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The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan
FEBRUARY 2023 ? Volume 17 ? Number 2
Winter composting continues
Winter curbside compost service will take place the week of Feb. 6, and again the week of March 6, 2023.
- Only compost carts will be serviced during the winter months.
- Paper yard bags or bundled branches will not be collected.
- Food scraps/waste, including meat and bones, are required to be in Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified or paper grocery bags to keep from freezing to carts.
Regular curbside compost service will resume on April 3, 2023.
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AAFD earns improved PPC rating
The Ann Arbor Fire Department will soon be among just 19 other Michigan municipalities with a Public Protection Classification 2 rating! Effective May 1, 2023, Ann Arbor's rating will decrease from a 3 to a 2 on the 10-point scale, where 1 indicates the best and a 10 essentially indicates no fire protection in place. Stability of staffing and the addition of a light-rescue EMS unit to AAFD Station 1 are considered major contributors to this improved rating. Learn more about this achievement at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=941.
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City expands No Turn on Red
Recently, Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution expanding the use of No Turn on Red at various intersections within the downtown area bordered by Kingsley St., State St., Hoover Ave., and First St. Council noted it ?would reduce conflict points at intersections and support other initiatives such as leading pedestrian intervals and cycling infrastructure accommodations? and continue ?to build an efficient transit system is essential for Ann Arbor to better connect people to destinations in the city and across the region and achieve the city?s climate and mobility goals. . .?
City staff are currently working to implement this initiative through new signage, communications to the public through our various channels as well as collaboration with the Ann Arbor Police Department on enforcement and education.
A2ZERO efforts boosted via funding bill
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor had the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) in January to discuss the $2.5 million direct federal investment Dingell secured in the omnibus appropriations package to support A2ZERO, the city framework for a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr., Sustainability and Innovations Director Missy Stults, Deputy City Administrator John Fournier and Energy Coordinator Simi Barr joined in the conversation.
The $2.5 million will be allocated to ensure reliable functionality can be maintained for seven critical city facilities, including fire stations, water and wastewater treatment plants, as well as emergency response operations, even when there are power failures. The plan is centered on the installation of onsite renewable energy systems and onsite battery storage. Learn more about this meeting in Ann Arbor at https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3878, and about the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations package at https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3805.
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A greener take on takeout
A recent University of Michigan study looked into plastic waste in the restaurant industry and ways to reduce single-use products. Researchers found that reusable takeout containers, "which initially use more energy and generate more climate-altering greenhouse gases, can break even with single-use containers after four to 13 uses," as reported on the university's Michigan News (https://news.umich.edu/reusable-take-out-food-containers-can-reduce-plastic-waste-emissions-costs-u-m-study-finds/?fbclid=IwAR2siuwVLUMiQ391tDjBUhj59uVZCtXA8nb5CeWhyy9XBbWr7OSn2BSrq1Y). The study was published in the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling on Jan. 5.
The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations was part of the pilot program, which
Ann Arbor Reduce, Reuse, Return (A2R3) is the pilot program for returnable takeout containers and erved as a source for the study. The nonprofit, Live Zero Waste in Ann Arbor, implemented A2R3 in partnership with the city, as part of the A2ZERO carbon neutrality plan effort.
Attend a sustainability forum
The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations A2ZERO Sustainability Series is underway! Monthly online forums each focus on a specific topic and how you can get involved. Save the dates, and join OSI and special guests by registering (for any or all forums) at https://a2gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fmqnRmqXT6SgpyKmzRSQVg#/registration.
Upcoming forums:
- Feb. 22: Housing and Transportation: What?s the Climate Connection.
- March 29: Re-charged Home Electrification: New Funding and Opportunities for Electrifying Your Space.
- April 26: Renewed Renewables: The Bright Future of Renewable Energy in Ann Arbor.
- May 31: Where do WE go from here?
Want to hear more about sustainability in Ann Arbor? Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations Director Missy Stults was recently featured on the GovLove Podcast, Community Carbon Neutrality in Ann Arbor, presented by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL). Take a listen at https://elgl.org/podcast-community-carbon-neutrality-in-ann-arbor-mi-with-dr-missy-stults/!
Sign up today for A2CA!
Get an inside look at your local Ann Arbor city government and learn what goes into both long-term planning and day-to-day operations. Registration for the 2023 Ann Arbor Community Academy (A2CA) is now open! The free, weekly program is for adults in the community and takes place 6:30?8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 1?April 26.
Sessions will be held online via Zoom, with optional in-person tours, limited in size, scheduled on select Tuesday evenings during the nine-week program. Tour signups will be separate, and signups will be on a first-come basis. More information on how to opt in for an in-person tour will be provided after the A2CA registration deadline, which is Friday, Feb. 17.
Find details and a link to the signup form at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=937.
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Presidents Day
Ann Arbor municipal offices will be closed on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 20. Trash/recycling collection will continue as regularly scheduled, with no planned delays.
