City Hall is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a m - 5 p m
The Police Department lobby entrance on the east side of City Hall on Pierce Street continues to operate as the point of contact for all off-hour requests.
City Commission and other city boards meet in-person, and most have a virtual option available to the public. For meetings that occur after hours, visitors can access City Hall through the Police Department lobby entrance on Pierce Street. Learn how to participate in virtual meetings at www.bhamgov.org/participate. You may also watch many city meetings on your local cable access channel and by web streaming on the city's Vimeo channel
Visit www.bhamgov.org/contacts to view a list of department contact numbers for services needed.
Submit non-emergency concerns directly to the City of Birmingham using the GovAlert Mobile app! Simply download the free app and follow the userfriendly prompts. Follow this link for a short video with step-by-step instructions. Don't want to use the app? That's OK! Submit your request at bhamgov org/citizenrequests
Looking for the inside scoop at City Hall? Download the City Manager's Report prepared for the City Commission each month. Birmingham City Manager Jana Ecker provides the latest updates from city departments and a sneak peek at upcoming events, staffing changes, developments and more
Meet Jeff Scaife, the Birmingham Fire Department’s newly appointed fire marshal. Jeff has been with the department for almost seven years, the last six of them as a fire inspector. He looks forward to getting out in the community to meet and protect citizens! Follow this link to learn more
The City of Birmingham has declared a climate emergency and formed an Ad Hoc Environmental Sustainability Committee to help guide Birmingham towards a sustainable and resilient future. Birmingham will be creating a Sustainability and Climate Action
Plan over the next year and we need your input! Visit Engage Birmingham at engage.bhamgov.org and share your feedback. Whether sustainability is a new concept or old, obscure or familiar....this survey is for you!
Planning is underway for the city's Parks an Recreation Master Plan for 2024-2028 To ensure eve resident has a say in shaping the future of our park and recreation, the city has partnered with McKenn to develop a range of engagement opportunities. Learn about these opportunities and share your feedback online via the city’s public engagement platform, Engage Birmingham. The site features a variety of customizable interaction opportunities, including surveys, parks comment map and more.
In addition to online engagement opportunities, residents are encouraged to attend “field days” to contribute to the overall vision of the Master Plan. A pop-up booth will be at the following parks and events throughout the summer:
Kenning Park - Saturday in the Park on August 5, 2023 from noon – 4 p.m. Farmers Market - Market Day on September 10, 2023 from 9 a m – 2 p m
Residents are also encouraged to join us on Instagram and share park feedback Take a photo in any Birmingham Park, tag @bhamgov, and use the hashtag #MyBhamParks to share your favorite moments and help us understand your favorite parts of our parks and where improvements might be needed.
Join us on this exciting journey to engage, envision, and shape the future of Birmingham's parks and recreation. Together, we will create a world-class experience that enhances the quality of life for all
Learn more and share your feedback at engage.bhamgov.org.
The Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) is seeking resident, visitor, business and downtown employee input on the types of businesses, products an amenities that are needed in Downtown Birmingham to continue to enhance the community environmen reasons to visit and stay, and grow the economy. Fi out this quick Downtown Usage Survey to help the BSD shape its development efforts.
The Birmingham Police Department is excited for the community to meet the newest member of our team. After hundreds of name submissions and an online voting process, we are proud to introduce Therapy K9 Maple. Maple is a Bernese Mountain Dog who came to our department at eight weeks old and lives with Patrol Captain Kearney and his family. She enjoys socializing with City Hall staff and guests, and will attend her first behavioral
training when she turns four months old. She will begin her official therapy K9 certification at around one year of age. Until then, Maple will be visiting various activities with patrol officers occasionally and napping around City Hall. We look forward to many exciting events with Maple in the future!
The Fire Department is excited to share its new official Facebook page! With this new page, the department will promote fire and life safety information, training updates, department events, and much more The goal of the new page is to share more of what the department does on a weekly basis. The department is counting on residents to share our page so that others can benefit from the content and hopefully we can prevent an injury, death or loss of property. The dedicated fire personnel appreciate the continued support of the City, residents and business community This support helps the department provide the best response to all types of
emergencies Together we can save lives and make a difference!
Please follow us at https://www facebook com/BirminghamFD
Be safe, Chief Paul Wells
Did you know that every third Saturday in August is National Honey Bee Day? According to the United Nations, pollination (through honeybees and others) is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land.
Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but also they are key to conserving biodiversity What can you do to “celebrate” National Honey Bee Day? In our opinion, it is by learning as much as you can about not only honeybees and what they can offer, but also what they do not offer in the broader sustainability conversation. In a way, honeybees and beekeeping have become a trendy approach to sustainability and environmentalism that can actually, as an unexpected consequence, further environmental degradation through competition and the eventual smothering out of native bee populations With all of the good they do, it is important to ensure we know their role!
Parking Services and the Engineering Department have completed repaving Lot 5, the surface lot portion of the N. Old Woodward Garage. Other recent improvements include a new driveway and island at the Old Woodward entrance/exit, new driveway at the Bates entrance/exit, new parking equipment, new LED lights at the Old Woodward entrance/exit, and a new pedestrian walkway to help delineate a path for the public to follow as they walk through the lot.
Other improvements coming soon at the garage will include newly painted ceilings and walls, LED lights, new doors and signage. We hope the public will enjoy an improved parking experience at the N. Old Woodward Garage.
Never pour kitchen fats, oils and grease (FOG) down your sink drain. Pouring or washing FOG down your kitchen drain can build up and block pipes which is costly to you and the Rouge River. FOG enters sewer pipes through restaurant, residential and commercial sink drains. Once in the sewer, FOG sticks to the inside of the pipe, thickens, and can eventually block the entire pipe
Blockages in sewer pipes can send sewage backwards and up through floor drains and toilets into homes or businesses, and/or out of manholes into streets and rivers. These sewage overflows pollute our homes, businesses and our environment. Cleanup costs can be expensive. Preventing sewer backups from FOG blockages saves residents and business owners money and protects the water quality of the Rouge River. Residents and business owners can help control the problem by properly disposing of fats, oils and grease Practice and share these healthy habits with your family, friends, and neighbors:
·DO pour or scrape greasy or oily food waste into a container or jar and allow grease to cool or solidify in the container before throwing in the trash.
·DO use a paper towel or scraper to remove residual grease from dishes prior to washing.
·DO mix liquid vegetable oil with an absorbent material such as cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealable container before throwing it in the trash
·Do keep drains clean by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, wait 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water
·DO NOT pour fats, oils or grease down drains or garbage disposals. DO NOT use hot water to rinse grease off cookware, utensils, dishes, or surfaces.
·DO NOT put ‘disposable’ wipes down a drain/toilet. They don't dissolve and will cause clogs.
Cleaning FOG buildup from sewers increases maintenance costs for you and everyone else in your community. Keep our environment clean and avoid unnecessary maintenance costs by keeping fats, oils and grease out of our sewers. For more healthy habits you can practice at home or work to protect water quality in the Rouge River, visit www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/watershed.html.
Share your feedback regarding Birmingham's newly updated Trail Improvement Concept Plan at the Parks and Recreation Board meeting on August 1. The revised plan incorporates feedback gathered from the public and various City boards and department heads since November 2022. Improving the City's trail system is an important Parks and Recreation bond project, and the Department of Public Services (DPS) has applied for several grants to help leverage funding for the initiative.
The meeting, which also includes an update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Attend in person at the DPS, located at 851 South Eton Street (park inside the gate and use the side entrance), or participate via Zoom at www.bhamgov.org/participate.
Follow this link to view the updated trail concept plan, and share your feedback with us on August 1! Feedback can also be sent to Parks and Recreation Manager Carrie Laird at claird@bhamgov.org. Learn more about Parks and Recreation bond projects at www.bhamgov.org/parksbond.
A visit to Kenning Park offers something for everyone! This neighborhood park is located in the southeast section of Birmingham, along the south side of Lincoln east of Eton As the City’s primary recreation complex, it is home to the Birmingham Ice Sports arena, a skate park, three Little League diamonds and one softball diamond, four tennis courts, playground equipment, open green space and an ADA accessible path
Watch this video to see more! For more information on all Birmingham parks, visit bhamgov.org/parks.
Birmingham‘s next election is Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Voters will select four City Commissioners and three Library Board members, all for 4-year terms. The ballot will also include a .33 senior millage proposition Visit www bhamgov org/seniormillage for more information regarding the senior millage proposal.
Voters who wish to vote absentee in the upcoming election will need to complete an absentee ballot application Applications like the one pictured below will be mailed to those on the permanent absent voter list in late August, and available in the Clerk’s Office and online at mi gov/vote after August 24 Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters and available in the Clerk’s Office no earlier than September 28.
