COVID-19 city updates
Summer is underway in the Ann Arbor parks
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the opening of another facility that was previously closed as part of the State of Michigan executive order. For the status of certain city park facilities, programs and amenities, visit www.a2gov.org/covid19parks for complete details (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/administrative/Pages/COVID19parks.aspx).
- The Ann Arbor Farmers Market has reopened providing essential food and other permitted items to customers. The market is open Wednesday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-noon. Shoppers may choose to shop onsite or preorder from vendors with curbside or walk-in pick-up options. View the vendor preorder directory of businesses currently participating in the preorder service and what they have to offer: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gmPMf78_G-JkNHIUBw1n04N1iitmtUlqhO6OgH3oyjk/edit#gid=0. Credit card tokens will not be accepted at this time, but EBT and P-EBT tokens are being accepted.
- Huron Hills (http://www.a2gov.org/HHGCteetimes) and Leslie Park (http://www.a2gov.org/LPGCteetimes) golf courses are open for play; and golf carts are available on a limited basis. Online tee times and prepayment are required. The clubhouse remains closed, but there are restrooms on the course for your use.
- Argo and Gallup liveries are open every day 9 a.m.-8 p.m. with limited offerings. This season, reservations are required to rent all types of boats. Reservations can be made to paddle in the ponds at Argo and Gallup parks, and the Argo-to-Gallup river trip is also available for reservation. At this time, a Gallup river trip is not being offered. The liveries will not be selling or renting tubes for use in the Argo Cascades. Go online to https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/play/Pages/Canoeing.aspx for a list of safety protocols before visiting the parks. Reservations are required for renting boats to minimize lines and create safe physical distances between customers and staff.
City prepares to announce date when in-person services will resume
With the State of Michigan Stay Home Stay Safe Executive Order set to enter phase 4 for this region in the coming days, the city is preparing to announce the date in-person city services will resume, once new safety protocols are able to be implemented that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Customers should continue to make payments and conduct all city service requests online as much as possible. If you have questions or need assistance, please call the customer service center, which is open Monday?Friday, 8 a.m.? 5 p.m., at 734.794.6320 or email: [email protected]. Complete COVID-19 resources and information can be found online at www.a2gov.org/Covid19 (http://www.a2gov.org/Covid19).
Message from the mayor
City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor's June 1 video message focuses on this national moment: The protests in response to the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing and pervasive physical, economic, political and cultural degradation of people of color. Watch the video statement here: https://youtu.be/OPWp6N848uc.
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Road work underway, with more to come
Ann Arbor?s road construction "season" is in full swing with a host of projects already in progress ... and far more beginning this summer. Recently, city project manager David Dykman was a guest on CTN's FYI to discuss the 2020 road resurfacing/restoration program. The interview covered many of the questions the city receives each year about construction, such as what you can expect, what the impact might be on your street and more. Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6YJxsVyooE. For a full project map (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/engineering/Documents/2020TentativeStreetTreatments.pdf - PDF) and list of projects, please visit www.a2gov.org/roadconstruction.?
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2020 Census
Completing the 2020 Census will have a big impact on the next 10 years of planning for hospitals and health clinics, schools, roads and so much more.
It's never been easier to fill out your census form. Respond in English or 12 other languages online ? https://my2020census.gov/ ? or by phone ? 844.330.2020. Households can also respond by mail using the paper questionnaire that has been mailed to every nonresponding address.
Plus, with the need for physical distancing currently in place, (self) responding now will also minimize the need for a census taker to go out into the community for in-person follow up.
Thank you to all who have already filled out the 2020 Census! Please encourage friends, family and neighbors to also do their part to help.
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Mowing in the Ann Arbor parks
The Ann Arbor parks system comprises more than 160 parks spanning more than 2,100 acres. Parks maintenance staff is responsible for the care and upkeep of the parks, which includes mowing. Normally, parks are scheduled to be mowed every 14 days. Due to COVID-19, with physical distancing and CDC guidelines for safe work environments, the mow schedule has been extended to 21 days.
This schedule can also be impacted by the weather. Rainy conditions, coupled with occasionally warm, sunny days, are good for tree, wildflower and grass growth but certainly not for mowing. Additionally, some parks have low-lying areas that retain rain water, making it too wet to mow. Mowing equipment has the potential to get stuck or damaged if mowers are not mindful of the areas cared for.
When the weather does permit mowing, staff often works longer days (into the evenings) and the weekends to catch up. While some areas may appear unkempt, please be assured city staff works as swiftly as possible to get the grass mowed and back on a regular schedule.
Please use the A2 Fix It app or A2 Fix It on the city website to report any concerns or maintenance issues: https://www.a2gov.org/services/Pages/Report-a-Problem.aspx. Or call the parks customer service office during weekday business hours at 734.794.6230. The city thanks you for your patience.
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A2, be safe!
Warmer temperatures are back, which means more people are out and about throughout the city ? including on foot and bicycle ? all the while practicing proper physical distancing. Please remember that in Ann Arbor, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists share in the responsibility to keep streets safe. For starters, that means motorists stop for pedestrians at or in crosswalks, pedestrians use crosswalks, cyclists use bike lanes when available and follow road signs, and all who are on the roadways, sidewalks and in bike lanes remain alert and free from self-imposed distractions. See what this means at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhQmKyhy_fo. A2, be safe ? together!
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Applications for absentee voter ballots
The Michigan Secretary of State office has announced that all Michigan registered voters will be receiving absentee ballot application forms by mail. For city of Ann Arbor residents who are already on the city?s permanent absent voter application mailing list, the city began mailing application forms the week of May 25.
