A2 City News Community Newsletter

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A2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor. Please share comments via email o​​r call 734.794.6110, extension 41105. T​he current A2 City News community newsletter articles appear below in plain-text format.

​A2 City Ne​​w​​s​, April 20​25​​​​​​ (PDF), Volume 19, Number 4 (originally distributed March 31, 2025, via e​mail to "community newsletter: A2 City News" subscribers​​)​​ ​​​​​​​

Get ready for a summer of friends and fun

Set your reminder! Summer day camp registration opens Wednesday, April 2, at 8 a.m. You can prepare for signup now by logging into your CivicRec account to make sure your profile is up to date. New to Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation signups? You can also set up your new account now so you're ready to register April 2. A2 is excited for another great summer of meeting new friends, golfing, swimming, crafting, canoeing/kayaking, exploring nature and more in the Ann Arbor parks! 

Weekly curbside compost collection resumes

Curbside compost collection in Ann Arbor resumes for the season on Monday, April 7. Residents can participate in curbside composting by using compost carts, paper yard bags — up to 10 bags per set out, each weighing less than 50 pounds — or bundling larger branches/brush for pickup. These materials can also be dropped off, up to one cubic yard per day, at the Ann Arbor compost facility for free. Find all the details online. 

See a pothole? Report it!

Potholes are popping up, and the city wants you to know we’re on it! And you can help! Please report potholes using the A2 Fix It app or online at www.a2gov.org/a2fixit. 

In the meantime, the city appreciates your patience as pothole patrols go to work.

Fiscal years 2026/2027 budget process continues

The City of Ann Arbor two-year budget process for fiscal years 2026/2027 is underway. Fiscal year 2026 begins July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2026. City Council members can only adopt one fiscal year at a time, even though the city plans for multi-year budgets.

Recorded budget presentations will be available online via the CTN YouTube channel. All presentations and materials will be posted online. 

Upcoming budget timeline

April: In accordance with City Charter, the city administrator's recommended fiscal year 2026 budget is submitted to City Council in April. City Council members can only adopt one fiscal year at a time even though the city plans for multi-year budgets. View the Proposed Budget for FY 2026. 

May: City Council, with at least seven affirmative votes, will vote to adopt the budget at its meeting on May 19.

Budget-related feedback or comments are encouraged and may be submitted via email to budget@a2gov.org.

Traffic enforcement alert

The City of Ann Arbor is actively working toward a Vision Zero goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes. To advance this effort, the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Ann Arbor Transportation Department have identified safety corridors across the city, in which additional officers on patrol will be enforcing speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield and other hazardous driving actions.

The city wants to make streets safe for all travelers and encourages others to help with this goal. Here are some safety reminders:

• Travel at safe speeds.
• Give cyclists 5 feet when passing.
• Phones down while driving
• Never drive while impaired.
• Stop for pedestrians.
• Red means STOP.

For more information, see the safety corridors map at https://aapd.a2gov.org/SafetyCorridors (PDF) 

Spring fire hydrant flushing to begin

The city conducts seasonal fire hydrant inspection and system maintenance each year. The 2025 hydrant flushing program is scheduled to resume Monday, March 31, and to continue through the coming months. If any changes to the starting date become necessary, updates will be shared on the city website.

As the program nears, a map will be available online to show the current hydrant-flushing areas as well as where flushing will take place next. 

Why is it helpful to know when hydrant flushing is happening in your neighborhood? On occasion during the hydrant-flushing process, the water in area homes may have an orange or rusty appearance. The discolored water does not pose a health or safety risk, but the water can cause stains to laundry. If water appears discolored, please run the cold water for several minutes to clear your lines. Do not run the hot water, as rusty water may get into the hot water tank, requiring the tank to then be drained, per the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes. The iron sediment in the water main being disturbed by the hydrant flushing causes the discoloration. Temporary laundry coloration caused by this sediment can be removed by using a product called Rover.

