Issuu

Stay Connected

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

EMERGENCY ALERTS

VIRTUALLY EXPLORE BIRMINGHAM

Enjoy our 3D virtual tour at birmingham skywayvr com

ENGAGE WITH US

Share feedback at engage.bhamgov.org.

SOCIAL MEDIA facebook com/BhamGov @bhamgov

CITY OFFICES

CITY HALL - 151 MARTIN STREET

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.

MEETINGS

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.

CONTACT US

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.

REFUSE COLLECTION DELAY

Refuse collection will be delayed one day during the week of Sept 1 in observance of Labor Day Please remember to bring all containers to the curb by 7 a m the morning after your normal pickup day

CITY MANAGER REPORT

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 THE STAFF

MIKE MORAD, ASSISTANT BUILDING OFFICIAL

Meet Mike Morad, City of Birmingham assistant building official. Mike has more than 30 years of building experience and enjoys working with the people, builders and architects in Birmingham. Follow this link to learn more.

FALL RAIN BARREL SALE

The Clinton River Watershed Council is selling rain barrels that can be pre-ordered now and will be available for pickup on Friday, September 20 from noon - 9:30 p.m. at Dodge Park in Sterling Heights (40620 Utica Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313). Rain barrels are an excellent way to conserve rainwater and reduce water bills while benefiting the environment. Follow this link to order your rain barrel, and learn more at https://www.crwc.org/rain-barrel-sale.

PLANNING FOR BIRMINGHAM’S SENIOR/REC CENTER

Plans are underway for Birmingham’s future senior/recreation center. At a July 29 special City Commission meeting, the City Commission approved a motion accepting the Ad Hoc Senior/Recreation Center Committee’s recommendation to demolish the existing building at 400 E. Lincoln and construct a new building to house the future facility The commission also directed city staff to conduct additional discussions with proposed facility partners Next Senior Services and the Birmingham YMCA, and provide updates at future City Commission meetings. There is an opportunity for public comment at all City Commission meetings. The public may attend in person or via Zoom at www bhamgov org/participate The community may also watch on the local cable access channel or stream it live; learn how at www.bhamgov.org/watch. Find the meeting agenda and materials at www.bhamgov.org/commissionagendas.

BIRMINGHAM’S FUTURE SENIOR/REC CENTER AT 400 E. LINCOLN

MONDAY, SEPT. 9, 2024 AT 6 P.M.

Learn about plans for Birmingham’s future Senior/Recreation Center, and hear from Next and YMCA representatives regarding a potential partnership with the City at a workshop on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at 6 p.m., immediately before the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

Residents are encouraged to attend workshops 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 are available each Thursday preceding the meetings on the City's website.

PLANNING FOR BIRMINGHAM’S SENIOR/REC CENTER

WEEKLY OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE FEEDBACK

Learn more and share feedback about Birmingham’s future senior/recreation center at weekly Ad Hoc Senior/Recreation Center Committee meetings Find more information regarding the senior/recreation center at weekly Ad Hoc Senior/Recreation Center Committee meetings. the project and future public input opportunities at bhamgov.org/seniorreccenter.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The City of Birmingham purchased the YMCA building at 400 E. Lincoln in June 2023. The YMCA had planned to sell the building, creating a unique opportunity for Birmingham, the surrounding communities and Next. The city envisions the property as a future senior/recreation center for collaborative use. The building will be the home of Next, a 501(c)(3) organization that has provided the city with senior services for the past 45 years as well as other potential community-based partners, such as the YMCA, city parks and recreation services and/or any other users. On Nov. 7, 2023, Birmingham residents approved a senior millage – a .33 mill levy for a three-year term – enabling the city to make interim improvements to the YMCA building and to establish a sinking fund to contribute toward the cost of permanent improvements to the building for use as a senior/recreation center in the future The city formed the Ad Hoc Senior/Recreation Center Committee to assist with the project View the vision, goals, objectives, project timeline and more at bhamgov.org/seniorreccenter.

SENIOR SERVICES

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.

NEWS FROM THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE

THANK YOU, ELECTION INSPECTORS!

