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Council liaison says SnowMatch volunteer sidewalk-clearing program will restart; commission to explore a permanent solution
Summary
Council liaison reported the city can restart SnowMatch after earlier notice it would not run; she and commissioners said accessibility should be guaranteed and discussed exploring nonprofit contracting or other sustainable options.
Council liaison Ayesha Gazi Adlam told the Ann Arbor Disability Commission that a volunteer-based sidewalk-clearing program called SnowMatch — initially reported as not running this year — will be restarted after recent discussion with the city.
"We, the city is able to start the program up again," Adlam said, adding staff capacity had been the limiting factor earlier in the season. She said she had raised the issue at a recent city council meeting and discussed options with the city administrator.
Adlam and commission members stressed that volunteer matching alone is not a sustainable long-term accessibility solution. "Accessibility shouldn't be something that is based on whether or not you're able to get matched with a volunteer based on luck," she said, and the commission will talk with city staff about what could be a permanent solution, including examples from other cities that have used nonprofit contracts.
Commissioners asked staff and the council liaison to continue pursuing a more reliable approach to sidewalk snow removal for residents with disabilities and to report back to the commission when proposals or agreements are available for review.
No formal vote or ordinance change occurred at this meeting; the item was presented as an informational update and a direction to explore options.
