City of Berkley Transitions to the Second Phase of its COVID-19 Recovery and Reopening Plan

Updates have been made as of 8/13/20. Modifications have been made due to staff capabilities. 

Media Contact: Torri Mathes, Community Engagement Officer; tmathes@berkleymich.net; 248-658-3333 

Berkley, MI - August 6, 2020 - The City of Berkley would like to share that some of our municipal facilities are transitioning to Phase 2: Revival of our COVID-19 Recovery and Reopening Plan.

In order for us to continue providing exceptional City services, we are opening as carefully and deliberately as possible to ensure the health and safety of our staff. Many of our departments operate within a small space. If one member of a department gets COVID-19, the entire department must be quarantined. We understand that it is a difficult transition but it is important to us that we can continue to serve our community regardless of the circumstances.

What does this mean for our City?
Starting Monday, August 17, 2020, City Hall will be open to the public BY APPOINTMENT ONLY for ESSENTIAL BUSINESS pursuant to the Governor's newest Executive Orders. 

This includes the following municipal services:

• Community Development (building/planning, permitting, licensing, and zoning). Visit the Department's page for more details here. 

• Clerk's Office (FOIA records and elections). Visit the Department's page for more details here. 

• Finance / Treasury Department will NOT BE SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS for the Berkley Treasurer’s Office. We apologize for the inconvenience that COVID-19 has caused for life as normal in Berkley. Visit the Department's page for more details here. 

Accessing many of our City Hall services CAN BE DONE via phone, email, or through a dropbox submission. Appointments should ONLY be reserved for such activities that CANNOT be done through the avenues listed above or if additional guidance is given by city staff. 

Reaching Other Municipal Buildings During the Pandemic

• Parks and Recreation will continue to provide virtual programming and outdoor activities.

• Additionally, Parks and Recreations is working on a fall programming schedule (with proper social distancing measures in place). Be sure to follow their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BerkleyParksandRec. 

• The Library is still closed to the public, however, will continue to provide virtual activities and curbside pick-up.

• Learn more at www.berkleymich.org/library. 

• Public Works will continue to be closed to the public. For questions, you can contact them by phone or email. 

How to Make an Appointment at City Hall
Residents can make an appointment by calling the department they would like to meet with using the contact information below. Appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Staff will accommodate residents by meeting you via curbside or letting you in the building.

What to Expect When Entering a City Building
The City's COVID-19 safety procedure includes the following:

• All staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and are submitted to a daily COVID-19 screening questionnaire

• Installation of sneeze shields

• Installation of hand sanitizing stations

• Markers placed on the floor to maintain social distancing 

• Signs encouraging social distancing and best practices will be prominently posted throughout the building and on the entrance door  

• We ask that all patrons wear a mask when entering the building

All of the above practices will be determined by CDC, State, and County guidelines, and may be altered if and when needed.

To learn more about the City's Recovery and Reopening Plan visit www.berkleymich.org/COVIDreopenplan.  As always, be sure to follow us via social media, the city website, and our email notification system as we will be sharing through those channels.

Wondering How to Get in Touch With Certain Departments?
Please refer to the contact information listed below to get in touch with a specific department.

To stay up-to-date with the latest information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit any of the sources included here:

• To stay up-to-date with what the City is doing, head to berkleymich.org/coronavirus

• To stay up-to-date with what the County is doing, head to oakgov.com/health

• To stay up-to-date with what the State is doing, head to michigan.gov/coronavirus