October 2011 A2 City News

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan           *      October 2011           *      Volume 5      *      Number 10 Introducing, A2's new city administratorAnn Arbor, “meet” new City Administrator Steve Powers on an upcoming edition of Community Television Network’s Conversations program. Powers, who began with the city in mid September, most recently served with Marquette County.This episode of Conversations airs on CitiTV 19 on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Or, through Oct. 25, catch replays Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m.CTN programming can also be viewed online viaVideo on Demand. Simply search for the episode(s) you wish to view. Programs are available online 24 to 48 hours after they premiere.
Making strides toward financial transparencyThe City of Ann Arbor recently launchedA2OpenBook, an interactive website designed to increase financial transparency. All city expenses and revenue are disclosed in a simple and easy-to-use format, giving direct access to see how the city is spending tax dollars, fees and other city revenue.Every 24 hours, the city’s financial data downloads directly from its financial database to the A2OpenBook website.City expenditure and revenue information, dated July 1, 2010, to the present, can be browsed in a variety of ways including:

• Vendor (search by alphabetical list or expense amounts)
• Expense type (choose from more than 300 categories such as utilities, materials and supplies or travel)
• Service Area/Service Unit
• Fund (choose among all budgeted funds)

The Citizen Guide to Finance and Budget is another online resource to increase transparency and help educate taxpayers about the city’s budget process. Together, A2OpenBook and the budget guide are intended to help citizens better understand the ongoing efforts to maintain a balanced budget while also balancing service needs and expectations. Please contact the City of Ann Arbor finance department with feedback or suggested content additions to further enhance the usefulness of these resources.
9/11 memorial eventCity of Ann Arbor police and fire services commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a special ceremony. Dozens of people attended to remember those who lost their lives on this date and to honor the men and women who continue to serve our community and country. Photos, clockwise, beginning top left: Safety Services Area Administrator Chief Barnett Jones at the podium; flag is raised; members of the Skyline High School choirParks improvements slated to beginWhile it seems activity in the parks would begin to slow down this time of year, at several area parks, improvement activities are underway. Renovations to the Veterans Memorial Park locker rooms, used by pool guests and hockey teams alike, are just being completed, including new flooring, lockers, fixtures (sinks and toilets), lighting, ventilation and painting. Up next at Vets, a new pool shade structure with solar panels is being added to provide electricity for the arena. Construction begins this month.West Park is currently undergoing a total reconstruction of its tennis courts and shuffle board court. Construction should be complete this fall, weather permitting. The courts are currently closed.Other parks slated for renovations include Island Park’s Greek Revival Shelter; Winewood Thaler Park; Beckley Park; and Hunt Park.
Halloween safety and funHalloween Trick-or-Treating in Ann Arbor neighborhoods, for participating residents, will take place between 5 and 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. While this holiday is meant to be full of fun, it can also bring about some (avoidable) frights. The most basic safety precautions are for parents and guardians to supervise their trick-or-treaters, and to stay in neighborhoods that are well-lit and familiar. More tips are available online to help keep your Halloween safe …But what about the fun? Never fear. Check out these holiday spooktacular events (see more events throughout October on the online calendar).Trick or Treat Down the River (pictured above) is Sunday, Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. at Gallup Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Ave. By canoe or kayak, you will encounter creatures along the river handing out treats and candy. Feel free to dress up, too. Fee is $22 per boat. Pre registration is not required; and all ages are welcome. Bring a bag for collecting candy. Go online for details or call 734.794.6240. Skate to spooky sounds at the Veterans Memorial Park Halloween Skate, Saturday, Oct. 29. Vets is located at 2150 Jackson Road. Best-costume prizes will be awarded. General admission rates apply at this fun-for-all-ages event. Go online for details or call 734.794.6235. Animal Haunts at the Leslie Science & Nature Center ( 1831 Traver Road) is a family-friendly event Saturday, Oct. 22. Enjoy a guided a hike through Black Pond woods where costumed characters bring plants and animals to life through skits and songs. Pumpkins, games, face painting, cider and more round out the evening. A shorter hike designed especially for families with children ages five and under is offered between 4:30 to 6 p.m.; and the 7 to 9 p.m. hike is more suitable for older kids and their families. Pre registration rates are $8 per person, $30 per family; or $10/$35 at the door. Call for details, 734.997.1553, or go online. Adults 50 and better are invited to a Halloween Party Monday, Oct. 31 at the Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave.). Reservations are required. Please call 734.796.6250 at least one week in advance of the event date.
DDA State of the Downtown ReportThe Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority encompasses all or part of 66 blocks, is approximately 271 acres, and is home to approximately 1,200 businesses, a great number of entertainment and educational venues, and approximately 2,800 Ann Arbor residents. Learn more about the DDA and some of its most recent impacts on downtown Ann Arbor in the DDA State of the Downtown report.
Where to find ... the Customer Service CenterJust a reminder … The city’s customer service and payment center is now located on the first floor of Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. Parking options include at meters along Ann Street. Customer service can also be reached at 734.794.6320, orvia e-mail.IN THIS ISSUE: new city administrator * A2OpenBook * 9/11 memorial event * parks improvements * halloween * DDA report * customer service location * leaf-management * East Stadium bridges * sculpture unveiling * police golf outing * street and sidewalk millages * dates
Leaf-management optionsAutumn is upon us, and the city is reminding residents/property owners of leaf-management options. Ann Arborites can choose to mulch their leaves on site, set paper bags and compost carts of leaves at the curb for weekly pickup; or residents can take advantage of free bulk leaf drop-off locations. Please remember that the city no longer picks up loose leaves raked to the street.More information is provided online about weekly compostables pickups, leaf mulching, home composting and free bulk leaf drop off at the Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road. Go towww.a2gov.org/leaves for details.
East Stadium bridges projectThe East Stadium bridges reconstruction project will break ground this month, launching major construction work to replace the two aged bridges, just to the south of the University of Michigan football stadium. The project will also include staircase construction and walkways for pedestrians and new lighting.A groundbreaking ceremony for the East Stadium bridges project will be scheduled for mid October, with Congressman John Dingell and other dignitaries in attendance. More information will be shared once an event time and date are set.In the meantime, discover each of the ways to stay informed about the project — detours, progress and more:

