May 7, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
The next time Brighton residents are free to attend an in-person City Council meeting, theyâre likely to not recognize that the room theyâre sitting in is the same room as before.
By a slim 4-3 margin, Brighton City Council approved a complete makeover of council chambers, Thursday night. Clerk Tara Brown presented the plans as recommended by 3 members of the council that included Mayor Shawn Pipoly, Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Gardner, and Councilwoman Renee Pettingill.
Clerk Tara Brown described a general feeling of accessibility with better ADA compliance, security features, and audio-visual equipment. The dais will be a half-circle with bullet-resistant panels recommended by police Chief Rob Bradford. New AV equipment will give the City more remote options and allow them to bring back their 9am replays of council meetings. Lighting improvements will be made along with the installation of multiple
February 22, 2021
A search is underway for a new attorney to represent the City of Brighton.
City Council met virtually last Thursday and it was relayed that a letter had been received from longtime City Attorney Paul Burns announcing he would be stepping aside. Heâs retiring after representing the City for roughly four decades. Burns told Council his contract has a 30-day clause but he wants to make sure the City is taken care of. Members said they were disappointed to see Burns leave but wished him well in retirement, saying his custodial knowledge of City is priceless.
There was some debate amongst Council as to whether or not staff should be involved in the search process. The majority commented they felt the selection needed to be council-driven as the position reports to council, and that staff should not be involved in any vetting process or provide any recommendation. Councilman Jim Muzzin said he thought otherwise and that staff needed to b
January 11, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
Brighton City Council is ready to take another look at social districts that could prove to be a lifeline for bars and restaurants during the pandemic.
Last summer, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in an executive order, allowed for the creation of social districts that would allow for open carrying and consumption of alcohol in communities that wish to do so in designated common areas. This would help bars and restaurants that are being hindered by pandemic rules on capacity, when they are allowed to even be open.
A subcommittee, last year, worked on details of what such a district would look like in Brighton, and the regulations that would be applied, with help from the Brighton Police Department. Police Chief Rob Bradford said, at a City Council meeting in August, that he was supportive of the district, as long as it kept posted hours of noon to 10pm. After 10pm, he says Brightonâs demographic c