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MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Matthew Baumgarten
Hello Berkley, and a Happy September to you all!
This month’s newsletter is packed with exciting updates including Fall Library and Recreation programming, calls for nominees for the “Best of Berkley” Business Awards, a brand new fire truck, and more! Our staff continues to work hard to deliver Berkley services despite the circumstances and the push to virtual offerings.
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Frankly, we miss the face to face, community interactions. It is not easy being a public servant right now, but it is what we are passionate about and we will continue to serve.
That being said, please practice patience if we cannot answer the phone or reply to your email as quickly as any of us would like. We spend our days with the phone to our ear and our fingers on the keyboard to keep up. I promise we will get back to you as quickly as we can. To learn more about our reopening process, visit berkleymich.org/COVIDreopenplan.
Now for Some Fun Food for Thought!
Did you know that September 1st begins National Nutrition Week? It’s a great time to get healthy and try to make good food choices. Once that difficult week is over you can move on to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day (September 18th), National Pepperoni Pizza Day (September 20th), and the second National Pancake Day of the year (September 26th)! Whichever holidays you celebrate in September, don’t forget about our great Berkley restaurants.
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Thank You for Participating in the August Primary Election!
The City Clerk's Office would like to thank all the residents who participated in the August 4, 2020, Primary Election. Whether casting your ballot or working at one of our seven precincts, we appreciate your involvement.
We are now gearing up for the November 3, 2020, Presidential Election and are currently seeking Michigan registered voters interested in working at the polls.
To apply to be an Election Worker, visit berkleymich.org/electionworkerapp.
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A Reminder Regarding Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots for the November 3, 2020, Presidential Election will go out and be available at the end of September. Every registered voter is entitled to receive an absentee ballot in the State of Michigan.
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Know your vote? Dropping off your absentee ballot as soon as it is completed is very helpful for the Clerk's Office.
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Undecided? No worries! Take your time. The deadline to drop off an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 3 by 8 PM.
For more information about any voting needs, please visit berkleymich.org/vote.
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Looking to pay your water bill, tax bill, or submit property documentation to the Treasurer’s Office?
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With COVID-19 still interfering with everyday life, we are continuing to process payments for the Treasurer's Office through the City Hall dropbox, standard US mail, or online.
Want A Receipt?
We ask that if you want a receipt to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment, or include your email address and we will scan and send a copy of your receipt via email.
While it is not our ideal way to process payments, this has worked very well so far and it is the safest way for all of us.
To learn more about our process during COVID-19, visit berkleymich.org/treasury.
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Due to spacing constraints in the building, the office at the Department of Public Works is temporarily closed to the public. DPW is available via phone at 248-658-3490 during standard work hours (7 AM - 3:30 PM) or email at publicworks@berkleymich.net. All DPW team members are working.
Stay in the Know With DPW!
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Berkley’s email updates. In addition to receiving the monthly City newsletter, residents will be sent alerts related to water main breaks, road construction, chipper route reminders, and snow emergencies. You can sign up on the City website at berkleymich.org/newsletters.
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste collection information, including the full schedule, is posted on the City website and has been sent to all residents via utility bills. Free pickup of yard bags or labeled cans (50 lbs. limit) runs through November 27.
Chipper Service Reminder
The branch chipper service runs once a month starting the 3rd Monday of each month. Please note the chipper service will only accept branches over 4' in length and over 2" in diameter.
Smaller branches must be placed in yard waste bags/cans for FREE weekly pickup on garbage day. Residents should continue to contact the DPW if the chipper service is needed at 248-658-3490.
Compost Available
A limited amount of compost is still available for residents. The stockpile is located just outside the DPW yard on Beverly between Bacon and Phillips.
Trash Bins Available
96-gallon trash toters can be purchased from DPW for $60 each. These are wheeled cans with attached lids that are dumped mechanically by the City trash hauler. Please contact the DPW for more details.
Trash/Recycle Pick-Up Holiday Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) is a holiday for the City’s refuse and recycling contractor (Tringali). As a result, pick up that week will be delayed by one day (Tuesday moves to Wednesday and Friday moves to Saturday).
