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MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Matthew Baumgarten
Hello Berkley, and welcome to the last month of 2020.
I am going to level with you guys, I don’t think we are getting flying cars this year and I am not sure what will happen in 2021, but what I do know is that we have some great projects right here on the ground in Berkley.
I am excited to say we have worked on several big projects this year.
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We are in the midst of investing in our sidewalks to become more walkable. Through the infrastructure millage, we made over 80 large-scale road repairs in 2020 with another 80 or so planned for the spring of 2021.
We look forward to restarting our evaluation of Coolidge Road after hitting the pause button during the lockdown period this year. We, unfortunately, were unable to get reliable traffic studies while students were out of school and so many were working from home so we postponed the measurements to 2021 in hopes that we can get reliable measurements under more normal conditions. Fingers crossed!
Berkley is also investing in our community's quality of life, as well as, we will be reopening the brand new Merchant Park. The park will now feature new pathways, restrooms, playground equipment, and our newest community jewel… the splashpad! After we cut the ribbon on Merchant’s Park, we will then turn our attention to some much-needed improvements and new equipment at our Tot Lot park.
The present may now be what we hoped for but the future is bright in Berkley.
See you all next year!
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Elections Update
The City Clerk's Office would like to thank all of the voters and those who dedicated their time to work during the November 3, 2020, General Election.
Voter turnout was at 81 percent, with more than half of that being cast as an absentee ballot. We greatly appreciate the community's support!
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Licensing
If you need a dog license, please email clerk@berkleymich.net or call 248-658-3310 for more information. We will be issuing licenses utilizing our secure drop box at City Hall.
Businesses requiring a snowplow license may email publicworks@berkleymich.net for the first step in the process. While City Hall is closed to the public, these will be issued through in-person visits.
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Making Payments
With City Hall closed to the public again, we encourage residents to use our secure dropbox or pay online for all transactions. Payments being made through our secure dropbox can be made by check or money order, or by cash.
We ask that for all types of payments that you please place your payment and a copy of what you are paying in an envelope and place it in the dropbox located at City Hall (3338 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley MI 48072).
If you plan on paying cash we request the following:
- Please place the exact amount of your bill along with the remittance copy of your bill in an envelope.
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A Note Regarding Our Procedure: We will have a second employee witness the opening of the envelope to confirm its contents and then take a picture of the cash and coin in the envelope and have that for proof of what was placed in the envelope. It is important that you pay the correct amount since we will not be able to make change for you. As an additional protective measure, you can call the Treasurer’s Office at 248-658-3310 to confirm that you are placing cash in the dropbox so that we can look for it and acknowledge receiving it.
If you want a receipt, you can include a stamped self-addressed envelope in the envelope with your payment and remittance copy and seal the envelope. We will mail you a receipt. You may also include your email address and we will email you a receipt via email.
Learn more at www.berkleymich.org/treasury.
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Due to spacing constraints in the building, the office at the Department of Public Works remains 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.
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste collection information, including the full schedule, is posted on the City’s website and has been sent to all residents via utility bills.
November 27 was the last day to rake leaves to the curb or to use yard waste bags/cans for weekly pick-up. Weather permitting, DPW will begin the final curbside leaf pass the first week of December.
During the offseason, yard waste that is placed in paper bags may be taken to the SOCRRA facility on Coolidge at no charge.
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NOTE: An appointment may be necessary; Visit www.socrra.org to learn more
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 can sign up using the online request form here: bit.ly/BerkleyChipper or they continue to contact the DPW if the chipper service is needed at 248-658-3490.
Christmas Tree Removal
DPW crews will be picking up Christmas trees after the holiday. Please make sure there are no plastic bags and all decorations, lights, stands, etc. are removed prior to placement at the curb.
Trash Pick-up Notice
PLEASE NOTE: Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1 are both holidays for the City’s refuse and recycling contractor (Tringali). As a result, Friday pick up both weeks will be delayed by one day to Saturday. There is no change to the Tuesday pick up.
Traveling for the Winter?
Any homeowners leaving the City during the winter months are encouraged to contact the DPW to temporarily change the mailing address for utility bills and shut off the water service at the curb to limit the possibility of pipes freezing.
