This is not an official blog of the City. It is the work of Mark Kapel who is solely responsible for content.

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Baldwin Library Board Meeting February 17th 2014. Student Library Board Member Jack Kellet. Quarton Lake Historian Pat Andrews.



Click Here for Full 46 Minute Meeting 


To follow along with  this  meeting use the proposed minutes  at the following link. Proposed Minutes.


People Of Note



 Jack Kellet, Student Library Board Member,










                                                 
   Kellet reads application letter to Board.         
         





Pat Andrews Presentation
         

















Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Best Picture Nominees Gravity and Nebraska, Plus Thor The Dark World, Highlight Baldwin New Titles 2/25/2014.

Gravity (DVD)Dr. Ryan Stone is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky. On a seemingly routine spacewalk, the shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left, and the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.
Check Availability

Nebraska (DVD)After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father thinks he's struck it rich, and wrangles his estranged son into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Getting waylaid in the father's hometown in Nebraska, the son tries to reconnect with his impenetrable father.  




Thor: The Dark World (DVD)Worlds collide when a powerful ancient enemy threatens to plunge the cosmos into eternal darkness. Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos, but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet. Now, reunited with Jane Foster, and forced to forge an alliance with his treacherous brother Loki, Thor embarks on a perilous personal quest to save both Earth and Asgard from destruction. Check Availability

The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg: FBI Agent Kate O'Hare is a force of nature, and she's lived for one thing and one thing only: to put the slippery conman known as Nicolas Fox behind bars. Nick is a fed's worst nightmare: exceptionally talented in his line of work, known the world over for being able to pull off some of the most dangerous, high-profile cons. In a cruel twist of fate, Kate's bosses at the FBI force her to covertly partner up with Nick to take down big league crime. 
 Check Availability




Pulling Strings (DVD):  After his daughter's Visa request to visit her grandparents in America is rejected, a single father and his loyal best friend do everything it takes to win over the Embassy worker who turned her downCheck Availability















Monday, February 24, 2014

Precepts for City of Bloomfield Hills 2013 Person of The Year Award.

 Valentine's  day is over over and St. Patrick's day approaches. We are chagrined to note that  we have yet to post our 2013 Persons of the Year award.  It is an award we do not give lightly and we must say it is a  difficult award to win. We don't seek suggestions or nominations. There is no panel to impress. Essays are not required .
Until it is announced (usually at some late date ) there is no mention. We don't  ask questions of co-workers  or do similar  things that might tip our hand. Instead we evaluate throughout the year and sometimes, in the case of this year, a little longer. Then we announce our 2013  Person of the Year. The individual selected will find out just as you do. By reading it here. We don't notify the winner. We feel that would be inappropriate  as if we expected something in return  for picking them. There is also no tangible award made in terms of a plaque, certificate or a banquet. Just the words that appear.

Last December  we recognized  four individuals who participated in the major news stories of the year. Two of which Amy Burton, (City Archives) and Mary Juras (Celebrate Bloomfield Hills Day)  accomplished far  more than their duties.

 Our  Person of the Year award is  however different. It is  not just recognition of a job well done which in the course of year, could include many in our communities.

Our award is made for the benefit of our readers. We  hope that our recognition  of residents or nearby neighbors, who have displayed courage, overcome adversity, and  improved our communities will inspire others.

Like all awards the validity of ours can only determined in the continued accomplishments of the people who we award it to. 
We are pleased to say that  the people we acknowledged in 2011 and 2012  did  very well in the years that  followed.

Bloomfield Township Public Library Board of Trustees February 18th Meeting.


Watch  entire 50 minute meeting by click here
Next Meeting Tuesday March 18th


 Click here for Minutes of  January Meeting


Library Board of Trustees
Back Row: Joan C.. Luksik, Eli Greenbaum, Grant Gerhart
Front Row: Pamela Williams, Margaret Cohen, Judy Lindstrom


Sunday, February 23, 2014

Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees Special Meeting 7am Monday. Regular fourth Monday meeting live 7pm with meeting Agenda.

Live Webstream of Board of Trustees Meetings 2/24/2014 7pm

Coming up at 7:00 PM on the second and fourth Monday of the month -
The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees Meeting LIVE



Birmingham City Commission Meeting Agenda for Monday February 24th 2014.