The passage of Proposal 2022-2 last November added early voting and other new election policies to the Michigan Constitution. While many of these changes will not take effect until the 2024 election cycle, several components will be in place in time for Birmingham’s November 7 local election, including:
Proposal 2022-2 created a constitutional right to no less than nine days of early in-person voting for not less than eight hours per day in each statewide and federal election, which occur in even years Although Birmingham’s 2023 election is neither type, the City is working with Oakland County Elections Division, Bloomfield Township and Southfield Township on a pilot program to offer early voting at the Bloomfield Township Library before this year’s November 7 election. Stay tuned for more information on this option, and learn more about early in-person voting here
The absentee ballot application for the November 7 election will include a checkbox (circled below) with language for voters to opt in to a new list, the permanent ballot list. In future elections, absentee ballot applications will not be required for voters on this new list; voters on the permanent ballot list will automatically be mailed a ballot for every non-partisan election. In partisan primary elections, such as the March 2024 presidential primary, voters will still need to respond to a mailing and select their desired ballot type.
Another new provision of proposal 2022-2 allows additional time for completed absentee ballots from military and overseas voters to arrive The new law states that absentee ballots from these voters will be counted if the ballot return envelope was postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Clerk’s Office within six days following the election. Absent uniformed services voters or citizens who will be outside the U.S. for the Nov. 7, 2023 election must apply for a Military and Overseas ballot – commonly called the MOVE ballot – at https://www.fvap.gov/michigan.
The City of Birmingham is looking for dedicated individuals who want to give back to their community by serving on one of our many boards or commissions. Birmingham’s boards and commissions make recommendations that shape the city’s future. Serving on a board or commission is a great way to get involved in your community, meet new people and make a positive impact. Don't miss out on the chance to make a difference. Visit www.bhamgov.org/boardopportunities to view all the available openings and apply.
Make a difference in your community by joining the Storm Water Utility Appeals Board Their objective is to hear resident or property owner disputes regarding fees pursuant to the Storm Water Utility Ordinance (Section 114-402c). The board meets periodically, as needed. There are currently three regular member openings (two members must be licensed professional engineers) and two alternate member openings. Learn more and apply at www bhamgov org/boardopportunities
Summer property tax bills are due without penalty on August 31. Payments must be received by the city by August 31 in order to avoid penalty, so please plan ahead. The city does not accept postmark dates or other proofs of payments such as online banking transaction dates. When using online banking, please make sure you are using the correct address on the top of the bill. Also, make sure that the transaction will actually be a next-day ACH transaction. Some banks will send a check rather than an electronic transaction, which will delay posting of your payment. If you are unsure, please contact your bank. You will find a lot of valuable information on your property tax bill. Please take time to read the front and back of your bill. Many of the questions you may have can be answered by reading this content.
The city provides many options for paying your tax bill These options, along with instructions, are listed on the back of your tax bill. You may pay by mail, online, at the Treasurer's Office, or use one of the two drop boxes located at City Hall A payment drop box is located on the south side of City Hall near the back entrance. There is also a drive-up drop box located at the Henrietta entrance to the back lot behind City Hall.
SERVICES
Did you know seniors enjoy a variety of services all throughout the Birmingham community? From special events and activities to exclusive discounts and assistance, seniors have many special opportunities in Birmingham. Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/seniorservices.
The city's ordinance requires grass and weeds to be kept below eight inches high to ensure our city continues to look well-maintained. Poison ivy, ragweed or any other poisonous, noxious or unhealthy growths are prohibited. Those in violation of this ordinance will have their lawn mowed and will be required to pay for the service. Access the entire Grass and Noxious Weed ordinance (Sec. 118-66) on the City's website.
For more information, call the Department of Public Services at (248) 530-1700.
All dogs must be on a chain or leash and under reasonable control of some person at all times. Owners cannot allow animals to deposit fecal matter in any place other than the premises where the animal is harbored or kept, unless it is immediately collected and removed
No person shall harbor or keep any dog which, by loud or frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, causes a serious annoyance to the neighborhood, or to people passing on the street. Please remember dog waste should be collected with a bag and disposed of in your garbage container, not your yard waste bin
If your dog or cat is four months or older, they need to be licensed in the City of Birmingham. It's a simple process that ensures the well-being of your pets and the community. You can get a license at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours, online at bhamgov.org/petregistration or send in your application by mail. If sending by mail, don't forget to include the pet license registration form, rabies immunization record and payment.
The license fees are the same for new registrations and renewals: $15.00 for a 1-year tag, $20.00 for a 2-year tag, and $25.00 for a 3-year tag. When it's time for renewal, make sure your pet gets that rabies shot again and renew through the City Clerk’s office
Cool off and enjoy ice time in a Birmingham Ice Sports Arena open skate session this summer. Options include:
Open public skate - all ages, no competitive skating or hockey allowed
Adult skate - 18 years and older
Parent and tot hockey - 12 years and under, helmet required
Teen hockey - 13-17 years old, full equipment
For schedules, pricing and additional details, visit bhamgov.org/icearena to view the open skate schedule through September 1.