• Visit the Ann Arbor Bridges website. 
• Follow project updates on Twitter. 
• Become a fan on Facebook. 
• Subscribe to receive updates right to your e-mail inbox.

Municipal center sculpture unveilingThe Ann Arbor Public Art Commission invites the public to the ceremony and dedication of the major public art installation at the Ann Arbor Municipal Center, 301 E. Huron, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at 7 p.m. The event will welcome the artist of the installation, Herbert Dreiseitl, for the dedication and the lighting of the newly completed work.The sculpture was commissioned as part of the city’s new municipal center, which includes the Justice Center and Larcom City Hall building. It will serve as a centerpiece of the LEED Gold facility, featuring storm water collection and retention systems. Storm water collected from the facility will cascade over the sculpture; adjacent to the sculpture is a path that incorporates moving water into a rain garden at the front of the building.Go online for more information on the municipal center and the special LEED-certification features.
Oct. 7 Police Charity Golf OutingThe 20th annual Ann Arbor Police Department Charity Golf Outing (PDF) is Friday, Oct. 7. This event raises money for The Jason Zogaib Memorial Fund and The Vada Murray Fund for Cancer Research. The four‐person scramble event takes place at Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Road, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The fee of $85 per person includes: 18 holes of golf (including cart); lunch at the turn; catered dinner; raffle; prizes; and games. Non golfers are welcome to attend at $20 per person.More information, including the registration form, is available online (PDF), or contact Officer Chris Foerg, 517.673.8274 or Officer Katie Nucci, 734.330.5175.
Street and sidewalk millage proposals on November ballotTwo millages concerning street, bridge and sidewalk resurfacing and reconstruction will be on the Nov. 8 City General Election ballot: Proposal 1 Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for Street and Bridge Resurfacing and Reconstruction; and Proposal 2 Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for Street and Bridge Resurfacing and Reconstruction and For Sidewalk Repairs (note: adoption of proposal 2 is conditioned upon adoption at this election of Proposal 1). Three meetings will take place in October for the public to review and discuss the two ballot proposals:

• Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road
• Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Clague Media Center, 2616 Nixon Road
• Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Forsythe Media Center, 1655 Newport Road

In addition, Homayoon Pirooz of the city’s project management services unit (engineering department) will appear on Community Television Network’s Conversations series to discuss these ballot items. This episode airs on CitiTV Channel 19 Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2 at 6:30 p.m., and the following Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m..If you have questions or feedback and cannot attend the public meetings, please e-mail City of Ann Arbor project management services or call 734.794.6410, extension 0.The City of Ann Arbor maintains approximately 200 miles of residential streets, 100 miles of major streets and 13 bridges. Because of the frequent changes in local temperatures, area roads experience severe freeze-and-thaw cycles that greatly impact their life span. Many city roads need new asphalt surfacing after 15 to 20 years, and require complete reconstruction after 30 years.The city’s current street reconstruction millageexpires this year. The annual levy amount paid by household is based on the taxable value of the property, which is approximately half of the market value of a home. The 2011 levy amount for a property with an average market value of $214,000 is $213.40 because the 2-mill rate has been rolled back over five years to 1.9944 mills. If a new street millage is approved at the Nov. 8 election, this same household will pay $214.00 in 2012 because the millage rate would be increased to the full 2 mills. By operation of law, the 2-mill rate may be rolled back in subsequent years during the five years the millage would be in effect.If you are not yet registered to vote, the deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 11 in order to be able to vote in the November election.
More dates to rememberAmong the many public meetings/events taking place in October, including those featured in articles this month, here are some of the highlights. Go online for a more-complete list. 

• Buhr Park outdoor skating arena opens for the season on Saturday, Oct. 29. 
• Several Halloween/autumn-inspired events are taking place through Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation. 
• And Oct. 31 trick-or-treating times for participating residents is 5 – 8 p.m.

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