For all other registered voters, the Michigan Secretary of State will be mailing application forms in early June. Absentee ballot application forms will contain an option to receive ballots in the mail for both the Aug. 4 primary and the Nov. 3 general elections. Application forms will also contain a checkbox to be added to the city?s permanent absent voter application mailing list for voters not already on the list.
Any voter registered in the city of Ann Arbor who is interested in receiving a ballot by mail should return a completed signed application by mail or in person to: Ann Arbor City Clerk, 301 E. Huron St., second floor, Ann Arbor 48103; by fax at 734.994.8296; or email at [email protected]. Faxed and emailed forms can be in any file format (PDF, JPEG, etc.), but must include the voter?s signature. Voters no longer need a reason to receive a ballot by mail in advance of Election Day.
Voters who have returned application forms to the Ann Arbor City Clerk?s office can expect ballots to be available and mailed the week of June 22.
Sign up for the city?s permanent absent voter application mailing list at www.a2gov.org/avlist (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Permanent-Absentee-Voter-Form.aspx). Questions about voting or absentee ballots should be submitted to the city clerk by phone at 734.794.6140 or emailed to [email protected]. Learn more about elections in Ann Arbor at www.a2gov.org/elections (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx).
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What to watch on CTN
- Candidates coverage on CTN ? Get to know the candidates who will be running for Ann Arbor City Council in the Aug. 4 Primary Election. CTN on Demand is airing the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy Ann Arbor City Council Primary Candidates Debates. Watch the City Council candidates debates:
- CTN has compiled photos, videos and thoughts from local residents of experiences, activities and reflections during this stay-at-home time. The community submitted photographs of family activities, sidewalk chalk drawings and other artwork, images of empty shelves, mask-wearing selfies and other visuals that relate to life during the state?s stay home, stay safe executive order. The CTN productions can be shared with future generations. Watch them here:
- Ann Arbor Inclusive features guest Joanna LaFleur of Memory Lane Assisted Living, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXEInzQFSc&t=15s.
- On the latest Happy Tails, the organization Aging Paws works through approved veterinarians, shelters and rescue organizations to provide financial assistance for the medical treatment and care of senior dogs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7EqKoi7uIw&t=44s.
- On the Green Room, guest Craig Stephan discusses impacts to Michigan from climate change, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0terGGNw7cI&t=27s.
- Watch the April 8 Carbon Neutrality Question and Answer Session at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Ly8EPV6SY.
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Good news
- The Ann Arbor Housing Commission was awarded $421,648 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for 41 new vouchers for nonelderly people living with disabilities. The award was the largest in Michigan. The AAHC competed for and was awarded 135 NED vouchers in 2018 and 2019, and HUD increased this allocation by 30% as a part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This voucher funding will enable 41 additional families with a member with a disability to stabilize their housing situation. Without a voucher, most low-income families pay more than 50% of their income on rent and utilities. With a voucher, the family will pay 30% of their income on rent and utilities, and the voucher will pay the rest. Learn more about AAHC at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Housing/Pages/default.aspx.
- The City of Ann Arbor has been awarded a grant from Partners for Places, a project of the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, for the city's Aging in Place Efficiently initiative. This grant will support an Aging in Place Efficiently program that strives to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for low-income seniors ? while simultaneously reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=691.
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Sustainability news
Solar on your home, a book club and a call to submit videos about sustainability: learn about the latest opportunities with City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI).
Solar on your home ? Are you interested in getting solar on your home? If yes, check out the city?s new A2Solarize program which helps reduce the upfront cost of solar by 5%?15% through a coordinated bulk purchase. You can learn more by watching the recent solarize happy hour event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGt5xJTxnyY&feature=youtu.be, or contact Julie Roth, Solarize lead, at [email protected].
Book club: Sustainability, equity and climate change ? OSI is launching a sustainability, equity and climate change book club. If you'd like to participate, please register at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=haWvSHVjcEG50enFaLuS8zpAv-KG74pMt_L0pOtzMJBUM01GOTE3UDdHVldBNEIyNkdCMzVVWEdWRi4u.
Videos on sustainability ? OSI is collecting brief videos from around town, showing how people are taking steps to advance sustainability in their daily lives. Recording and distribute videos to share experiences to learn and grow together. To participate, please record one or more brief videos (less than 2 minutes, family friendly) sharing sustainability ideas, and upload video(s) to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oflkuoe2jpjwst2/AADv1xxMnbSR-Alo2DmnqGhta?dl=0. Possible topics include:
- Energy efficiency in your home.
- Gardening, composting, yard projects.
- Renewable energy at home (rooftop or ground-mounted solar, solar water heating).
- Green transportation (at-home bike repair, combining trips, walking to the store).
- Food choices (garden recipes, buying local, foraging locations).
- Reducing household waste.
- More!
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Bring color to your home, garden ? and online meetings
Got bored kids at home? The city has some fun stormwater-themed coloring pages about how to build a rain garden, install a rain barrel and be ?stormwater smart.? Download the coloring pages and a ?storm drain scavenger hunt? activity page from the stormwater site, a2gov.org/storm.
Looking for some fun backgrounds to brighten up Zoom online meetings? Download Ann Arbor Stormwater Smart-themed backgrounds at www.a2gov.org/storm (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/systems-planning/planning-areas/water-resources/Pages/Stormwater.aspx). From iconic Ann Arbor landmarks to beautiful rain gardens and scenery ? these Zoom backgrounds are sure to brighten your day!
Ann Arbor residents with a rain barrel or rain garden on their property can help the city manage the stormwater system by filtering water, slowing runoff and mitigating flooding. This can also help protect the Huron River and local streams. Ann Arbor water customers can also qualify for money-saving credits on their stormwater utility bill by having rain gardens or barrels.
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