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

 

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Purchase Approved for New Fire Engine

Council approved the purchase of a new fire engine chassis to replace “Engine 4”, our front-line fire vehicle that responds to all emergency incidents in the City of Berkley as well as to mutual aid requests from neighboring communities. Engine 4 is 18 years old, and the National Fire Protection Association recommends removing vehicles from front-line service at 20 years. From the date of purchase, it will take two years for the new engine to be built and delivered to us.

While this purchase has been budgeted through the City’s capital improvement plan and the proposed three-year budget, the expenses are budgeted between two payments over two fiscal years. The new engine will be purchased at a cost of $1,170,000 (a 6% increase from what was budgeted), and there is no expense in the current fiscal year. $540,000 is to be paid in FY 26/27 upon delivery of the chassis to the main plant, where the final build will be completed, and $630,000 is to be paid in FY 27/28 upon delivery of the vehicle to the Berkley Department of Public Safety. City Council formally adopts a budget for one fiscal year and accepts the proposed budget for the following two years, so the appropriate time to address the 6% increase in the cost of the engine will be during the next budget process, when Council formally adopts the FY 26/27 budget.

Liquor License Approval

Slows Bar BQ is opening a location in Downtown Berkley this fall. As part of their business plan, they applied to transfer their existing Class C liquor license to the Berkley location, which Council approved. Although the Michigan Liquor Control Code no longer requires local legislative approval for transfers, the City of Berkley ordinances still mandate that the City Council review and decide on such applications.

Permanent DDA Director Employment Contract

Council approved the terms of the employment contract for our new, permanent, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director. After former director Mike McGuinness resigned in February, we have been fortunate to have an excellent interim director, Jennifer Finney, guiding the organization. The DDA Organizational Committee, with the help of our Human Resources director, led a search for the new director that started in January 2025. Nate Mack was selected, who comes to us most recently from South Lyon, where he served as the DDA Executive Director and Economic Development Director for the past five years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, and will begin his employment with the Berkley DDA in August. Welcome!

Employee Union Agreements

The existing contracts for the Berkley Patrol Officers Union and the Michigan Association of Public Employees expired at the end of the previous fiscal year, on June 30, 2025. Both unions and the City’s team have been in negotiations over new contracts for several months, guided by our labor attorney. In both cases, both sides took a thoughtful approach that balanced our fiscal responsibilities and restrictions, as well as a fair benefit package for employees that will keep us competitive throughout the recruitment and retention of our workforce. Council approved both new agreements. 

 

Want to Learn More?

• Watch the meeting recording

• Review the agenda and minutes

• Join us at our next meeting on August 4 at 7 PM - we'd love to see you there!

 

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