Plans are underway for the appointment of a new Birmingham City Manager Current City Manager Tom Markus will complete his 2.5 year term on June 30, 2023. After conducting a national search, Mayor Therese Longe has announced the first round of interviews will take place via Zoom during special City Commission meetings on Wednesday, February 8 from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, February 9 from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. The meetings will take place at the Department of Public Services (DPS), located at 851 South Eton (park inside the gate and use the side entrance).
Members of the community may attend the special City Commission meetings in person, but should note candidates will be interviewed virtually via Zoom. The meeting notice and Zoom information for both meetings can be found at www.bhamgov.org/commissionagendas. The community may also watch the interviews on the local cable access channel and view live streaming information at www bhamgov org/watch
On Wednesday, February 15, top candidates will be provided with a tour of city facilities and meet with city department heads and administrative staff in the afternoon. They will then participate in a public meet and greet event on the evening of February 15, from 7 - 8:30 p.m., in the lower level of the Baldwin Public Library, located at 300 West Merrill Street.
“I am pleased to invite the community to join us at the Baldwin Public Library to take advantage of the opportunity to visit with our top candidates,” said Mayor Longe. “Attendees will be able to meet candidates to ask questions and discuss their candidacy for the Birmingham City Manager position.”
The community will also soon have an opportunity to share feedback about the candidates on the city’s public engagement platform, Engage Birmingham, at http://engage bhamgov org City Commissioners will review feedback received from city staff and the public, and conduct a final round of interviews before making their selection. It is anticipated the new City Manager will be announced in the spring
The community is encouraged to visit www.bhamgov.org/citymanager for additional information regarding the City Manager selection process.
The City Hall lobby remains accessible to the public through the Martin Street entrance on the north side of City Hall during regular business hours, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a m - 5:00 p.m.
Main floor services including the Clerk’s and Treasurer's offices are accessible. Necessary in-person meetings between City Hall employees and the public take place at a designated location on the main floor of City Hall. Social distancing of six feet should be maintained during all in-person meetings 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.
The city recommends members of the public wear a mask if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have a respiratory illness. City staff, City Commission and all board and committee members must wear a mask if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or actively have a respiratory illness. The city continues to provide KN-95 respirators and triplelayered masks for attendees
Visit www.bhamgov.org/contacts to view a list of department contact numbers for services needed.
City Commission and other city boards meet in-person, and most have a virtual option available to the public.
Individuals may access City Hall from the Martin Street entrance during normal business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 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.
Looking for the inside scoop at City Hall? Download the City Manager's Report prepared for the City Commission each month Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus provides the latest updates from city departments and a sneak peek at upcoming events, staffing changes, developments and more
Submit non-emergency concerns or questions directly to the City of Birmingham using the GovAlert Mobile app! Simply download the free app and follow the user-friendly 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 www.bhamgov.org/citizenrequests.
The Birmingham Police Department would like to introduce our new Chief of Police, Scott A. Grewe. Chief Grewe began his career with the City of Birmingham in 1999 after successfully completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Ferris State University. During his tenure with the Birmingham Police Department, Chief Grewe held many titles as he moved through the ranks of our police department and previously served as the department armorer, firearms and use of force instructor, field training coordinator and investigations and road patrol supervisor.
Chief Grewe also attended numerous trainings to prepare him for this role including the Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute, Michigan Police Executive Development Seminar, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police New Chiefs School, Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command and was recently accepted into the prestigious FBI National Academy. After completing a challenging 10 weeks of professional education and physical challenges with law enforcement leaders from around the world, Chief Grewe graduated from the FBI National Academy in September 2022. Chief Grewe is also taking his final few classes to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration
Chief Grewe stated, “I am excited and honored to have been selected as the next Police Chief for the City of Birmingham, and I’m looking forward to working with the community in our ongoing efforts to keep Birmingham a safe place to live, work and visit ” Follow this link to learn more about Chief Grewe.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023 AT 6:30 P.M.
Learn about the status of Michigan law regarding cannabis and potential impacts for the City of Birmingham at the City Commission workshop on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., immediately before the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.
Residents are encouraged to attend the workshop to gain a better understanding of topics and projects considered by the City Commission. The Mayor will call for public comment at the end of each workshop to ensure the City Commission has as much time as possible throughout the workshop to learn, explore, discuss and hear community input as well.