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Upcoming City Commission Meetings


City Commission Meeting
Date: 2/24/2014 7:30 PM
Location: Municipal Building, room 205
151 Martin
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Scott D. Moore, Mayor
II. ROLL CALL
Laura M. Pierce, City Clerk
III. PROCLAMATIONS, CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTIONS, AWARDS, APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS, ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS, INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Appointments:
A. Interview for the appointment to the Board of Review.
1. Alex Chapman, 1832 Cole
B. To appoint_____________ to the Board of Review to complete a three-year term to expire December 31, 2016.
C. Administration of oath to appointed board members.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and approved by a roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of the items unless a commissioner or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered under the last item of new business
A. Approval of City Commission Long Range Planning minutes of February 1, 2014.
B. Approval of City Commission minutes of February 10, 2014.
C. Approval of warrant list, including Automated Clearing House payments, of February 12, 2014 in the amount of $1,194,450.01.
D. Approval of warrant list, including Automated Clearing House payments, of February 19, 2014 in the amount of $1,372,340.21.
E. Resolution awarding Contract #6-14(PK), Park Street Parking Structure Restoration – Levels 1, 2 & 3, to DRV Contractors, LLC, of Shelby Township, MI in the amount of $803,525.00, to be charged to account #585-538.003-977.0000.
F. Resolution appointing Sandy Debicki as chairperson of the 2014 Celebrate Birmingham Parade Committee.
G. Resolution approving a request submitted by the City of Birmingham to hold the Celebrate Birmingham Parade on Sunday, May 18, 2014, contingent upon compliance with all permit and insurance requirements and payment of all fees and, further pursuant to any minor modifications that may be deemed necessary by administrative staff at the time of the event.
H. Resolution approving a request from Common Ground to hold the 40th Annual Birmingham Street Art Fair on South Old Woodward on September 20 - 21, 2014, contingent upon compliance with all permit and insurance requirements and payment of all fees and, further pursuant to any minor modifications that may be deemed necessary by administrative staff at the time of the event.
I. Resolution approving a request from the City of Birmingham to hold the In the Park Concerts on Wednesday evenings from June, 2014 through August, 2014 and the Band Jam on Friday, June 13, 2014 in Shain Park, contingent upon compliance with all permit and insurance requirements and payment of all fees, and, further, pursuant to any minor modifications that may be deemed necessary by administrative staff at the time of the event.
J. Resolution approving the 2014 annual flower purchase from Gardens & Beyond in the amount not to exceed $15,732.35. Funds are available from the General Fund – Property Maintenance – Operating Supplies account #101-441.003-729.0000.
K. Resolution recognizing Birmingham Seaholm Bands, 2436 W. Lincoln, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of obtaining a State of Michigan Gaming License with the State of Michigan Charitable Gaming Division. Further, authorizing the City Clerk to complete the Local Governing Body Resolution Form, forwarding same to the Charitable Gaming Division, Lansing, Michigan.
L. Resolution approving an agreement with Revize Software Systems, LLC for website hosting and support services, for a period of five (5) years, in an amount not to exceed $14,000 from account #636-228.000-933.0700. Further authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
M. Resolution approving the purchase agreement with AVI Systems for the purchase and installation of a new video monitor at Adams Fire Station, and further directing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement on behalf of the City and charging $11,208 towards the grant received from the Birmingham Area Cable Board for this purchase.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Public Hearing to consider approval of a Special Land Use Permit and Final Site Plan for the operation of a new bistro - Tea Parlor, Inc. dba Mad Hatter, 185 N. Old Woodward
1. Resolution approving the Final Site Plan and Design and a Special Land Use Permit for 185 N. Old Woodward, Mad Hatter, pursuant to Article 7, section 7.34, Zoning, of the Birmingham City Code, in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning Board on December 12, 2012; (complete Resolution in agenda packet)
AND
Resolution allowing Mad Hatter, to obtain a liquor license with an outdoor dining endorsement for the operation of a bistro above all others pursuant to Chapter 10, Alcoholic Liquors, of the Birmingham City Code;
AND
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to complete and execute the contract for operation of Mad Hatter at 185 N. Old Woodward.
B. 2013 Liquor License Review and 2014 Liquor License Renewals
1. Resolution approving the renewal, for the 2014 licensing period, of all Class B and Class C liquor licenses for which a current year application was received.
OR (Each of the following resolutions to be considered separately)
2. Resolution setting a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014 in the City Commission Room at the Birmingham City Hall, located at 151 Martin, Birmingham, MI 48009, to consider whether to file an objection with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to the renewal of the license for consumption of intoxicating liquor on the premises currently held by the owners/operators of_____________________ for the following reasons: ________________________; Further, directing the City Manager to notify the owners/operators of _____________, in writing, that they may submit any written material for consideration by the City Commission prior to the date of the public hearing or at the hearing, that the licensee may appear in person at the hearing or be represented by counsel, and that the licensee may present witnesses or written evidence at the hearing.
AND
Resolution approving the renewal, for the 2014 licensing period, of all Class B and Class C liquor licenses for which a current year application was received, except for the license(s) held by ____________, for which a public hearing has been set.
C. Presentation of new City website – www.bhamgov.org
D. Request to meet in a closed session to consider the personnel evaluation of the Interim City Manager pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act (Act 267 of 1976). A 2/3 roll call vote of the City Commission is not required to call a closed session permitted under Section 8(a).
E. Resolution to meet in closed session to discuss an attorney/client privilege communication in accordance with Section 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act.
(A roll call vote is required and the vote must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the commission. The commission will adjourn to closed session after all other business has been addressed in open session and reconvene to open session, after the closed session, for purposes of taking formal action resulting from the closed session and for purposes of adjourning the meeting.)
VII. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
A. Comcast regarding new contact person
B. Comcast regarding Comcast and Time Warner Cable Transaction Fact Sheet
C. Comcast regarding merger with Time Warner Cable
D. Paula Jones regarding election date
IX. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
A. Commissioner Reports
1. Notice of intention to appoint to the Multi-Modal Transportation Board on March 24, 2014.
B. Commissioner Comments
C. Advisory Boards, Committees, Commissions’ Reports and Agendas
1. Cablecasting Board Annual Report
D. Legislation
E. City Staff
1. Engineering Update, submitted by City Engineer O’Meara
2. Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner’s Office Update, submitted by City Engineer O’Meara
3. Oakland County Federal Aid Committee Update, submitted by City Engineer O’Meara
XI. ADJOURN
NOTICE: Individuals requiring accommodations, such as mobility, visual, hearing, interpreter or other assistance, for effective participation in this meeting should contact the City Clerk's Office at (248) 530-1880 (voice), or (248) 644-5115 (TDD) at least one day in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