The City Clerk’s Office would like to thank all the approximately 50 election inspectors and city staff that helped conduct a safe and successful 2024 August state primary election. While we are fully staffed with election inspectors for the upcoming Nov 5 election, we will continue to accept applications for election inspectors to add to our emergency backup inspector list. These inspectors will be on call to work in case a regularly scheduled inspector is no longer available. Individuals must be at least 16 years of age and a registered Michigan voter if over the age of 18. Find more information online, or contact the clerk’s office at elections@bhamgov org or (248) 530-1880

AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

More than 23% of registered Birmingham voters participated in the successful 2024 state primary election on Aug 8 See official results at oakgov.com/elections under the 2024 elections tab. We appreciate all the voters who participated by voting early, absentee or in-person voting. Time now to start thinking about the Nov. 5 general election! Learn more below, and online at bhamgov org/vote and mi gov/vote

GENERAL ELECTION ABSENTEE BALLOTS COMING SOON!

The initial mailing of absentee ballots for the Nov. 5 general elections is tentatively scheduled for the last week of September. If you requested an absentee ballot or are on the permanent absentee ballot list and need it sent to an alternate address, now is the time to update it with the clerk's office at elections@bhamgov.org or online to ensure your absentee ballot reaches your desired destination Absentee ballots cannot be forwarded through the postal service. Find more information about temporary ballot mailing addresses on the next page.

NEWS FROM THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE

UNDERSTANDING TEMPORARY MAILING ADDRESSES

Voters temporarily living outside Birmingham – such as college students or snowbirds – can request that an absentee ballot be mailed to their out-of-town address Please communicate your temporary address to the clerk’s office, either on the absentee ballot application in the space provided, online at mi gov/vote or by contacting the clerk’s office at elections@bhamgov.org or (248) 530-1880. Please be sure to provide an end date for your temporary address to prevent election mail from being sent there after you leave. College students who forgot to sign an absentee ballot application before leaving town can request one online at mi.gov/vote.

If you are temporarily living at a different address within Birmingham, as many do when renovating their permanent homes, please note that state law prohibits the clerk’s office from sending an absentee ballot to a different address within the city in which you are registered to vote. Michigan law also prohibits the postal service from forwarding ballots. Options for those in this situation include:

Request to pick up your absentee ballot in person at the clerk’s office during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vote in person, either during early voting Oct. 26 through Nov. 3 or on Nov. 5

Register to vote at your temporary address. This can be done online before or on Oct. 21 at mi.gov/vote, or by returning this voter registration form to elections@bhamgov.org, one of the ballot boxes behind City Hall, or in person at the clerk’s office now through 8 p m on Election Day

TRUSTED SOURCES

Election season brings an abundance of political communications regarding voting Outside organizations reach out to voters with texts, emails, phone calls, door knocking, etc. These groups often use old mailing and contact lists for their political communications, which can and sometimes cause confusion or doubt in the voting process.

If you have questions about any information you received, please check with your TRUSTED resources The Michigan Bureau of Elections provides an abundance of information, including: mi.gov/vote - update your address, apply for and track an absentee ballot, and find polling locations, sample ballots, office hours for your local clerk, drop box locations, and much more.

mi.gov/democracyambassador - a source for nonpartisan elections facts and resources, and to combat any election-related misinformation targeting Michigan voters

Voters can also reach out to their local clerk to verify information at elections@bhamgov.org or (248) 530-1880.

SIGN ORDINANCE REMINDER

As the election approaches, please keep in mind that per city ordinance, all signs (regardless of content or message) may not be staked on public property For more information, contact the clerk’s office at (248) 530-1880 or clerksoffice@bhamgov.org.

NEWS FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

UNDERSTANDING WATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER RATES

This fall you may notice adjusted rates in your water bill Water, sewer, and storm water rates are adjusted every July 1 to reflect the cost of supplying water, providing for the disposal of sanitary sewage and storm water, and maintenance and replacement of the city's infrastructure.

The City Commission recently approved the following rate increases: Water rates will increase 20% from $6 13 to $7 38 for every 1,000 gallons of water used.

Sewer rates will increase 15% from $9.79 to $11.26 for every 1,000 gallons of water used.

Storm water rates will increase 12% for water accounts in the EvergreenFarmington Sewage Disposal District from $70 50/quarter/ESWU (Equivalent Storm Water Unit) to $79.25/quarter/ESWU and 1% for water accounts in the Southeast Oakland County Sewage Disposal District from $73.25/quarter/ESWU to $74.00/quarter/ESWU.

The average residential account using 90,000 gallons per year and living on a property with an ESWU factor of 1 would see an increase in their water and sewer bill of approximately $280/year or about $24/month.