Workshop agendas will be available each Thursday preceding the meetings on the city's website.
New equipment is being installed at the city's parking structures to create an expedited easy-in, easy-out experience for all parkers. Equipment and software by TIBA Solutions provides cloud-based kiosks with user-friendly, contactless entry and convenient payment options
The following is an estimated timeline for parking equipment upgrades:
Chester Street Parking Structure: Installed
Pierce Parking Structure: 1/30/23 – 2/3/23
Peabody Parking Structure: 2/13/23 – 2/17/23
Park Structure: 2/27/23 – 3/3/23
North Old Woodward Structure: 3/13/23 – 3/17/23
Transient parkers (those without a monthly parking pass) may enter and exit using a credit card, or they may pull a ticket at entry and scan the ticket upon exiting. As always, parkers will enjoy two hours free in all structures
The new system offers multiple forms of payment, such as debit/credit card (insert or tap to pay), Apple Pay and Google Pay. In the near future, the equipment will also integrate with the ParkMobile app. Monthly parking pass holders will have the option to access the structures by scanning a new parking pass, or use the TIBA Mobile Access App.
Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/parking or contact Parking Manager Aaron Ford at aford@bhamgov.org or (248) 530-1257.
Did you know that the Birmingham Fire Department offers a Family Preparedness Workbook that can help residents prepare for multiple types of emergencies? This workbook is provided free of charge on the City’s website and has helpful information for natural and human caused disasters including: tornados, flooding, public health emergencies, hazardous materials, nuclear threats, terrorism and more.
The workbook provides guides for creating your own first aid kit, emergency supply checklists, reminders for maintaining important family documents, and more. There are links provided for additional information that will help families prepare for various emergency situations.
Unfortunately, if a large-scale emergency or disaster were to take place, emergency services can easily become overcome with the demand for resources. Taking the time to read through this workbook can make a big difference in your preparation for a disaster that will help keep your family and friends safe.
Follow this link to download the Family Preparedness Workbook. More information can be found at: www.ready.gov.
The city's brand new virtual tour has already been viewed nearly 1,000 times. If you haven't virtually explored Birmingham with our 3D tour by Skyway Interactive, you're missing out! The tour, available at www.birmingham.skywayvr.com, utilizes 360-degree images and drone footage to create a fully immersive experience.
This interactive virtual tour is embedded on the city’s website at www.bhamgov.org/residents and will serve as a resource to attract those considering relocating to Birmingham, opening a business, visiting the city, or holding a special event in Birmingham.
Those familiar with Birmingham may discover something new as they explore remarkable aerial and ground footage of the city's golf courses, parks and facilities such as The Birmingham Museum, Birmingham Fire Department, Birmingham Ice Sports Arena and more
Visit www birmingham skywayvr com to virtually explore Birmingham today!
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 of Birmingham has begun its review of the third and final draft of the Birmingham Plan 2040, which is available to read and download on www.thebirminghamplan.com. At a minimum, the remaining schedule of review will consist of reviews and a public hearing at the Planning Board, and a public hearing at the City Commission The remaining schedule of review should closely resemble the following:
All documents related to the 2040 Plan remain available at www.thebirminghamplan.com. The community may visit the site to submit comments directly to the consultant team, and also submit comments directly to the Planning Division to be placed in the next available Planning Board agenda.
We want to hear your opinion, preferences, and vision for the community’s future You are encouraged to share your feedback at www.thebirminghamplan.com.
Join a city board to have a direct impact on your community! The following City of Birmingham boards and committees have vacant positions or members with terms expiring soon. Applications are due before noon the Wednesday prior to the commission interview/ appointment date. For more information, please visit www.bhamgov.org/boardopportunities.
Take measures to ensure you don't find yourself in violation of the ordinance regarding snow removal and snow parking bans. Here are the two most important requirements:
1) You are required to clear snow and ice on sidewalks that abut your property If the snow stops falling during the day, your sidewalks must be cleared by no more than 12 hours later. If the snow stops falling during the night, all sidewalks must be cleared by 6 p.m. the following day. Sidewalks that are not cleared of snow and ice will be shoveled by the city and the property owner will be fined.
2) When a Snow Emergency is declared, residents must remove their cars from city streets so the snow plows can get through. Cars in violation of this ordinance will be ticketed.
View more information about snow removal at www.bhamgov.org/snowremoval.
