New A2 Snow Match program seeking volunteers

Snow-covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone, and now a program to help keep walkways clear is hitting the streets this winter in Ann Arbor. The City of Ann Arbor Snow Match program will pair residents with nearby neighbors who volunteer to assist with sidewalk snow removal. Recipients of the volunteer services can be individuals with disabilities or seniors (55+) who do not have resources (financial or family/friends nearby) for snow removal. The goal is to make sidewalks accessible for all ages and abilities ? and to make help available to those in need.

Along with making sidewalks safer for postal carriers, children/students, community members using public transportation and neighbors, and relieving some of the stress on residents that comes from a snowfall or freeze, the Snow Match program aims to foster stronger community relationships!

Volunteers will be matched with homes within a 10-minute walk from their location.
Registration for residents seeking support with shoveling their sidewalks will open Friday, Dec. 23.

If you?re interested in helping clear sidewalks this winter near your home, sign up at https://bit.ly/3UJvPgo, or email [email protected] if you have questions.

Winter reminders

Snow and ice management

With winter upon us, it's time to share reminders regarding snow and ice management. Property owners are responsible for removing and/or treating snow/ice on sidewalks, crosswalk ramps and bus stops. Residents are also encouraged to be on the lookout for ways to help neighbors clear sidewalks, chipping in as you're able to create a safe and walkable community for all ages and abilities during the winter months.

For residential properties:

Within 24 hours, any accumulation of snow greater than 1 inch must be cleared from adjacent sidewalks, concrete bus stop walks and crosswalk ramps. Any ice accumulations must be treated within 18 hours of forming with sand, salt or other substance, to prevent it from becoming slippery. The city is not responsible for clearing mailboxes of snow and/or ice.

For nonresidential properties:

All snow/ice which has accumulated prior to 6 a.m. on a sidewalk adjacent to property must be removed by noon the same day. Snow and ice from walkways and ramps that are at bus stops or that lead to a marked or unmarked crosswalk must also be removed. The owner or occupant must keep the sidewalk effectively treated with sand, salt or other suitable substance in such manner as to prevent ice from being dangerous until such time as it can be removed.

For more information, visit www.a2gov.org/sidewalksnow. To report a problem sidewalk, please use the A2 Fix It app at www.a2gov.org/a2fixit or call 734.794.6942.

Clear fire hydrants

If able, residents are asked to help keep fire hydrants adjacent to their property or in their neighborhoods free from snow and ice. Leaving a 3-foot clearing around hydrants can provide easy access to firefighters in the event of fire.

Airport draft environmental assessment public hearing

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5:30?8 p.m., the City of Ann Arbor is holding a public hearing on the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport Draft Environmental Assessment. The meeting takes place in the City Council chambers on the second floor of Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. Details are available at www.a2gov.org/departments/fleet-facility/Airport/Pages/AirportNewsProjects.aspx.

Holiday schedules

City offices will be closed Friday and Monday, Dec. 23 and 26, for the Christmas holiday, and Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 for the New Year?s holiday. Trash/compost/recycling collection will continue as regularly scheduled throughout these timeframes, without any scheduled delays. The city wishes a happy, safe and peaceful holiday season to all.

Winter composting program resumes in January

Regular weekly compost collections in the city of Ann Arbor will end for the year on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The city will then switch gears to resume once-monthly winter collection of food scraps in compost carts beginning the first full week of January and lasting through March. Specifically, winter compost collections will occur the weeks of Jan. 2, Feb. 6 and March 6. For details, visit https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=932.

Property taxes due

Winter property taxes are due by Dec. 31, 2022. Due to the Christmas and New Year?s holidays, payment must be made by Jan. 3, 2023, in order to avoid interest or penalty. Post marks are accepted. Online tax payments, however, are exempt from this extension as the online payment site is available 24/7, including holidays.

For eligible, low-income homeowners, Michigan law provides for a reduction in property taxes, commonly known as a poverty exemption. The deadline to file a poverty application with the board of review for December 2022 taxes is Friday, Dec. 9. Qualifications and application information can be found at https://www.washtenaw.org/DocumentCenter/View/9529/2020-Ann-Arbor-City-Poverty-Exemption-Guidelines--Application?fbclid=IwAR3pl9Qbzi6-riqtldWPNcjAIcbFCIPFSF3qFbIkBtYoLHGGAi5idZDtbHI.

