Birmingham meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Birmingham agenda roundup: rental-unit zoning hearing set for Oct. 19; no meeting outcomes yet published

Birmingham's City Commission, Parks and Recreation Board and Board of Zoning Appeals were all scheduled to meet in the past two weeks, but the records available for those sessions are agendas only — minutes have not been published. No votes, awards or outcomes are recorded in the material reviewed here, so the items below describe what was scheduled, not what was decided.

Rental unit rules set for public hearing Oct. 19

The next scheduled action item is a City Commission public hearing on amendments to the Birmingham Code of Ordinances that would define and regulate various types of rental units and residential amenities, including short-term rentals. The same agenda lists votes on several infrastructure contracts and board appointments.

Money items on the Oct. 19 agenda

• Warrant lists totaling $3,518,510.47 (Oct. 7) and $3,137,079.79 (Oct. 14).
• A contract with Integrated Construction Solutions Inc. for the Baldwin Public Library Loading Dock for up to $99,630.00.
• Pavement marking contract extensions with Royalty Pavement Markings at $277,092.50 annually and PK Contracting, LLC at $18,350.00 annually.
• Approval of Option A design for the E. Lincoln Street Project.

Oct. 5: elevator consulting contract and $2.54M warrant list

The Commission's Oct. 5 consent agenda listed approval of a warrant list dated Sept. 30, 2026, totaling $2,542,390.73, and awarding a $114,500 contract to Blackstone Elevator Consulting, Inc. for city-wide vertical transportation consulting, with a $12,000 budget amendment from fund balance. Also listed: appointments of Kevin Hart to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Ervin Kalaj to the Advisory Parking Committee and Jill Bahm to the Public Arts Board; an Interlocal Agreement for Damage Assessment Mutual Aid for disaster and emergency building evaluations; and resident priority survey results. Communications were listed on 400 E. Lincoln, deer, trees, parking and Pleasant Street paving.

Workshop: public-private partnerships, no action planned

A special workshop session Oct. 5 at 6:00 PM in Room 205 at 151 Martin was to feature a presentation and discussion on Public Private Partnerships led by Doug Smith of Plante Moran. The agenda states no formal actions would be taken, and that public comment was limited to items not appearing elsewhere on the agenda, with no question and answer session.

Parks and Recreation: Crestview Playground, St. James and Kenning

The Parks and Recreation Board's Oct. 6 agenda, for 6:30 PM in the DPS Conference Room at 851 S. Eton, listed new business on Crestview Playground, St. James and Kenning updates from OHM, and a National Fitness Campaign grant opportunity. It also listed approval of the Sept. 1, 2026 board minutes and staff reports on fall tree purchase and planting, Barberry Turn-In Day at Kenning Park and Booth Park. Two community events were listed: a Fall Foliage Hike at Manor Park on Oct. 17 and a Pumpkin Patch event on Oct. 24 sponsored by DG Realty Group / Signature Sotheby's International Realty.

Zoning appeals: two dimensional appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals was to consider dimensional appeal 26-24 for 1552 Bennnaville (petitioner: Michael McLaughlin) and dimensional appeal 26-25 for 555 S Old Woodward (petitioner: Jack Reihart), along with minutes from the Sept. 8, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 — City Commission:** public hearing on zoning amendments for rental units, short-term rentals and residential amenities, plus the warrant lists, Baldwin Public Library Loading Dock contract, pavement marking extensions and E. Lincoln Street design option listed above.

No other meetings appear in the upcoming schedule provided.

Birmingham Commission Agenda Listed $2.54M Warrant List and $114,500 Elevator Contract

Birmingham's City Commission was scheduled to act on a consent agenda that included approving a warrant list totaling $2,542,390.73 and awarding a $114,500 elevator consulting contract to Blackstone Elevator Consulting, Inc., according to the agenda for its Oct. 5, 2026 meeting. Minutes from that meeting have not been published in the records provided, so no outcome is established here. Over the past two weeks, the city's other public bodies met on largely procedural agendas.

City Commission: warrant list, elevator contract, appointments

The Oct. 5, 2026 agenda listed a consent agenda with the warrant list dated Sept. 30, 2026, totaling $2,542,390.73, and the award of a $114,500 contract to Blackstone Elevator Consulting, Inc. for city-wide vertical transportation consulting, with a $12,000 budget amendment from fund balance. Appointments listed were Kevin Hart to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Ervin Kalaj to the Advisory Parking Committee, and Jill Bahm to the Public Arts Board. The agenda also listed an Interlocal Agreement for Damage Assessment Mutual Aid for disaster and emergency building evaluations, and resident priority survey results. Communications were listed on 400 E. Lincoln, deer, trees, parking, and Pleasant Street paving. This was an agenda only; minutes have not been published.