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Out With the Old
The Berkley Public Safety Department (BDPS) sold its “Ladder 4” to the City of Essexville Department of Public Safety (EDPS) and purchased “Squad 4” from EDPS. Ladder 4 is a 1995 60 foot’ ladder truck that became obsolete due to its short length and horizontal reach (recently replaced by Tower 4).
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The decision was made to sell Ladder 4 and replace it with an apparatus that meets our present and future needs of the City. In late October, BDPS acquired Squad 4, a 2006 Rosenbauer. This apparatus, 11 years newer with fewer hours on the pump, smaller, and much more maneuverable than Tower 4 and Engine 4. BDPS is now able to position an apparatus in the rear parking lot of a number of commercial and apartment buildings that were not accessible in the past, making our apparatus fleet more versatile now.
Ladder 4 was a favorite with our personnel (it was placed in service well before any of our current officers started), we are extremely happy that it will remain in service for another department.
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BDPS Assist and Respond
Our Tower 4 assisted at the scene of a high-rise apartment fire on the 10th floor of a building in Oak Park.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Public Safety Departments of Oak Park, Berkley, Huntington Woods, and Beverly Hills DPS personnel.
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A Round of Applause for Our Public Safety Officers!
Congratulations to Detective Lieutenant Andrew Hadfield who recently graduated from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police’s “Police Executives’ and New Chiefs’ School.” He, along with other Chiefs and Executives from all over the State, attended this comprehensive week-long training in Okemos, as part of the BDPS professional development plan. Detective Lieutenant Hadfield joins Lieutenant Corey Miller and Chief Matt Koehn as graduates of this program.
Additionally, we would like to congratulate Public Safety Officer, Brianna Berge, on her graduation from the Oakland Fire Academy. The 11-week, COVID-19 interrupted, program actually started in February.
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Winter Holiday Safety Tips
 Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
Holiday Decorating
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
- Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Before Heading Out Or To Bed
- Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
Holiday Safety facts
- More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
- More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
Information provided by the National Fire Protection Association.
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Berkley Master Plan
The Master Plan is still ongoing. This month, the Planning Commission and Master Plan Steering Committee will be conducting a virtual workshop to discuss our City’s future land use map and how we want the community to look in the next 5, 10, 20 years. In addition to the map, the group will discuss our commercial corridors and residential housing.
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 www.berkleymich.org/masterplan.
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The City will be closed on the following day(s):
- 12/01 - City Hall In-Service from 1 PM to 3 PM
- 12/11 - All Staff In-Service Training
- 12/24 - Christmas Eve Holiday
- 12/25 - Christmas Day Holiday
- 12/31 - New Year’s Eve Holiday
Public Safety will continue to provide 24-hour operations and support to the community.
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Berkley Public Library Curbside Pickup & Delivery Service
The library building remains closed to the public. However, curbside pickup and delivery in Berkley are available on the following days:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 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 at Home!
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 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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ADULT PROGRAMS
An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
Wednesday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Zoom—Registration required.
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. Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
Help Your Farmers, Your Community, and Your Health — Choose Local Meats!
Thursday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Zoom—Registration required.
Presented by Lisa Howard, The Cultured Cook. Now more than ever before, we’d like to know where our food comes from and which foods are most beneficial for our health. During this program, we’ll talk about the differences between animals raised on pasture and animals raised in Confined Animal Feeding Operations and why it’s worth choosing the former. Eggs, meats, and dairy products from pastured animals help maintain our food chains, our local ecologies and economies, our farmers, and our health, plus pastured animals are much more humanely treated than animals in CAFOs. And I’ll be sharing culinary tips, too! Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440
Afternoon Book Club
Tuesday, December 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Zoom—Registration required.
This month’s selection is Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. This title is available for curbside pickup or Berkley delivery. Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
Virtual Book Club for Adults
Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Zoom—Registration required.
We’ll be reading and discussing The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This title is available for curbside pickup, Berkley delivery, on Hoopla, and on Libby/Overdrive. Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
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TEEN PROGRAMS
Holiday Take-Home Kits
Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sign up to receive a bag of crafts and activities to help you get in the holiday mood at home! Kits can also be picked up the following week if necessary.
Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
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YOUTH PROGRAMS
Weekly Storytimes will return on January 9, 2021! Stay tuned for details.
