City administrator presents proposed FY 2013 budget to City Council
On April 16, City Administrator Steve Powers presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2013 budget. City Council will consider the proposal during the next few weeks and vote on May 21.
Budget overview
The FY 2013 budget is the second year of a two-year budget plan. While the city administrator’s proposed budget is similar to the spending plan approved by City Council last year, adjustments were made to respond to current City Council priorities and community needs.
Among the highlights:
- Planned reductions in police and fire staffing are eliminated.
- A police recruit program will supplement sworn officers and assist with public safety concerns in downtown.
- Park mowing will move from the current 19-day cycle to a 14-day cycle. Seasonal park monitors will be added.
- Street repair and resurfacing work will be at an all-time high.
These investments in services and infrastructure do not compromise the city’s financial policies. During the past several years, City Council provided the policy discipline to manage through a very difficult economic environment. The city administrator’s proposed FY 2013 budget recommends the same fiscal discipline in the coming fiscal year. Recurring expenditures are funded by recurring revenues. The proposed budget maintains reserves as a cushion for future economic and state legislative changes, such as the elimination of the personal property tax.
For more information
The following resources are available to learn more about the FY 2013 proposed budget:
Next steps
- City Council Regular Meeting: FY 2013 budget and fee public hearing scheduled for May 7 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St., at 7 p.m. Council Work Session: FY 2013 Budget Discussion scheduled on May 14 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St. at 7 p.m.
- City Council Regular Meeting: City Council consideration of city administrator's recommended FY 2013 budget on May 21 at Larcom City Hall, Council chambers, second floor, 301 E. Huron St. at 7 p.m.
City administration thanks you for your time and interest in the operation of your city.
 Public comment sought for fire services restructure plan
At the City Council budget work session on March 12, a fire department restructuring proposal was presented by Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard, which would position the department to operate from three fire stations: stations 1, 2 (reopened) and 5. This plan would enable four firefighters to be on duty at each of the three stations. Before this proposal is considered further, the city administrator and Council would like to give members from the community the opportunity to hear more about the proposal and ask specific questions. There are a variety of options available to citizens to learn about the Fire Restructure Proposal including:
- View Fire Restructure Proposal PowerPoint presentation (PDF).
- Watch Chief Hubbard’s March 12 work session presentation to City Council via CTN’s Video on Demand.
- Watch an interview of Chief Hubbard on CTN’s “Conversations” program, which airs on Comcast Channel 19 or is available via Video on Demand.
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Send your feedback, questions and comments about the proposal with the subject line: Fire Proposal.
- Request a Fire Restructure Proposal presentation be given to your neighborhood, community or business association by emailing Lisa Wondrash or calling 734.794.6152.
Congratulate your grad on CTN
CTN will showcase soon-to-be grads on the Channel 18 electronic bulletin board (Comcast Cable), which reaches more than 72,000 households in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. Photos will start airing Monday, May 7 and will run through mid summer.
If you have a graduate from one of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, you can participate! Just submit a digital photograph (senior photo, homecoming, prom) of the graduate with their full name, high school and who is congratulating them. The photograph must be digital (800x600 pixels) and may be resized or cropped at CTN’s discretion. Email the image to CTN Assistant Manager Melissa Cohn; no hard copies will be accepted.  A2 Downtown Blooms and Adopt-a-Park events
Two annual events take place Saturday, May 19 to engage the Ann Arbor community in beautifying the city.
Hundreds of volunteers will meet downtown at 9 a.m. in Liberty Plaza (Division and Liberty streets) to kick off A2 Downtown Blooms Day. Volunteers will help plant and mulch flower planters throughout the downtown, and each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt and pizza lunch. To preregister, call 734.794.6000, extension 43112. Go online for more details. Also beginning at 9 a.m. until noon, neighbors can get to know their parks, and one another, during the Adopt-a-Park Kick Off. Training, tools and support will be provided by the city. Parks participating in the kick-off event include: Belize, Bromley, Burr Oak, Glacier Highlands, Huron Highlands, Maryfield-Wildwood, Redwood, Rose White, Sculpture Plaza, Veteran’s Memorial, Waterworks, and Winewood Thaler. Any updates to this list can be found online. All ages can participate. Free e-waste recycling event
Safely dispose of your unwanted electronics at the upcoming FREE e-waste recycling events this month, sponsored by the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Public Schools. The public e-waste event is Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Boulevard (enter via Main Street driveway). The institutional e-waste event (for small businesses and non-profits with large quantities of equipment) is Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Washtenaw Intermediate School District Office, 1819 S. Wagner Road. Registration is recommended. Acceptable items for drop off include (go online for a complete list and exclusions):
- Computer systems.
