Southfield Living Voulme 9, Issue 1 Spring ... - City of Southfield

So u t h f i e l dThe Official City of Southfield Newsletter & Activities GuideVolume 9, Issue 1 • Spring/Summer 2011LivingSouthfield Maintains HighCommunity StandardsWater Quality ReportP&R Spring/SummerActivities Guide

Vo l u m e 9, Issue 1So u t h f i e l d Spring / Summer 2011LivingEl e c t e d Of f i c i a l sMay o rBrenda L. LawrenceCo u n c i l Pr e s i d e n tMyron A. FrasierCo u n c i l Pr e s i d e n t Pr o Te mJoan SeymourCi t y Co u n c i lDonald F. FracassiJanna K. GarrisonSidney LantzKenson J. SiverLinnie TaylorCi t y Cl e r kNancy L.M. BanksCi t y Tr e a s u r e rIrv M. LowenbergCi t y Ad m i n i s t r at o rJames G. Scharret26000 Evergreen RoadP.O. Box 2055Southfield, MI 48037-2055(248) 796-5000www.cityofsouthfield.comBecome a fan of Southfield& follow us on Facebook!In This Issue...3 So u t h f i e l d Ma i n ta i n s Hi g h Co m m u n i t y Sta n d a r d s4 So u t h f i e l d Vo l u n t e e r Day Ap r i l 174 41 st An n u a l Ro u g e Ri v e r Cl e a n Up Ju n e 55 Ad v e rt i s e Yo u r Bu s i n e s s in t h e 2012 Ca l e n d a r5 Ba s e m e n t Fl o o d i n g Le g a l No t i c e6 So u t h f i e l d Fa r m e r ’s Ma r k e t6 9 t h An n u a l So u t h f i e l d Fl o w e r Day May 216 So u t h f i e l d Co m m u n i t y Pr i d e Awa r d s7 So u t h f i e l d Po l i c e Pr o g r a m s & Se rv i c e s7 Ci t y Tr e a s u r e r’s Ne w s8 Ci t y Cl e r k’s Ne w s10 Wat e r Qu a l i t y Re p o rt14 Pa r k s & Re c r e at i o n MRPA Awa r d s15 Pa r k s & Re c r e at i o n Ac t i v i t i e s Gu i d eSouthfield Living is published biannually for all Southfield residents and businessesby the City’s Community Relations and Parks & Recreation Departments. Pleasesend your comments or suggestions for the City newsletter portion to: The Editor,Southfield Living, Community Relations Department, City of Southfield, 26000Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055, or via e-mail at:mmanion@cityofsouthfield.com.The City of Southfield’s intent is to operate its programs and services, so whenviewed in their entirety, they are readily accessible to and usable by individualswith a disability. To ensure equally-effective communication, upon request, theCity will provide auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters,Braille-translated material, large-print documents, etc. Advance notice is required.To make arrangements, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248/796-5150 (voice) or248/354-4831 (TDD). Southfield Living Editor: Michael Manion | P&R ActivitiesGuide Editor: Stephanie KaiserCo v e r Ph o t o: Spring tulips in bloom at City Hall | Ph o t o g r a p h e d b y Ro b e r t Or t o p a nPrinted on recycled paper | Please recycle this newsletter with your newspaper!- 2 -

Cover StorySpring / Summer 2011So u t h f i e l dLivingCity of Southfield remains focsed on maintaininghigh community standardsDespite decreasing revenues, the City of Southfield remainscommitted to upholding high community and appearancestandards through strict code enforcement and communitypolicing efforts.“The City of Southfield makes every effort to educate new(and existing) residents regarding the City’s high communityappearance standards and city codes,” commentedMayor Brenda Lawrence. “The City’s Neighborhood &Information Center provides new residents with welcomepackets that contain a wealth of community and cityinformation regarding city codes, services, schools andother resources. Southfield also has a very active networkof neighborhood associations, with 87 homeowners groupsand 45 condominium associations representing residents’collective interests. We take a very proactive approach tomaintaining our curb appeal and other community standardshere in Southfield.”Southfield launched the “Eyes on Southfield” program in2007 to enable residents to notify the City with ease whena code issue is observed. Residents may simply call (248)796-EYES (3937) 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week toreport code issues or violations. With an increased focus oncurb appeal, the Southfield Code Enforcement Departmentresponds to most complaints within a 24- to 48-hour timeperiod. Code Enforcement Officers also canvass the Cityseven days-a-week to monitor the condition of Southfieldhomes and neighborhoods. In addition, the City relies onthe “eyes and ears” of the entire community to report anyobvious or significant appearance issues. When an issueexists, code officers inform the resident or business of theproblem and educate them on how to correct it. If anotherviolation occurs at the same property, the home or businessowner is issued a civil infraction and must appear in court.they become potential criminal issues.”The City of Southfield recently reinstated two CommunityPolice Officer (CPO) positions through a U.S. Departmentof Justice COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant.“Community policing is solving social ills before theybecome law enforcement concerns,” commented SouthfieldPolice Chief Joseph Thomas. “These officers are out in thecommunity working with residents to resolve problemspeacefully through mediation and conflict resolution before enforcement matters.- 3 -The Community Police Officers work closely with crimeprevention, school liaison, and D.A.R.E. officers as wellas other City departments such as Code Enforcement,Community Relations and Public Works to maintain openlines of communication. Their efforts are communitybased,focusing largely on quality-of-life issues, peacefulconflict resolution and mediation. The officers meetand build relationships with residents, businesses,neighborhood associations, and other community groupsto resolve problems before they escalate into potential lawSee SOUTHFIELD STANDARDS - Cont. on Page 4

