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*A2 City News December 2021 Community Newsletter* "12/01/2021"

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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan ? DECEMBER 2021 ? Volume 15 ? Number 12

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Farmers Market Wreath 2021
City schedule notes

Have a safe and happy holiday season. Please note the following schedule notes for Ann Arbor.

Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 24: City municipal offices are closed to observe Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Trash/recycling will be collected as usual, without delay, both Thursday and Friday.

Thursday, Dec. 30, and Friday, Dec. 31: City municipal offices are closed for New Year?s Eve and New Year?s Day. Trash/recycling will be collected as usual, without delay, both Thursday and Friday.

When the holidays are over, and you're trying to figure out what to do with all the wrapping paper, gift bags and other "leftovers," check out Recycle Ann Arbor's Holiday Zero Waste guide for tips and information. Find it at [link removed]. Later this month, watch the city website, [link removed] [ [link removed] ], and social media for updated information about Christmas tree disposal dates and locations for the 2021/2022 holiday.


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Remembrance of Linda Diane Feldt

Founding member and chair of the Ann Arbor Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force (2014?2015) as well as the Ann Arbor Transportation Commission (established 2017), Linda Diane Feldt, passed away on Nov. 17. As a lifetime resident of Ann Arbor and highly engaged community advocate for pedestrian and bicyclist safety, she touched the lives of many, including city staff she worked with through service on boards, commissions, task forces and advisory committees, and all who use Ann Arbor?s transportation systems. Feldt was a steadfast advocate for safety and improvements to transportation policy and infrastructure. As Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor noted to Mlive, "If you walk or cycle in Ann Arbor, you owe her no small measure of your safety and your full thanks." The City of Ann Arbor is grateful for Linda Diane Feldt?s dedication to continuously improving the community around her. She will be deeply missed.

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

The December issue of Quality Water Matters focuses on the status of lead and copper testing of homes and businesses with the City of Ann Arbor. The city completed tri-annual lead and copper testing and no homes in Ann Arbor qualified as tier 1 or tier 2 sampling sites, which represent sites with a higher risk of lead contamination. More details are included in the issue at [link removed] [ [link removed] ] (PDF).


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keyboard [ [link removed] ]
Winter taxes due

Winter property taxes are due in December ([link removed] [ [link removed] ]). For eligible, low-income homeowners, Michigan law provides for a reduction in property taxes, commonly known as a poverty exemption. Qualifications and application information can be found at [link removed] [ [link removed] ] (PDF).

The city is encouraging taxes to be paid online ([link removed] [ [link removed] ]) or by mail, but, if necessary, payments will also be accepted at the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center (located on the first floor of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron St.) or at several local banks. Level One Bank (formerly Ann Arbor State Bank) and Bank of Ann Arbor will accept full tax payments in July only.

Please note, the customer service center at Larcom City Hall will be closed for the Christmas and New Year?s holidays Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31.

Visit the city?s treasury web page for more information, including how property taxes are calculated: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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Holiday
A2, be safe for the holidays

This holiday season, keep an extra awareness for your personal health, safety and security ? and the wellbeing of others ? at the top of your list. City of Ann Arbor Police and Fire departments are providing these tips and reminders to help keep the season bright:


* Stacks of wrapped presents, dry Christmas tree needles and festive lights and candles all pose an elevated risk for fires. Be sure to:
* Choose a safe and healthy tree, and keep it watered so it doesn?t dry out and become more of a fire hazard. Or if decorating with an artificial tree, choose one that is labeled as fire resistant.
* Closely inspect holiday lights to ensure wiring is not frayed or damaged; and never overload electrical outlets.
* Never leave candles lit when you?re away, and don?t leave fires in fireplaces unattended.
* Keep Christmas trees and other flammables a safe distance away from fires and flames.
* Turn off tree lights and decorations when you are not going to be home and before you go to sleep.

Preparing for the holidays and celebrations can also, unfortunately, come with the risks of theft. Don?t make it easy for someone to target you, your home or your business. For security sake:


* Avoid wearing expensive and attention-grabbing jewelry.
* Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible. Stash cash in your front pocket.
* Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
* Stay alert to your surroundings.
* If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area.
* Avoid parking next to vehicles with tinted windows, as well as vans.
* Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.
* Trust your instincts; and don't hesitate to ask mall or store security for an escort to your vehicle.
* Keep expensive and easily accessible items out of plain site from windows and door walls.
* If you receive big-ticket items as gifts, such as televisions or other electronics, don?t set out the boxes and packaging at the curb right away. Instead, cut up the boxes/packaging, and also wait a few weeks to discard.

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Sanitation supplies ordinance [ [link removed] ]
Ordinance to require sanitation supplies in public restrooms

On Nov. 15, 2021, City Council voted unanimously to approve the new restroom supply ordinance, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022. The ordinance requires all public restrooms used by customers, visitors, employees, students, or other members of the public to have soap, toilet paper, menstrual pads, and tampons provided free of charge. It is the obligation of the entity responsible for managing or maintaining a restroom(s) to provide all four products openly and accessibly. The ordinance defines a ?public restroom? as a public toilet facility that is required by the Michigan Plumbing Code or other applicable law to be made available to: customers; patrons; visitors; employees; licensees; invitees; students; or other members of the public. The ordinance makes exceptions for mosques, temples, churches, and other places of worship for which compliance would conflict with religious beliefs.