Contact the City of Ann Arbor Customer Service Center with questions at 734.794.6320 or visit the hydrant-flushing webpage to learn more about this routine process. 

Planning office hours event

Spring is often the season when projects begin to bloom — from home construction and renovations to larger-scale developments. Just in time, the City of Ann Arbor Planning Services Department is inviting the community to an expanded office hours event. A2 to You: Community Planning Office Hours will take place at the Ann Arbor District Library Westgate Branch (2503 Jackson Ave.) 3–7 p.m. Thursday, April 17. City planners will be on hand, ready to interact and answer questions, at tables near the library’s circulation desk. The event is open to the public, free and with no need to preregister.

Examples of common planning and development questions include:

• What developments are being proposed in my neighborhood?
• I’m interested in building a fence, what is that process and what do I need to be aware of?
• What does the city consider as home-based businesses?

Attention: Neighborhood associations (and interested residents)

Does your neighborhood have an association? In an effort to keep the city’s channels of communication updated, the city planning department periodically checks in to see if the neighborhood associations’ provided contact information is accurate. As the city promotes upcoming events, initiatives or planning processes, information is also shared to this network of contacts so they may relay the information to their members. However, over time, some of these groups change leadership or fall inactive.

The city is asking neighborhood association board members and/or residents to work together for a quick review. Here’s how … The city website features a map of each of the neighborhood associations and their primary contacts. Please visit the city website, find your association and check whether the map boundaries and the listed point of contact are still up to date. If all the information is accurate, please confirm via an email to planning@a2gov.org by April 30, 2025, indicating your group name, so the city knows the information has been reviewed and verified.

If you need to update the information, please go to the city website, scroll to the link titled “neighborhood group registration form,” fill it out and send it to planning@a2gov.org.

Some residents live in neighborhoods without an association. If this is your situation, and you are interested in starting/joining a new group for your area, please also fill out and submit the “neighborhood group registration form” on the city website. 

The city needs your help to ensure the list and map are accurate and important information gets to the right inboxes. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance!

2024 water quality report

The 2024 Ann Arbor Water Quality Report (PDF) is now available highlighting the city’s drinking water quality for 2024, which continues to meet or exceed all state and federal guidelines while maintaining its award-winning taste. Included are details about where water comes from, what it contains and how the city is preparing for the future. To receive a printed copy of this report, please call 734.794.6320 or email water@a2gov.org.

The State of Michigan and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require water system operators to test water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. Ann Arbor Water met all the monitoring and reporting requirements for 2024, and additional monitoring was conducted to further ensure water quality. 

Stay informed about Ann Arbor water by signing up for the monthly newsletter and other updates. 

Water Treatment Plant Open House

Tour the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant, learn from the experts about Ann Arbor's award-winning water and take part in hands-on activities at the Ann Arbor Water Open House Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at 919 Sunset Road. The annual event is free and takes place in celebration of National Drinking Water Week May 4–10.

Attend a sustainability forum

The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) A2ZERO Sustainability Series continues, with two forums remaining for this year. Join OSI for timely topics and expert, engaging panels! Save the dates, and learn more at osi.a2gov.org/events. Forums are hosted at 6 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch.

Upcoming forums:

• Thursday, April 24 — Making Change through Community Grants: Sustaining Ann Arbor Together
• Thursday, May 29 — The SEU and You: Ann Arbor’s Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)

EMS Instructor of 2024

Congratulations to EMS Officer Marty Anderson who was named EMS Instructor of the Year by the Society of Michigan EMS Instructor Coordinators at their annual conference in Traverse City. EMSO Anderson has been instrumental in the Ann Arbor Fire Department's transition to basic life support along with raising the standard of care of our EMS providers. Please join the city in applauding EMSO Anderson’s service excellence!

