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Proclamations for October

Councilmember Vilani read a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce Month. Through guidance from its Board of Directors, the Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce supports our business community by providing education, information, and networking opportunities. The organization supports Berkley and our neighboring municipalities by hosting the annual State of the Cities event, which gives City officials and the Berkley School District the opportunity to share updates with our community. Tickets are available for the 2025 State of the Cities breakfast at berkleychamber.com/state-of-the-cities.

Councilmember Baker read a proclamation declaring October 2025 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is intended to educate both women and men about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Although physicians, researchers, public health professionals, and advocates have made great progress in the fight against breast cancer, it is still the most common cancer besides skin cancer. However, because of increased awareness and innovative advancements in early detection and research, survival rates have drastically improved in recent years.

Berkley Holiday Lights Parade: December 6, 2025

Council approved the 21st annual Berkley Holiday Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, December 6. The Holiday Lights Parade and tree lighting ceremony are organized and funded by community volunteers from the Holiday Lights Committee and the Berkley Junior Women’s Club. More information will be shared closer to the event, and if you’re interested in getting involved, visit their website at berkleyholidayparade.com.

Decision Postponed: Workforce Housing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Program for The Columbia

Council approved the proposed PILOT ordinance in the spring, which means that a developer can submit an application to use the program, and the application will be reviewed against defined standards from the adopted PILOT ordinance. The PILOT incentive allows a developer or property owner to pay a set percentage of rental income (1% - 10%) instead of a standard property tax for 15 years, with optional extensions. Public benefits may also be offered to offset some of the loss in tax revenue.

The first PILOT application was received for The Columbia Development, which will add 51 “workforce/attainable” housing units to our City’s housing choices. Adding diversified housing choices to accommodate various populations, ages, and income levels was included as a goal in our Master Plan. To offset some of the tax revenue loss, the developer has proposed several public benefits, including a complete sewer and water main replacement (if needed) on Coolidge, a contribution to the DDA’s wayfinding signage program, a contribution to future Coolidge streetscape plans, and an annual contribution to our Public Safety department. 

Council and the development team for The Columbia have met several times in public work sessions to discuss the terms of this potential PILOT, including on October 6 before the regular meeting. Per our PILOT ordinance, applications must be considered by Council in a regular meeting no more than 60 days after the application has been submitted. Because updated terms for the original submitted application were discussed in the work session prior to the regular meeting, Council postponed the vote on this item until the next regular meeting on October 20, when the application and its updated terms will be presented.

Special Land Use for Pharmacy on Greenfield Rd.

Council approved a Special Land Use request for an applicant to turn a vacant suite at the recently constructed office building at 3462 Greenfield Road into a pharmacy. The area is zoned to permit pharmacies as special land uses, and the Planning Commission held the required public hearing and recommended approval of the request before it went before Council.

Amended Investment Policy and Michigan Class Investment Pool Membership

As part of a comprehensive review and update of all policies and procedures in the Finance & Treasury department, staff prepared a revised investment policy to continue to ensure that the City remains compliant with Public Act 20 of 1943, which allows local governments to invest their public funds (like tax revenues, bond proceeds, and reserves) in specific types of safe, approved investments  The former investment policy had not been amended since January 2017 and was minimal in nature. Council approved the resolution adopting the amended investment policy.

As part of the comprehensive update, Council also adopted a resolution authorizing our Treasurer to apply for the City to become a member of the Michigan CLASS Investment Pool, which will allow us to participate in a Michigan public sector joint investment program.

Want to Learn More?

• Watch the meeting recording

• Review the agenda and minutes

• Join us at our next regular meeting on October 20 at 7 PM - we'd love to see you there!

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