $80 per team. Say good bye to fall in this fun two-person scramble all while battling the cold weather. The event includes 18 holes, a continental breakfast, prizes, chili and chili dogs.  (This will be your last chance to play holes 10, 11 and 13 as you know them!) Golf for a good cause Registration is going on now for the 21st annual Ann Arbor Police Charity Golf Outing Friday, Sept. 21 at Leslie Park Golf Course. This year’s event is held in honor of two of the department’s fallen officers, Jason Zogaib and Vada Murray, raising money for The Jason Zogaib Memorial Fund and The Vada Murray Fund for Cancer Research.  The four-person scramble includes 18 holes of golf (and cart); a shotgun start at 9 a.m.; lunch; dinner; raffle, prizes and games; and more. Space is limited. Details and the registration form can be found on the city website “news” page, or by clicking here for the event flier (PDF).   SEMCOG Regional Transportation Plan Next year, local government members of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), including Ann Arbor, will decide on a long-range transportation plan and a list of the highest-priority projects to be funded over the next five years for southeast Michigan. The plan and projects will demonstrate how the transportation system improves the region by supporting continued economic recovery, environmental health, community revitalization and quality of life. Improving and enhancing the region’s transit system attracts and retains talent, increases per capita income and is vital to a sustained economic recovery. The public engagement process is now underway. What part of the transportation system is most important to you? Are you willing to pay for better roads? How has the changing region impacted you most? Would you be willing to change your travel behaviors, e.g., take transit, carpool, etc.? Here are ways to get involved and provide your input: Watch the SEMCOG video explaining the public participation process.  Follow the process on  SEMCOG’s website.   Take SEMCOG’s public opinion survey, available at the end of this month/early September, on the home page under “hot topics.”   Follow SEMCOG on Twitter.  Sign up for SEMCOG’s mailing list via email to find out about upcoming opportunities.    Dates to remember Among the many public meetings/events taking place in September, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list.  Labor Day weekend is the last chance of the 2012 season to swim in  Ann Arbor’s outdoor pools at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial parks.  City government offices, including the Customer Service Center, will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. Trash/compost/recycling collection will be delayed by one day, instead taking place Tuesday through Saturday. Due to the holiday, the City Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, rather than the usual Monday schedule. The themed open houses and tours at the Materials Recovery Facility will kick off for the season on Saturday, Sept. 22, celebrating the MRF’s 17th anniversary.

A2 City News Web Page *City Council *Contact Us *Meeting Agendas  *News/Announcements *Road/Lane Closures   A2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor. Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, extension 41105.

August 2012 - A2 City News

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan                           August 2012, Volume 6, Number 8

This is a reprinted version of the original, which was e-mailed to A² City News subscribers on Aug. 1, 2012. Further information on featured topics and current news can be found at www.a2gov.org.

IN THIS ISSUE  New police chief * Park millage update * A2NonMoto blog * FRA high-speed rail grant * Police golf outing * CTN podcasts * Vote Aug. 7 * Farmers Market turns 93 * Street resurfacing * Tree-care tips * A2 social media * “Around Ann Arbor” * Dates to remember

New police chief appointed

Ann Arbor City Council has appointed John Seto safety services administrator and police chief. Since April 1, 2012, Seto has served in this role on an interim basis. He was originally hired with the city as a patrol officer in 1990 and was appointed deputy chief of police, operations division, in 2008. 

“The internal promotion of a candidate who meets the position’s requirements of leadership, management experience, community involvement, judgment, and trustworthiness is healthy for the police department,” said Ann Arbor City Administrator Steve Powers. “I’m confident John has the experience necessary to serve our community well in this role.”

Go online to read more.

Park millage update

At their June 19, 2012, meeting, the Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Commission unanimously passed a resolution to recommend placement of a renewal of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage on the November 2012 election ballot. The resolution also recommends City Council reaffirm the administrative millage policies to inform voters of the manner in which it intends to oversee the administration of the millage if the proposed renewal is approved. This item has been placed on the (Thursday) Aug. 9, 2012, City Council agenda for review and approval. (The Council meeting is scheduled on a Thursday, instead of the usual Monday, due to Election Day.)

The Aug. 9 City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the second floor Council chambers in Larcom City Hall (301 E. Huron St.). As with all other regular Council meetings, this meeting will be telecast live on CTN Channel 16 (Comcast Cable), or watch the meeting live online. 

Parks improvements and maintenance activities status tables are available online, by fiscal year, and list park projects funded through your support of the 2008–2013 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage.

