A retirement farewell to AAPD Interim Chief Pfannes

The City of Ann Arbor and the community will bid farewell to a veteran with the Ann Arbor Police Department, Interim Chief of Police Robert Pfannes. Pfannes is retiring from the city after 21 years, during which he has held several positions within the department, including patrol officer, sergeant and detective lieutenant serving as the commander of the detective section. Pfannes also served with the Detroit and Garden City police departments before coming to Ann Arbor. He has been teaching at the Western Wayne Regional Police Academy for more than 25 years as well.

The city thanks Interim Chief Pfannes for his dedicated service to Ann Arbor residents and the community as a whole. For his more than two decades of service, Ann Arbor City Council will consider a resolution at their May 5 meeting to recognize Pfannes for his service to the community and bestow upon him the title of chief for the period of his service as the interim chief from April 2018 through the date of his upcoming retirement, on May 24, 2019.

In the meantime, the city has been preparing to bring in a new police chief, for which community outreach — an online and paper survey as well as public meetings — took place in December 2018 and January 2019. The city plans to introduce the candidates later this month to City Council, staff and the community. A public reception is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 5:30–7:30 p.m., in the Ann Arbor Justice Center lobby. Police chief candidate public interviews will take place with City Council Friday, May 17, 9 a.m.–noon at Larcom City Hall, second floor, Council chambers. The Ann Arbor Justice Center and Larcom City Hall buildings are adjacent to one another at 301 E. Huron St.; meter parking is located along Ann Street.

The city plans to announce Ann Arbor’s new chief of police later this spring. In the meantime, more information about the recruitment process can be found on the city website at www.a2gov.org/AAPDChiefRecruitment.

FY 2020 budget presented to Council

On April 15, 2019, the City Administrator's Recommended Two-year (fiscal years 2020/2021) Budget was presented to City Council, in accordance with City Charter.

Watch the budget presentation online via CTN’s YouTube Channel. Find the recommended budget and other budget-related documents on the city’s Citizen Guide to Budget and Finance.

City Council will hold budget public hearings on Monday, May 6, 2019. City Council must adopt the budget with at least seven affirmative votes no later than its second meeting in May (May 20). Fiscal year 2020 begins on July 1, 2019, and ends June 30, 2020. City Council members can only adopt one fiscal year at a time even though the city plans for multi-year budgets. Budget-related feedback or comments are welcomed via email.

Ways to watch CTN

Sure, Ann Arbor residents with Comcast or AT&T cable can tune in to city meetings and CTN’s variety of programs on channels 16, 17, 18, 19, or Channel 99, respectively. But did you know there are other ways to watch CTN (PDF)?  

• CTN channels are live at a2ctn.viebit.com. 
• Live, in-session City of Ann Arbor meetings (only available when a meeting is in session) are streamed online at youtube.com/ctnannarbor. 
• City of Ann Arbor meetings are On Demand at a2ctn.viebit.com. 
• CTN programs are On Demand at youtube.com/ctnannarbor. 

It’s never been easier to stay connected with CTN! 

Water quality notes

The city is introducing a new resource providing the most up-to-date information on Ann Arbor municipal drinking water. Quality Water Matters (PDF) is a new monthly newsletter that features updates, data on water quality testing, input from local agencies including Washtenaw County and the Huron River Watershed and more. Best of all, this information is provided in a practical, easy-to-understand format and also includes links, when applicable, to more in-depth sources.

Don’t miss a word. Subscribe to receive Quality Water Matters directly to your email inbox. Visit the City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant online for more information.

May 11 is water treatment plant open house

With observances such as Drinking Water Week May 5–11; Infrastructure Week May 13–19; and National Public Works Week May 19–25, it's easy to see why May has been coined Water Month. To celebrate, the City of Ann Arbor will be highlighting how our community handles and interacts with this most-precious resource by discussing the importance of water infrastructure and the vital role city public works staff plays in maintaining it.

Over the course of May, facts and stories will be shared on the city's Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition, the city will be hosting several events about water. 

One such event is the annual Water Treatment Plant Open House, a free event on Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Tours will take place every 20 minutes. There will also be exhibits, giveaways, light refreshments and kids activities. All are invited!

The water treatment plant is located at 919 Sunset Road. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Ann Arbor’s water system at this family-friendly event.

Huron River Day in May

Enjoy the beautiful river that winds through our city at Huron River Day! The annual festival takes place Sunday, May 19, noon–4 p.m. at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor. Parking is available, but better yet, *ride your bike to the festival, and your boat rental will be free!

Join the fun and experience everything the Huron River has to offer!

