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Work Session Update

City Council and staff met in a work session before the regular meeting to discuss an update to a comprehensive parking/sign project started in 2020. The project’s intent is to shift to a consistent, standards-based approach for parking regulations across the City, and more information is available at berkleymi.gov/parking.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan Draft

Our Parks & Recreation department is in the midst of completing an updated master plan, which will guide decisions and resource allocation for 2026-2030. Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio has worked closely with the department to prepare the draft based on feedback from several public engagement meetings and an online survey, and the draft is available for review until January 15 by clicking here.

Special Land Use and Liquor License Application for Berkley Theater

Council approved a special land use request and a liquor license application for the vacant property at 2960 Twelve Mile Rd. to be occupied as a private assembly use as a theater with an accessory lounge/appetizer bar use. More information about the future Berkley Theater is available on their website at https://www.berkleytheater.com/.

Parking Policy Updates

Council approved updates to the City of Berkley’s overnight parking policy, which was updated last year to allow on-street parking permits to be issued to residents with demonstrated hardships. More information about that program is available at berkleymi.gov/overnightparking. The updates to the policy include a similar program that will be available starting in January 2026, and will allow properties that are adjacent to municipal lots to purchase up to two passes per parcel to leave a vehicle in the lot overnight. This option is not available for single-family residences and is only available to property owners with parcels that are directly adjacent to municipal parking lots.

Zoning Ordinance and Purchasing Policy Amendments

Council approved several amendments to our Zoning Ordinance to add clarification as needed and improve the functionality of the standards adopted in the Zoning Ordinance. Additionally, the City’s purchasing policy was amended as part of an ongoing staff effort to review all operational and administrative policies and ensure that they are aligned with our City Code. The revised Purchasing Policy is fully aligned with the City Code and the City Charter. Importantly, the Charter states: “The manager shall be purchasing agent for the city and shall make all purchases of supplies for the city, in accordance with the procedures to be established by the council.” In keeping with this requirement, the proposed policy outlines the procedures under which the City Manager, as purchasing agent, will conduct and oversee all procurement activities once formally established by the City Council. 

Council Rules & Order of Procedure and 2026 Meeting Dates

Finally, Council adopted the Rules & Order of Procedure for the 41st City Council, and approved 2026 meeting dates. All meeting dates are available on our website calendar at berkleymi.gov/events.

Want to Learn More?

• Watch the meeting recording

• Review the agenda and minutes

• Join us at our first meeting of the year on January 5 at 7 PM - we'd love to see you there!

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