Find your path

The City of the Ann Arbor has launched a blog that celebrates the culture of nonmotorized transportation within the community: walking, cycling, etc. The “A2nonmoto”blog contains posts with a wide variety of features, such as bike helmet-cam videos, photos from bicycling commuters, pedestrian photos and news from the local and wider nonmotorized worlds.

The blog serves as a platform for encouragement and education about the culture of nonmotorized transportation. For more information on the blog, or how to submit your own bicycling or pedestrian photos, please email the city’s transportation office. 

City receives FRA high-speed rail grant

Ann Arbor City Council recently voted to accept a planning grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to support planning of a proposed new rail passenger station in Ann Arbor. The city, in cooperation with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), applied to the FRA for funding under the FRA’s High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program. The city was awarded a grant of $3.5 million to complete a comprehensive planning analysis, draft environmental documents and undertake preliminary engineering for the Ann Arbor station.   Originally identified as an element of the 2006 Ann Arbor Model for Mobility and included in the 2009 City Transportation Plan Update, this grant allows the city to continue planning for this essential component of our community’s transportation system.

City staff is coordinating closely with MDOT and Amtrak to assure thinking about this facility reflects the community’s needs, state’s investment in higher-speed intercity passenger rail along the Wolverine Line as well as the efforts to reintroduce commuter rail service from Ann Arbor to Detroit.  With MDOT investing to acquire and improve this corridor, increased rail service and demand for access to the rail system is expected. It is generally recognized that the current station needs to be improved. Long-term parking is inaccessible to many, as it requires a lengthy walk without provision for those with mobility limitations. The facility is located along Depot Street, a road heavily impacted by peak-hour traffic. Transit connections, limited today, are anticipated to be needed as the rail use and need for access to the rail service increases. Bus routing to the current station is impacted by the high volumes of traffic at the station site. With improved rail service, the shortcomings of the existing station will be exacerbated.

The grant funds support preparation of a conceptual plan, environmental review and preliminary engineering. The conceptual planning process includes review of the current facility, identification of alternative sites and considerations of how to best proceed.  To date, the city has evaluated 15 sites, including the existing station site for accommodating the proposed future station. The concept planning process will occur simultaneously with the environmental review. Under this grant, the city will prepare a complete environmental assessment report seeking the FRA’s approval of a project concept. Staff anticipates the project receiving a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI), a determination made by the FRA. Once the environmental review is completed, and FONSI is secured, the city will move forward and initiate preliminary engineering on the locally preferred alternative.

Public participation is a fundamental part of this planning process. Recognizing there have been many public meetings as part of the Fuller Road Station project, this newly initiated work will provide additional opportunity for the project team to more fully evaluate and document the issues taken into consideration in this project. These materials will be subject to public review at project-related public meetings, as well as other city boards and commission meetings including the City Council, Planning Commission, Park Advisory Commission, among others. At this time, the next public meetings are anticipated to occur later this fall. For more information, please contact City Transportation Program Manager Eli Cooper.

Police charity golf outing

Get ready to golf for a good cause. Registration is going on now for the 21st annual Ann Arbor Police Charity Golf Outing Friday, Sept. 21 at Leslie Park Golf Course. This year’s event is held in honor of two of the department’s fallen officers, Jason Zogaib and Vada Murray, raising money for The Jason Zogaib Memorial Fund and The Vada Murray Fund for Cancer Research.

The four-person scramble includes 18 holes of golf (and cart); a shotgun start at 9 a.m.; lunch; dinner; raffle, prizes and games; and more. Space is limited. Click here for details and the registration form (PDF). 

CTN helps you stay in the know, even on the go

New “On Air with CTN” podcasts provide an audio overview of everything happening on air and at the studios of Ann Arbor Community Television Network. 

Listen in and find out the line ups for CTN’s four channels (16, 17, 18 and 19 on Comcast Cable), interviews with special guests, highlights of events new programs and a rundown of upcoming workshops for city residents and not-for-profit agencies.

Follow us!

Learn about upcoming meetings, facts, tips and more via the City of Ann Arbor’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The city posts useful information — usually on a daily basis. In fact, a local realtor recently named the City of Ann Arbor’s Twitter page as the No. 1 area “tweep” to follow. You can also subscribe to receive topic-specific bulletins directly to your email. Find convenient links to each of these ways to stay connected on the homepage of the city website.

Vote Aug. 7

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. for the City Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 7. On Saturday, Aug. 4, the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m.–2 p.m. for in-person absentee ballot requests.

