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City Hall
151 Martin, P.O. Box 3001
Birmingham, MI 48012 
Ph. 248.530.1800
Fax 248.530.1080
 
AROUND TOWN
April 2017


Welcome to the April 2017 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!
Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine

Inside City Hall April Edition
Inside City Hall April Edition

Attention, Golfers! Lincoln Hills Golf Course is OPEN!


Hit the links at Lincoln Hills Golf Course - now open for the season! Springdale Golf Course will be opening soon.  Throughout April, Birmingham's golf courses are open to everyone; no membership required. Golfers may purchase or renew their membership pass at Lincoln Hills Golf Course (2666 W. 14 Mile) or Springdale Golf Course (316 Strathmore). Resident and Non-Resident memberships are available at both courses. 
 
Again this year, Business Memberships are available for only $100 for those who work in Birmingham. Lincoln Hills and Springdale Golf Courses offer a quick round of golf for those on the go and are rated as two of the top nine-hole courses in Oakland County. Reservations may be made online or by calling Lincoln Hills at (248) 530-1670 or Springdale (once open) at (248) 530-1660. Reserve your tee time and learn more at www.GolfBirmingham.org
Yard Waste Pickup Resumes 

Please note you may start putting your yard waste bags curbside for pickup on your refuse day during the week of April 3rd. Only the kraft-style paper bags are acceptable, or trash containers with a "Yard Waste" decal sticker attached (no plastic bags). For more information, view  yard waste guidelines on the City's website.  For more information, contact the Department of Public Services at  (248) 530-1700 .
Birmingham Police Offer Internet Purchase Exchange Location

The Birmingham Police Department has created an Internet Purchase Exchange Location for buyers and sellers utilizing websites like Craigslist to buy and sell items. Officers encourage community members to make internet exchanges in the parking lot on the south side of City Hall, located at 151 Martin Street.

Residents are encouraged to make exchanges during daytime hours, however the lot is well-lit if meeting after dark is necessary. The lot is under video surveillance at all times. While this area may not work for every online sales transaction because of the size of the item(s) being exchanged, it is open to the general public and encouraged for use when possible.

The idea of the Internet Purchase Exchange Location is to cut down on potential fraud and robberies that can be associated with these types of transactions. The area is intended for completing exchanges; police personnel will not participate or act as official witnesses in the transactions nor are they available for legal advice or pricing disputes between parties involved in transactions occurring at this location.

For more information, contact the Birmingham Police Department at 248-530-1870.

Visit Japan During 2017 Goodwill Mission

 
Take advantage of a unique opportunity to visit Japan during the 2017 Goodwill Mission, scheduled for September 5 through 15. The annual Goodwill Mission is a key component of Birmingham's Sister City relationship with Ritto. It offers opportunities for Michigan and Shiga residents to deepen friendships and cultural understanding between our sister-states. Find pricing information and the application form at  www.mishiga.org/goodwill . Application forms must be submitted by May 15, 2017.
Still Time to Register for Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade



The annual Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade will be on Sunday, May 21, 2017.  Come join the festivities by marching in the parade, sponsoring a specialty unit, volunteering, or just watching the parade. Park activities for the kids will be in full swing this year. All activities will be held in Shain Park immediately following the parade.

Route:  The Parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Birmingham. View the parade route here.
Please note that parking will not be available along the parade route.  

Participants:  Please complete the  Participation Form by April 29th.  A confirmation letter with your parade position will be sent to you during the second week of May.  Veterans please register here too!

Sponsors:  Please complete the  Sponsorship Form and return it by April 17th.  With the generous support of area businesses and citizens this long-standing family event would not be possible. 

Volunteers:  We are always in need of energetic helpers who want to have a role in this community event.  Duties include but are not limited to assisting in the planning of the parade, public relations, and parade-day fun (actually lining up the parade participants and marching with banners!).  There is something for everyone!  Volunteer Here!
 
Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/parade or call  248-530-1880.
Pet Care & Safety Reminders for Walking Around Town

The City of Birmingham has several pet regulations designed to keep pets and people safe. 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.
Learn Proper Tree, Shrub & Plant Care

As the City of Birmingham is known for its many amenities and beautiful scenery, the Department of Public Services offers helpful hints for proper tree, shrub, and plant care.
  • Per city ordinance any privately owned tree, shrub, or plant overhanging the streets or highways in the city shall be trimmed so that its branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp and so there shall be a clear space of 14 feet above the surface of such street or highway.
  • Any privately owned tree, shrub or plant overhanging a sidewalk of the city shall be trimmed so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of such sidewalk.
  • No privately owned tree, shrub or plant shall be allowed to encroach upon, under or over any sidewalk in a manner to interfere with the free passage of persons using such sidewalk
  • All privately owned dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs that constitute a menace to the safety of the public shall be removed.
Thank you for doing your part in keeping the city looking fresh, clean, and walkable! Follow these tips to ensure ordinances are not violated: 
  1. Stay Proactive; always look for ways to make sure your property is maintained and looking in tip top shape!
  2. It's almost always best to trim or prune a tree during its dormant season.
  3. Dead or broken branches and limbs can fall off at any time, which is a serious safety hazard. If the branches of a tree obstruct your vision while driving, they should be trimmed away.
  4. Tree limbs and branches occasionally grow too close to utility lines. Contact the utility company to handle such issues.
  5. Thinning the crown of a tree improves airflow, which can be very beneficial. If branches are crossing or rubbing together, they should be trimmed so that they don't fall unexpectedly.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Services at 248-530-1700.
Don't be Alarmed by Special Siren Test Wednesday, April 19

In an effort to promote severe weather safety preparedness, the County will conduct a special test of the Outdoor Warning System on Wednesday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this test is to raise the awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans during normal business hours. View future  siren testing dates online here .
April News from the Birmingham Museum    

We are taking a break from second-Thursday events this month and preparing for a fun-filled May! On May 11 at 6 pm we will welcome local historian Chris Parham for a program called "History Lives in Grandma's Button Basket". Ever wondered about the history of buttons, clothing fasteners and the other trinkets you find in a well-stocked sewing kit? Have an interesting button that you'd like help with identifying? Are you a button collector? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this program is for you! Program is included with admission.


The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1 PM to 4 PM   and located at 556 W. Maple Rd. Parking is available in the Chester St. structure on the south side of Maple. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors, children 5 and under are free. Please visit us on the web at www.bhamgov.org/museum or www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum.
April News from the Baldwin Library    


Poetry in Motion
Saturday, April 8 at 10:30 a.m. Registration required.
Join us for this interactive program featuring rhythm and rhyme. We will be movin' and groovin' to the beat with our feet and creating our own rhymes. All ages welcome. 
 
Lynda.com
Monday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. Registration required.
Lynda.com is a premier online learning resource available at the Library. From spreadsheets to programming languages, social media tools and photography, Lynda.com is likely to have expert-led courses. We'll show you the ropes.
 
Planting Spring Porch Pots
Wednesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Learn how to select plants, choose containers, and care for planted pots at this spring gardening demonstration with Blumz by JRDesigns.
 
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.  
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,