• *Paddle a boat with $5 canoe and kayak rentals.
• Try stand-up paddle boarding.
• Presentations by Dirt Doctors at 2 and 4 p.m.
• Live music.
• Participate in the Enviro-Challenge to earn a prize.
• Antique/Classic Boat Show.
• Butterfly house from the Michigan Native Butterfly Farm.
• Live animals from the Leslie Science & Nature Center.
• Delicious food will be available to purchase from local food trucks.
• Nature hikes with Natural Area Preservation at 1 and 3 p.m.
• Fishing fun.
• River critters with the Huron River Watershed Council.
• Stream activity with the University of Michigan Natural History Museum.
• And more!

Washtenaw County’s Parker Mill County Park will also be offering tours of the historic Pioneer Grist Mill.

The Huron River Day Celebration is sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation. Additional support provided by Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, the City of Ann Arbor, the Huron River Watershed Council, the Washtenaw Stormwater Advisory Group and the Middle Huron Stormwater Advisory Group. Visit www.a2gov.org/hrd for details, or call 734.794.6240.

Get your feet wet!

(OK, not literally.) Did you know, you can also be a volunteer at Huron River Day with Ann Arbor's volunteer program, Give 365? Volunteers are needed to support event setup, take down as well as at the bike corral, fishing station and parking areas. Inquire at volunteer@a2gov.org for more information.

Learn before you burn

With warmer temperatures often comes outdoor entertaining. But before you gather around a backyard fire or light the grill, the Ann Arbor Fire Department wants you to know these rules in order to stay safe and fire code compliant. 

• Recreational fires, such as campfires, shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or of combustible materials.  Conditions and materials which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure must be eliminated before lighting the fire.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces/fire pits must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and must not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible materials. Learn which outdoor fire pits/places (PDF) are and aren’t permitted for use in Ann Arbor; and learn how to safely enjoy your recreational fire.
• Fires must be attended at all times and with onsite fire-extinguishing equipment close at hand, such as sand and a shovel, a full water barrel or a working garden hose.
• Fires must be completely extinguished prior to leaving.
• Recreational fires must not create a smoke violation or nuisance to neighbors.
• Not all grills are created equally — nor can they be used everywhere. If you live in an apartment or multilevel building, be sure to review the grilling guidelines (PDF) for use on balconies, in particular.

More safety tip sheets can be found on the National Fire Protection Agency website.

Shop local, dine local at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market

This August marks 100 years for the Ann Arbor Farmers Market (AAFM) serving the community with local, fresh food, goods and so much more. There are some great events planned for the community all season long, including a 100th birthday party Saturday, Aug. 24. But first, here’s how you can join the AAFM (315 Detroit St.) in kicking off the season-long celebration in May:

In addition to Saturdays year-round, May 1 is the first Wednesday market of 2019. The Wednesday market is open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. each week through December. Spring seasonal items you can shop for now — while they last — include wild leeks, maple syrup, lettuce and salad mix, spinach, potatoes, herb and plant starts, cut flowers, baguettes, herbed cream cheese, Polish specialty food, hummus, wild berry jam and much more.

Also on May 1, AAFM will host its first Food Truck Rally of 2019! Enjoy live music, and purchase food from a variety of Michigan food trucks that offer everything from wood-fired pizza, hand rolled ice cream, subs, salads, burgers and so much more. Food truck rallies will take place on the first Wednesday of each month, May through October, 5–8 p.m. Bring your own chair and enjoy live music, fresh, local food and a fun, relaxed atmosphere! May 1 will feature the following food trucks: Cosa Sabrosa, Hero Or Villain Van, Jamerican Grill, Wood Fired Up, TruckShuka Detroit, Simply Spanish, Naughty Boy's Rolled Ice Cream, Petey's Donuts, The Salt & Sugar Co., 4Kings Café, Mustard's Last Stand (brats), Brother Truckers, Nosh Pit Detroit, Delectabowl Food Truck & Catering, Bavarian Inn Cluck Truck, MI Drinks, Shimmy Shack.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better … There’s more! The market will be hosting special kids activities also on the first Wednesday of every month.

On the third Wednesday of every month, stop by to see guest-chef cooking demos. On Wednesday, May 15 Chef Ji Hye from Miss Kim will demonstrate how to make some of her favorite dishes; tastings included.

Another event in May, on Sunday, May 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., it's all about flowers and plants at the market. Combining with the Artisan Market, Flower Day will also include food trucks, live music, backyard beekeeping tips, gardening DIY tips and so much fun!

To stay up to date on events and what’s fresh, visit the Ann Arbor Farmers Market online, become a fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

Ann Arbor addressing potholes, other pavement issues

Spring has arrived in Ann Arbor — along with potholes, faded lane and crosswalk markings and the occasional street flooding that typically accompany the change of seasons. The City of Ann Arbor is focusing on these pavement problems and is also sharing ways the public can help their efforts and stay safe. Go online to learn more — including when pavement striping will take place, how to report a pothole and what actions can help prevent spring-rainfall street flooding.