Do you have a question about waste or what can be recycled?
SOCRRA has a Waste Wizard tool on their website and an app is also available to download. Simply type in a question or keyword and the search engine will provide an answer and more details.
Any additional questions head over to the Public Works webpage or give us a call at 248-658-3490.
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Our New Fire Truck is Here!
 Our new fire vehicle (Tower 4) was delivered on August 13th and our Public Safety Officers (PSO) have begun to train on how to operate it. We would like to give kudos to our truck committee; Lt. Corey Miller, PSO Ron Gabriel, and PSO Jon Roberts. A special thanks to Wendy Simon from Front Line Services for her outstanding work on the project. We would also like to thank our residents, business, City Council, and City administration for your support.
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Additional training will take place, radios, and cameras will be installed before Tower 4 being placed into service.
This ladder will meet the current and foreseeable future needs of the Department. We now have the vertical reach to access the roof of the tallest buildings in the City.
More importantly, we now have the horizontal reach to access the roof of all residential homes from the street and work tethered to the platform, increasing safety (something our current ladder truck cannot do).
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2020 Fire Open House Cancelled |
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is with a heavy heart to share the 2020 Fire Open House which was scheduled for September 26, 2020, has been cancelled.
We hope to see you next year when we can safely gather in person.
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Berkley Marihuana Update
 The City’s internal Marihuana policy team has been hard at work reviewing applications for Marihuana Business Licenses in Berkley.
Although there are rumors that licenses have been issued to applicants, NONE have been issued at this time and licenses will NOT be fully issued until final approval is given by City Council.
Since the application period closed on June 29, 2020, City staff has conducted application completeness checks and reviewed the applications for the pass-fail requirements. The Marihuana policy has now begun the final phase of the merit point-scoring using the evaluation point system approved by City Council earlier this year. The publication of the merit point scores and status for all Marihuana Business License applications will be available on September 29, 2020.
Following the release of status and scores, the top 3 applicants will move forward to request Site Plan Approval from the Planning Commission. Upon Site Plan Approval, the top 3 applicants will move forward to City Council for final Local Licensing Approval.
For more information and to stay up-to-date with the Marihuana application process, visit berkleymich.org/marihuana.
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Berkley Master Plan
 The Master Plan is still moving forward. We have collected a lot of wonderful feedback from our residents and business owners. Thank you to all who participated.
Our 8-part Master Plan webinar series, which examined specific Master Plan topics has also concluded. The taped sessions are available on YouTube and can be watched at your convenience.
The next steps in the process will be Carlisle Wortman, our planning consultant, drafting the Master Plan document. This will include the goals and objectives for the future and how the City will accomplish them.
Have something to share with us? We have set up a voicemail box for any residents wanting to leave a message with their ideas at 248-658-3327, or email masterplan@berkleymich.net.
Learn more at berkleymich.org/masterplan.
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The City will be closed on the following day:
Public Safety will continue to provide 24-hour operations and support to the community.
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 The library building remains closed to the public. However, curbside pickup and delivery in Berkley are available on:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
To schedule a pickup or delivery, call the library at 248-658-3440.
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Dive Into Some of Our Digital Resources!
We encourage you to visit our website (www.berkleymich.org/elibrary) to access our digital resources from home. You will need your library card number as well as your PIN. Your PIN is typically 1234 or the last four digits of your phone number.
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Need a Library Card?
Head over to berkleymich.org/librarycard to fill out an application and we will get you registered for a card!
Need to Connect to the Internet?
The library's WiFi is available 24/7 outside our building.
You should be able to connect from the parking lot or around the perimeter of the building.
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Seed Library
Berkley Public Library is excited to start its collection for seeds for our Seed Library that will begin lending in early spring 2021.
We accept all kinds of seed donations.
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For commercially packaged donation, we can take open or unopened, however, we ask that you place the original package in a baggie if it is opened to prevent seed spillage. If the donations are saved seeds, please place the seeds in an envelope and write detailed info such as variety, harvest year, and location, as well as any additional growing notes.
