YPSILANTI, MI - Officials are seeking residents to join a consumer advisory council to address ongoing mail delivery issues at the Ypsilanti Post Office.

The council is being formed in response to long-running customers complaints os late, incomplete or inaccurate delivery; unresponsive customer service and long lines and wait times at the post office, 1606 Huron St.

According to an email from Elizabeth Najduch of the U.S. Postal Service Detroit district, the council will meet in a different format from the public town halls initially discussed during a meeting Feb. 22, when more than 300 residents of Ypsilanti and the surrounding areas voiced anger and frustration over persistent mail delivery issues at the meeting.

Najduch wrote in the email that the council will include residents from the communities of Ypsilanti, Whittaker and Willis, who would meet monthly with post office officials to "discuss customer concerns, ideas and suggestions that support improving customer satisfaction."

"The Postal Service will also play an active role in answering questions posed by the council and keeping council members informed of new or changing local programs, policies and procedures," a statement from USPS said.

"Additionally, through the establishment of this council, we hope to develop a partnership with the diverse communities we serve and keep an open dialogue between postal managers and our valued consumers."

Those interested in joining the consumer advisory council can learn more at a meeting from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 29 at the Ypsilanti Post Office Adams Station at 108 S. Adams.

Applications to serve on the council are being accepted through April 30 at the following locations:

Ypsilanti Post Office, 1606 S. Huron

Ypsilanti Adams Station at 108 S. Adams

Willis Post Office at 8790 Bunton

Whittaker Post Office at 11014 Whittaker

The application asks for basic information, along with a brief explanation of why residents want to serve on the advisory council.

Ypsilanti CAC Membership Application 2018 by Jessica Haynes on Scribd

The consumer advisory council has been criticized by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, who recently wrote a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan to encourage communication between post office officials and residents and not limit who can attend future meetings.

"This format goes against the spirit of USPS's commitment to be more transparent and accountable to the residents of the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, and I am concerned that this decision reflects an ongoing pattern of USPS to avoid accountability for mail delivery issues," Dingell wrote.

MLive-The Ann Arbor News has also attempted to reach out numerous times to USPS officials since the Feb. 22 town hall, with questions that remain unanswered about the number of complaints the Ypsilanti location has received and the qualifications to hold a postmaster position.

In an email March 23, Najduch declined an MLive request to interview Ypsilanti Postmaster Alicia Brown, saying the head of the Ypsilanti offices needed to remain focused on consumer concerns.