Orange-barrel season in bloom

Ann Arbor’s 2019 construction projects are well underway. Overall, work will be performed on a total of 30.7 miles of roadway. Resurfacing or restoration is planned for 12 major streets and 33 local streets; and an additional 40 major and local streets will undergo preventative maintenance. Several projects which started in 2018, including work in the Kerrytown area and on Scio Church Road, will also be completed this spring.

A map and more information about these and other road/utility projects in Ann Arbor can be found at www.a2gov.org/roadconstruction. In addition, visit the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority website, where you’ll also find a monthly newsletter sign-up button, for details on projects they are leading in the city.

Inevitably, construction work will cause road and lane closures. Be prepared! Stay current with scheduled road work by subscribing to email and/or text alerts.

The city thanks residents and visitors for their patience and asks for extra caution — especially in work zones — when travelling in and around Ann Arbor.

How do you travel around Ann Arbor?

The City of Ann Arbor is updating its comprehensive transportation plan. To do so, we need your help. We want to learn more about how you travel around Ann Arbor, what challenges you face and your vision for the city’s future.

To gain that insight, please take a few minutes to answer a survey that will help us understand how you make your way around Ann Arbor and what you think this plan should prioritize. Afterwards, please take a few moments to share it with friends, family, neighbors and coworkers so all voices can be heard.

The survey closes Monday, May 20, 2019.

Firehouse Friday in Ann Arbor May 10

W4 Country 102.9 FM is scheduled to host a Firehouse Friday event May 10, broadcasting live 6–9 a.m. from Ann Arbor Fire Station No. 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor. The public is invited to stop by to watch the live broadcast, to meet Ann Arbor firefighters, for a tour of the fire station and for coffee and doughnuts. More information will be shared on the city’s Facebook and Twitter pages as the event nears.

Help keep A2 beautiful

Willing to lend a hand? Join Give 365, the city’s volunteer program, along with the Downtown Development Authority and the State Street Association for the 30th annual A2 Downtown Blooms Day Saturday, May 18. The event is 9 a.m.–noon — rain or shine — and volunteers will plant flowers, mulch planters and otherwise help spruce up the downtown areas. A free t-shirt will be given to volunteers, sponsored by the State Street District.

Interested individuals, families, youth groups and other organizations are welcome to participate at this event, which kicks off with a 9 a.m. check-in at Liberty Plaza, 310 S. Division St. Free event parking is available in the Library Lane parking structure on 5th Avenue between East Liberty and East William streets. (Free parking is NOT available at on-street meters, surface lots and in any other parking structures.)

To volunteer for this, or another of the many opportunities hosted by Give 365, please send an email or call 734.794.6445. 

Parks makes plastic-free strides

The City of Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission recently passed a resolution restricting the purchase of plastic straws and stir sticks by city parks and recreation facilities. The resolution demonstrates PAC's commitment to environmentally sustainable practices and the stewardship of parkland in Ann Arbor and is effective as of May 1, 2019. Go online to read a copy of the resolution (PDF).

Memorial Day schedule

On Monday, May 27, city government offices are closed for Memorial Day. There will be no trash/recycling/compost collection on this holiday Monday. Collections will instead be delayed by one day, taking place Tuesday through Saturday.

Facts for your four-legged (dog) friend

American Veterinary Medical Association National Pet Week is May 6–12 — making this the perfect time to remind dog owners of some important ways to keep your dog (and others) safe and happy in the city.

Be sure dogs are properly licensed. Why license?

• It’s the law.
• To control and prevent the spread of rabies — A proof of rabies vaccination is required in order to purchase a license. Therefore, requiring dogs to be licensed is also a measure to prevent the spread of rabies.
• Provides identification — Helps to reunite lost dogs with their owners.

The City of Ann Arbor’s license fees are: $6 for an up to one-year license, $11 for up to two-year and $15 for a three-year license if your dog is spayed or neutered. Visit the city clerk’s office online for details and an application. 

Take your pooch to the park. Plenty of exercise, socializing and play are in store at the city’s three dog parks. Dogs can play off leash at Broadway, Olson and Swift Run parks. Go online to learn about dog park permits and all of the special events planned throughout the year! Note: Only licensed dogs are eligible for a dog park permit — yet another reason to do the right thing!

Keep your pup on his leash. The city’s designated dog parks are the only city parks where off-leash walking and play are permitted. Otherwise, dogs must be secured by a held leash when walking at other city parks, schools, in neighborhoods, etc. More information is available on the city’s animal control web page. 

Pick up what is left behind. Not picking up your dog’s droppings violates the city’s sanitation nuisance ordinance. It’s also just not very neighborly! If you and your dog plan to stray away from your yard, be sure to bring along bags so you may properly dispose of any droppings.