Las personas que requieren alojamiento, tales como servicios de interpretación, la participación efectiva en esta reunión deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal al (248) 530-1880 por lo menos el día antes de la reunión pública. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).

Birmingham City Commission - Feb 10th, 2014. Meeting Video, Agenda, Library Bond Issue Vote

 Click here to see 2::28  minute meeting   City Commission - Feb 10th, 2014

City Commission Meeting
Date: 2/10/2014 7:30 PM
Location: Municipal Building, room 205
151 Martin
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Scott D. Moore, Mayor

II. ROLL CALL
Laura M. Pierce, City Clerk
III. PROCLAMATIONS, CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTIONS, AWARDS, APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS, ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS, INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Announcements:
* Commissioner Birthday: Nickita
Appointments:
A. Recognition of 2013 student board members.
B. Appointment of 2014 student board members.
1. To appoint students as non-voting members to the following City boards for calendar year 2014
Jack Moore                            Planning Board
Shelby Wilson                        Planning Board
Mitchell Boorstein                  Historic District Commission & Design Review Board
Cambria Rush                        Historic District Commission & Design Review Board
John Kelly                              Historic District Study Committee
Delaney O’Brien                     Historic District Study Committee
Alex Cross                            Parks & Recreation
Scott Cusimano                     Parks & Recreation Board
Emily Abbott                          Public Arts Board
Meredith Sherbin                   Public Arts Board
Adriana Tatuch                     Traffic & Safety Board
Olivia Neilson                        Museum Board
Jake Rotger                          Museum Board
C. Administration of oath to the 2014 student board members.
D. Interviews for appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
1. Cynthia Grove, 584 Rivenoak
2. Kevin Hart, 2051 Villa #406
E. To appoint _____________ as an alternate member to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve a three-year term to expire February 17, 2017.
F. To appoint _____________ as an alternate member to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve a three-year term to expire February 17, 2017.
G. Administration of oath to appointed board members.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and approved by a roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of the items unless a commissioner or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered under the last item of new business
A. Approval of City Commission minutes of January 27, 2014.
B. Approval of warrant list, including Automated Clearing House payments, of January 29, 2014 in the amount of $684,603.50.
C. Approval of warrant list, including Automated Clearing House payments, of February 5, 2014 in the amount of $1,439,913.64.
D. Resolution approving the auditing services contract with Plante & Moran to include the fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 through June 30, 2016 for a total fee of $69,025 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 and an annual increase not to exceed the Headlee inflation factor for years two and three and further authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
E. Resolution setting a public hearing for March 10, 2014 to consider an application for a Special Land Use Permit and Final Site Plan for 220 restaurant at 220 E. Merrill.
F. Resolution setting a public hearing for March 10, 2014 to consider the proposed Lot split of 607 Bates.
G. Resolution setting a public hearing for March 10, 2014 to consider the proposed Lot Rearrangement of 572 Watkins and 559 Southfield.
H. Resolution approving a Special Land Use Permit Amendment for The Bird and the Bread (formerly Home) at 210 S. Old Woodward to allow the name change of the previously approved food and drink establishment with on-premises consumption of alcoholic liquors from Home to The Bird and the Bread. (complete resolution in agenda packet)
I. Resolution approving the Fireworks Inspection Delegation Authority Agreement with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Fire Services. Further, directing the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
J. Resolution approving the Radio Repeater Site License Agreement as prepared by the Oakland Co. Water Resources Commissioner’s office for equipment to be placed on the Hunter Water Tank, and directing the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