Remember, snow removal equipment is large, loud, and difficult to stop. Pedestrians and vehicles should allow a wide safety area around plows and deicing equipment during winter operations. Avoid darting out in front of snow and ice removal equipment, and make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of them Walking or driving too closely in front or behind such equipment can create unsafe conditions. Remember, stay back and stay safe!
When a Snow Emergency is declared, the city will send an eblast (sign up for the city newsletter and alerts at www bhamgov org/enews), send a Nixle text and email alert message (register at www.nixle.com), post on social media and update the city's website (www bhamgov org) Visit www bhamgov org/communicationtools to learn more about these and other communication services.
Learn and ask questions about Parks and Recreation Bond projects at the Parks and Recreation Board meeting on Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Department of Public Services, located at 851 South Eton. Topics on the agenda include:
Birmingham Little League Proposal for Kenning Park Ballfields
Trail Section between Baldwin and Willits - Survey update
Winter Sports Update
Attend in person at the Department of Public Services, located at 851 South Eton Street (park inside the gate and use the side entrance), or learn how to participate via Zoom at www.bhamgov.org/participate. Find more information about Parks & Recreation bond projects at www.bhamgov.org/parksbond.
Since 1968, the State of Michigan has enjoyed a sister state relationship with the Shiga Prefecture in Japan. In addition to the sister state relationship, 14 cities in Michigan, including Birmingham, have sister city relationships with cities in the Shiga Prefecture
Since 1976, the City of Birmingham has enjoyed its sister city relationship with Ritto, Japan as a part of the larger Michigan-Shiga Sister State program. Prior to COVID-19, a central part of this program was the annual Goodwill Mission, which promoted cultural understanding and afforded participants from both countries the opportunity to visit each other and build life-long friendships.
Birmingham officials recently enjoyed a visit with Yuta Matsubara, a representative from the Shiga Prefectural Government Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program. Mr. Matsubara moved to Michigan in December and will serve a term ending in the summer of 2024. Birmingham looks forward to working with him and maintaining our close relationship between Michigan and Shiga as we await the return of Goodwill Missions.
Learn more about the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program at https://michiganshiga.org/.
Christal Phillips, Executive Director of the Board of Ethics for the City of Detroit continues to talk with various ethics boards and professors in the area in preparation for a conference this April A variety of topics are tentatively being planned, which include: conflict of interest issues, revising or creating an ethics ordinance, and creating a more effective and enforceable board. Any public servant with the City of Birmingham is welcome to attend. Stay tuned for more information.
The Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board will meet next on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 8:30 a m in City Commission room 205 Topics on the agenda include a discussion on the Cemetery Services Contract and continued work on a strategic plan and goal setting for the cemetery.
On February 9, join Birmingham Museum Director Leslie Pielack at 7 p.m. at the Baldwin Public Library when she presents, "Oakland County’s Early Abolitionists and the Loca Underground Railroad Network," in honor of Black Histor Month The program will discuss new findings about Oakland County’s anti-slavery network of abolitionists and Underground Railroad activities in the years leading up to the Civil War. Who was involved? How did they accomplish it What happened to the freedom seekers who came through Birmingham and the surrounding communities of Royal Oak Pontiac, Southfield, Franklin, White Lake, and others? Learn how local historians are working together to answer these questions.
Questions? Contact the museum at (248) 530-1928 or museum@bhamgov.org, or check us out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Enjoy open skate all winter long at the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena! Visit bhamgov org/icearena to view the open skate schedule
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.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1:10 - 2:30PM
The Birmingham, Auburn Hills and Bloomfield Township Police Departments are hosting a Skate with a Cop event at the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena on Sunday, February 26 from 1:10 - 2:30 p.m
Adults: $6/per skater
Seniors (55): $5/per skater
17 & Under: $5/per skater
Rental Skates: $3 (sizes are limited)
In this penultimate installment of tips to reduce consumption and minimize waste, we will explore the circular economy. A circular economy keeps materials, products, and services in circulation for as long possible. It refers to an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that are restorative or regenerative by design, enables resources used in such processes and activities to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, and aims for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, and systems (including business models) It is a change to the model in which resources are mined, made into products, and then become waste. A circular economy reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products. The circular economy, when designed in a thoughtful and inclusive manner, has the potential to protect the environment, improve economics, and elevate social justice (info source: United States EPA). We as individual consumers have an important role to play in the circular economy by choosing sustainable products, using them longer, repairing them, or recycling them. Remember, the most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place.