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Spotlight on CTN
Around Ann Arbor ? Destination Ann Arbor?s new CEO, Sarah Miller https://youtu.be/lnr3fuApNQY.
Around Ann Arbor ? Ann Arbor Community Academy: https://youtu.be/G2BYQu01BKM.
Ann Arbor Restaurant and Hotel Week, Feb. 5?10: https://youtu.be/TvwVp0LynJ4.
Community High School student?s community resource project: https://youtu.be/DxVMLjU2qoA.
CTN best of 2022: https://youtu.be/I9sD-3JGqM0.
CTN Sports Huron @ Pioneer Boys Basketball, Jan. 20: https://youtu.be/NCPpURvzYMg.
CTN Sports Saline @ Pioneer Girls Basketball, Jan. 24: https://youtu.be/w4lM_PpqWrU.
Park Peek ? Bryant Community Center: https://youtu.be/zRn40-onNLw.
Park Peek ? Island Park: https://youtu.be/ibBx3W7I6oQ.
Park Peek ? Wurster Park: https://youtu.be/oEbfuKBg2ho.
Senior Moments ? Angela Bingham of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) discusses classes and events for seniors that OLLI offers and how the organization serves the community: https://youtu.be/YK01pF7C4Io.
Soapbox ? PassionHeros: https://youtu.be/mSScE63IpxU.
Soapbox ? Mentor 2 Youth: https://youtu.be/q5c02msZLjw.
Soapbox ? Conquer the Cold, getDowntown challenge: https://youtu.be/q5c02msZLjw.
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Avoid slippery situations
A friendly reminder ? Property owners are responsible for removing and/or treating snow/ice on sidewalks, crosswalk ramps and bus stops with concrete pads adjacent to their property. Thank you for working together for a safer and more walkable community! Please visit www.a2gov.org/snow for all the specifics.
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Water treatment and wastewater plants go solar
On Jan. 9, Ann Arbor City Council approved a new $8.1 million contract with Enerlogics Networks Inc. to install 3.1 megawatts of solar at the city?s airport, water and wastewater treatment plants and Wheeler Service Center. This investment is made possible due to federal rebates for municipal renewable energy installations.
On Jan. 12, Mayor Christopher Taylor welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris at an event in Ann Arbor and he thanked the Biden-Harris Administration for their transformational work to fight climate change and assist cities such as Ann Arbor in its carbon neutrality work.
?[Ann Arbor] will work to build what could be one of the first carbon neutral municipal water treatment plant in America, to secure a sustainable water future, ensure resiliency to address contaminant threats, and provide the capacity to supply and welcome incoming climate migration,? said Mayor Taylor in remarks during the event. ?And that?s why Ann Arbor is so grateful for the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, which have enabled us to invest over $11 million to install solar arrays that will power the municipal organization with 100% clean, renewal energy -- years ahead of schedule ? a success that would have been unthinkable, but for the Biden-Harris Administrations? vision and commitment.?
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Investing in the Future: Water Capital Improvements Plan
The City of Ann Arbor plans for investments in its infrastructure and assets through the annual updating of the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). This six-year plan outlines and prioritizes the capital spending needed to maintain public infrastructure and continue to provide critical services to our community, such as providing safe drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater and capturing and conveying stormwater. The current CIP includes 500 projects and almost $1.2 billion worth of identified needs over the six-year period. Learn more about the CIP, why it?s needed, and what?s included at a2gov.org/CIP.
Long-term asset management planning, regulatory compliance, safety and risk of failure are all critical considerations when identifying and prioritizing capital improvement projects for utility infrastructure. Staff identifies project needs by assessing current conditions, evaluating maintenance history and considering community input and requests.
In the drinking water asset group, projects include replacement of mains with water quality issues or history of breaks, consolidation of parallel mains to decrease operations and maintenance costs, replacement of old, small mains with larger ones to service present needs, as well as significant, and much needed, capital improvements at the city water treatment plant.
In the sanitary asset group, several new projects are proposed at the wastewater plant, in addition to capital maintenance projects in the city sanitary sewer collection system.
Recently added stormwater projects include infiltration projects in areas with good soil and slope conditions, in coordination with planned road work to provide cost efficiencies and minimize construction disruption. New studies and plans will help city staff better understand conditions of existing systems, determine future investment needs and assess the technical feasibility of planned improvements.
Registration opens Monday, April 5, for summer classes, events in the Ann Arbor parks
Save the date, Monday, April 5, 8 a.m., to register for spring/summer classes and programs hosted in the Ann Arbor parks. This includes summer day camps, golf and swim lessons; canoe livery classes; special event programming; volunteer outreach opportunities with GIVE 365 and Natural Area Preservation and classes at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Please log in to your account (https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog) before April 5 to confirm account members, birth dates and contact information. Contact Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Customer Service for assistance updating your account, 734.794.6230.
A2 City News is emailed monthly to?newsletter subscribers?from the?City of Ann Arbor.
Comments or questions about this publication are welcomed.
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