K. Resolution approving the proposal and agreement with DTE Energy Co. for the conversion of 18 street lights on E. Maple Rd. from Woodward Ave. to Adams Rd. to LED fixtures, in the amount of $6,372, to be charged to account #401-901.006-981.0100. (A rebate of $1,944 will be received by the City after the work has been completed.) Further, directing the Mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Public Hearing to review the increased costs for Special Assessment District #850, regarding parking lot repairs conducted on the frontage parking lot located between 33600 and 33692 Woodward Ave.
1. Resolution accepting the suggested list of billings as prepared by the Engineering Dept. for Special Assessment District #850, (33600-33692 Woodward Ave. Parking Lot Repairs) and directing staff to issue invoices accordingly.
B. Resolution approving the “Resolution Submitting Library Bond Proposal” for the purpose of issuing up to $21,500,000 in general obligation unlimited tax bonds and place this issue before the voters at the election to be held on May 6, 2014. (complete resolution in agenda packet)
C. Ordinance amending Chapter 110, Traffic and Vehicles, Article II, Sections 26 – 32 to rename the Chapter to Transportation Systems to include all modes of transportation, and to rename and modify the duties of the existing Traffic and Safety Board to the Multi-Modal Transportation Board, and to expand the scope of authority for the Multi-Modal Transportation Board to include a mandatory review of all transportation related projects in the City, and to allow the hearing of appeals from administrative decisions on transportation related matters.
- AND -
Ordinance amending Chapter 110, Traffic and Vehicles, Article VII, Sections 191 – 196 to allow administrative review of transportation related regulatory requests.
D. Resolution approving the agreement with Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, LLC for master planning consultation services, contingent upon the approvals required by Sec. 2-289 of the Birmingham City Code, in the amount of $13,500.00, plus reimbursable expenses not to exceed $3,000.00, from account #101-721.000-811.0000 (Planning - Other Contractual Services). Further, directing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement on behalf of the City and approving the appropriation and amendment to the 2013-2014 General Fund budget as follows:
General Fund Revenues:
Appropriation for Fund Balance
#101-000.000-400.0000                                                                    $16,500.00
Total Revenue Adjustment                                                    $16,500.00
Expenditures:
Community Development-Planning
Other Contractual Services #101-721.000-811.0000           $16,500.00
Total Expenditure Adjustment                                  $16,500.00
- OR –
Resolution approving the agreement with Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, LLC for master planning consultation services ($13,500), including a final written report ($4,500), contingent upon the approvals required by Sec. 2-289 of the Birmingham City Code, in the amount of $18,000.00, plus reimbursable expenses not to exceed $3,000.00, from account #101-721.000-811.0000 (Planning - Other Contractual Services). Further, directing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement on behalf of the City and approving the appropriation and amendment to the 2013- 2014 General Fund budget as follows:
General Fund Revenues:
Appropriation for Fund Balance
#101-000.000-400.0000                                                                        $21,000.00
Total Revenue Adjustment                                                        $21,000.00
Expenditures:
Community Development-Planning
Other Contractual Services #101-721.000-811.0000                            $21,000.00
Total Expenditure Adjustment                                                    $21,000.00
E. Consideration of the appointment of an interim city manager to become effective February 14, 2014.
VII. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Comcast regarding channel changes
B. Communication regarding the library project and May election
IX. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
X. REPORTS
A. Commissioner Reports
1. Notice of intention to appoint to the Parks and Recreation Board, Planning Board, and Cablecasting Board on March 10, 2014.
B. Commissioner Comments
C. Advisory Boards, Committees, Commissions’ Reports and Agendas
D. Legislation
E. City Staff
1. Second Quarter Investment Report, submitted by Finance Director Ostin
2. Engineering Department Project Update, submitted by City Engineer O’Meara
XI. ADJOURN
NOTICE: Individuals requiring accommodations, such as mobility, visual, hearing, interpreter or other assistance, for effective participation in this meeting should contact the City Clerk's Office at (248) 530-1880 (voice), or (248) 644-5115 (TDD) at least one day in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