The Birmingham Ice Sports Arena offers Learn to Skate programs for ages 3 and up! All classes meet once per week and skate rental is available. Find more information and register at https://play.bhamgov.org/. Classes begin the week of September 11.
The Ice Sports Arena is located at 2300 East Lincoln For questions about programs, contact Connie Folk at (248) 530-1642 or cfolk@bhamgov.org.
The Birmingham Museum will be undertaking planned improvements in the John West Hunter Park along Willits during August, in accordance with its 2018 Master Landscape Plan. The goal of the improvements is to help make the north part of the property more accessible so visitors can enjoy the unique natural features of the site Phases 1 and 2 of a four-phase improvement project will consist of a barrier-free parking space and sidewalk to a seating area overlooking the pond along Willits.
These improvements are funded primarily with federal dollars and will be ADA compliant The landscaping portion of the project will be installed later this fall, and is funded in part by the Rosso Family Foundation. It will include Michigan native wetland plants and trees to maintain the natural character of the park. Additional barrier-free pathways and a Rouge River overlook in the park are planned for Phases 3 and 4, which are anticipated to be constructed in 2024 or 2025.
The Birmingham Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $7; children 5 and under and Friends members are free. Questions? Contact the museum at 248530-1928 or museum@bhamgov.org, or check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
August is looking awesome at the Library! Summer reading is wrapping up, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Check out all our programs this month at Baldwinlib.org/calendar. Among them you’ll find sessions on parenting, Photoshop, genealogy, Detroit Style Pizza and the Michigan Opera Theater! You have two opportunities to join us for outdoor storytimes You can use the new and improved Michigan Activity Pass website to score free or discounted admission to hundreds of attractions across the state Also: check out the book club choices for August and September.
Follow our progress on the renovation and expansion of the front entrance and circulation area of the library at baldwinlib.org/renovation, or on library social media accounts.
Friday, August 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for a fun experience working with fused glass with Helen Agius-Andreae, artist, instructor and owner of Fired and Fused glass creations! In this workshop you will be introduced to the art of fused glass and glass cutting techniques and make a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Choose between a 6-inch dish, bowl or vase. You will be instructed on how to arrange and stack colorful glass pieces on a base piece of compatible glass to create your unique design. Pieces will then be fused and slumped in a kiln and will be ready for pick-up approximately two weeks after the class. No experience necessary! All tools and materials will be provided Please follow this link to register
Tuesday, August 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us as we transform our Next parking lot into a showcase for classic cars, muscle cars and other unique vehicles including the Batmobile! Mingle with the owners and hear stories about their “babies.”
Enjoy a coney dog and a bag of chips while you “cruise” the parking lot. If you have a vehicle you or someone you know would like to display, contact Pam Hall at 248-203-5280. Please follow this link to register
Thursday, August 17, 6 p.m.
Tareq Ramadan, B.A, M.A., Ph.D., Wayne State University adjunct professor and Arab America Foundation's 40 Under 40
In 2003, the United States launched an invasion of Iraq under the pretense that its government was concealing weapons of mass destruction. Though no such weapons were found, the subsequent occupation of the country and the power vacuum that ensued led to the collapse of Iraq’s already fractured, and historically elusive, social and political unity With Saddam Hussein gone after more than two decades in power, the oil-rich nation embarked on a chaotic restructuring that many argue has resulted in an unstable, and even failed state. Despite Iraq’s political and security woes, it is home to incredible linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity as well as a remarkable human history that has spurred one of its most renowned nicknames, “The Cradle of Civilization.” Please follow this link to register.
Many students don’t feel seen and heard, even more so since the pandemic. They are feeling like adults don’t understand what they went through.
We’re noticing, too, that students are still trying to catch up and feel that there is an overall developmental delay best described by one of our teens as, “Being in 12th grade but feeling like I am still in the 10th.”
Regardless of what grade they are in, many students experience anxiety and stress about moving to that next level The frustrating part for them is when well-meaning adults dismiss their anxiety and stress as no big deal, forgetting that these students have never been this age or stage before so everything is new and can be a big deal.
Besides the loss of time, students feel the sense of community and connections have not recovered while their desire for these connections has increased. To mitigate this, students need a safe place to connect and share their feelings with each other, a role that the Mid Action Board and Youth Action Board (YAB) groups provide
In our June e-news featuring our graduating YAB seniors, the first thing each student mentioned, when asked about their lasting impressions from YAB, was the safe space, like-minded peers, and feeling supported.