Limited spots remain: Blaze & Blue Career Camp returns this summer

Back for its fourth year, the Ann Arbor Fire and Police departments will host Blaze & Blue Career Camp 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Friday, July 7–10. Registration is underway, and space is filling up quickly!

The free, four-day program provides local young women ages 15–18 years the opportunity to experience the most challenging and exciting tasks in firefighting, first response and law enforcement. The week will focus will be:

• July 7–8 — Fire department
• July 9–10 — Police department

Enrollment priority is given to city of Ann Arbor residents, followed by residents of other Washtenaw County communities as space permits. Questions? Contact Fire Department Office Manager Chantel Jackson at cjackson@a2gov.org.

Police and fire departments open house is May 17

Meet our local first responders, including police K-9 officers, get up close with police and fire vehicles, watch demonstrations and so much more at the annual City of Ann Arbor Fire and Police Open House! The event takes place along Fifth Avenue, in front of fire station No. 1, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

Seasonal siren testing continues

Monthly siren testing happens at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, March-October. Sirens will sound with one minute of steady wailing. For details, visit the alert systems webpage.

The purpose of outdoor warning sirens is to inform the public when it is not safe to be outside and to seek additional information and take protective actions.

The sirens are an outdoor warning system; they are not intended to be heard inside.

In the event of an emergency, sirens will sound for three minutes with a steady wail. There will not be an “all-clear” alert from the sirens.

You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts via phone, email or text. Learn more. 

Provide Throne pilot program feedback

In May 2024, the Throne Restroom Pilot Project began as a result of public input about downtown Ann Arbor improvements. Multiple Throne accessible restrooms were installed in downtown Ann Arbor. Please answer a few questions to provide your feedback on the project.

New pedestrian tunnel coming to Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area

Work is underway to construct a pedestrian tunnel beneath the railroad tracks to connect Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area, on Ann Arbor's northwest side. Barriers and signage are in place to alert park visitors of important access restrictions. See the announcement and visit the project page for the area map, project renderings and all the exciting details! 

Barton Dam embankment work continues

Adjacent to Barton Pond, Barton Nature Area, Bird Hills Nature Area and trails to and along the Huron River, construction activity continues for the Barton Dam embankment remediation project. Public access is restricted in designated areas (PDF). This includes no public on-site access to Barton Pond. 

When visiting this area, please note the posted safety restrictions, barricades and signage on site and use caution in areas that remain open, such as the parking lot, pathway and other areas west of the Huron River, as some of these open areas will be shared by construction operations and construction traffic. This project is anticipated to be completed by June 2027. The city thanks community members for their patience during this Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-required project. Learn more, and visit the project webpage. 

Huron River Day: A Celebration of nature, music and fun

Get ready to soak in the beauty of the Huron River at the annual Huron River Day (HRD) Sunday, May 18, noon–4 p.m. at Gallup Park (3000 Fuller Road)! This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, surrounded by nature, music and a whole lot of fun. Sponsored by DTE Foundation, this celebration (now in its 45th year) is part of what makes Ann Arbor’s green spaces and happy places so special.

Whether you're walking, driving or biking to Gallup Park, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the day. Cyclists can take advantage of a complimentary bike valet provided by Common Cycle, making it easy to park and explore. Once you're there, you'll find plenty of hands-on activities, live animals, food trucks and exhibitors showcasing educational and eco-friendly fun! More details will be added later in April. Stay tuned by visiting the event webpage. 

Severe-weather safety

According to the Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, tornadoes can occur any time of year, but they are especially common in our state during the late spring and early summer months. One of nature’s most violent storms, tornadoes can devastate homes and property in just seconds. While the state just observed Severe Weather Awareness Week at the end of March, a focus on preparedness should take place year round.

Watch or warning?

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible, be prepared to quickly take shelter if conditions are upgraded to a warning or if you see signs of a tornado approaching. During a watch, remain alert, watch the sky for approaching storms, and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for updates.

A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or detected in the area by weather radar. When a warning is issued, take shelter immediately.

