City of Birmingham
Around Town E-Newsletter
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July
Around Town
E-Newsletter
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Welcome to the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. Thank you for your support and please forward this newsletter along to friends and family.
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Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager,
Joe Valentine
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Receive the latest updates from Birmingham in this month's edition of Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine.
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COVID-19 Updates from Birmingham
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COVID-19 Webpage
The City's COVID-19 webpage at
www.bhamgov.org/virusprevention
continues to provide information from trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Michigan, the Oakland County Health Division and more.
Citywide Email System
Birmingham residents are strongly encouraged to sign-up for the
citywide email system
at
www.bhamgov.org/citywideemail
. The email service allows the City to target specific neighborhoods for messaging and keep everyone updated on what’s happening in this rapidly changing environment.
City Meetings Update
Upcoming regularly scheduled City meetings will be conducted virtually (online and/or by phone) through July 31 (or longer depending upon upcoming Executive Orders) due to health concerns surrounding COVID-19 under Governor of Michigan’s Executive Order. Learn how to participate in these meetings at
www.bhamgov.org/participate
and
download virtual meeting Zoom instructions here
.
City Services
City offices continue to service the public, however the Municipal Building and Department of Public Services remain closed. Forms, payments and ballots may be submitted 24/7 via the drop box located behind City Hall. Documents such as building permit applications and plans can be dropped off or picked up at the Police Department entrance on the east side of the Municipal Building on Pierce Street. As part of the City's operational relief efforts, most City forms, applications and payment submissions are also available at
www.bhamgov.org/formsandpayments
.
Residents are encouraged to contact any department requiring assistance via phone or email. Visit
www.bhamgov.org/contacts
to view a list of departmental contact numbers for services needed.
Parking Incentives & Updates
- Enjoy free parking in the City’s parking structures through September 1, 2020.
- Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the City’s parking structures.
- Fees are waived for monthly permit parking holders through September 1, 2020.
- Enjoy contact-free parking with the ParkMobile parking application. Simply pay for parking with your cell phone! To use the ParkMobile system, register for free at www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, use a mobile app, the internet, QR code, or call toll free at 800-280-4146 to pay for parking. Select the zone and parking space numbers printed on the ParkMobile stickers on each meter. Add more time to a meter from your phone, as long as the posted time limit is not exceeded. Enjoy a contact-free parking experience!
- With the stay home order lifted, fees for on-street parking resumed on June 8, 2020.
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Birmingham Events Update
Birmingham Farmers Market
,
Sundays May through October
: The drive-through market is going strong in Public Parking Lot 6 with changes in place to keep farmers, shoppers and staff safe. Learn more at
www.AllinBirmingham.com/FarmersMarket
.
In the Park Summer Concerts
: The 2020 In the Park Summer Concert series has been canceled.
Birmingham Movie Nights
: The 2020 Birmingham Movie Night events have been canceled.
Birmingham Village Fair
: The Birmingham Village Fair has been canceled.
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Day On The Town
: The Day On The Town event has been canceled, however a Back to Birmingham Sale will take place from July 22-28. Shoppers will find discounted high-end merchandise throughout downtown Birmingham. Whether you are looking for clothing, jewelry, artwork, antiques, dishes, vases, or toys, Birmingham is the place to shop! FREE PARKING AND FREE VALET AVAILABLE ALL WEEK! Curbside pick-up also available at the 5-minute "Buy and Fly" parking spaces throughout the city, or shop individual retailers online. Please visit individual retailers' websites for their specific days of sales, times of operation, and promotions at
www.AllinBirmingham.com/shop
.
Birmingham Cruise Event
: The 2020 Birmingham Cruise Event has been canceled.
Art Birmingham:
The Art Birmingham art fair has been canceled.
Common Ground’s Annual Birmingham Street Art Fair:
The Birmingham Street Art Fair has been canceled.
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Fireworks - Stay Safe and Enjoy!
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To ensure fun and safe Independence Day celebrations, please be considerate of your neighbors while adhering to the City of Birmingham’s fireworks ordinances mandated by State law:
- Residents may ignite fireworks between 11:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. on June 29 through July 4.
- Fireworks should not be ignited or discharged by a person under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or a combination of both.
- You may not ignite fireworks on public, school, church, or another person’s property without express permission from the property owner. Violations may result in a civil fine of not more than $500.00.
- To report violations, please call (248) 530-1870.
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Maple Road Reconstruction Project at Halfway Point
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The project to transform Maple Road from Southfield to Woodward is now 50 percent complete. The project is the second phase in the City’s three-phase plan to improve infrastructure and amenities in downtown Birmingham. Construction crews achieved several important infrastructure milestones on East Maple (between Woodward and Old Woodward) in the month of June, including replacement of two lead service lines, securing a concrete base along Maple Road, installation of a new water main and pouring the concrete driving lanes.