It’s really important to be aware and open to students who may be struggling as they may not be showing it Try to approach them with love in your heart and a desire to understand their feelings and viewpoint without judgment.
Learn more about the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition at www.BBcoalition.org.
Enjoy a round of golf at Birmingham’s top-rated Lincoln Hills and Springdale Golf Courses! Both nine-hole courses offer outstanding golf opportunities that are affordable, close to home and open to everyone! Adaptive golf carts are also available at both locations.
Reservations may be made online or by calling Lincoln Hills at (248) 530-1670 or Springdale at (248) 530-1660. For locations, hours and events, visit www.bhamgov.org/golf.
Saturday, August 5 at Springdale and Sunday, August 6 at Lincoln Hills
Format: 2-Day Gross and 2-Day Net
The competition will be a 36-Hole competition played over two days (18 holes per day). Saturday’s round will begin at Springdale with tee times from 8 - 10 a.m. The second round will be held on Sunday at Lincoln Hills, also from 8 – 10 a.m.
Thursday, August 10 at Lincoln Hills Golf Course
Registration: 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start: 8 a.m. Awards Luncheon to Follow
Format: Individual Stroke Play
This 9-hole competition and is open to all Junior members and anyone who participated in the 2023 Junior Golf Program. Upon completion of the event, hotdogs, chips, ice cream and beverages will be served as staff tally the cards to present the trophies
Register for both events by calling the Lincoln Hills Golf Course at (248) 530-1670.
Join us this month as we conclude our 2023 season of In the Park Summer Concerts! During this free, fun and substance-free concert series, attendees enjoy the vibrant outdoor atmosphere and beautiful park setting while listening to performances from local bands playing a wide variety of music genres Mark your calendar for these August concerts:
Wednesday, August 2
The Boss Revue (Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band) at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9
12 p m Uc3 Acoustic Trio (Variety Acoustic) at noon 7 p m Your Generation In Concert (Variety) at 7 p m
Wednesday, August 16
7 p.m. Mainstreet Soul (Variety) at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 23
ThunderBeard (ZZ Top Tribute Band) at 7 p.m.
View the complete concert lineup at www.bhamgov.org/summerconcerts.
AUGUST 6, 9AM - 2PM
Visit the Birmingham Farmers Market on Sunday, August 6 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the annual Corn Festival! Shop bountiful peak-season produce (including corn picked just hours before the market), farm-fresh eggs, artisan baked goods and more from over 50 vendors Enjoy a day full of activities the whole family will love, including:
Fresh roasted corn to eat on-site
Petting Zoo
Live Music
Food Trucks
Tractor, perfect for photo ops!
Kids' zone craft area
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 13 - Second Sunday Fitness with lululemon
September 10 - Harvest Festival
October 8 - Second Sunday Fitness with Move as a Human
October 29 - End of Season Celebration
Visit ALLINbirmingham.com/farmersmarket for more information. We look forward to seeing everyone at the market!
For more information on the Birmingham Shopping District, visit ALLINBirmingham.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events downtown!
It's show time! Join us at Booth Park downtown on select Friday nights for a free, familyfriendly movie under the stars. Pre-show entertainment including sponsor booth and giveaways begins at 6:30 p m ; movie at 7:30 p m
DATES AND FEATURE PRESENTATIONS:
August 11: Despicable Me
September 8: Toy Story
Movie Night VIP Pack:
Reserved Seating
Reserved Parking
Free Goodies
For details and to enter, visit the Birmingham Shopping District's Facebook or Instagram pages. Good luck!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 9AM - 5PM
The Woodward Dream Cruise will roll into town on Saturday, August 19 bringing thousands of classic cars and people from all over the world. Adding to the festivities, the Birmingham Cruise Event will feature classic cars of all makes and models, sponsor exhibits, food and more Find more information at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/cruiseevent.
Complete the volunteer application here. We look forward to hearing from you!
For more information on the Birmingham Shopping District, visit ALLINBirmingham.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events downtown!
Please help us welcome The Good Day to downtown Birmingham! Their carefully selected home and lifestyle goods are designed to bring more warmth and beauty to your home and tabletop. The Good Day was founded by high school best friends Katie Dwan and Allison Ochmanek Katie and Allison originally bonded over their love for art and fashion. That bond has grown into a shared passion for all things design, entertaining, and making life more beautiful and full. We hope you will stop in and say hello!
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