Be prepared

Find out more about tornadoes — including how to be prepared, react quickly and what to do afterward — on the tornadoes page of the Department of Homeland Security official website. 

Timing is also right, as we enter the seasons of potentially dangerous weather patterns, to make sure you’re on the list to receive emergency alerts. If you haven’t already recently, sign up for Washtenaw County and/or City of Ann Arbor emergency messages, powered by Everbridge, which can be received via text, phone and/or email. All residents, businesses, those with loved ones in A2 and those who work in the city must take action in order to receive important, local emergency notifications. Or visit Everbridge online to find out if you’re already on the list. 

Work zone safety

Spring is in the air, and road work is ramping up. As more crews are beginning to mobilize to fix roads and bridges, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) starts this month to help emphasize the importance of using extreme caution while travelling through work zones. In Michigan in 2023, preliminary work zone crash statistics show there were:

• 7,237 work zone crashes
• 17 fatal work zone crashes
• 20 work zone fatalities; two were road workers
• 1,896 work zone injuries; 108 involved serious injuries
  
  Visit Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) online to learn more. 

CTN highlights

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

Ann Arbor Inclusive — Meredith Schindler, executive director of Ann Arbor Academy, along with a former student, Dave Hankin, discuss the school, which is a fully accredited, independent, gender-inclusive day school designed specifically to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities, autism and other neurodiversities. 

Adventures in Parenthood — Tempest NeuCollins and Kaila Piepkow with the non-profit Doodles Academy share how this organization is bringing the arts to school-aged children through visuals and the written word, regardless of socioeconomic boundaries. 

A2ZERO Sustainability Forum — Circular Innovation in Ann Arbor's Food and Beverage Sectors 

City Roundup — Work Zones 

City Roundup — Pedestrian Safety 

CTN Sports — Top Plays of the Season, Winter 2024 7

CTN Tours — Clonlara School Ann Arbor 

FYI — Kate Brindle with the Humane Society of the United States clears up confusion on the cage-free egg law and the rising cost of eggs; a Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports; and Melody on Ice 

FYI — Filmmaker Don Sawyer and Cinematographer Tim Hasko from A Bigger Vision Films and Jennifer Hall with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission discuss the homeless crisis in our country, and the film screening and panel discussion on Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness. Also, celebrate 10 years with Theatre Nova. 

FYI — Ann Arbor Police Officer Kasey Whitford and Ann Arbor Firefighter Tracey McCoy provide details on this year’s Blaze & Blue Career Camp; Planet Fitness Grand Opening at Briarwood Mall; and the pop-up dog park at Veteran’s Memorial Park 

FYI — Drew Hopper, creator of Organized Crime Paranormal, gives an inside peek at season 4 of the Amazon Prime mystery series; Fool Moon and Festifools head to the downtown; and the city’s accessibility earns recognition 

FYI — Kim Korona with VegMichigan and Azella Markgraff with the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations discuss the benefits of a plant-based diet; Washtenaw Community College’s Free College Week; and tips to safely travel in work zones 

Green Light — Julie Roth, energy manager at the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, and Swen Hendrickson, program manager at Walker-Miller Energy Services, discuss energy efficiency at home through the Home Energy Advisor and Home Energy Rebate programs. 

Let's Watch with the Ann Arbor Film Festival — Rory Scott 

Let’s Watch with the Ann Arbor Film Festival — Joanna McNamara and Natalia de Miguel Annoni with Screen Dance International (SDI) and featured artist Peter Sparling discuss the International Dance Film Shorts screening at the 63rd AAFF 

Senior Moments — Mark A Harris, Fitness Instructor 

Senior Moments — James Giodani of Askevin Inc. discusses how he helps seniors with their phones, computers and other tech devices 

Soapbox — MIOCA Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance 

Soapbox — Food Gatherers Rotary Fight Hunger Food Drive 

Soapbox — Dances In 2D 2 

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