Berkley Mayor Stands Up for Staff, State Funding in Annual Speech (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 31, 2016)
Berkley, MI – While the State of City address was full of accomplishments and accolades, Berkley Mayor Phil O’Dwyer also used his opportunity to be heard on some of the more difficult challenges facing the community.
He stood up for staff, volunteers and officials who faced inaccurate and uncivil responses to their efforts over the past year during discussions about rezoning to allow multi-unit residents to be built in the community. Mayor O’Dwyer also took the State to task over the reduction of revenue sharing that cities rely on to fund basic services.
“While our books are balanced, it is often done at the expense of deferred maintenance. This is the story for many cities in Michigan. As a member of the Board of Directors of the MIRS Association of Michigan, I have developed a statewide perspective. According to the Michigan municipal league, the State of Michigan revenues are up 20%, yet revenue share by the state to local communities has declined by 56%. Michigan is the only state in the union to negatively find cities.
“Since 2002, $7.5 billion has been diverted from municipalities and redirected to balance the state budget. In other words, they pass along their financial shortfall is to local communities. Over $5 million has been diverted from the city of Berkley in the past 10 years, averaging $550,000 per year. Our ability to create strong communities across the state is at risk. And we must begin to change the system to properly find the services valued by the people, local services…
“At the state level we need a new way forward. The present path is unsustainable, and it is time to tell our state leaders and representatives that their system is destructive to the cities, villages, and townships of Michigan. Being ranked absolutely last among the 50 states, should be enough to embarrass our Lansing leaders. But it seems they are immune to embarrassment.”
In addition to the powers that be in Lansing, Berkley faces a challenge from within. As city leaders have looked to modernize the city’s image and change zoning to allow for multi-unit housing for seniors and the increasing number of people who don’t want to live in traditional ranch-style homes, some residents circulated false information and used social media to disrupt the planning and community discussion process.
Mayor O’Dwyer said “Volunteers, employees, and elected officials have experienced both personal criticism and orchestrated media attention this year. Those who serve are always vulnerable to the agendas of those who don’t.
“Some get disheartened and feel their sacrifices unappreciated. Let me say today that the members of every board and commission are valued for their honest dedication to moving our city forward, that every employee goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve the residents. There are elected officials that tirelessly work to make Berkley what it has become. On behalf of grateful citizens I extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you.”
He noted that Berkley ranks high in home values, safety and happiness. He said that 15 years ago the community faced vacant storefronts along Coolidge and 12 Mile, but that planning and leadership in those times led to the Downtown’s revitalization. As the city continues to move forward, “The challenge is to draw on the past and not be bound by it,” he said.
In the past year Berkley has gotten a new finance director and a new city manager. The DDA is also in the process of hiring a Director. They are learning from the communications challenges that came up in the planning process, and celebrating the success of the city with increased events, extended library hours, and continued business and residential growth.
So far in 2016 Berkley has had 574 building permits totally $15.6 million in construction. There are 37 new homes in the works.
And environmental initiatives are paying off. Mayor O’Dwyer touted the city’s 26 year record of being a Tree City USA and their policy of requiring anyone doing new construction to plant at least one new tree in the community.
The City also has saved over $30,000 in the past year on energy bills by switching street lights to LED.
Sidewalk replacement has started up again. Updates to Oxford Park are in the works. And residents on Harvard can expect smooth a springtime of construction followed by a smooth street.
“Despite the challenges ahead, let us celebrate how far we have come with the understanding that we can’t rest on our laurels. We must continue the productive and visionary work that will be key to Berkley’s continued success…. we must not shy away from today’s opportunities to continue making progress,” Mayor O’Dwyer said.
The State of the City address also honored local businesses with Best of Berkley Awards, and speeches from the Mayor of Huntington Woods and the Superintendent of Berkley Schools. Check out the awards at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2016/10/30/mccarty-team-city-style-and-greentopia-win-best-of-berkley-awards/.
Note: A previous version of the story said “a group of residents” which has been changed to “some residents” to avoid confusion with organized groups in the community.