The meeting was called to order at 12:25 pm by president Dawn Johnson. Kennan Robins’ inspiration stressed the value of family, friends, and action over plans. Marlena Studer and Steve Ragsdale led the group in Here Comes the Sun, followed by the introduction of guests and acknowledgement of Rotary anniversaries.

Announcements:

• President Dawn announced the formation of a work group to review the club’s policy on sharing non-Rotary information, and progress on a potential pollinator garden project with the city.
• There will be a new club launch party coming soon,
• The Rotary District Conference will be May 1-3 2026
• EPIC Day of Service will be May 16 at Argo Pond – Contact Dennis Powers
• Rotary Fights Child Hunger food drive March 9-20 – Contact Todd Kephart

Ann Arbor’s Sustainable Energy Utility

Shoshannah Lenski, Executive Director of Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility, provided an engaging overview of the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), a community-owned municipal energy utility in Ann Arbor. The SEU aims to offer modern, renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar, batteries, and neighborhood geothermal systems, with no upfront costs to residents or businesses. It will operate as an optional, fee-based service alongside the current energy provider DTE, and offers renewable and clean energy solutions. The utility is still in its early stages, with plans to begin installations in the Bryant neighborhood in 2026 and a market-wide launch in 2027. The SEU is seeking expressions of interest from residents and businesses, particularly for larger facilities, to help scale operations efficiently. Questions were raised about wind energy, cost implications, and the impact on property taxes, with the SEU confirming no new taxes would be introduced and that property taxes would not be affected by the utility’s assets. For more information, members can go to www.a2seu.com.