Love your Library! This month, you can join us on Instagram Live for the newest Idea Lab Live: Things installment, students ‘visit’ their next country in our Travel the World series, learn more about Birmingham’s early abolitionists, go behind the scenes of the Library, enjoy some midwinter break gaming and hear about Detroit’s role on the Underground Railroad. Find all of these, plus storytimes, book clubs, computer classes, and more at baldwinlib.org/calendar.
Teens! Save the Date: Saturday, March 4 we’re keeping the library open late just for students in grades 9-12, to give you extra time to study for exams. We’re even bringing in dogs and providing pizza to help with stress.
Join us on Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the lower level of the library for a one-day sale to help reduce overstocked book sale inventory!
Thursday February 16 at 6 p.m.
Next is delighted to welcome John U. Bacon! As a New York Times bestselling author, Mr Bacon has written thirteen books on sports, business, health, and history seven of them national bestsellers. John freelances for The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo, and others, appears often on TV, including HBO, ESPN, and the Big Ten Network and also delivers weekly essays for Michigan Radio, where he won the prize for the nation’s best commentary in 2014 He is a popular corporate speaker and leadership consultant, who occasionally teaches at the University of Michigan where the students awarded him the Golden Apple Award, given to one instructor annually for “Excellence in Teaching.” Follow this link to register.
Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m.
Aaron Retish, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Wayne State University
February 24 marks the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Aaron Retish returns to Next to share his expertise and perspectives on the War After living in Russia and studying Russia’s foreign affairs, he returns to talk about Russia’s buildup to what has become the largest land war in Europe since WWII and how Ukrainians thwarted Russia’s military advances. He will also share what might come next in Ukraine and in Russia. Follow this link to register.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. with Pam Smith This class focuses on functional exercise with an emphasis on brainwork challenging individuals cognitively, as well as physically Participants will work on things like memory, multitasking and sequencing, as well as strengthening, cardio, core and balance work This class is for people of all ability levels Pam Smith is a certified personal and group trainer through The American Council on Exercise. Follow this link to register.
Next proudly serves the growing 50 plus population in our community. Next is located at 2121 Midvale Street in Birmingham. Contact Next at (248) 203-5270, visit www.BirminghamNext.org or like Next on Facebook
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of all that Birmingham has to offer this winter season. With 26 parks covering 230 acres, there are many options to satisfy every outdoor enthusiast For park locations and amenities, visit www bhamgov org/parks
Each of Birmingham’s 26 parks is unique and amenities include play structures, hiking trails, sports fields, tennis courts and more Again this year, the tennis nets will remain in place for players to enjoy throughout the winter months, weather permitting. Tennis courts are available at Kenning, West Lincoln, Pembroke, Poppleton, Quarton and St. James Park. Pickleball nets will also remain in place for play at Crestview Park.
Nature lovers can access over two miles of beautiful Rouge River trails right here in Birmingham. For the trail map, visit www.bhamgov.org/rougetrails.
Bring your sleds and enthusiasm for some fast-paced fun on the hills! When the snow flies, sledding is offered at Lincoln Hills Golf Course (4" of snow minimum), Booth Park and the Birmingham Museum. Lincoln Hills Golf Course is also a great location for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Rental equipment is not provided, but visitors are welcome to bring their own skis and snowshoes and enjoy the peaceful, yet challenging course. Please call Lincoln Hills at (248) 530-1670 before visiting.
Now that temperatures are consistently cold enough, city crews are working to install the outdoor ice rink at Barnum Park. City crews also maintain the rink, however users are welcome to shovel any snow accumulation to clear an area for skating. Keep an eye on future communications from the city regarding an official opening date.
For more information on outdoor skating at Barnum Park, visit www.bhamgov.org/outdoorskating.
Via Manzoni brings you the impeccable and refined Italian style of Milan with luxury clothing, accessories and lifestyle goods that feature genuine Italian craftsmanship. The Via Manzoni Boutique is now open at 239 Pierce Street! Visit the boutique and be sure to try the Hermes coffee! For more information, visit https://www.viamanzoni.com.
Open your own salon suite at Cosmo Studios! Unique and customizable, Cosmo Salon Studios makes it easy to start your own salon business. Find out more at https://cosmosalonstudios.com.
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