Commission workshop: public-private partnerships, no votes planned

A special workshop was set for the same day, Oct. 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Room 205 at 151 Martin. The agenda states it was a workshop session and that no formal actions would be taken. The substantive item was a presentation and discussion on Public Private Partnerships led by Doug Smith of Plante Moran. Public comment was limited to items not appearing elsewhere on the agenda, with no question-and-answer session and no action taken. No ordinances, contracts, rezonings, or fee changes appeared on the agenda.

Shopping District: Winter Markt electrical power contract

The Birmingham Shopping District Board met Oct. 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at The Townsend Hotel. New business listed a Winter Markt Electrical Power Contract (agenda pages 16-24) and a 2027 Board and Committee Schedule (page 15). The consent agenda covered approval of Sept. 3, 2026 minutes, September 2026 vouchers, and absence waivers for Wolf and McKenzie. The agenda also included committee reports, a business anniversary recognition, and public comments. Agenda only; minutes not yet published.

Parks and Recreation: Crestview Playground, St. James and Kenning

The Parks and Recreation Board met Oct. 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the DPS Conference Room at 851 S. Eton. New business listed Crestview Playground, St. James and Kenning updates from OHM, and a National Fitness Campaign grant opportunity. Staff reports covered fall tree purchase and planting, Barberry Turn-In Day at Kenning Park, and Booth Park. Two community events were listed: a Fall Foliage Hike at Manor Park on Oct. 17 and a Pumpkin Patch event on Oct. 24 sponsored by DG Realty Group / Signature Sotheby's International Realty. The board was also to approve its Sept. 1, 2026 minutes.

Cemetery board: FY 2027-2028 budget requests, perpetual care fund

The Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board held its regular quarterly meeting Oct. 2, 2026. New business included a Perpetual Care Fund update, FY 2027-2028 budget requests, and discussion of Section V operational regulations on sound, light, or litter disturbances. The agenda also listed capital improvements, future service demands, an update from Carter's Preservation and Creative Collaborations, and approval of Sept. 4, 2026 minutes.

Museum Board: 2027 schedule and oral history project

The Birmingham Museum Board met Oct. 1, 2026. The agenda listed approval of Aug. 13, 2026 minutes, discussion of the 2027 meeting schedule, an update on the "What's Your Story?" oral history project, and the director's report and public comments. The agenda was largely procedural, with no major decisions or financial items listed.

Coming up

The Board of Zoning Appeals meets Oct. 13, 2026, to consider two dimensional appeals: 26-24 for 1552 Bennnaville (petitioner Michael McLaughlin) and 26-25 for 555 S Old Woodward (petitioner Jack Reihart). The board will also review minutes from its Sept. 8, 2026 meeting.

All items above are drawn from meeting agendas. Minutes for the recent meetings have not been published in the records provided, so no votes, approvals, or other outcomes are reported.

Birmingham City Council to weigh $3.15M senior center renovation

The Birmingham City Commission meets today (Aug. 24) to consider a $3.15 million design/build agreement to renovate the first floor of 400 E. Lincoln for Next senior services. The meeting is the only one scheduled in the next two weeks.

No formal decisions have been recorded from recent meetings, as minutes have not yet been published. The commission held a workshop on Aug. 10 and a regular meeting the same day, and the Museum Board met Aug. 13.

City Commission – Aug. 24 (upcoming)

The commission will vote on a $3,150,000 design/build agreement with DMC Consultants, Inc. for the 400 E. Lincoln renovation, which will house Next senior services.

The consent agenda includes:

• Approving warrant lists totaling $12,538,762.14 (Aug. 12 and Aug. 19).
• Extending the OpenGov Master Services Agreement for three years at $113,204.79 total.
• Setting Sept. 28 public hearings for Special Land Use Permit transfers of Birmingham 8 and Emagine Palladium theaters to Bloomfield 14, LLC.
• Setting a Sept. 28 public hearing on zoning amendments to add "rental unit" and "residential amenities" land use categories.

City Commission – Aug. 10 (agenda only)

The commission's regular meeting agenda included:

• Awarding the S. Eton Water Main Project to Bidigare Contractors, Inc. for $1,288,798 plus a 10% contingency.
• Approving a $2,185,922.61 contract with Warren Contractors for the Booth Park Entry Plaza and Trail Improvement project.
• Postponing a special land use permit public hearing for 168 W. Maple bistro and outdoor dining to Sept. 28, 2026.
• Approving warrants of $1,801,379.52 and $760,009.60.
• Setting public hearings for the Birmingham Shopping District and a Quarton Road sidewalk special assessment district.

The commission also held a workshop on public-private partnerships, with no formal actions taken.

Museum Board – Aug. 13 (agenda only)

The board considered a new behind-the-scenes garment collection display, reviewed the "What's Your Story?" oral history project, and discussed improvements to John West Hunter Park, including a barrier-free boardwalk and native plant gardens along the Rouge trail.

