Berkley OKs Parking Lot Project Contract, Medical Marijuana Moratorium Extension, More

Mayor Pro Tem Dan Terbrack helmed a busy Berkley City Council meeting Monday night at .

Council members honored retiring employee Steve Hadley and handled a number of administrative and policy issues before recessing into a closed session to consider pending litigation.

Parking lot project progresses

Terbrack was filling in for Mayor Marilyn Stephan, which produced a humorous exchange as the council got to business.

"Good evening, Madame Mayor," City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa said out of habit, eliciting chuckles from Terbrack and the crowd.

"I knew I was going to do that – so embarrassing," a chagrined DiSessa said with a smile.

The good-natured group moved on to pass a motion awarding a contract for the Downtown Development Authority parking lot improvement project between Griffith and Robina, south of 12 Mile Road. The low bidder on the project was Koala-T Construction Inc. of Pontiac, which will receive an estimated $464,484.03 for the work. The money, which has been in the budget for the past several years, will come from the DDA and the city's tax increment financing fund; none will come from the general fund.

The project, which could get under way in as little as two weeks, will add a half dozen spaces to the lot behind , , , , , and . It also will create a more pedestrian-friendly space behind the buildings, with new landscaping, sidewalks and bike racks, and will add a storm sewer.

Signs will be posted and fliers distributed to explain the work and offer parking alternatives during the construction. The goal is for all the work, except some landscaping, to be finished by July 15 in advance of the Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 20.

Medical marijuana

The council conducted the first reading of an amendment to the portion of city code that deals with business licensing. The amendment comes after much discussion about how to address the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, which passed in 2008. The law conflicts with federal regulations and potentially leaves cities vulnerable to legal action.

During the council's previous meeting, City Attorney Dale Schneider clarified that the rule does not apply solely to medical marijuana-related businesses. "It applies to anything that is in violation of federal or state law," he said.

Councilwoman Lisa Platt Auensen was the only council member who opposed the amendment. She noted that the ordinance would prevent Berkley from collecting revenue from medical marijuana sales. She also pointed out that Berkley doesn't license home-based businesses and that the proposed ordinance would prohibit licensing medical marijuana-related businesses in the business district, which made her question whether the ordinance would violate the state law that permits some medical marijuana transactions.

The first reading passed, and the second will be conducted during the council's next meeting May 2.

Meanwhile, the City Council extended a temporary moratorium on permits for medical marijuana facilities in Berkley by 60 days. Platt Auensen also voted no on the extension.

Quick hits

• The council passed a motion to approve the Berkley Art Bash, which will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 11 on 12 Mile Road between Tyler and Wakefield. The outdoor art festival will feature merchandise and food vendors. "This event is a wonderful event, and it is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce," Councilman Phil O'Dwyer said. "It brings a lot of people walking through our city, and it is something I support with enthusiasm."
• A motion to execute an agreement with Placement Tennis LLC to coordinate and conduct spring and summer tennis programs at was approved. This will be the programs' seventh consecutive year in the city.
• The city authorized a notice informing the public that a hearing on the 2011-12 proposed budget will be held during the regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m. May 16 at City Hall.
• Eleven amendments to the 2010-2011 budget also were passed Monday. They included eight amendments that were reapportionments, three that involved new spending and a general fund revenue increase of $12,373.