Independence Day schedule

City of Ann Arbor municipal offices will be closed Monday, July 4, 2022, due to Independence Day. There will be no trash/recycling/compost curbside collection on the holiday Monday. Pickups will resume Tuesday, July 5, with a one-day delay. For more information, visit https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=895.

Time for fireworks?

If you?re planning to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, please remember to do so safely and responsibly. The Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011 (PDF)? restricts fireworks usage only to certain timeframes and only around national holidays. For the Independence Day holiday this year, fireworks may ONLY be discharged in the city:

Wednesday, June 29, to Monday, July 4, until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.

Use without permission is ALWAYS prohibited at city parks, schools and all public and private property that isn?t your own.

Using fireworks without forethought can be dangerous. Please note these reminders:

• Keep a water source ready to spray embers from fireworks. Drench the entire area where you?ve been using fireworks when done.
• Toss sparklers into a bucket of water when finished using.
• Don?t try to reignite fireworks that won?t go off.
• Don?t launch fireworks into forests or fields. Dry grass or leaves could ignite.
• Keep fireworks away from your face and eyes.

For more information, visit the National Fire Protection Association website.?

Fireworks also pose a risk to pets. Visit the American Veterinary Medical Association for tips on how to keep pets safe for the holiday and all summer long.

If you plan to use fireworks, please follow the laws, do so safely and be courteous by letting neighbors know in advance. This includes being mindful of military veterans or others in your area who may be sensitive to the noise associated with fireworks.

The City of Ann Arbor wishes you a safe and happy Independence Day!

Join the conversation to enhance downtown A2

Aligned with continuous efforts to enhance the downtown experience for residents and commuters, and to make the city a travel destination, Ann Arbor City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. is inviting input and ideas for city improvements from businesses, residents, commuters and visitors. With the road bonds now authorized to fund and address much-needed repairs, the timing is right to make other improvements to the downtown as well.

What are your thoughts? Dohoney has been hearing the need for public restrooms, graffiti removal, clean-up days, bulk waste collection and street cleaning. Ideas may also have citywide implications rather than being limited to downtown. This public engagement initiative is vital to create a better downtown and to help the city?s team prepare for next fiscal year?s budget proposal.

Please attend a meeting to join the conversation:

• Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. ? *online.
• Monday, Aug. 8, at 3:30 p.m. ? in-person at Larcom City Hall. Preregistration is NOT required.
• Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. ? *online.

*Please preregister for the online meetings (only) at https://a2gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pG-dmZboQQCw1A6KCs1YCA.

Unable to attend a meeting? Please participate by completing a brief survey available for a limited time at https://forms.office.com/g/TE4t2AFhLM.

Outcomes from this initiative will be shared in a report and recommendations. Questions regarding the listening sessions can be directed to Kelly Reynolds in the city administrator?s office at [email protected].

Council resolution promotes mortgage-assistance programs

With housing prices on the rise nationwide, Ann Arbor City Council recently passed a resolution asking city staff to promote mortgage-assistance programs for homebuyers through organizations such as the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). People with annual incomes at or below the area median ? now $117,800 for a family of four in Ann Arbor ? are potential candidates for reduced-interest NACA mortgages with no down payments, no closing costs, no mortgage insurance and no credit-score requirements. ?City Council finds that dissemination of information regarding programs that assist low- and moderate-income residents to purchase homes is a public purpose that benefits the City of Ann Arbor,? the resolution states.

Get ready for Art Fair ? Road closures + emergency alerts

The annual Ann Arbor Art Fair will bring large crowds to the city Thursday?Saturday, July 21?23. Check the road and lane closures webpage as the event nears, www.a2gov.org/roads, to find out which streets will be closed.

Another (very) important way to be ready for this monumental annual event? Visitors to the city, shoppers and fair vendors alike can sign up for Art Fair urgent alerts via the city/county emergency alert system, Everbridge. It's easy to do and instant from your mobile phone. The communications will only be sent to your phone during the fair dates. To sign up, text A2ARTFAIR (in all caps, no spaces) to 888777.

Be prepared

Ready.gov reminds us that now is the ideal time to ensure your emergency plan and supplies are up to date. The spring/summer seasons, especially, pose threats for severe thunderstorms, extreme heat and other hazardous weather conditions, which can strike with little or no warning.

Before an emergency, start your planning process with these thought prompts:

• What is my shelter plan?
• What is my evacuation route?
• What is my family/household communication plan?
• How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? (Answer: Sign up for year-round emergency alerts for Ann Arbor through the Everbridge system, if you haven?t already, at https://member.everbridge.net/454514914099298/new.)

Ready.gov provides valuable resources to help you answer these questions and assemble a comprehensive plan.

Your planning should include steps to ensure your pets? wellbeing, too. If you need to evacuate your home for any reason, remember your furry, scaly or feathered friends. The Ready Campaign, https://www.ready.gov/animals, offers guidance and tips for:

• Making a pet emergency plan.
• Preparing shelter for your pet.
• Protecting your pet during a disaster and caring for them afterward.
• Tips for large animals.

Learn more about how to ensure your entire family is prepared for emergency situations.?

August election notes

The Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office is finalizing the precinct changes that will take effect for the Aug. 2, 2022, Primary Election, stemming from the census and statewide redistricting. Following is a summary of the changes:

• All Ann Arbor voters are now in U.S. Congressional District 6, and new State House and Senate districts have also been assigned to Ann Arbor. Some residents will also be assigned to a new County Commissioner District.
• The precincts have been renumbered, and they are now in consistent chronological order (1?53). So, while you may still be assigned the same precinct and polling location, the number may be slightly different. This new naming convention is a best practice and replaces the previous system of numbering each ward separately. For example, Ward 2, Precinct 1 ? is now Ward 2, Precinct 13, following the first 12 precincts in Ward 1.

