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*A2 City News November 2021 Newsletter* "11/01/2021"

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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan ? NOVEMBER 2021 ? Volume 15 ? Number 11

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Interim City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. [ [link removed] ]
City introduces new interim administrator

Please join the city in welcoming new Ann Arbor Interim City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. With many years of experience in local government, Dohoney most recently served as the assistant city manager of Phoenix, Arizona, and previously as the city manager and chief executive officer of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was also the chief administrative officer of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, Kentucky, as well as the deputy mayor of Louisville, Kentucky. Dohoney earned a Master?s degree in personnel management from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor?s degree in psychology from Indiana University Southeast.


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2020 I Voted Sticker Design Contest Finalists [ [link removed] ]
Special Election Day is Nov. 2

The Special Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2. For residents who choose to vote in person, polling places will be open throughout the city 7 a.m.?8 p.m. To locate your ward and/or polling place, and to view your ballot, go online to the Michigan Voter Information web page at www.michigan.gov/vote [ [link removed] ].

Before heading to the polls, Ann Arbor voters can go online to check the number of people waiting in line at their polling places and view estimated wait times. Line counts and projected wait times will be reported in real time by the election inspectors at each polling place. Find the Election Day line tracker at [link removed] [ [link removed] ]. The line tracker also includes images of each polling place as well as links to maps and directions.

Voting absentee? Secure ballot drop boxes are installed throughout the city (view the map here: [link removed] [ [link removed] ] ? PDF).

For more information on voting and Election Day, visit the city clerk online at www.a2gov.org/elections [ [link removed] ] | call 734.794.6140 | email [email protected].


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Quality Water Matters logo [ [link removed] ]
Quality Water Matters

The November issue of Quality Water Matters focuses on efforts underway to evaluate the city?s drinking water public engagement strategy with the help from a team of Master?s students from the University of Michigan School of Information. Read all about it at [link removed] [ [link removed] ] (PDF).


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A2 Parks Online Shop [ [link removed] ]
New parks apparel makes great gifts

Shop local this season by purchasing merchandise from the new Ann Arbor Parks Shop! You?ll find hoodies, t-shirts and tote bags featuring your favorite programs including the Manta Ray swim team at Mack Indoor Pool and facilities such as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and Buhr and Veterans Memorial park ice arenas. Avoid the crowds this season by using the eCommerce shop for everyone on your list!

The shop is conveniently ?located? at [link removed] [ [link removed] ]. Sizes run XS?3XL. Measurements are true to size, but it?s recommended to size up for a more comfortable fit.

Once you shop, Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation encourages you to share your new parks gear on its social media accounts, [link removed] [ [link removed] ] or [link removed] [ [link removed] ]. With just a few clicks, find one-of-a-kind, local designs for everyone on your holiday list!


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Happy Thanksgiving [ [link removed] ]
City schedule notes

City government offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 11, to observe Veterans Day. Trash/compost/recycling collection, however, will continue as scheduled, without interruption.

City offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 and 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Trash/compost/recycling collection will be delayed due to the holiday. Pickups regularly scheduled for Thursday will instead take place with a one-day delay, on Friday the 26th; and Friday collections will be delayed to Saturday the 27th.


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Fall Back Clock [ [link removed] ]
Seasonal reminders

On Sunday, Nov. 7, it?s time to adjust our clocks to ?fall back? an hour for the end of daylight saving time. With the sun setting earlier and more hours of darkness, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are cautioned to be extra alert to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) reports that this time of year, about 70 percent of pedestrian crashes take place in dark conditions; and approximately 65 percent of bicyclists? deaths happen in the dark. Human error, according to SEMCOG, contributes to 94 percent of crashes. Let's work together to keep our roadways, bike lanes, paths, parking lots and sidewalks safe for all.

Another important safety reminder: If you missed this step in October during National Fire Prevention Week, it?s also time to change and test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Let safety be your guide this season and always!


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leaves [ [link removed] ]
Fall foliage disposal

Curbside composting collection season will come to an end Friday, Dec. 17, leaving plenty of time to dispose of leaves and pumpkins. Once collections end for 2021, compost material should be stored until compost collection resumes in the spring. For composting at home, check out the tips page for suggestions on how to manage yard materials and ideas for those who want to explore alternatives to disposing of compost material at the curb: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

Please remember, do not put leaves in the street and do not burn the leaves ? both of these actions are against the law ([link removed] [ [link removed] ])!

Visit the city website to learn more about proper leaf disposal and compost collection: www.a2gov.org/compost [ [link removed] ].