Las personas que requieren alojamiento, tales como servicios de interpretación, la participación efectiva en esta reunión deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal al (248) 530-1880 por lo menos el día antes de la reunión pública. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Baldwin New Titles 2/18/2014



Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb: In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas's husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately-and by the time she's done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved. The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force's new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all younggirls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life. Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary-and the evil concealed in one human heart. Check Availability

Moving Target by J. A. Jance: B. Simpson teams up with Sister Anselm to investigate a suspicious accident that has left a teen prison inmate severely burned, while in England, Ali Reynolds investigates the decades-old murder of Leland's father. Check Availability
 


The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman: Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the sinister impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a Coney Island boardwalk freak show that thrills the masses. An exceptional swimmer, Coralie appears as the Mermaid in her father's "museum," alongside performers like the Wolfman, the Butterfly Girl, and a one-hundred-year-old turtle. One night Coralie stumbles upon a striking young man taking pictures of moonlit trees in the woods off the Hudson River.
The dashing photographer is Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his father's Lower East Side Orthodox community and his job as a tailor's apprentice. When Eddie photographs the devastation on the streets of New York following the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes embroiled in the suspicious mystery behind a young woman's disappearance and ignites the heart of Coralie. Check Avialbility
 

Machete Kills (DVD): In his latest mission, Machete is recruited by the U.S. President to stop a crazed global terrorist who is planning to start a nuclear war. Meanwhile, Machete has a bounty on his head, and he faces death from a series of deadly assassins. Check Avilability


Robert Redford, Vin Diesel, The Counselor, and Ender's Game, Highlight Baldwin New Titles 2/11/2014.



The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith: At age 4, Thursday chooses her own name. At age 6, she falls in love with her best friend, James, with whom she happily spends all her time. But in the adult world, things are not so simple: at the same time that Thursday's mother finds she's fallen out of love with her husband, she realizes that James's father is interested in her. As the children grow into adulthood, their connection becomes more complicated as well: James drifts away from Thursday, but she keeps him in her sights: she attends the same college in Scotland and then follows him to London, Sydney, Singapore, rebuilding her life in every city, hoping each time that James will see what he is missing. As Thursday and James, and their parents, navigate their irresistible but baffling mazes of emotion, we are given a beautifully realized tale about how love, even if unrequited, can shape a life. Check Availability
 

[Cover]All Is Lost (DVD): An open-water thriller about one man's battle for survival against the elements after his sailboat is destroyed at sea. Using only a sextant and nautical maps to chart his progress, he is forced to rely on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling, and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face. Check availability


[Cover]

Riddick (DVD): A dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy, Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he's encountered. The only way off is for him to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty. With time running out and a deadly storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won't leave the planet without Riddick's head as their trophy.
Check Avialabiliy

Counselor (DVD): A lawyer makes a risky entrance into the drug trade, and gambles that the consequences won't catch up with him. Check Availability



Ender’s Game(DVD): A hostile alien race attacked Earth, and if not for the legendary heroics of Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham, all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, Colonel Hyrum Graff is training only the best young children. Ender Wiggin, a shy, but brilliant boy, is soon ordained by Graff as the military's next great hope. Once at Command School, he's trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead them into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race.









Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Current City of Bloomfield Hills waste hauling companies. Proposed Regulations may change things.




The  date of the City's last published list of waste haulers who service  our City was May 13th 2013 when  it appeared on the City Website.  Six companies are listed. When this publication made phone calls to  them Wednesday.  five of the six said they did indeed service the City of Bloomfield Hills. Those five are 
1)Republic, 
2)Howard's Disposal, 
3)Nichols Disposal,
4)Veolia
5) Waste Management.

 Having called  all  five  (in an approximate twenty minute time period) yesterday, we can vouch for the phone numbers being correct. Often however the contact person listed may not be available. In most cases the person who answered the phone could either answer our  questions or connect us  to the person that could. 

At the   February 11th City Commission meeting, City Manager Cravens said that his office frequently  received  calls requesting information about  waste haulers. He said he  provided phone numbers only  to have the recipient call back  and say that some of the company  provided no longer served the City. That should have told City Manager Cravens something. Apparently it did not. 

Trash service in the City of  Bloomfield Hills is volatile. That's  because the City is no plum. Trash is trash and our City of 3500  has significantly less trash and therefore less profit potential  than  nearby communities with  a combined population of  close to  200,000 

 Rizzo listed above does not currently serve the City of Bloomfield Hills. When I called. a nice lady told me they did,. When I politely indicated that we were not the same as Bloomfield Township, she offered to go and "check,"  She returning  with "Your right we don't do Bloomfield Hills City. We just do the Township (40,000 residents) and West Bloomfield (60,000). 

 Fair enough.  In business the focus should be on servicing the 100,000 current customers as opposed to picking an additional 3500. 

Furthermore all customers are not always equal. Some are more fussy and require more service and maintenance which has to be factored into the money making equation.

The five companies currently serving the City have been over the years  stable favorites however.

Of the five companies that do service our City Howard's Disposal and Nichols' Disposal  are smaller family  companies with unique  personal serviced.  Howard's actually commutes from Armada Michigan. Both have many loyal customers.

Veolia  is a world wide company with interests in transportation and environmental services. For a long time Veolia served the city with  only commercial waste hauling. Now it serves the Hunt Club 
area residents (on Kinglsey Trail, Whitehall, Randall Lane etc) Veolia  is not interested in expanding elsewhere in the City unless it is economically feasible.The Hunt Club  area happens to an  area of the City with  small lots and boasts the largest single dwelling density in the City.

Republic is a national Company with many special services including Dumpsters. If your needs are sufficient enough a small dumpster can replace trash cans.

 Waste Management  claims in Super Bowl  advertising to the the largest waste remover in the world. The ad if one recalls correctly depicting WM  waste hauling in outer space.

At the last sales meeting Commissioner McClure ventured  that if  the proposed new regulations caused two of the five city haulers to stop serving our city, residents would still have a  choice of three. 

 That is not quite. right. 

If the two smallest local  companies (Howard's and Nichols) were to leave the scene  the City  would have but two choices Republic and Waste Management. Veolia is already spoken for. The departure of the smaller haulers  would increase the size and number of waste hauler trucks making the rounds.

All  five current haulers offer  trash hauling, in season yard waste disposal, and recycling. The local companies pick up with a single medium sized trash truck. Recycles and yard waste are handled  with a smaller vehicles like a van.  The three bigger companies, (Veolia, Republic, and Waste Management) dispatch  large trucks for each of the three pick-ups. 

The bottom line ? Lose two companies and the choices available to most residents is not three companies but two.

That is one away from alarm bells going off.  One trash hauler is no choice. Just as the City regulates waste haulers by ordinance revisions,  so can it regulate you. Your only recourse to no choice is to move or cast your vote in the next election which won't be until  November 2015.

As  it stands now in the City of Bloomfield Hills, you are free to make your own arrangements with a waste hauler of your own choosing. You pay the hauler directly. If you don't want you don't even need to hire a waste hauler. Choice is the name of the game.