A bin is outside of the library for collection.
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ADULT PROGRAMS
An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Most people tend to live their lives with a wandering mind, worried or consumed by past or future events. This introduction to meditation tries to open up a world of the present moment, the most important time of our lives. We will start with a short introduction followed by a 30 minute guided, sitting meditation, then close the session with questions, answers, and interesting experiences. Session led by Greg Sherburn.
Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Afternoon Book Club
Tuesday, September 8 at 12:30 p.m.
This month we’ll be reading The Virginian by Owen Wister.
This title is available for curbside pickup, Berkley delivery, and on Libby/Overdrive and Hoopla.
Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Corrado Parducci - Detroit’s Architectural Sculptor: Works Near and Far
Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Join local architectural historian, author, and professional photographer, Dale A. Carlson, as he shares stories and aesthetically striking images from his half-decade long, nationwide search for extant works of Detroit’s legendary Italian-American architectural sculptor, Corrado Giuseppe Parducci. Enjoy a recounting of Parducci’s early life in New York City and Detroit backed by a visual smorgasbord of pieces spanning the entirety of Parducci’s fifty-five-year career, from as near as Berkley and as far as New York, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.
Share the name of your hometown or favorite city with the author and find out if Parducci contributed to its beauty.
Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
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TEEN PROGRAMS
Stress Relief Take-Home Kit
 Friday, September 11 for pickup
You survived the first week of the weirdest school year ever! Recover with a collection of take-home crafts & activities to help you de-stress.
Kit pickup will be Friday, September 11. We’ll work with you if you’re unable to come that day.
Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
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YOUTH PROGRAMS
Weekly Storytimes
- Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 PM
- Thursday mornings at 11:00 AM
Facebook Live or Premiere
Join us for an online storytime! Have fun with songs, fingerplays, and stories. We’ll stream live from the Library Facebook page each week. All ages welcome!
The video will stay up for a day or two for those unable to make the scheduled time, but will then have to be deleted. Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Relaxing Take-Home Kit
Friday, September 11 for pickup
Take some time to relax with a collection of crafts and activities to do at home. Kit pickup will be Friday, September 11. We’ll work with you if you’re unable to come that day. Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Zoom Book Club: The One and Only Ivan
Saturday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m.
By request of participants in July’s book club meeting, and to celebrate the sequel that was published recently, we will be reading The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate!
You can find this book in audio on Hoopla, as an ebook or audio on Libby/Overdrive, or you can request a print copy for curbside pickup by visiting our online catalog berkleymich.org/librarycatalog or giving us a call 248-658-3440. We will meet on Zoom, and you must register to receive the meeting link.
Register by calling 248-658-3440 or at http://berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
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ADULT PROGRAMS:
- Yoga in the Park
- Outdoor PiYo
- Zumba- virtual only
- Outdoor Sanchin Ryu Karate
- Outdoor Boot Camp
SENIOR PROGRAMS:
- Senior Fitness are available virtually on our City of Berkley Livestream and our government access cable channel WBRK
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YOUTH PROGRAMS:
- Outdoor Sanchin Ryu Karate
- Skyhawks Soccer
- Skyhawks Mini Hawks Multi-Sport
- Virtual Self Defense for Children
- Virtual Certified Babysitter/CPR/First Aid
- Virtual Certified Petsitter/CPR/First Aid
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Visit berkley.maxgalaxy.net to register for programs and view ongoing classes that are available throughout the month.
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Senior Transportation Now Available Again
Senior transportation is now operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays ONLY.
Transportation will be limited and utilized for grocery shopping, doctor appointments, and pharmacy trips at this time.
To reserve transportation please call the office at 248-658-3470.
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SPECIAL EVENTS: Oaks on the Road Outer Space Day!
Join us for an out-of-this-world time of Space Games, Activities, and Crafts including squirt-gun Tie Dye and Flying Saucer Golf!
- Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2020
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Jaycee Park
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*Register for your staggered start-time with your group of no more than a total of 8 people. You will have approximately 5 minutes to complete each of the 5 activity stations. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your scheduled start time and plan to leave the event area once your group has completed the activities.
Visit berkley.maxgalaxy.net to register today!
Public Parks Are Open
 As a reminder, all playgrounds have reopened and are play at your own risk:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Practice safe social distancing
- Refrain from group activities
- Wash your hands before and after using the park
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Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce calling for nominations for “Best of Berkley” Business Awards. These awards honor businesspeople and organizations that are supportive of the community.
The awards are presented at the annual State of the Cities, which is planned to take place virtually on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 4 PM.
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Criteria for business honoree: Be a member of Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce; Donates monetarily and/or in-kind to community and/or civic groups in Berkley and Huntington Woods; Business employees volunteer in the Berkley area community; The business works to make the Berkley area a great place to live, work, and play.
Criteria for businessperson honoree: Works at an organization in the Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce; Person exemplifies through action, civic responsibility, and works to encourage making the Berkley area a great place to live, work and play.
To confirm membership of a prospective honoree visit member directory on berkleychamber.com website page or email darlene@berkleychamber.com. For the online nomination form, visit berkleychamber.com.
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Downtown Berkley's Social Media Ambassador Program Has Officially Begun!
With 5 ambassadors who all love Berkley and have a strong social media presence, you'll start to see posts popping up online showcasing the many merchants and restaurants in Downtown Berkley.
When Shopping & Dining Out, Think About Berkley First
All of our downtown businesses have put safety protocols in place to keep everyone safe. Many still offer online shopping and local delivery too. Your support during this time means the world to them! For updated hours, please visit Downtown Berkley's website: downtownberkley.com/business-hours-covid19.
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Music Is Coming to Downtown Berkley!
Harmonic Swell & The Bridge of Reverberation, known in the area for playing classic 60's, 70's, and 80's rock music, will be playing on September 11 and September 25 from 7-8:30 PM in the green space between Odd Fellow's Antiques and Clark's Ice Cream on 12 Mile Road.
Space is limited, COVID- 19 safety protocols will be in place, & free masks will be available. Bring your family and close friends, and enjoy some great music for the remainder of the summer!
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Take a Moment as You Explore the Historical Museum
When the museum reopens and you enter through the Coolidge Hwy. door, please be sure to stop and check out the vestibule for a few minutes. It is easy to just keep moving on into the museum and miss the items on display there.
There are many different plaques from community service organizations that hang on one wall. In the corner, you will find one of the last metal traffic lights that used to hang at one of our intersections.
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Pete Kelly (former Berkley Public Safety Sergeant) was instrumental in saving one for our collection. Today Pete serves as the City's Fire inspector. An electrical company has promised that when the museum gets more space they will get the light working again. We can hardly wait!
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BOARDS & COMMISSIONS SEPTEMBER MEETINGS
Due to COVID-19 and the local State of Emergency, all governing and advisory boards & commission meetings will be virtual. Additionally, the advisory boards & commissions will be moving to a bi-monthly schedule. Governing boards will continue with a monthly schedule.
Visit our calendar page on the website for more details and to stay up-to-date with our boards & commissions.
SEPTEMBER 07: City Offices will be CLOSED in observance of the Labor Day holiday
SEPTEMBER 08:
- 7:00 PM - Historical Committee Meeting
SEPTEMBER 09:
- 8:30 AM - Downtown Development Authority Meeting
SEPTEMBER 14:
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7:00 PM - Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - CANCELLED
SEPTEMBER 15:
- 7:00 PM - Master Plan Steering Committee Meeting
SEPTEMBER 16: Clerk’s Office Open for Election Business ONLY (5 PM - 8 PM)
SEPTEMBER 17:
- 7:00 PM - Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting
SEPTEMBER 21:
- 7:00 PM - City Council Meeting
SEPTEMBER 22:
- 7:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting
SEPTEMBER 23:
- 6:30 PM - Beautification Advisory Commission Meeting
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