What caused the change in water, sewer and storm water rates?

To better understand why rates increased, it is important to understand what the objective of rate setting is and what components make up a rate. The purpose of setting a rate at a particular amount is to ensure that the cost of providing water and sewer services is covered by the revenues received from utility users through rates.

The cost of providing the service includes the cost of the water or the cost of sewage disposal, the cost of maintenance on the city's water and sewer infrastructure, and the cost of replacing the city's water and sewer infrastructure.

Follow this link to view a Q&A with a detailed explanation of the adjusted rates.

NEWS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRST RESPONDERS NOW PROVIDE OVERDOSE LEAVE BEHIND KITS

The City of Birmingham Fire and Police Departments have teamed up with The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, Oakland Community Health Network and Corewell Health William Beaumont Hospital to provide free Naloxone leave-behind kits to be distributed to opioid overdose victims and their friends and families. The goal of the program is to help prevent future overdoses and connect patients to resources that will empower them to end their dependence on opioids and make recovery possible.

“We are thrilled to launch this important program in our community,” said Paul Wells, Birmingham Fire Chief and program champion. “We’re grateful to our health and public safety partners for their contribution in making these leave-behind kits a reality. Our job is to save lives and that’s what we’re doing with this program – saving lives.”

At the conclusion of an overdose emergency visit, first responders will give a kit to the patient, family or friend of the patient. Corewell Health assembles the kits and provides two doses of Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. Literature, contact numbers and other resources from The Alliance and Oakland Community Health Network are included for the patient’s use to help prevent future emergencies Also provided is immediate access to the Birmingham Police Department’s Mental Health CoResponder Program (CoRe). Through the CoRe program, a mental health clinician will arrive on-site or be on call to help the patient after an overdose. Clinicians are involved in emergency follow up and counseling services for overdose patients as well as citizens with mental health needs

The Naloxone leave behind program is not just for individuals with drug addiction,” said Chief Wells. “Firefighter/paramedics will also offer the kits to those who recently had surgery and have opioids on hand, or may have troubled teens at home and have had problems with drugs and alcohol in the past The goal is to get Naloxone and help from the CoRe program into as many hands as possible, to see this program grow into other communities, and get these patients into longterm recovery ”

Learn more about the Naloxone leave behind program at bhamgov.org/fire.

LEASH LAWS, PET LICENSES AND MORE ORDINANCE REMINDER: PET SAFETY

As you and your furry friend head outdoors for fall fun, please consider the following pet safety regulations:

All dogs must be on a chain or leash of 6 feet or less and under reasonable control of a person at all times This also applies in Birmingham parks except the Lincoln Hills Dog Park.

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. Please remember dog waste should be collected with a bag and disposed of in your garbage container, not your yard waste bin.

No person shall harbor or keep any dog which, by loud or frequent or yelping or howling, causes a serious annoyance to the neighborhood, or to people passing on the street. Dogs and cats four months or older 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 or by mail If sending by mail, don't forget to include the pet license registration form, rabies immunization record and payment. 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 Learn more at bhamgov.org/petregistration.

JOIN A BOARD AND IMPACT BIRMINGHAM’S FUTURE

“I wanted to join a city board because civic engagement is so important At first I considered joining a nonprofit board but then realized there’s nothing closer to my day-today life than the city I live in.”

-Jessica Einstein, Parks and Recreation Board member

BIRMINGHAM GREEN

BY NICHOLAS J. DUPUIS, PLANNING DIRECTOR

There are so many verdant, lush landscapes in this city. As I often do, I implore you to stop and observe the colorful, dynamic activity in these spaces. I would ask you more urgently to observe your own, and to reconsider any plans to clear, clip, rake, prune, tidy or raze your landscapes to the ground this fall, or any fall after that An overzealous fall cleanup deprives the environment of so much - a price that only increases when you consider some of the tools used to clear debris such as leaf blowers, weed whippers and lawn mowers. In Birmingham, yard waste compost comprises about 17% of the municipal solid waste generated The collection and disposal of this matter adds to the pollution problem, but also ecosystem problems Clearing landscapes leaves birds and other creatures with little resources during a time when resources are becoming scarce. I encourage you to revisit these brown, withered spaces and look closely, because beauty can be found with the right perspective and appreciation.

SEPTEMBER PARKS & REC NEWS

A GREAT TIME TO GOLF!