What does all of this mean to you as a voter? Most voters, but not all, will still vote at the same polling location, and this will also be indicated on your new voter ID card. For voters who have been reassigned to a new ward and/or precinct location, the card will clearly indicate this change for you.

Watch for your new card in the mail in the coming weeks, well before the August Primary. Have questions? Contact the city clerk's office at 734.794.6140 or [email protected].

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, polls will be open in all wards in Ann Arbor 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find ballot language and candidate information ? and complete elections details including in-person voting, absentee voting, voter registration and more ? at www.a2gov.org/elections.

Good news!

--- The members of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) have elected Stephen Gerhart as the 2022 Deputy Clerk of the Year. Gerhart has served as Ann Arbor chief deputy city clerk since 2018. He has also served on the State of Michigan?s Forms Committee to redesign election materials; participated in the state?s Absentee Ballot Lean Process Improvement Group working to identify inefficiencies, streamline procedures and determine best practices; and taught a ?Best Practices for Absentee Count Boards? virtual class at the 2020 MAMC conference. Gerhart worked as a member of the city clerk?s team on two award-winning projects from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission as well, for "Outstanding Innovation in Election Administration" for the city's online election day line tracker system, and in the "Creative and Original" category for implementing the city's "I Voted" sticker design contest. Congratulations! Pictured: Stephen Gerhart accepting his award with Secretary of State Jocelyn-Benson (left) and MAMC President Mary Clark (right).

--- A study by Ownerly.com reveals the opportunity to work remotely is resulting in more Americans moving from metropolises to smaller cities. Ann Arbor lands at No. 5 among the top medium-sized cities, and No. 15 overall, on their list of America's Best Cities for Remote Workers (Who Love the Outdoors). Read more.

--- The City of Ann Arbor was recently awarded Gold Status from the Walk Friendly Communities program. ?We are impressed by the commitments these communities have made to plan and design their communities around people on foot,? said Dan Gelinne, WFC program manager. ?We hope these communities can offer inspiration to others as they work to prioritize pedestrian safety and walkability.? Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=896.

CTN highlights

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

Ann Arbor Recycle Tagging Program: https://youtu.be/XvPf8pt6eow.

A2 Summer Streets Promo ? https://youtu.be/zPy5-GvBgYI.

Ann Arbor Inclusive ? Learn about the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, which serves for people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and independence: https://youtu.be/_CYjb3_9VbY.

Ann Arbor Public Schools, Community High School Commencement ? https://youtu.be/kLAxTQiyaRs.

Ann Arbor Public Schools, Skyline High School Commencement ? https://youtu.be/7N_hV2MKsVQ.

City Round Up ? Composting 2022. Tips on composting in the city of Ann Arbor: https://youtu.be/YT-TO6R0_JI.

FYI ? Marie Klopf with the Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) discusses the newly renovated/expanded space for arts in the downtown; Bikeapalooza; the Westside Art Hop; and fireworks safety: https://youtu.be/fuggieODLMk.

FYI ? Aubrey Martinson with CultureVerse shares how this local non-profit is changing the arts experience by bridging the gap between creator and community; Ann Arbor updates recycle stickers on curbside carts; and Thunder Over Michigan: https://youtu.be/J4-yExylaRI.

FYI ? Sandra Andrade with the Main Street Area Association and Matthew Altruda with Tree Town Sound share reasons to take advantage of the downtown Thursdays-Sundays during A2 Summer Streets; pickleball; and safe ways to celebrate America?s independence. (Please note, as a correction, it is legal to discharge fireworks in the city June 29?July 4 until 11:45 p.m.): https://youtu.be/iap4nydSE2A.

FYI ? Mayor Christopher Taylor gives an update on the 2022 Green Fair; Huron River Day; and the Ann Arbor Airport Pancake Breakfast: https://youtu.be/jDrghCMdQrw.

League of Women Voters Wash. Co 2022 ? Scio Township Board of Trustees Democratic Primary Candidates: https://youtu.be/HAw3i7jGVBA.

League of Women Voters Wash. Co 2022 ? Wash. Co Board of Commissioners Democratic Primary Candidates: https://youtu.be/gekdz8aFX6s.

Promo ? Updated recycle cart stickers: https://youtu.be/_N7U20FbbC8.

Senior Moments ? Rich Coleman, public safety community coordinator of the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety, discusses scams and frauds targeting seniors: https://youtu.be/ZsGAOTCLh_4.

Senior Moments ? Terry Bertram, estate planning attorney, discusses estate planning and elder law: https://youtu.be/rVCmHh0FP3A.

Soapbox ? Doug Coombe and Aubrey Martinson speak about their collaboration on a new gallery exhibition at CultureVerse Gallery: Last Night a Camera Saved my Life. The project includes a virtual exhibition as well as a physical gallery show at CultureVerse Gallery: https://youtu.be/O3qhhjuTNYI.

Soapbox ? Project Grow, one of Ann Arbor's longest continuously run nonprofits, is celebrating 50 years of teaching and providing sustainable organic gardening to local residents and invites the public to a celebration this summer with fun for the whole family: https://youtu.be/zbqjg5aOkqk.

Soapbox ? Alzheimer's Association, https://youtu.be/-NVonE5aQW4.

Ward Talk ? With Ann Arbor Councilmember Jeff Hayner from Ward 1: https://youtu.be/-dS8BsH4dLo.