News Article

Archived News Release: January 17, 2023 - ​The Ann Arbor Community Academy (A2CA) is returning for a sixth year to provide a closeup look at local government. The popular program, free and open to community members 18 years of age and older, will be conducted with a hybrid approach. Weekly sessions will be held online via Zoom every Wednesday, March 1–April 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m., and in-person tours will take place on select Tuesdays. A2CA connects participants with city staff and officials to discover what goes into both long-term planning and day-to-day operations throughout Ann Arbor. The schedule includes:

• City Administrator.

• Transportation.

• Fire Department.*

• Housing Commission.

• Police Department.*

• Greenbelt Advisory Commission, Natural Area Preservation and Community Television Network.

• Sustainability.

• Ann Arbor commissions.

• Wheeler Center.*

• City Clerk's Office.

• Information Technology.

• Wastewater Treatment Plant.*

• City Council.

​More information on how to opt into an *in-person tour will be provided to participants after signup. Tour groups will be limited to a small number of participants, on a first-come basis.

Signups are open online at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/A2CA/Pages/Ann-Arbor-Community-Academy.aspx. The deadline to submit the sign-up form is Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Those who submit the form will be contacted with more information about the program and next steps once planning is complete.

City staff hopes participants will be motivated to play a more active role in shaping the future of Ann Arbor after participating in the A2CA. Many graduates from this program have gone on to serve the community by participating in City Council, Municipal Water System Advisory Council, City Planning Commission, Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, or working as an election inspector.

For more information, visit www.a2gov.org/A2CA or contact the A2CA coordinator, Sarah Alanis, at [email protected].

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