George Dilgard Elected Birmingham's Newest Mayor

City commissioners elected George Dilgard the city's mayor for 2012-13, while Scott Moore will serve as mayor pro tem.

As part of the Birmingham City Commission's annual reshuffling of leadership roles, City Commissioner George Dilgard was elected the city's newest mayor by his fellow commissioners. Meanwhile, Commissioner Scott Moore was named Birmingham's mayor pro tem. Both men were unanimously elected and will serve in these roles until through November 2013. "It will be a privilege to serve as your mayor and together we'll make Birmingham an even better place," said Dilgard, a 34-year resident of Birmingham who earned his second term on the city commission during the November 2011 election.  Dilgard served as mayor pro tem under Mark Nickita, who served as mayor from 2011-12. Birmingham commissioners elect a new mayor and mayor pro tem each fall. …

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Birmingham City Commission Approves 2012-13 Budget

The updated budget includes lower-than-projected taxable values and more than $200,000 in additional revenue from a police dispatch service-sharing agreement.

The Birmingham City Commission approved the city's 2012-13 budget Monday night, a $64 million package that features a shrinking city staff and expenditures that continue to exceed revenues. In total, Birmingham plans spend $64 million in 2012-13 and expects to bring in $61 million in revenue. The discussion was short Monday night but there weren't many changes made to the budget, especially after commissioners discussed each line item during a five-hour budget meeting in late April. "We've spent a whole lot of time on this budget," said Mayor Mark Nickita Monday night. "It's thoroughly gone through and I think we're comfortable going forward this year with a lot of good things." City finance director Sharon Ostin noted several changes to …

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City Clarifies Rules Regarding Dogs in Birmingham Parks

Dogs are allowed, an updated set of rules says, as long they're on a leash.

Have you ever wondered whether Fido or Spot were actually allowed at city parks? Now you don't have to worry: at the April 23 meeting of the Birmingham City Commission, commissioners voted to clarify the rules regarding dogs in parks, noting all dogs are allowed in public parks (with a few exceptions) as long as they're on a leash. Under the revised rules, dogs need to be restrained by a leash or chain that can be, at max, six feet long. The dog must also be under "reasonable control" and everyone — including dogs and their walkers — must comply with city ordinances. Keeping some restrictions in place, however, was important, Department of Public Services director Lauren Wood noted. The updated rules also include a list of areas where dogs…

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Library Presents Balanced Budget, Struggles With Smaller Staff

Baldwin Public Library's 2012-13 budget will be one to consider as a joint city committee continues to study potential renovations plans for the library building.

After years of budget woes, Baldwin Public Library is back on its feet again — and library administrators already are looking ahead. In a presentation to the Birmingham City Commission April 21, Library Director Doug Koschik outlined a budget for 2012-13 that balances the budget just as the library returns to full service hours and requests a smaller millage from the city. Meanwhile, a joint committee made up of library board members and city commissioners continue to discuss the renovation possibilities for the aging library building at 300 W. Merrill St. According to Koschik, the outlook for 2012-13 is bright, especially as the library expects to balance its budget for a second year in a row. During the next fiscal year, Baldwin expects …

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Birmingham Considers Smaller Budget for 2012-13

The tentative plan, as presented to city commissioners Saturday, is highlighted by growing revenues that still fall behind expected spending.

It's budget season in Birmingham, and city commissioners are considering a $64 million budget for 2012-13, which includes rising property values and a city staff that's growing smaller by the year. "The worst may be over, but we're not out of the woods yet," City Manager Bob Bruner said at the city's budget presentation Saturday at City Hall. At the five-hour Saturday meeting, Bruner and various department heads laid out tentative budgets for the upcoming year before the Birmingham City Commission. With big projects on the horizon, Bruner made sure to note that expenditures continue to exceed revenues for another year. "These last several years of economic and revenue decline have forced communities to ask the question: 'Is there a better …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Downtown Safety Discussions Needn't Get Nasty

Crowds, crime and liquor licensing can be debated without personal swipes.

This letter, sent to Editor Laura Houser, is from a Birmingham resident who contributes to Patch as a freelance writer. Views expressed are his. Bullying is a hot topic in families, classrooms, a new documentary, Patch articles and other media coverage. Though discussions usually involve young people, schoolyard-like piling on occurs among adults at times. A largely constructive reader discussion at this site about a petition campaign against South bar, for instance, includes off-topic personal pokes. A local realtor who spoke last year in support of another site's liquor license renewal is targeted with four harsh posts from two people, including one suggesting: "How about when the shooters are in town they walk over to her workplace," …

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Birmingham Golf Courses Report a Loss in 2011

According to the 2012 Golf Report, the Springdale and Lincoln Hills golf courses lost $146,122 in 2011.

Revenues and the number of golfers hitting the links continue to decrease at Birmingham's two golf courses, according to the 2012 Golf Report as presented to the Birmingham City Commission on Monday night. According to Assistant Director of Public Services Jeff Bremer, the number of rounds of golf played at the Springdale Golf Course and Lincoln Hills Golf Course in 2011 dropped 11.72 percent from the previous year. This translates into an operating deficit of $146,122 for both courses in 2011, up considerably from 2010's deficit of $81,471. "I wish I could be here with better news but unfortunately, I can not say anything but we lost money in 2011," Bremer said. "We're at a loss to really understand how, in one season, we lost (almost) 6,…

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5 Things To Know This Week: Transportation Event, Youth-Led Dialogue Day

Here's what you need to know about Birmingham this week.

City Commission to meet Monday: The Birmingham City Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall. On the agenda are several purchase agreements as well as a report on alcohol at city golf courses. For the complete agenda, visit On the Agenda: City Commission Meets Monday Night. School board meets Tuesday: The Birmingham Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district's administrative offices on West Merrill Street. The board will hear an update on the 2012-13 budget Tuesday night, as well as the latest enrollment figures. For the complete agenda, visit On the Agenda: School Board to Discuss Budget Update, Enrollment Figures. Michigan Transportation Odyssey kick-off event Wednesday: Kicking off the Michigan …

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Alan Stamm

9:07 am on Monday, March 19, 2012

Advance tickets on sale: http://bit.ly/z6vUJf   more ›