In July, Maple Road reconstruction will focus on both the west side (between Pierce and Chester) and east side of the project. Planned activities on West Maple include: realigning the Southfield and Maple intersection, which will require lane closures in that area for a significant portion of the month; completing water main installation and tying new water services in to the main; installing sanitary leads, including investigation of location and functionality, exploratory digging and dye testing; grading Maple Road; and installing fiber conduits that will serve future telecommunications in the area. On East Maple, crews will begin pouring concrete parking lanes, and install the irrigation systems, electrical systems and planter boxes.
The Maple Road Reconstruction Project will help the City manage traffic more effectively; provide a welcoming, attractive experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; and serve the community for decades to come. Look for the finished project after Labor Day.
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Online Forms and Payments
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As part of the City’s COVID-19 operational incentives, the City is expanding online service offerings so that City forms and payments may be submitted online. To address social distancing restrictions and provide continuity of services while City offices remain closed, most City applications, permits and licenses have been transitioned to online submittals with online payment functions.
Examples of forms and payments now available for online service include: Pet License Registration Form, Property Transfer Affidavit, Absentee Voter Application, Block Party Permit, Tree and Shrub Permit and many others. In addition, several Building Department applications are also now available online. Electronic building plan submittals along with Planning and Engineering forms will be available online later this year. As part of the City’s Economic Relief Program, e-check fees have been waived through June 30, 2021.
For a complete list of payments and forms that may be submitted online or to view mailing addresses for City payments, visit
www.bhamgov.org/formsandpayments
. Forms and payments may also be submitted 24/7 via the drop box located behind City Hall.
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Submit Property Taxes and Payments via Drop Box, Mail or Online by E-check or Credit Card
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City offices continue to service the public, however the Municipal Building remains closed. Please see the information below for several ways to submit your property taxes and other payments:
Mail
Due to the pandemic, mail delivery services are running slower than normal. If you wish to make your property tax payment by mail, please allow additional time for delivery so you don’t incur late fees. Payments for property taxes may be mailed to: City of Birmingham – Taxes, P.O. Box 671732, Detroit, MI 48267-1732.
E-Check
The City Commission recently approved waiving the $3 convenience fee for e-check payments through the City’s online payment website (access BS&A via
www.bhamgov.org/formsandpayments
) until June 30, 2021. This is a great way to draft a secure electronic check to the City instead of mailing a check. Please allow a couple days for your e-check to process.
Drop Box
If you need to make an immediate payment, the City’s drop box behind City Hall is open 24/7. If you would like a receipt mailed or emailed to you, please include a note with your payment.
Credit Card
You may also make a credit card payment on the City’s online payment website for a 3% convenience fee. For more information concerning online payments, please visit
www.bhamgov.org/paymybill
.
Invoices, Special Assessments and Water Bills
Mail
Submit payments by mail for Invoices and Special Assessments to:
City of Birmingham, Treasury Department, 151 Martin St., P.O. Box 3001, Birmingham, MI 48012-3001
Submit payments by mail for Water Bills to:
City of Birmingham - Water, P.O. Box 671756, Detroit, MI 48267-1756
Online and Drop Box
You may also use the same E-check, drop box and credit card methods listed above for invoices, special assessments and water bills.
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Community Engagement to Resume for Citywide Master Plan
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A comprehensive city plan with extensive public involvement takes time, especially during a pandemic. In February, the Planning Board held a study session to review findings from the first two public sessions on the overall vision of the Citywide Master Plan, and neighborhood components (in March) and developed a framework for moving meetings forward. After a break in the public engagement process due to COVID-19, the Planning Board met with the City Commission in mid-June to review planning themes, objectives and next steps. A new community engagement plan is approved to re-engage the Planning Board and focus on key themes outlined in the draft plan.
A review of the draft plan will take place during the Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. The first meeting will review overall planning themes, with following meetings focused on the mixed-use districts and neighborhoods. The project team is preparing neighborhood packets that will outline specific plans for each neighborhood to gather additional feedback. Neighborhood associations will be asked to share the information with their residents, who will be encouraged to participate at board hearings and provide comments on their individual neighborhoods. The process will culminate with another City Commission meeting to review the direction at the end of phase one and move the process to a second draft plan by the end of the year.
The Planning Department and Planning Board gathered valuable input during initial meetings and are eager to move forward with the process. Find additional information on the plan and the process at
www.thebirminghamplan.com
.
