Berkeley council approves holiday parade, pharmacy special-use, investment policy and other consent items

The Berkeley City Council on Monday approved a package of routine and specific items including the consent agenda, a designation for the city holiday parade and tree lighting, a special land use to permit a pharmacy in a residential corridor, an updated investment policy, and authorization for the treasurer to apply for membership in the Michigan CLASS investment pool.

The consent agenda, approved by roll call, included the minutes of the Sept. 22 council meeting; a budgeted purchase of two turf mowers for $33,750.94; the 2025–26 winter maintenance agreement with the Road Commission for Oakland County (the city will be reimbursed $12,947.94, payable in two installments of $6,473.97 in Dec. 2025 and March 2026); a rock-salt purchase under a cooperative program for 2025–26; and awarding a contract for library study-room construction to Christopher Gray Remodeling and Design LLC for $31,000 plus $3,500 in contingencies. The consent agenda passed unanimously.

Holiday parade and tree lighting: Motion M9325 designating Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 for the annual holiday parade and tree lighting passed unanimously. City staff clarified a drafting error in the meeting memo: the memo had omitted language about cost-sharing. Clerk Mitchell said the city communicated that the parade committees were advised the cost will be 40% of $14,362.10. Parade organizers in the chamber said the event is volunteer-run, that travel and band fees (they cited a $1,200 travel cost for a band from Southfield and carriage costs of about $1,200) and vendor needs make private donations and volunteer support necessary. Organizer Angela said the parade committee now holds 501(c)(3) status and is establishing donation channels, including a dedicated Venmo and a website at berkeleyholidayparade.com for contributions. Council members thanked the volunteers and asked how residents could help; the committee said checks can be dropped off at a local café and that a Santa-style mailbox will begin accepting donations next week.

Special land use for pharmacy at 3462 Greenfield Road: Motion M9525, to approve special land use PSU-0425 allowing a pharmacy tenant at 3462 Greenfield Road in the Residential Corridor district, passed unanimously after the council restated and approved findings required by the zoning ordinance. Planning Director Kaplansky told the council the building was developed under the prior zoning ordinance, the proposed pharmacy would occupy an existing tenant space with no site changes, and drive-thrus are not allowed. The planning commission had recommended approval after reviewing the ordinance standards. Council member Patterson offered the restated findings and the amended motion passed on roll call.

Investment policy and Michigan CLASS: The council adopted an amended investment policy by resolution R1725. Finance Director Johnson said the revised policy expands from a previous four-page policy to 14 pages to add clarity, requires quarterly reporting of investments to council, and reiterates that under Michigan law (PA 20) local governments must avoid investments that risk loss of principal. Johnson said the policy relies on conservative instruments (CDs, money markets, commercial paper) and places responsibility on the treasurer and contracted investment managers to ensure compliance. The vote to adopt the investment policy was unanimous.

Following that approval, the council passed resolution R1825 authorizing the treasurer to complete the application for the city to become a member of the Michigan CLASS investment pool. Johnson explained the separate resolution was required because the investment policy establishes the authority to invest but the city must formally authorize specific participation in Michigan CLASS; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: The council recorded roll-call votes on multiple formal items during the evening. Notable motions and their outcomes included: consent agenda (passed, unanimous); M9325 designation of Dec. 6 parade and tree lighting (passed, unanimous); M9425 Columbia PILOT (postponed to Oct. 20, unanimous); M9525 special land use for pharmacy at 3462 Greenfield Road (approved, unanimous); R1725 investment policy (adopted, unanimous); R1825 Michigan CLASS application authorization (adopted, unanimous). Routine items in the consent agenda (mower purchase, winter maintenance agreement, rock salt purchase, library study-room contract and proclamations) were included in the unanimous consent vote.

Ending: Council members used the communications section of the meeting to remind residents of upcoming committee meetings and community events, and Mayor Bridget Dean closed the meeting following a unanimous adjournment vote.