We’re sharing a recap of the most recent City Council meeting on April 21. The full video is available to watch on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/cityofberkley.

 

Recognition for James Jeffrey Tong

Councilmember Baker shared a proclamation thanking James Jeffrey Tong for his years of dedication to the Berkley Historical Museum. As the museum curator, Jeff has enriched our community through his meticulous dedication to preserving and celebrating Berkley’s history by collecting and displaying artifacts that define our story and culture. The Berkley Historical Museum opened in 1993, but Jeff has been working to share Berkley’s history long before then, serving as a Historical Committee member since 1982. His passion and care for Berkley have helped shape it into the welcoming community it is today, and we are grateful for his leadership and deep knowledge of all things related to our city.

Request for Proposals for City Attorney Services

Hafeli, Staran, and Christ P.C. provides City attorney services for both general City legal matters and prosecutory services. Our contract with the firm expired in 2022, and we have continued to work with the firm under a provision of the contract that allows for month-to-month service. The decision to release a request for proposals for legal services does not reflect any dissatisfaction with the firm’s services, but simply is a best practice update before entering into a longer or more robust contract.

The RFP will be shared through the Michigan Municipal League’s RFP portal, which will connect us to firms that are best-equipped to serve municipalities. The request was approved by Council, and the RFP will be active for one month. 

Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Operating Budget

Council authorized publication of a notice of public hearing to be held during the regular meeting on May 19, regarding the proposed operating budget for FY 2025-2026. This is a crucial part of our annual budget process and allows our community to speak to what’s included in the budget before Council considers adopting it.

The draft of our City Manager Recommended Budget is available for review by clicking here, and work sessions to discuss the budget will be held from 6-10 PM on April 28 and 29 in our Public Safety conference room. As with all work sessions, these meetings are open to the public but are not broadcast or live-streamed.

Want to Learn More?

• Watch the meeting recording

• Review the agenda and minutes

• Join us at our budget work sessions on April 28-29 or our next regular meeting on May 5 at 7 PM - we'd love to see you there!

Thanks for staying connected with your city! Your engagement helps make Berkley better for everyone.