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Introducing the Rescue 2 Ambulance
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The Fire Department is excited to announce a new addition to its vehicle fleet. Rescue 2, a state of the art four-wheel drive ambulance, will be responding out of Station 2 located at 1600 West Maple. The ambulance is a twin of Rescue 1 that currently responds from Station 1. Rescue 2 has a liquid spring suspension system that will provide a much more comfortable ride for patients on rough roads. Rescue 2 has a power stretcher and stretcher loading system that secures the stretcher into the ambulance for a safer transport. The ambulance is built on a Ford F450 chassis with a powerful 6.7 Power Stroke diesel engine. Warranty and service repairs can be done at any local Ford dealer, which will cut down on out of service time and costs associated with repairs. Rescue 2 is staffed with two Paramedic Firefighters and is a welcome addition at Station 2!
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Absentee Voting Reminders from the Clerk's Office
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Please follow these helpful reminders from the Clerk's Office when submitting your Absentee Ballot:
- Return postage for your ballot is 55 cents. You may also return your ballot to the convenient drop box outside of City Hall at 151 Martin St.
- Don't forget to sign your green ballot return envelope.
- Take your time at home to study your ballot and read all of the instructions.
- For the August Primary, you may not split your ticket by crossing party lines.
- Use a black or blue ink pen to complete your ballot (no pencil).
- Track your absentee ballot and see when it was mailed from and returned to the Clerk's Office at mi.gov/vote.
- Ballots must be returned to the Clerk's Office before 8 p.m. on Election Day (August 4th).
- If you haven't requested your absentee ballot yet and wish to vote absentee, the Clerk's Office encourages you to do so as soon as possible. You can print and submit an Absentee Ballot Application here.
City Seeks Election Inspectors for Upcoming Elections
The City Clerk's office is seeking Election Inspectors as it prepares for the upcoming elections: the State Primary on August 4th, and the General Election on November 3rd. City election inspectors are essential in the functions of democracy. Their duties can include: processing voters when they arrive at their polling location; assisting voters while they cast their ballots; helping to close a precinct when voting is complete as well as other assorted tasks throughout Election Day.
Candidates must be at least 16 years old (the voter registration requirement is waived for inspectors under 18), be a registered voter in the state of Michigan, and be able to attend a paid election inspector training session. Training session dates will be announced soon. Knowledge and familiarity with computers is also helpful. Full and half-day shifts are available. The pay rate for inspectors is $11.00/hour. Inspectors can anticipate working a total of about 17 hours, with the bulk of their time dedicated to activities on Election Day.
If you'd like to be a part of democracy in action, please complete the Election Inspector application. For more information, please log onto
www.bhamgov.org/voting
or call the City Clerk's office at (248) 530-1880.
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Turn on the Tap - Residential Water Testing Returns
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Even with the delay imposed by the pandemic, the City of Birmingham is well ahead of schedule in meeting the state-mandated deadline for replacing lead and copper water-service lines. The City is testing the water in more than 700 homes serviced by lead or copper lines. About 350 homes participated in the testing program before Governor Whitmer suspended non-essential services during the shutdown. The City kicked off Phase II of the water testing program in June by mailing notices to the remaining 350+ homes that require water testing. Upon receiving the notice from the City’s vendor, HydroCorp, residents are asked to schedule an appointment for drop-off of a water sample collection kit. Testing kits will be distributed between July 13 and 31, 2020. Residents are asked to read and follow the directions exactly. HydroCorp will automatically pick up the water samples the day after drop-off. Test results will be used to prioritize service line replacement. Coordinating testing for the remaining homes will take about a month, and it will be another month before results are available. Visit
www.bhamgov.org/leadtesting
for more information.
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Apply Now for Open Boards and Committees
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Would you like to get more involved and make a difference in your community? There's no better time than now to get involved in a wide range of available boards and committees in Birmingham. You may be interested in history, design, or Greenwood Cemetery - wherever you look, we've got a place where you can make a difference.
The following is a list of just some of the Board or Committee openings:
Design Review Board (2 regular openings),
Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board (2 regular openings),
Historic District Study Committee (2 regular member openings)
For a complete list and to find out more about the requirements for each board please visit the
City's website
.
It's easy to apply. Download the
online application
today, and email, fax, mail or submit it to the drop box outside of City Hall. For more information, you may also contact the Clerk's Office at (248) 530-1880.
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Pet Care & Safety Reminders for Walking Around Town
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The City of Birmingham has several pet regulations designed to keep pets and people safe, especially during these uncertain times. Here are some useful reminders:
- All dogs must be on a chain or leash and under reasonable control of some person at all times. A dog cannot go beyond the premises of its owner unless restrained by a chain or leash and under reasonable control.
- All dogs and cats four months old or over must have a license. All dogs and cats shall be immunized against rabies, prior to issuance of a license. Licenses are issued by the City Clerk's Office at City Hall.
- 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.
- If a person is walking an animal on property they do not own, whether public or private, they must have an appropriate device for the collection of fecal matter in their immediate possession and an appropriate depository for the transmission of fecal matter to the premises where the animal is harbored or kept.
- 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.