- Telephones/cell phones.
- Televisions.
- Speakers.
- Printers.
- Wires/cables.
- Modems.
- And much more.
All e-waste will be destroyed and 100 percent recycled in the United States in an environmentally sound manner by a fully permitted recycling facility. Security precautions ensure all data is destroyed. Just drive through, drop off, and drive away knowing you did right by the environment.
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In this issue: Proposed FY 2013 budget * Grads on CTN * A2 Downtown Blooms & Adopt-A-Park events * Free e-waste recycling * Farmers markets return Wednesdays * Election Day May 8 * Parks millage facts online * City outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend * Argo Cascades grand opening * Lane closures/detours * 2012 Mayor’s Green Fair * Recognitions * Dates to remember
 Farmers markets return on Wednesdays
In addition to Saturdays, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is again open on Wednesdays for the season. The market resumes its seasonal extended hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, and the evening market returns on Wednesdays through September, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, May 8
 Parks Millage facts online
Renewal of the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage is anticipated to appear on the November 2012 election ballot.
 City outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend signifies the start of summer and coincides with the opening of the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services three outdoor pools: Fuller, Buhr and Veterans Memorial park pools. Summer season passes, on sale now, are valid from May 26 to Sept. 3, 2012. Season passes can be used at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial pools for all public swim times and tot splashes. Passes may be purchased at all of the pools, the Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center (Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road), or they can be renewed online at www.a2gov.org/parks.
- Preseason Rate Resident Discount (purchase a pass before May 29) — Youth/Senior: $95 / Adult: $125 / Family*: $240
- Preseason Rate Non Resident (purchase a pass before May 29) — Youth/Senior: $120 / Adult: $160 / Family*: $300
- Regular Rate Resident Discount (purchase a pass May 29 and after) — Youth/Senior: $110 / Adult: $140 / Family*: $265
- Regular Rate Non Resident (purchase a pass May 29 and after ) — Youth/Senior: $135 / Adult: $175 / Family*: $325
*Family rate is for two adults and up to three children residing in the same household.
 Argo Cascades grand opening
Join the grand opening celebration of Argo Cascades at Argo Canoe Livery (1055 Longshore Drive) Saturday, June 2 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy boats, fun drops and pools, a rock band on the rocks, food cards, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the beautiful Huron River. Enjoy paddling boats from Argo to Gallup without a portage. Paddle the Cascades, and check out our new watercrafts including tubes, stand-up paddles, rafts and sit-on-top kayaks. There will be fun for all ages. To learn more, visit Argo (and Gallup) Canoe Livery online. Stay ahead of the curve
Spring and summer in Ann Arbor will again bring many special events downtown and around the city. In addition, road construction “season” is just ramping up. And with these activities often comes temporary road and lane closures.
Save the date: 2012 Mayor's Green Fair
Main Street will be closed to vehicles, but open for pedestrians, during the 12th annual Mayor’s Green Fair Friday, June 8, 6 to 9 p.m. on Ann Arbor’s Main Street. The event includes free entertainment and over 120 exhibits with environmental information, hands-on youth activities, Clean Energy Expo, green commuting options, Bike Fest, WasteKnot business partners, walking tours and more. Go to the Green Fair website for more information.  Recognitions
Ann Arbor has recently been recognized in the following ways.
- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation have announced that Ann Arbor is one of 121 Michigan communities to receive the “Tree City USA” designation for the promotion of community forestry during 2011.
- Ann Arbor’s South Main Street has been named one of “America’s Greatest Main Streets” by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
- The City of Ann Arbor has been selected as a 2012 Green Cities Award finalist by Waste & Recycling News. Ann Arbor’s residential recycling program was especially noted for its recycling plant tours and for the WasteWatcher comic series.
 Dates to remember
There are several public meetings/events taking place in May, including the following highlights (please see the related articles in this newsletter or visit the city’s online calendar for details and a complete list).
- Wednesday hours return to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, beginning May 2. The Wednesday evening markets return as well, from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
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The Ann Arbor Public Schools Technology Millage Election is Tuesday, May 8.
- A2 Downtown Blooms and Adopt-A-Park Kick Off annual volunteer events occur on Saturday, May 19.
- City government offices are closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 28. Trash, compost and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, Tuesday through Saturday.
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