If the City is involved via a single City-wide  waste hauler the game changes. In one City( if we read correctly) you have to pay whether you  use the City selected  trash service or not. There are even restrictions concerning what you can do with trash on your own property ( such as  taking it off your property). At least we think that is what we are reading in various municipal ordinances.  We have placed calls to confirm our interpretations and if they are correct we will provide more details in a later post.

Prior to three weeks ago when the non resident and not elected City Clerk and City Manager decided revise the rules, waste hauling in the City of Bloomfield Hills functioned properly.  
We regret the nuisance of having to answer queries from residents   on the subject of waste hauling. For  whatever the reason however City Hall  was unable to establish a reasonably current list or a "matrix" as they prefer to call it of waste hauling options available to residents.



























Monday, February 17, 2014

Single waste hauler means more trucks.

In 2010  belief that that trash trucks among other heavy vehicles were damaging  our City's roads prompted consideration of a single waste hauler.  

Hubbel  Roth and Clarke a consultant firm the City employs for road construction (among other things) wrote the City  in September  2009  (when  the City was in the early stages of visiting  the issue of a single trash hauler) which later in January  of 2010 was rejected by the residents. The HRC is titled letter  blamed  road deterioration on large truck traffic in the City of Bloomfield Hills.  The Lettert includes a 15 page report  on recycling and trash collection in Washtenaw County, That report was written in May of 2005. It cites the negative factors of garbage trucks.



  • axle weight
  • the constant start  and stop of garbage trucks when they  pick up. 
  • Increased spring season road deterioration when the roads surfaces are particularly vulnerable  and when waste hauling services add a yard waste pick up  to their repertoire
It concludes with 
The complete 15 page report, and the cover letter from HRC to the City can be read by clicking here.


A single  waste hauler does not however mean less trucks. In adjacent communities with so-called "single waste haulers " it can mean more trucks by a fact of 3 or more.. 


The Communities of Troy (serviced by Tringali) and Bloomfield Township ( Serviced by Rizzo)  and Rochester Hills ( Serviced by Republic) are examples of single waste hauler communities. This writer through elderly family members  is familiar with all three (albeit Rizzo  of Royal Oak, and Republic of Commerce Township).


Republic, Rizzo, and  Tringali,  dispatch a large fleet of trucks to serve communities much larger than ours. For each area of pick up there can be many  trucks picking up, per trash day. On a Troy "Monday" the sequence per neighborhood or cul de sac is a very early morning recycle truck, followed  by late morning (April through November ) yard waste truck,  and an afternoon garbage pick up. 
It takes four days to collect the trash  in  Troy and five days for Bloomfield Township. 




Troy

Below is the  pick up schedule for Bloomfield Township and a notation about yard waste pick up starting March 11th. In the Township Trash pick up is a five a days a week . Since the City of Bloomfield Hills seems to be larger than any zone in the Township, we assume  it is not drawn to scale.

Bloomfield Township



The curious  thing is that streets of The Township and Troy seem to be holding up rather well under the onslaught of week long garbage pick up We are talking trucks much larger  than  than the half dozen which service our City. The trucks employed by Tringali and Rizzo are big and state of the art. So much so that truck buffs take movies of them and post them on You Tube. We have used some of the films to illustrate this article.


Where  multi truck waste haulers have an advantage over the smaller companies is in recycling. The  recycle  trucks are dedicated to nothing but.Glass, paper, and metal cans are sorted as they are loaded into separate bins on truck. 

That is why a large signs ar Soccra where both Rizzo and Tringali deposit says  something to the effect of  " Trignali and Rizzo this way" everyone else get in line. It's a variant of money talks everything else walks. There is money in recycling,  If you study the garbage business you know Waste  haulers make money on pick up and recycles. 
It is like advertising agencies that make money designing your ad and then gets  commission for placing it in the media.  Efficiency and profit  is maximized at  every turn. Time is also money and Rizzo and Tringali  having it all together in, advance, unload fast and require no sorting.

Small companies work different niche's. Since our City requires recycling  one of our current waist hauler uses a van which puts very little stress on our city streets.  Recycle items are sorted  either by the resident or van operator in the vehicle .

While the big boys have slick operations, in terms of
recycling there is a new game in town. Would you believe bar coding the recyclables ? No ? How about bar coding the recycle bin can ?


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