Also, please remember dog waste should be collected with a bag and disposed of in your garbage container, not your yard waste bin. If you have questions regarding the Animal Ordinance you may call the Police Department at (248) 530-1889 or the City Clerk's office at (248) 530-1880.
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Birmingham Architecture Amateur Photography Contest
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What better way to discover a community than to spend hours walking around with a camera, capturing all of the exciting little details that a City has to offer? The City’s recent amateur photography contest sent people all over the City searching for the perfect photograph. Everything architecture was fair game. We saw contemporary and historic architecture, remnants of days gone by, elegance, Brutalism, a City in transition, natural space, and even some rooftop dwelling birds practicing social distancing. Although the contest's focus was to offer a fun way to explore Birmingham’s architecture, it also intended to create a safe and responsible way to spend some time outside during a trying time. Walking in and of itself is an extremely healthy habit. Walking for fun, exercise or transportation has been in Birmingham’s DNA for decades, and we are always looking for more excuses to do so! Got any ideas for a future photography competition? Feel free to contact the Planning Division at (248) 530-1856. Also, check out all of the entries to the 2020 Birmingham Architecture Photo Contest by clicking the icon below!
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July News from The Birmingham Museum
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Historic Hunter House preservation projects in July
The John West Hunter House was built in 1822, and is the oldest house in Oakland County and one of the oldest houses in Michigan. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It dates to the pioneer period, when southeast Michigan was a towering forest wilderness, and Woodward Avenue was a mere Native American footpath wandering from Detroit to Pontiac.
The house has seen numerous periods of American history and had many owners, but each of them kept the general appearance of the house historic. Its architectural style is Greek Revival, inspired by ancient Greece’s temples. The column-like pilaster ornamentation and exterior trim has graced the building for nearly two centuries, but it’s time for some restoration and repair. The windows, siding and historic trim will be repaired and re-painted this summer. In addition, drainage around the building will be improved by the installation of below ground drains to reduce the exposure to groundwater moisture. These projects will preserve the building’s original materials and keep the unique building looking good for years to come.
Although the Birmingham Museum is currently closed to the public, you can visit the grounds to see the John West Hunter House from dawn to dusk at 556 W. Maple, or contact us at (248) 530-1682 or
museum@bhamgov.org
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July News from The Baldwin Library
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Reopening Plan
Baldwin will be reopening to the public on Monday, July 6. Please visit
www.baldwinlib.org/reopening
to view current information on the Library's available hours and services. We are following a phased reopening schedule to ensure the safety of all library patrons.
Sign up for our 2020 Summer Reading Program, Imagine Your Story!
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Wildflowers in Michigan Gardens
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 P.M.
Join Master Gardener Cheryl English for a lecture on native wildflowers in your home garden. Registration required. The Zoom invitation will be emailed to registered attendees the day of the event.
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The Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W. Merrill Street in Birmingham. For more information visit
www.baldwinlib.org
or call (248) 647-1700.
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2121 Midvale
Birmingham MI 48009
(248) 203-5270
While Next has continued to provide transportation, Meals on Wheels, well-check calls and outreach for our community throughout the past several months, the building has been too quiet! We realize it will take time for some our members to feel comfortable returning to their daily routines — but when you are ready, Next will be here to help ease the transition.
At this time, Next’s current business hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm if you would like to stop in to say hello, borrow a book, use the computer or enjoy your lunch on the patio. Summer Hours begin July 13 when we will be resuming some classes and programs with a hybrid approach of small groups, outdoors or on Zoom. Please look at our website next week for more details at
www.BirminghamNext.org.
Join our Team!
Next is a growing and thriving 50-plus Community Center serving over 2000 members in the surrounding area. We are posting for a part-time financial administrator to be part of our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a passion to work with our expanding 50-plus demographic, possess a strong understanding of Quick Books and Microsoft Excel, with municipal reporting a plus. More information can be found on the Next website at
https://birminghamnext.org/get-involved/jobs.
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Respond to the 2020 Census & Apply for Census Jobs
Be counted, Birmingham!
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has extended the response deadline to October 31, 2020. You may fill out your census form by mail, phone, or online at
https://my2020census.gov/
. The information collected by the U.S. Census Bureau is used to produce apportionment counts, inform redistricting decisions, and guide federal spending so it is important that each and every resident is counted.
Apply for a Census Job
Thousands of jobs will soon be needed to fulfill the Constitutional duty of completing the Census. Apply for a Census job at
www.2020census.gov/jobs
.
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Keep Grass & Weeds Below Eight Inches
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To ensure our city looks well-maintained, the City's ordinance requires grass and weeds to be kept below eight inches high. 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. To make a complaint, call the Birmingham Code Enforcement Hotline at (248) 530-1859, and leave a detailed message.
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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.
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151 Martin St. P.O. Box 3001 Birmingham, MI 48012
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tel: (248) 530-1800
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