Visit the NEW city website!

After nine years, the City of Ann Arbor now has an updated online presence in the form of the new a2gov.org. The new website allows the city to still provide a tremendous amount of information and services, but in a streamlined format. During the redesign process, feedback from website-user testing conducted by the city’s contractor, Interpersonal Frequency, helped to shape site with a thoughtful, comprehensive approach.

Along with the new website’s fresh, modern look, content is also easier to find with several enhanced features, such as:

• Improved navigation.
• Multiple navigation entry points: “Residents and visitors,” “government,” “services,” “featured pages” and “news and events.”
• The prominent “I want to” section on the homepage serves as a helpful feature for task-focused users. By providing clear and concise options or links, users can quickly find what they are looking for without having to navigate through multiple pages.
• The introduction of a park finder tool addresses a specific user need and enhances the website's functionality.
• To give users a convenient overview of services provided by the City of Ann Arbor, the services page format uses clear, easy-to-follow navigation and descriptive headings.
• The new design, overall, incorporates a modern and visually appealing color palette that reinforces the city's brand.
• Mobile-first responsive design ensures the website is easy to view and navigate on various screen sizes. This approach caters to the increasing number of users accessing the web through mobile devices.
• Increased accessibility to information due to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design and compatibility testing.

Be sure to check it out! 

New compost bag limit coming soon

The City of Ann Arbor will soon be adjusting its seasonal curbside compost collection guidelines to include a limit of 10 paper yard waste bags per weekly setout. This limit is an important safety measure to protect city public works staff from possible injuries that can result from lifting and loading bags. The 10-bag limit will be enforced after Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.

To help residents adapt to this change, the city will place a sticker on and leave behind one bag at locations exceeding the 10-bag limit; that bag will be collected as one of the 10 allotted bags during the subsequent collection day, until Sept. 4, 2023, when the new limitations go into effect. Stickers will also remind residents of the 50 pound per-bag weight limit.

Residents can also take advantage of curbside composting service by using compost carts. Single-family residential properties can get one FREE 64- or 96-gallon compost cart by contacting customer service at 734.994.7336 or [email protected]. Pick up is free, or a cart can be delivered for $59; additional carts are available for a fee. Visit www.a2gov.org/compost for sizes and prices.

Curbside compost collection also includes bundled brush or tree limbs, 4 feet or less, tied with natural twine in bundles up to 18 inches in diameter. Individual tree limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter.  

Participating residents must place their compostables at the curb before 7 a.m. on their weekly collection day — allowing at least 3 feet between each cart with clearance from any obstacles overhead. If there is a bike lane, carts must be placed on the lawn extension (the area between the road and the sidewalk or at the edge of your yard next to the street) instead. In some cases, especially those with protected bike lanes, carts will be placed in in the buffer zone, in the street, or other specified space.

Learn more about what is and is not allowed for curbside composting.

Yard trimmings/waste must not be disposed of in parks because they may smother and kill plants they cover, disrupt normal decomposition processes, or introduce non-native plants to the area.

Parks and recreation fall registration begins in August

Learn a skill. Make a friend. Explore your potential. Have some fun! Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation registration for fall programs begins Monday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. Sign up for canoe and kayak lessons, fall golf tournaments, indoor swim lessons, volunteer opportunities, learn-to-skate/hockey programming, educational events hosted at the Ann Arbor Senior Center and more. There’s something for everyone!

The fall/winter activity guide will be available the week of Monday, Aug. 14. The guide offers a complete list of class descriptions, locations and fees. What will you try this fall?

If you have questions, contact Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation customer service at 734.794.6230 or a specific facility in the parks system. See the complete list. 

Farmers market food truck rallies

Gather the family or friends and grab dinner from some of your favorite local food truck and cart vendors this summer at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St. Live music adds to the festive, open-air atmosphere during each event — the third Wednesday of every month, 5–8 p.m., through October. Learn more about the market, including vendors and parking information.