Violations should first be reported to the entity responsible for managing or maintaining the public restroom. If not addressed, violations will be able to be reported online at [link removed] [ [link removed] ] or using the city?s A2 Fix It app. Violations could result in $100 tickets.

For complete information, see the ordinance at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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ctn
CTN highlights

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


* *Adventures in Crafting* ? Use nature as your canvas by hunting for rocks and creating miniature masterpieces with paint: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Adventures in Parenthood* ? Rachelle Vartanian with the Living & Learning Center explains how this one-of-a-kind space came to be and its emphasis on inclusivity for all: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Ann Arbor Inclusive* ? JDRF International: [link removed].
* *CTN?s Second Zoom with Santa Show*: [link removed]. [ [link removed]. ]
* *CTN Santa Show Premiere Promo* ? The full show will premiere Thursday, Dec. 9 on CTN Channel 17 6?8:30 p.m.: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *FYI* ? Sara Eggleston, founder of Structured Health Resources, gives the lowdown on sit-to-stand desks; Ann Arbor celebrates 40 years of Arbor Day; and the Westside Art Hop!: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *FYI* ? Founder of Slippers for Mom, Michelle Garr, shares how to make a difference this holiday season; Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan; and the Pretzel Bell Mural: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Green Room* ? In this Green Room segment, CTN continues the conversation with Dan Ezekiel of the Washtenaw Zero Waste Coalition about reducing waste: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Senior Moments* ? Jennifer Howard of Turner Senior Resource Center discusses the center's plan for opening the facility, programs and activities that are currently happening: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* *Senior Moments* ? Compilation program of CTN?s favorite past shows including Tai Chi Instruction; John E. Laurence, guitar performance; Debbi Aue, dance exercise; and Kristi Zebrowski, cooking demonstration: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

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Philo T. Farnsworth Award - CTN [ [link removed] ]
CTN brings home Philo T. Farnsworth Video Competition Awards

Community Television Network (CTN) has been recognized with several honors in the annual Philo Festival of Media Arts Awards. Over 150 entries were submitted this year from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan.

The Alliance for Community Media ? Central States Region (ACM-CS) honors the memory of Philo T. Farnsworth by recognizing the efforts of modern-day pioneers who work to further develop the use of this technology and promote the use of media in our communities. The ?PHILO? is awarded as recognition of excellence in media creation, specifically in Public, Educational, and Government Access TV (PEG).

The Central States region honored CTN and the other winners at the annual Philo Festival of Media Arts Video virtual event Oct. 21, 2021. Participants joined via Zoom from all four regions to accept their awards.

View the hour-long ceremony at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

CTN First Place Honors

*Sports Coverage (Professional Division) -* CTN Sports 2020 - Skyline @ Huron Men?s Basketball, Jan. 24, 2021, Producer Rob Cross, Pete Poirier, Kevin Bryant, Nick Wisniske.

Public Access Producers First Place Honors

*Arts/Cultural Awareness ( Non Professional) -* Ann Arbor Tonight ? At Home, Public Access Producer Zach Damon.

*Empowerment/Inspirational (Non Professional) -* Ann Arbor Tonight - Episode 26, Public Access Producer Zach Damon.

*Entertainment (Non Professional) -* Ann Arbor Tonight - Episode 26, Public Access Producer Zach Damon.

*Music Video (TV or Web) (Non Professional) -* Liquid Monk, Ann Arbor Summer Festival ?Night Time? Featuring Vocalist Kameryn Ogden, Producer Dave Chappell.

*Underserved Voices (Non Professional) -* Ann Arbor Tonight ? At Home, Public Access Producer Zach Damon.

Philo Excellence Award

The following CTN video won for the 2021 Philo Excellence for the *George C. Stoney Community Activism Award*, which is given annually to a program, PSA or promotional video that campaigns for some form of social change ? A2ZERO: I Have A Vision, Tim Nagae, Office of Sustainability and Innovations, CTN Ann Arbor.

CTN programming can be enjoyed via the following: Cable television on Comcast channels 16?19 and AT&T U-verse channel 99; streaming live and on demand on the free CTN app on Roku and Apple TV (download the screenweave app to access); YouTube Channel: CTNAnnArbor and a2gov.org/watchctn.


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A2Zero
(more) Good news!

* Ann Arbor has been recognized on the 2021 CDP A List as one of 95 cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite the continued pressures of tackling the coronavirus pandemic on local and national economies and societies. Designed to encourage and support cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP?s Cities A List is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System. More than 1,000 cities reported their environmental impact through CDP in 2021, with 965 cities receiving a rating for their climate action, a substantial rise from the 591 cities scored in 2020. Learn more about this honor at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* Ann Arbor has been named No. 2 on the list of 2022's Best College Towns & Cities in America according to WalletHub.com. Learn more at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].
* The City of Ann Arbor has been recognized by the National Association of Fleet Administrators for its Green Fleet. The clean fleet policy was adopted in 2000 to reduce the impact of fuel use on public health and the environment. Learn more at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

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