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A2Zero [ [link removed] ]
City shares report on creating a publicly owned sustainable energy utility

The City of Ann Arbor has released a report describing the feasibility of a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) ? a new construct that would give city residents and businesses the opportunity to supplement their service from DTE with locally sourced, reliable, renewable and cost-effective energy. Envisioning a 100% renewably powered, reliable, local, shared and publicly owned municipal energy utility, the SEU would be built by the community for the community. The Ann Arbor SEU would start by providing solar and energy storage systems, along with deep energy waste reduction programs, to marry the long-standing legal ability of cities to serve their residents' energy needs with new technical capabilities, the report states. The report also explains a pathway the city could immediately begin implementing to advance the goals of increasing reliability and making an equitable transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the 2030 goal established by Ann Arbor City Council. The report identifies how a SEU aligns with a series of energy criteria and principles adopted by the city's Energy and Environmental commissions, and City Council as well. Learn more at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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ctn [ [link removed] ]
CTN highlights

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


* *Ann Arbor Inclusive ?* Fischer House Michigan Kate Melcher, executive director of Fisher House Michigan and US Army veteran, talks about the organization and how it serves people with disabilities and the community: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *FYI ?* Experience a culture from a faraway land during the 2021 Bunun Indigenous Music and Film Festival: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *FYI and Adventures in Crafting Spooktacular Crossover Event! ?* Watch as this mother/daughter crafting duo resurrect undead dolls, make a fall fashion statement and use nature as a canvas: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Ward Talk ?* Jen Eyer, Ann Arbor City councilmember from the 4th Ward, Oct. 2021: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

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Thank-you note [ [link removed] ]
Expressing thanks

With the holiday season approaching, some residents and vendors like to take this time to show appreciation to the municipal employees who collect the trash, maintain the roadways, keep our community safe and provide other vital city services. While a friendly smile, wave or even a note of thanks are always welcomed and greatly appreciated, anything more is actually prohibited for employees to accept.

According to the City of Ann Arbor?s Conflict of Interest employee policy, city personnel are not permitted to accept gifts, meals and food items, gift baskets, gift cards, etc., of any dollar value. This policy is not intended to diminish the importance of the work city staff does, but instead is in place to protect transparency in city operations and to maintain the public trust.


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Lighting Ordinance [ [link removed] ]
New lighting ordinance takes effect

Ann Arbor City Council has adopted a new outdoor lighting ordinance that promotes good lighting practices and reduces human-sourced light pollution. The new ordinance is intended to benefit the nocturnal ecosystem and reduce unnecessary energy use by reducing light trespass, glare and energy consumption. Some ordinance highlights:

The regulations apply to any outdoor lighting in the city.

Temporary light installations on private property are allowed for 90 days in the exemptions. This could include holiday lights, art installations, special event lighting, etc. (Note: When such temporary displays occur on non-residentially zoned property, then they must comply with other provisions of the proposed code that prohibit movement, flashing and other such characteristics).

Light trespass is limited to certain levels at the property line. Properties abutting residential zones have the strictest limits; D1 and D2 districts allow higher levels of light.

New light fixtures are to be fully or partially shielded, depending on the type of installation.

Decorative building and landscaping illumination are largely prohibited between midnight and 6 a.m., except for businesses open during those hours.

Parking lot lighting is limited to 6-foot candles and must be extinguished beyond business hours for non-residential uses. Currently, the Unified Development Code requires less than one-foot candle of lighting minimum, but it must remain on all night. No maximum is specified.

Learn more at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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National Weather Service Logo [ [link removed] ]
National Weather Service seeks spotters

The National Weather Service (NWS) Winter Spotter Training class will take place online Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. To register, visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

Even though the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ends during the winter, spotter reports are still needed! These reports are just as important during the winter season and help NWS with warning and advisory decisions for southeast Michigan. Reports also help tell the story of each winter storm or snowfall event. Snowfall and precipitation type can vary greatly even over small distance within one county. Those reports are sent out and use by the local and national media. They also appear on the NWS webpage and help with drawing snowfall maps.

The winter spotter class will last roughly one hour, 15 minutes with topics including:


* Review 2020?21 winter season.
* Winter weather climatology.
* Examination of winter weather meteorology.
* NWS winter forecast products.
* Guidelines and reporting procedure for winter weather spotters.

For more information, visit NWS at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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Tree Canopy - Kerrytown
Good news!

Ann Arbor has earned a spot on the U.S. News 2021?2022 Best Places to Retire list. Learn why, and who else got the nod, at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: City of Ann Arbor, MI ?301 E. Huron St. ? Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ? 734.794.6000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]