Coming up

The City Commission meets today, Aug. 24. No other meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Birmingham City Commission eyes $971,825 sidewalk contract and S. Eton water main assessments

The Birmingham City Commission's July 13 agenda included a $971,825.64 contract for concrete sidewalk repairs and approval of a water main project on S. Eton Street with special assessments for affected property owners. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so final outcomes are not confirmed.

City Commission — July 13

The regular meeting agenda listed five items for action or discussion:

• Award a $971,825.64 contract for concrete sidewalk repairs.
• Approve the S. Eton Street water main project with special assessments.
• Set a public hearing for a Special Land Use Permit at 168 W. Maple.
• Authorize use of an Absent Voter Counting Board for the August 4 election.
• Approve a Tentative Agreement with AFSCME Local 998.11.

A separate special meeting was also scheduled for July 13 to consider a resolution entering closed session under MCL § 15.268, Sec. 8(1)(h) of the Open Meetings Act, to discuss a written attorney-client privileged communication. Minutes for this meeting are also not yet published.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 14

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to consider two dimensional appeals:

• Appeal 26-17 for 504-506 Townsend, filed by Mia Gordon.
• Appeal 26-18 for 1982 Haynes, filed by Armando G Ybarra.

The agenda also included review and approval of minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting. Minutes from the July 14 session have not been published.

Public Arts Board — July 15

The Public Arts Board was scheduled to conduct regular business and review a wall art application for 555 S. Old Woodward. No minutes are available yet.

Coming up — July 27 City Commission

The City Commission meets tonight, July 27, with several items of note for residents:

• **Public hearing** on S. Eton Water Main Project Special Assessment Roll 923, where property owners can speak before the Commission confirms the assessment rolls for water laterals.
• **Sidewalk Trip Elimination Contract #3-26**, to be awarded to Precision Concrete Cutting, Inc. for up to $845,100.00.
• **Purchase of replacement SCBA equipment** (self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters) from MacQueen for up to $346,887.00.
• **Proposed ordinance** for Single Family Stormwater Management Standards.
• **Proposed Sustainability Fee** for the Parking Department.

The stormwater ordinance and sustainability fee are listed as proposed items, meaning they are up for discussion or initial consideration rather than final adoption. Residents interested in the S. Eton water main assessments or the proposed stormwater and parking fee changes may want to attend or follow the Commission's action on these items.

Birmingham boards weigh sidewalk contract, park design, and zoning appeals in busy mid-July stretch

Birmingham's City Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Public Arts Board all convened between July 7 and July 15. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the items below reflect what each agenda scheduled for discussion or action; confirmed outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available in the public record.

City Commission — July 13 (two meetings)

The City Commission held two sessions on July 13. A special meeting was scheduled to consider a resolution entering closed session under MCL § 15.268, Sec. 8(1)(h) of the Open Meetings Act, to discuss a written attorney-client privileged communication. No details on the subject of that communication were included in the agenda.

The commission's regular agenda listed several items slated for action:

• Award of a $971,825.64 contract for concrete sidewalk repairs.
• Approval of the S. Eton Street water main project, including special assessments for water service replacements.
• Setting a public hearing for a Special Land Use Permit at 168 W. Maple.
• Authorization to use an Absent Voter Counting Board for the August 4 election.
• Approval of a Tentative Agreement with AFSCME Local 998.11.

The agenda also referenced discussion of a new sustainability fee. Because minutes are not yet published, the city's record does not confirm which items passed, the vote counts, or whether any were postponed.

Parks and Recreation Board — July 7

The Parks and Recreation Board agenda included a public input session on the design of the Crestview Park playground, a Booth Park update, and e-bike information from staff. No design decisions or recommendations are reflected in the available agenda.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 14

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to consider two dimensional appeals:

• Appeal 26-17 for 504-506 Townsend (applicant: Mia Gordon).
• Appeal 26-18 for 1982 Haynes (applicant: Armando G Ybarra).

The board also planned to review and approve minutes from its June 9, 2026 meeting. Outcomes for the appeals are not yet in the public record.

Public Arts Board — July 15

The Public Arts Board agenda included a wall art application for 555 S. Old Woodward, along with regular business. No decision on the application is confirmed in the available record.

What this means for residents

The sidewalk repair contract and the S. Eton Street water main project are the items with the clearest direct impact on residents, particularly property owners along Eton Street who may face special assessments. The Crestview Park playground session offered neighbors a chance to weigh in on a public facility design. The August 4 election preparation item affects how absentee ballots will be processed. Residents near 168 W. Maple, 504-506 Townsend, 1982 Haynes, and 555 S. Old Woodward may want to follow the respective permit and appeal proceedings.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Readers should check the City of Birmingham's official calendar for any newly posted sessions.