Taxes may be paid by mail or online (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/finance-admin-services/assessing/Pages/Pay-Taxes-Online.aspx). The city has upgraded its online payment platform for property taxes. The new platform has a similar look and feel to the online utility payment system and is intended to be more user friendly than the previous system. In addition, you have the option (not required) to register your email and/or mobile number to enable notifications and reminders. Payments are also accepted at the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center (located on the first floor of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron St.) and at several local banks. First Merchants Bank (formerly Level One Bank) and Bank of Ann Arbor will accept full tax payments in December only.

Regular business hours at the customer service center are 8 a.m.?5 p.m. weekdays. Please note, the customer service center at Larcom City Hall is closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 30, and Monday, Jan. 2, for the Christmas and New Year?s holidays.

Visit the city?s treasury webpage for more information, including how property taxes are calculated: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/finance-admin-services/assessing/Pages/Property%20Taxes.aspx.

Good news!

• The Government Finance Officers Association has presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Ann Arbor for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. Learn more about the city?s budget process at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/finance-admin-services/financial-reporting/budget-guide/Pages/default.aspx.
• Ann Arbor is being recognized as a climate action leader on the CDP Cities A List, joining just 123 other municipalities worldwide. Learn more at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=930.
• Community Action Network (CAN), which operates the Bryant Community Center, recently received a $500,000 grant for their work with the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovation to make the Bryant neighborhood the first existing carbon-neutral neighborhood in the country. The funds will be used to make upgrades to homes that improve health and comfort, lower resident energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. These efforts are in support of the city's A2ZERO goal. Learn more at https://www.canwashtenaw.org/news.

CTN highlights

Check in with Santa live from the North Pole! This annual favorite airs Thursday, Dec. 8, 6?8:30 p.m. on CTN Channel 17. Viewing options: Comcast Cable ? CTN Channel 17 | CTN Live Stream ? https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/watch/4 | YouTube ? www.YouTube/ctnannarbor.

Also, discover CTN?s wide range of programs available to watch online now!

• Adventures in Crafting ? Create a one-of-a-kind portrait dedicated to your furry friends in this Adventures in Crafting: https://youtu.be/-7z3AUxFzhs.
• Adventures in Parenthood ? Holly Naylor, director of family prevention and education at LACASA Center, shares how the organization is providing a safe space for survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault: https://youtu.be/icZQEGjLEYk.
• Ann Arbor Tree Removal Improvements ? Demonstration of urban wood utilization (i.e., using wood from removed trees for things other than mulch/burning, both of which release most of the stored carbon) in collaboration with Urban Ashes, Ann Arbor city urban forestry and natural resources planning department and CTN: https://youtu.be/qvz3yMsXmT0.
• Ann Arbor?s Winter Composting for 2023 ? Learn how to compost throughout the winter with Ann Arbor's monthly pickup days, starting in January 2023: https://youtu.be/_jR48fLnma0.
• CTN Sports ? Top plays of the season, fall 2022: https://youtu.be/6U5ESvfsrFU.
• CTN Tour ? Girl Scouts Troop 40809 promo: https://youtu.be/95VClG6RGTE.
• FYI ? Karrie Waarala, director of PTD?s production of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, shares why this story of friendship is must-see; Ypsilanti District Library Superior Branch opening; and take a peek at Mary Beth Doyle Park: https://youtu.be/OTkj-vMMsR0.
• FYI ? Get all the details on Midnight Madness, Moonlight Madness and Kindlefest; an update on Ann Arbor?s Winter Composting Program; and take a peek at Veterans Memorial Park: https://youtu.be/glcg1s679dw.
• Making the Old New: Stories of Circularity, El Harissa, an Ann Arbor restaurant at the cutting edge of a zero-waste take-out system ? Ann Arbor?s Reduce, Reuse, Return (A2R3) is a returnable container program, currently in the second pilot phase. It aims to reduce the amount of waste produced by restaurants in our community by providing restaurant patrons with reusable, returnable take-out containers through a network of participating locations across Ann Arbor: https://youtu.be/VrrNEfnWm30.
• Park Peek ? Mary Beth Doyle Park: https://youtu.be/Xg7Xfa1tGkI.
• Park Peek ? Veterans Memorial Park: https://youtu.be/UuQ7llOvdWU.
• Senior Moments ? Shannon Etcheverry, the director of Silver Club Program of Michigan Medicine Geriatrics Center, discusses the organization and what kind of services it offers those who are affected with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families: https://youtu.be/E7wzDGqFaWk.
• https://www.weloveannarbor.com/ctn-next-episode-of-making-the-old-new-stories-of-circularity/.
• Ward Talk ? CTN is back in the studio, face to face, with Councilmember Lisa Disch: https://youtu.be/xbZ_GYgQUqg.