CTN highlights

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

• Around Ann Arbor – Vet Fest https://youtu.be/eBO3OHWG-o8.
• Around Ann Arbor – Black Voices of Dignity Art Exhibit https://youtu.be/H9K9FEU6M6Q.
• Around Ann Arbor – Townie Street Party 2023 https://youtu.be/Ne7cDLcqVcY.
• Ann Arbor Inclusive – The Ride https://youtu.be/BbQMyd-xUeQ.
• City Round Up – MiFile https://youtu.be/2MPD4_m2F7g.
• CTN Lights Camera Action Media camp session 1 - https://youtu.be/fAGMPp8Lz9Y.
• FYI - Local filmmaker, Drew Hopper, teases season 3 of his Tubi/Amazon Prime series Organized Crime Paranormal; an in-depth look at Wurster Park; and the 15th District Court rolls out e-filing civil cases with MiFILE https://youtu.be/pVXK3MCP7i8.
• Park Peek – Olson Park https://youtu.be/_sta4486UWQ.
• Humane Pet Acquisition Ordinance https://youtu.be/KBb-nYjAwdQ.
• Senior Moments - Ann Arbor District Library Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled https://youtu.be/1CObAD6mo8k.
• Ward Talk - with Councilmember Erica Briggs, https://youtu.be/F0BMjvRxTJY.
• CTN at the Art Fair #1 https://youtu.be/69ZkTZeQyD4.
• CTN at the Art Fair #2 https://youtu.be/850VQwOetls.
• CTN at the Art Fair #3 https://youtu.be/mqNlx4ORqws.
• CTN at the Art Fair #4 https://youtu.be/uN2UULnnlDg.
• CTN at the Art Fair #5 https://youtu.be/qIkTWdwlsws.
• CTN at the Art Fair #6 https://youtu.be/WR_UWZeZP14.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Ann Arbor Inclusive over the years https://youtu.be/LgdSGy2PaSg.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Senior Moments over the years https://youtu.be/B4uMYITsGH8.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – The Green Room over the years https://youtu.be/VvVnCoqyD1o.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Ward Talk over the years https://youtu.be/ia_LDVIjzdA.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Adventures in Parenthood over the years https://youtu.be/HKz2KjgXopE.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Soapbox https://youtu.be/oxpkbgdZbpA.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary Access Ann Arbor https://youtu.be/zui_1XAL-uI.
• CTN Celebrates 50 years Promo #1 https://youtu.be/5eB8knJMNxA.
• CTN Celebrates 50 years Promo #2 https://youtu.be/H82cpcmx3cY.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Let’s Watch with the Ann Arbor Film Festival https://youtu.be/newwAzdoWe0.
• CTN Celebrates 50-year anniversary – Access Ann Arbor and Soapbox https://youtu.be/3pCM36E07-s.

15th District Court launches e-filing for civil cases

The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor has launched e-filing for civil cases as of July 13, 2023. Learn more about this new online service.

Buy-protect-sell initiative accepting proposals from farmers

The Ann Arbor Greenbelt is commemorating its 20th anniversary with the launch of an affordable farmland purchasing opportunity, the buy-protect-sell initiative. Farmers are invited to submit a proposal to buy protected farmland that is being sold at a reduced price. Submissions are due by Monday, Sept. 11. Learn more about the buy-protect-sell initiative, including how to submit a proposal.

A2 energy leader recognized

Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations Senior Energy Analyst Julie Roth is being honored as a 2023 Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Leader in Energy! Roth has been selected by Crain’s Detroit Business editors based on her efforts and accomplishments toward improving energy sustainability in Ann Arbor. Please join the City of Ann Arbor in congratulating Roth for this accomplishment!

Learn more about A2ZERO, the Ann Arbor plan to achieve a just transit​ion to community-wide carbon neutrality, including events and opportunities!

@a2cityclerk on Instagram

The Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office now has an official Instagram account! If you're on Instagram as well, be sure to give them a follow @a2cityclerk ... and spread the word! 

Game-day streets and parking reminders

University of Michigan football season is upon us, which again brings about game-day street closures and on-street parking restrictions in certain stadium-area neighborhoods. Per City Council resolution, street closures begin three hours before each game until the end of the game, except for southbound South Main Street, which will be closed beginning one hour before until the end of each game.

Game-day street closures

East Keech Street between South Main and Greene streets.

Greene Street from East Hoover to Keech streets, limiting access to parking permit holders.

Westbound right-turn lane on East Stadium Boulevard (onto South Main Street) just south of the Michigan Stadium.

South Main Street between Pauline and Stadium.

On-street parking restrictions

It’s important for residents to remember on-street parking is restricted for some stadium-area streets on U-M football home-game days. On-street parking restrictions will be in effect 8 a.m. to midnight — including for the first home game, Saturday, Sept. 2 — for portions of:

• Scio Church Road.
• Franklin Boulevard.
• Snyder Avenue.
• Berkley Avenue.
• Potter Avenue.
• West Keech Avenue.
• Edgewood Avenue.
• South Main Street.
• Edgewood Place.
• Brown Street.
• South Fourth Avenue.
• South Division Street.
• McKinley Avenue.
• Dewey Avenue.

Find details; and view the on-street parking restrictions map (PDF). See also the football game schedule on the University of Michigan website.

Know before you go

Planning to attend a game? Keep up with scheduled road and lane closures in Ann Arbor, whether due to construction or special events, via the city road or lane closure webpage. Here, you can also sign up for alerts, via the envelope icon, and can use the WAZE map for a visual representation of closures. In addition, the WAZE app can be downloaded to a phone or other mobile device.

TheRide seeks feedback on Title VI Program

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is updating its Title VI Program and is seeking the community’s final feedback on the program updates. Public meetings took place in July, and feedback is still being accepted, through Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.

The Title VI Program is in place "to describe the non-discrimination efforts undertaken by AAATA to ensure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation." Visit TheRide for complete information.

Provide a safe passage for birds

From the middle of March through the end of May, and again mid-August through the end of October, migrating birds fly over Ann Arbor during spring and fall migrations. On clear nights, birds navigate by the stars; but at dawn or on cloudy and foggy nights, they attempt to navigate using the lights of tall buildings, putting them at risk of hitting these lit windows. They either crash going full speed, or they endlessly circle the building until they drop to the ground, exhausted and vulnerable to predators and other dangers.

Ann Arbor joins other cities in helping migrating birds have a safe passage. Occupants of buildings on floors five and above are asked to help prevent these needless deaths by pulling the drapes or closing the shades on windows in lit rooms between 11 p.m. and dawn.