COVID-19 news

City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor has shared a new video message updating residents on city operations and the budget approval process amid COVID-19 and the State of Michigan Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order. Watch it the mayor?s message here: https://youtu.be/3ELRA60NhXM.

To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, the executive order mandates people to stay home unless they're a part of the critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store. For details and guidance, please visit the State of Michigan COVID-19 website.?

More information from the city, as well as resources available in the community, can be found on the city website at www.a2gov.org/covid19.?

FY 2021 budget presented to Council

On April 20, 2020, the City Administrator's Recommended 2021 Budget was presented to Ann Arbor City Council, in accordance with City Charter, during the online meeting.

You can watch the budget presentation via CTN?s YouTube Channel. The recommended budget and other budget-related documents can be found on the city?s Citizen Guide to Budget and Finance website.?

City Council will hold online budget public hearings on Monday, May 4, 2020. City Council must adopt the budget with at least seven affirmative votes no later than its second meeting in May. Fiscal year 2021 begins on July 1, 2020. City Council members can only adopt one fiscal year at a time even though the city plans for multi-year budgets.

Budget-related feedback or comments are welcomed via email.?

Solarize happy hour is May 2

The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations is hosting a lively A2Zero Happy Hour to discuss what it means to go solar. The online event takes place Saturday, May 2, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Sign up to attend, and the Zoom meeting link will be sent to you prior to the event: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=haWvSHVjcEG50enFaLuS852fa7f1qwNHnsdJ_CETSFRUNUFaVjZZUlFLNURXSktUTzk5OEJZN1RYVS4u.

Join the conversation, which will include the financial costs and benefits of solar power and how it works, and the programs available in Ann Arbor to help homeowners access this green-energy. Happy hour panelists include City of Ann Arbor Energy Manager Joshua MacDonald and program lead for Solarize Julie Roth. Event guests will also be able to ask questions.

The city points out that timing is right for residents to consider converting to solar, as federal financial incentives continue to phase out after this year. Solar energy immediately decreases the carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is also cost effective for homeowners, even paying dividends in many cases. Solar energy can help build the grid?s overall resiliency as well.

Quality Water Matters

The May issue of A2H2O: Quality Water Matters (PDF) includes important information from Water Treatment Services Manager Brian Steglitz regarding steps city staff is taking to ensure drinking water is safe to consume and to use for hygiene, particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.?

May 3?9 is drinking water week, but due to the state?s stay home, stay safe order, the Water Treatment Plant Open House scheduled for May 9 has been cancelled. Instead, there will be virtual ways the city will share to appreciate Ann Arbor?s award-winning water and the staff who delivers it.

Be counted, Ann Arbor!

It's evident now more than ever: Prepared communities can continue providing essential services and support even in times of uncertainty. One way you can help ensure Ann Arbor, first responders, nonprofits and healthcare and other essential workers have the resources they need is by responding to the 2020 Census.

Count everyone who lives or stays in your household for the majority of the year ? newborns, children, extended family and even non relatives. Census data is secure and private by law and informs decisions on how funding is allocated for education, healthcare, roads, food assistance and more.

With physical distancing currently of utmost importance, responding now will also minimize the need for a census taker to go out into the community for in-person follow up. Plus, it's never been easier to fill out your census form. You can respond in English or 12 other languages online ? my2020census.gov ? or by phone ? 844.330.2020. Households can also respond by mail using the paper questionnaire that was recently mailed to every non-responding address.

If you have already filled out your 2020 Census, thank you! Please encourage friends, family and neighbors to also do their part to help. Now's the chance, Ann Arbor, to shape our community's future for the next 10 years!

Golf is open!

Leslie Park (LPGC) and Huron Hills (HHGC) golf courses, have reopened as of Friday, May 1! With safety as the top priority, some requirements and changes are in effect at the golf courses. A complete list can be found at www.a2golf.org.?

• Advance tee times and payments are required.
• Book your tee time online and pay in advance:
• www.a2gov.org/LPGCteetimes | 734.794.6245?
• www.a2gov.org/HHGCteetimes | 734.794.6246?
  Golf carts are not available. Pull carts are available on a first-come basis only.
• Please do not touch the flagsticks.
• The clubhouse is closed, but it will be staffed, and restrooms are available on the course.
• If you or someone in your home is sick, please stay home. Thank you for understanding.

Farmers market preparing to reopen

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be opening in phases starting Saturday, May 9. Safety protocols are being created right now, and, once available, full details will be posted at www.a2gov.org/market.?