Warm days, refreshing evenings and ample sunshine make September a great time to golf Birmingham’s top-rated Lincoln Hills and Springdale golf courses!

Both nine-hole courses offer outstanding golf that is affordable, close to home and open to everyone Available amenities include adult and youth lessons by a PGA golf pro, a fun Junior Golf Program, power golf carts (including adaptive carts), league play, club tournaments and great food and beverages.

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, see bhamgov.org/golf.

LEARN ABOUT PARKS PROJECTS AT SEPT. 10 MEETING

Join us for the next meeting of Birmingham’s Parks & Recreation Board on Tuesday, Sept. 10 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 bhamgov.org/participate.

Lincoln Hills Golf Course: 2666 West 14 Mile Road, (248) 530-1670

Springdale Golf Course: 316 Strathmore Road, (248) 530-1660

bhamgov.org/golf

NEWS FROM THE MUSEUM

SAGINAW TRAIL ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM’S NEW TRANSPORTATION EXHIBIT, OPENING SEPTEMBER 4

Woodward Avenue is an integral part of Birmingham life, and has been for thousands of years. Known as the Saginaw Trail, it was the major inland route in southeast Michigan, used for centuries by Indigenous Great Lakes tribes. When land sales opened in the area, it literally led pioneer American settlers to their new homesteads in the 1820s and 1830s. It was so important to early commerce that Birmingham’s founders snapped up property with valuable trail frontage, determining the future of what would become downtown Birmingham

This is just one of the many stories that will share how transportation played a key role in the history of Birmingham in the new exhibit, “Transportation and Transformation: Shaping Birmingham and its People ” Indigenous and pioneer artifacts will be on display that illustrate how the Saginaw Trail influenced early Birmingham The entire exhibit will feature many other transportation-related stories about Birmingham and its history.

The museum is located at 556 W. Maple Road, and features changing exhibits at the Allen House, and tours of the 1822 Hunter House, Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 PM and by appointment Contact the museum at 248-530-1928 or visit us at bhamgov.org/museum.

A selection of the museum's bi-face points found at a Birmingham site near the Saginaw Trail that have been dated as far back as 8,000 years ago, when Paleo-Indian groups traded with each other and hunted mastodons along the trail (Birmingham Museum Collection; background image courtesy of National Park Service )

NEWS FROM THE ICE SPORTS ARENA

FALL OPEN SKATE SCHEDULE STARTS SEPT. 3

Enjoy open skate options six days a week with the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena’s new fall schedule starting Sept 3! New this season is a Sunday afternoon open skate from 2:30 through 3:50 p.m. See the entire schedule at bhamgov.org/icearena. Please note that arena is closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2.

FALL SKATING LESSONS START SEPT. 9

Registration for Birmingham’s fall 2024 Learn to Skate program is underway online, with session 1 lessons beginning the week of September 9

This popular program offers instruction for children ages 3 and up and adults at all skill levels. All classes meet once per week and skate rental is available. Learn more at play.bhamgov.org, or call (248) 530-1642.

The Ice Sports Arena is located at 2300 East Lincoln For more information, contact Connie Folk at (248) 530-1642 or cfolk@bhamgov.org

BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT

BIRMINGHAM FARMERS MARKET

SUNDAYS THROUGH OCT. 27, 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. 660 NORTH OLD WOODWARD AVENUE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8: SECOND SUNDAY FITNESS

RUN BY GAZELLE SPORTS AT 9AM

Register to join us for a Second Sunday Fitness run/walk with Gazelle Sports! Gazelle Sports will lead a 10-minute dynamic warm up followed by a 3-mile run or a 2-mile fitness walk around scenic Birmingham. We will start and finish at the Birmingham Farmers Market in front of the Gazelle Sports tent. All fitness levels are welcome!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: HARVEST FESTIVAL

Join us for the annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy live music, kids' activities, a petting zoo and bountiful local produce.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OCTOBER MARKET EVENTS:

• October 13: Second Sunday Fitness with Move as a Human

• October 27: End of Season Celebration

For more information and the special events schedule, visit ALLINBirmingham com/FarmersMarket, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram See you at the market!

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS

Join us at Booth Park for the final Movie Night of the season on Friday, September 6 featuring Space Jam (original)! Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.; movie at 7:30 p.m.

*In the event of inclement weather, the Movie Night event will be held the following evening (Saturday, September 7).

Visit ALLINBirmingham.com/events and follow the Birmingham Shopping District on Facebook and Instagram for details.

BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT

BIRMINGHAM ART WALK

SEPT. 19, 2024, 5-8 P.M.

Explore and shop local retailers and artists during the annual Birmingham Art Walk event on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5 - 8 p m

Participating businesses will host an artist in their store and may offer special promotions and light refreshments Visit ALLINBirmingham.com/events in early September for more information.

BirminghamBURGER

OCTOBER 1 - 31, 2024

There's a delicious new competition in town - the BirminghamBURGER! During the month of October, participating restaurants will offer mouthwatering burger creations to compete for bragging rights to the “best burger in Birmingham” award! Find more information at ALLINBirmingham.com/events for details next month.

As always, parking is convenient and free for the first two hours in all five municipal structures downtown. For more information, visit www.ALLINBirmingham.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to Birmingham Shopping District enews.

ORDINANCE REMINDER: DON’T BLOCK SIDEWALKS

Reminder:

When parking in a driveway, please don’t block the sidewalk. It’s not safe for pedestrians and could result in a parking ticket. City code and Michigan Vehicle Code both require that property owners keep their sidewalks free of obstructions, including parked vehicles Thank you!

SEPTEMBER NEWS FROM THE BALDWIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

September is looking like a lot of fun at BPL! Story times are back, starting September 3. Get a grand tour of the Idea Lab, join us at the Farmers Market Kids Zone on September 8, learn about how Woodward Ave came to be, teens will face a Pop-Tart taste test, and we’re showing shorts from the Manhattan Shorts Film Fest. Find all of this and more at Baldwinlib.org/calendar.

September is Library Card Signup Month Visit us and get the card that provides access to books, music, movies, newspapers, ebooks, streaming audio, magazines and so much more! Get started at baldwinlib org/get-library-card

FRIENDS USED BOOK AND MEDIA SALE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7; 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

Stop by and shop a great selection of gently used books and media All proceeds support library programs and resources! This sale was rescheduled from August 24. *Save the date for the Fall Book Sale – October 26-27, 2024*

PHASE

3 OPEN HOUSE AND RIBBON CUTTING

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024; 1-3 P.M.

Join us to celebrate the completion of our recent renovation and addition! Remarks are planned for 1:30 p.m.; light refreshments will be served.

Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W Merrill Street in Birmingham For more information visit baldwinlib.org or call (248) 647-1700. The library will be closed on Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2 for the Labor Day holiday.

GOLF CLASSIC TO BENEFIT NEXT... HAWAIIAN STYLE!

The Golf Classic to Benefit Next…Hawaiian Style!

Friday, September 13 at Springdale Golf Course

1:00 pm Silent Auction and Registration

2:00 pm Shotgun Start

Please join us for this important fundraiser that supports the programs you enjoy and the services that are critical to our community.

$125 includes golf, cart, happy hour, dinner and evening activities

$30 dinner only, evening activities

Golfers, don your Hawaiian attire for an afternoon on the links! The tournament is a scramble format with several contests, followed by Hawaiian appetizers, fun beach drinks, wine tasting, a Silent Auction, a delicious dinner and awards ceremony! Not a golfer? All friends of Next are welcome to join us for the Silent Auction and evening activities. Please click here to register.

CARDIO BALL DRUMMING - NEW!

Wednesday, September 25 at 5:00 pm

Please join us at Beverly Park to party Jamaican style. We will come together to dance, savor cultural music and indulge in delicious Caribbean food. The Gratitude Steel Band, here for a few nights direct from Jamaica will share their talents performing with two steel drums. Enjoy great food, great music and great friends!

Thursday, October 3, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Please join us for this important event featuring vendors providing giveaways! The Oakland County Health Department will provide the high dose Flu shot specifically for seniors, as well as the regular dose shot, also COVID and Pneumonia vaccines Please remember to bring your identification and insurance cards Most insurances (including Medicare) are accepted Please call the office to schedule an appointment Walk-ins are welcome but may have a longer wait

RESOLVE TO END CHRONIC PAIN

Thursday, October 3, 12:00 pm

While at the Expo, join us for our featured speaker, Aaron Wallace, owner of Balance Your Fitness Take home priceless strategies and a risk free opportunity to change your life

Next proudly serves the growing 50-plus population in our community. Next is located at 2121 Midvale Street in Birmingham. Contact Next at (248) 2035270, visit www.BirminghamNext.org or like Next on Facebook.