Go to the city election website, www.a2gov.org/elections, for ballot details and more information, or call 734.794.6140.

Farmers Market turns 93

Join the fun as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market turns 93 years old! On Saturday, Aug. 4 from 7 a.m.–3 p.m., the market, located at 315 Detroit St. in Kerrytown, will celebrate its birthday and its customers. At noon, free ice cream and toppings donated from market vendors will be served (while supplies last). Call for details, 734.794.6255, or go online. 

Paving the way to better streets

The city’s 2012 street resurfacing initiative began in the spring, and as of early August, 20 major and residential streets have been completed. Not only are streets’ surfaces getting a makeover during this process, resurfacing also typically consists of removing/replacing sections of damaged or settled curb; repairing/replacing drainage inlets and utility structures (manholes); replacing corner ramps (to meet current Americans with Disability Act standards); and repaving the roadway.

Among the roads undergoing work this month are:

Geddes Avenue between Highland Road and Apple Way. Intermittent closures of Geddes to through traffic are in effect during construction, with detour routes posted. Local traffic will be maintained. Completion is expected in mid August.  

Seventh Street between Pauline and Madison. Northbound traffic is being detoured. Completion is expected in the beginning of September. 

When the initiative comes to a close this fall, 34 streets will have received upgrades. The 2012 street resurfacing project is funded by the Street Resurfacing Millage approved by voters in 2006.

Visit the 2012 street resurfacing project Web page, and click on the red envelope to subscribe to receive regular street resurfacing project e-updates. You may also subscribe for e-updates to know which city streets have posted detours, on the city’s road and lane closures Web page. http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx

Tree-care tips

This spring and summer have been unusually dry, and — coupled with the recent very-high temperatures — both newly planted and established trees are showing signs of stress from lack of water. Wilting or curling leaves, leaf/needle drop and leaf scorch (caused by lack of water and high temperatures) are signs that your tree needs to be watered immediately.   

In normal precipitation years, Mother Nature provides the water an established tree needs, and supplemental watering is typically not necessary. This season, however, calls for human intervention.

A slow, deep watering is better than short, frequent watering, for both newly planted and established trees. For newly planted trees and small trees with a trunk diameter of up to 4 inches, a good watering is 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter applied in the mulched area around the tree, once per week. For established, medium trees (5–12 inches), a general guideline for watering during prolonged dry periods is 10 gallons of water for every 1-inch diameter, three times per month. Finally, for large trees, with a trunk diameter greater than 13 inches, 15 gallons of water is needed for every inch of diameter, twice monthly during prolonged dry periods. For established, trees do not water within 3 feet of the trunk, as this can lead to root rot.

And how long should watering take place? In general, use this formula as a guideline: tree diameter inches x 5 minutes = total watering time.

Find more information on tree watering, mulching, benefits and more on the city’s forestry Web pages at www.a2gov.org/trees.

Go "Around Ann Arbor" with CTN

Community Television Network recently debuted “Around Ann Arbor,” a 10-minute weekly program featuring upcoming events in the city and surrounding communities. Following a news-style format, the show promotes events for the week ahead, making it convenient for viewers to plan their own calendars.

“Around Ann Arbor” airs on A2TV Channel 17 on Comcast Cable on the following schedule.

• Sundays, noon and 9:05 p.m.
• Mondays, 10 a.m.
• Tuesdays, 3:50 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
• Thursdays, 7:20 p.m.
• Fridays, 1 p.m.
• Saturdays, 1:35 p.m.
• And anytime on CTN Video On Demand. 

“We’ve taken the electronic bulletin board and brought it to life, another great reason to tune into your community channels for local information,” said Melissa Cohn, assistant manager of the public and educational channels.

To submit an event for consideration, free of charge, please email CTN.

Dates to remember

Among the many public meetings/events taking place in August, here are some of the highlights. Please go online for details and a complete list.

• Wednesday, Aug. 1, join the North Main Street-Huron River Corridor Task Force for a site tour.
• The Ann Arbor Farmers Market celebrates its 93rd birthday on Saturday, Aug. 4. 
• Also on Saturday, Aug. 4, the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. to accept absentee ballot requests for the Aug. 7 State Primary Election, which takes place Tuesday, Aug. 7.
• A special Park Advisory Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8.
• Because of the Tuesday, Aug. 7 State Primary Election, the City Council meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 9 rather than the usual Monday schedule.
• The first step to taking free production workshops at CTN is to attend the CTN Preview workshop, scheduled on Wednesday, Aug. 29.