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In This Issue
A Message from the City Manager
Birmingham Named Tree City USA
Refuse Collection Delay
Weekend Passport Hours
Multi-Modal Transportation Board Meeting Summaries
SHOP: Birmingham Welcomes New Stores
DINE: Still Time to Enjoy Birmingham Restaurant Week
PLAY: Skating Opportunities at the Ice Arena
Clear Snow Around Fire Hydrants
Understanding the Snow Ordinance
Hill School Bell Fundraiser
News from the Library
Quick Links
City Calendar
Upcoming PSD Events Downtown Business Search
Parking Information
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Contact Us
City Hall
151 Martin, P.O. Box 3001
Birmingham, MI 48012 
Ph. 248.530.1800
Fax 248.530.1080
 
AROUND TOWN
February 2015


Welcome to the February 2015 edition of the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you enjoy this e-newsletter and forward it along to others who may be interested in the City of Birmingham!
A Message from the City Manager
 
Joe Valentine, Birmingham City Manager, released a message regarding the Multi-Modal Transportation Plan and a public review process for proposed modifications to West Maple Road. Download the message here. 
Birmingham Named 'Tree City USA'
 
The City of Birmingham has been named a 'Tree City USA' for the 37th year in a row. The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Birmingham achieved this status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. Birmingham is recognized for demonstrating a commitment to caring for and managing public trees. For more information, contact the Department of Public Services at (248) 530-1700. 
Refuse Collection Delayed One Day Week of Feb. 2nd
 

Please note refuse collection will be delayed one day during the week of February 2nd due to weather conditions. Please remember parked vehicles should not block garbage containers. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

 

Special Weekend Passport Hours!

Kick-off your vacation planning by making an appointment with the Birmingham City Clerk's Office to apply for your passport.  Special weekend hours will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM.  Appointments are encouraged, however walk-ins are welcome.  Appointment times will go fast!  Call early to ensure you get an appointment!  Walk-ins will only be accepted until 2:00 PM.


For additional information, including what you need to apply, contact the Birmingham City Clerk's Office at 248.530.1880 or log on to www.bhamgov.org/passports.  Passport information can also be obtained by contacting the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778 or www.travel.state.gov to download an application.
Multi-Modal Transportation Board Meeting Summaries
 

The City of Birmingham's Multi-Modal Transportation efforts began in 2013 with the adoption of a Multi-Modal Transportation Plan as a means to review scheduled road improvements, while considering overall mobility improvements during the design review phase.  To facilitate this effort, a Multi-Modal Transportation Board ("MMTB") was established in 2014 to review all transportation-related projects in the City going forward. The MMTB's role in the design review phase is to consider elements of the Multi-Modal plan, as well as reviewing the data and information specific to a project while providing a forum for public input. The overall goal is to ensure that all projects will improve the quality of the transportation system for all users, ages and abilities, as practical, thus improving the quality of life in the City. Due to the high level of public interest in this project, monthly meeting summaries will be distributed via Constant Contact and posted on the MMTB webpage. To view the updates, visit www.bhamgov.org/multimodal.

 

SHOP: Birmingham Welcomes New Stores


 

Boutique Blu - 251 East Merrill Street. Boutique Blu is a Birmingham based wedding collective. They offer a group of wedding experts from businesses that are independently owned and operated. For more information, call (248) 320-1943.
 
 

pogo (pictured below) has moved to 138 South Old Woodward. Go there to stock up on any kind of skate gear including shoes, clothing, and a huge variety of unique boards. They have New Era hats and brands/fashions such as The Hundreds, Vans, Oakley, Nixon, Nike, Jordan, Nike SB, and many more. For more information, call 248-540-0150.
 

 

DINE: Still Time to Enjoy Birmingham Restaurant Week!
February 2nd through 6th

 

The 10th annual Birmingham Restaurant Week event is half over! Don't miss your chance to sample delicacies from the area's finest chefs. Enjoy three-course lunches for $15 and three-course dinners for $30 from Monday, February 2nd through Friday, February 6th. Visit www.birminghamrestaurantweek.org for participating restaurants and event menus!

Bham Ice ArenaPLAY: Skating Opportunities at the Ice Arena

 

Enjoy special opportunities at the Birmingham Ice Arena (located at 2300 East Lincoln) offered now through May. Select from Parent & Tot Skate, Adult Skate, Open Skate, Parent & Tot Hockey and more! For more information, visit www.bhamgov.org/icearena or call (248) 530-1640.


 


 


 

Clear Snow Around Fire Hydrants

The Birmingham Fire Department is requesting your assistance in clearing the way to any fire hydrant that you may have on your property. With the extreme amount of snow we have had, hydrants could be obstructed from snow plows. City code requires that all fire hydrants be free from obstructions or snow. All hydrants need to be visible and accessible from the street. An area of three feet that surrounds the hydrant must be maintained from obstructions such as snow, trees, bushes or ground cover. If you have any questions or comments please contact Assistant Fire Chief John Connaughton or Fire Marshal Lyal Bigger at 248.530.1900.

Understanding the Snow Ordinance

 

Take measures to ensure you don't find yourself in violation of the snow ordinance regarding snow removal and snow parking bans. Here are the two most important requirements:

  

1) You're required to clear the sidewalk in front of your home of any snow and ice. 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 pm 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 the streets so the snow plows can get through. Cars in violation of this ordinance will be ticketed.

 

View more information about snow removal on the city's web site.  
The Hill School Bell Fundraising Campaign Will Help it Ring Again!
 

The Hill School was built in 1869, the pride of Birmingham schools. It stood on the corner of Chester and Merrill Streets. Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade heard the bell from its cupola (bell tower) on the roof several times a day, making it part of every day's routine. In 1969, the building was demolished, but the bell was saved by the school administration and ultimately found its way to the museum in 2010.

Now, a special fundraising initiative is underway to raise $14,102 remaining of a $40,000 project to move the bell to a protective structure (inspired by the original cupola) outdoors. Funds have been raised through donations, events, and a Rosso Family Foundation grant. Now, residents have a chance to contribute to this exciting opportunity to complete the project before school opens in the fall. Visit the Museum's webpage to see how you can help the Hill School Bell ring again!
February News from the Baldwin Library


Summer Adventures: Relief from Winter Doldrums

Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Inspired by the book or movie Wild? Join experts from BackCountry North and Moosejaw as they tell tales of their extraordinary adventures walking the Appalachian Trail and exploring Zion National Park. Then get advice on how you can have your own extraordinary adventures.

 

Fancy Nancy All Grown Up presents: Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet

Tuesday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m.

All Ages

Registration Required 

 

Come meet Fancy Nancy all grown up. The presentation includes stories, music, a craft, and everything fancy!

 

Wilderness Survival with Moosejaw

Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Grades 7-12

Registration Required 

 

Learn how to survive in the wild: make shelter, find food, start a fire, protect yourself, and more. You will also make a paracord survival bracelet to take home with you.

 
Visit Us at the Michigan Golf Show
March 6 - 8
 

Stop by our booth at the Michigan Golf Show, scheduled for March 6-8 at the Suburban Collection Showplace (46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi). Enter our drawing for a chance to receive two rounds of golf and lunch on us! You'll receive detailed information about the 2015 golf season, programs and tournaments coming soon at Lincoln Hills and Springdale Golf Courses. We look forward to seeing you there!

 
Thank you for reading Around Town, a monthly e-newsletter from the City of Birmingham.  We hope you find the information timely and useful. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and neighbors who may be interested in Birmingham.  
 
Sincerely,