Letters to Santa
Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Stop by and write and decorate a letter to Santa and mail it in the special mailbox here at the library!
No registration required.
Holiday Take-Home Kits
Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sign up to receive a bag of crafts and activities to help you get in the holiday mood at home! You can also write and decorate a letter to Santa when you come. Kits can also be picked up the following week if necessary. Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
Sticky Fingers Cooking
Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Zoom—Registration required.
Join us on Zoom to learn how to make shortbread with sprinkles. Participants will receive the recipe in advance and will need to provide their own ingredients. Please register your family as one “person” even if multiple family members will be participating. Requires Registration at berkleylib.evanced.info/signup/calendar or 248-658-3440.
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Shop Local this Holiday Season
Shopping local is more important now than ever, and with the holidays quickly approaching, there's no time like the present to shop local. Please consider supporting our fabulous downtown Berkley businesses this holiday season.
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However, at this time we have closed for the three-week pause per the Public Health Orders which started Wednesday, November 18, and we will reassess after the order is lifted on December 9. |
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It May Be Getting Colder but Berkley Parks Are Still OPEN!
Bundle up and take some time to enjoy the Winter season.
Sign up for the Clue Scavenger Hunt. See details below.
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Scavenger Hunt
Clue: Holiday Edition
The game begins on Tuesday, November 24, and goes on until Monday, December 7.
Join the fun by visiting www.berkley.maxgalaxy.net to sign up!
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Senior Transportation
Until further notice, senior transportation will only be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transportation will also be limited to grocery shopping or doctor appointments ONLY.
As a reminder, masks are still required to ride on the SMART bus.
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Be Sure to #ShopLocal in Berkley!
The holiday season is here! While our local retail businesses and restaurants always love and appreciate your support, this year they need it even more. Many of our local businesses offer curbside pickup, online ordering, and gift certificates.
Additionally, each are practicing proper COVID-19 safety protocols if you want to shop in person.
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These are the businesses that many in the community have asked for years and years to donate and sponsor our local sports clubs, school events, music programs, and so much more.
So, please when you think about your gift-giving list this year, check out what our Berkley stores and restaurants have to offer and purchase locally.
Visit our Chamber website at www.berkleychamber.com for a directory of our retail and other businesses info or follow our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/berkleychamber to discover all the hidden gems!
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The Historical Museum Is Offering Three Holiday Items This Year!
This is a special Berkley holiday season! We have a new coffee mug with a snow-covered Berkley Theatre, along with last year's Santa mug, and a tree ornament with the wonderful drawing of the Berkley Santa Claus!
These wonderful drawings have been made and donated by the artist, Cindy Pendleton of Pendleton Fine Arts.
Each item is only $10.00!
They are usually available in the Museum, Library, and City Clerk's Office. This year all three of these locations are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, they are available this year at Tootie and Tallulah's located at 2600 Twelve Mile Rd, Berkley, MI 48072.
We hope you enjoy them!
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BOARDS & COMMISSIONS DECEMBER 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.
DECEMBER 01: City Hall will be closed for Staff In-Service from 1 PM to 3 PM
DECEMBER 01:
- 7:00 PM - Planning Commission Work Session Meeting
DECEMBER 02:
- 7:00 PM - Citizen Engagement Advisory Committee Meeting
DECEMBER 05: Drive-By Santa Parade Celebration - Learn more at www.berkleymich.org/holidaylightsparade
DECEMBER 07:
- 7:00 PM - City Council Meeting
DECEMBER 09:
- 8:30 AM - Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Meeting
DECEMBER 10:
- 7:00 PM - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
DECEMBER 11: City Offices will be closed for Staff In-Service Training and Development
DECEMBER 14:
- Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - CANCELLED
- 7:00 PM - Tree Board Meeting
DECEMBER 15:
- 7:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting
DECEMBER 16:
- 6:30 PM - Technology Advisory Committee Meeting
- 7:00 PM - Library Board Meeting
- 7:00 PM - Master Plan Steering Committee Meeting
DECEMBER 21:
- 7:00 PM - City Council Meeting
DECEMBER 24: City Offices Closed in Observance of Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 25: City Offices Closed in Observance of Christmas Day
DECEMBER 31: City Offices Closed in Observance of New Year’s Eve
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