Pick your favorite ?I voted? sticker designs

While there is no May Election Day in Ann Arbor this year, the Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office is rallying votes for a different reason this month. Now through May 31, Ann Arbor residents are being asked to select their favorite entries in the ?I Voted? sticker design contest!

Design finalists are on display at www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Sticker-Design-Contest.aspx. Residents can vote for their favorites in each of the three divisions by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/A2IVotedStickerDesignContest.

Winners will be recognized at the June 15, 2020, City Council meeting. The winning ?I Voted? sticker design(s) will be distributed to voters during the presidential election in November!

The city thanks all who submitted their creative and spirited designs to help promote the importance of participating in elections.

Yard waste drop off

Ann Arbor residents can now drop off their yard waste in yard waste bags Monday?Friday, 8 a.m.?4 p.m. at the city?s public works facility, 4170 Platt Road. Dumpsters have been designated on site for yard waste bag drop off. Visit the city website for additional information.?

Submit a virtual Soapbox segment

Community outreach and staying connected are keys to relaying important messages such as virtual events, happenings and, in some cases, postponed events. Or maybe you would like to share a creative video like singing, dancing, yoga or playing a musical instrument.

CTN is accepting virtual segments for its Soapbox program, which means you record the video from home and CTN will add graphics and schedule it to play on CTN Channel 17. Free-software suggestions to use for recording are Zoom, Microsoft Teams, BlueJeans, Facebook Live, as well as your own phone! For more information, please contact CTN Assistant Manager Melissa Bondy at [email protected].

Submit a virtual Soapbox segment following these steps:

• Non-profit organizations without a current letter on file with CTN, please be sure to have a letter submitted in advance (non-profit letter template example - PDF).?
• Send completed file via Google Drive to [email protected] for post-production graphics.
• Fill out the online guest form for title and graphic information.?
• Email a brief note to Bondy or CTN Producer Mike Koski to indicate a file was sent: [email protected] or [email protected].

Please note, the segment's normal allotted time is up to 5 minutes. Under current circumstances, you can exceed this time limit, keeping it no more than 10 minutes. Also, there is no limit on number of person(s) on screen.

More details regarding program requirements can be found on the Soapbox flyer (PDF).?

Learn before you burn

Spring and warmer temperatures often mean spending more time outdoors. But before you light a backyard fire or light the grill, the Ann Arbor Fire Department wants you to know these rules in order to stay safe and fire code compliant.?

• Recreational fires, such as campfires, shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or of combustible materials. Conditions and materials which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure must be eliminated before lighting the fire.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces/fire pits must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and must not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible materials. Learn which outdoor fire pits/places?(PDF) are and aren?t permitted for use in Ann Arbor; and learn how to safely enjoy your recreational fire.?
• Fires must be attended at all times and with onsite fire-extinguishing equipment close at hand, such as sand and a shovel, a full water barrel or a working garden hose.
• Fires must be completely extinguished prior to leaving.
• Recreational fires must not create a smoke violation or nuisance to neighbors.

Not all grills are created equally ? nor can they be used everywhere. If you live in an apartment or multilevel building, be sure to review the grilling guidelines for use on balconies?(PDF), in particular.?

More safety tip sheets can be found on the National Fire Protection Agency website.

Go natural for landscape care

The city is urging homeowners and businesses to minimize the use of chemicals to control weeds, insects or diseases in lawns, gardens and landscaping. In February, Ann Arbor City Council approved the effort to help reduce harmful pesticide and chemical runoff from lawns, gardens and landscaped areas into local waterways. Limiting or eliminating use of pesticides can help to build and maintain healthy ecosystems and foster stewardship of natural resources.

In addition to reducing chemical applications, the city encourages property owners to keep lawns healthy by maintaining grass levels at 3 inches or higher, mulching grass clippings, aerating compacted soil and reducing thatch buildup. Other suggestions include adding deep-rooted native plants and trees to improve water filtration, watering less, pulling weeds by hand, removing insect eggs from plants and installing landscape fabric and mulch to prevent weed germination.

More ideas on what you can do around your home to promote a safer and healthier environment are available on the city's integrated pest management website.?

Memorial Day schedule

On Monday, May 25, city government offices are closed for Memorial Day. There will be no trash/recycling/compost collection on this holiday Monday. Collections will instead be delayed by one day, taking place Tuesday through Saturday.