So u t h f i e l dLivingSouthfield Volunteer DayVolunteers are needed to clean, paint, rake,plant and prune throughout Southfield onSaturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Work will take place this year at the jointcampus of Southfield High School andUniversity High School Academy, theSouthfield Fire Department Headquarters,Pioneer Cemetery and the historic CodeHouse. All work sites are in the vicinity ofTen Mile & Lahser Roads. Volunteers shouldreport to the lobby of the Southfield HighSchool Media Center (24675 Lahser Road).Workers are asked to bring rakes, broomsand wheelbarrows (if possible). Other toolswill be provided such as materials andgloves. Each participant will receive a freeT-shirt, continental breakfast and snack. Allvolunteers should dress for the weather andwork.This is a great opportunity for service clubsseeking a spring project, high school studentsin need of community service credits, oranyone who wants to help improve theircommunity.To volunteer, call the Southfield PupilRegistration Office (248) 746-7601 ext. 3.For additional information or to sign on asa sponsor or donor, call Councilman KenSiver, Southfield Public Schools DeputySuperintendent at (248) 746-8565.41 st Annual Rouge RiverClean UpShare in the commitment to maintain a cleanwater system by volunteering for the annualRouge River Clean Up on Saturday, June 4from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Adults, teenagers, teachers, students,naturalists, contractors and local businesseshave an opportunity to improve theenvironment and everyone is encouraged totake part in this important initiative.Registration is at Beech Woods RecreationCenter, just south of Nine Mile Road onBeech Road. For more information, call(248) 796-4806.Spring / Summer 2011SOUTHFIELD STANDARDS, ContinuedThe Southfield Police Department,in conjunction with Southfieldhomeowner’s associations, launchedOperation GOT M in 2005 toencourage residents to contactthe police department with anycomplaints relating to three specificissues: traffic, loud music and littering.If any of these three violationsare observed, residents can call anon-emergency line at (248) 796-GOTM (4686) and leave a voicemailmessage with any information theycan provide. Pertinent informationincludes: location, license platenumber, vehicle description (color/make/model), and a description ofthe driver. The caller should leave aname and contact number; however,anonymous complaints are alsoaccepted and investigated.Operation GOT M is monitored bythe Police Department and all callsare logged to track repeat offenders.If enough information is received, thealleged violator will be sent a letterfrom the police department advisingthem that a complaint has beenmade involving their vehicle. Threecomplaints involving the same vehiclewill result in personal contact from anofficer who will take the appropriateenforcement action. Operation GOTM contributes directly to the qualityof life Southfield residents expect andenjoy. Residents are reminded thatthe program is a non-emergency linefor traffic, loud music and litteringonly. If immediate police service isneeded residents should still call 9-1-1.The Southfield Police CrimePrevention Bureau provides residentsand businesses with a number ofresources dedicated to educating thecommunity about security awareness- 4 -Ge t In f o r m e dand to increasing home and businessowners safety and security byincreasing their knowledge. The PoliceDepartment offers a free securitysurvey to all Southfield residentsand business owners. Officers willinspect homes or businesses andmake recommendations regardingthe security of the premises. Officerssurvey the physical aspects of theproperty, including doors, windows,lighting and landscaping. They alsoevaluate the operational practices ofbusinesses.The Southfield Police DepartmentNeighborhood Watch Programallows for greater involvementby the residents and HomeownerAssociations in the city. TheSouthfield Police Department believesthat a strong, active Homeowner’sAssociation provides the backboneneeded for a strong, viable program.The Crime Prevention Bureau workswith all Southfield neighborhoodassociations to seek residents’assistance in keeping a watchful eye.Free crime prevention presentationsand educational materials are alsoprovided to any resident or businessin the City of Southfield.The Southfield Police Department’sP.R.I.D.E (Pooling Resources inDefense of our Environment) programempowers the Police Departmentand P.R.I.D.E. community andbusiness members to take fulladvantage of available resourcesand communication networksbetween the Police Department,private security agencies, building/property managers and others. Morethan 130 members from the publicand private sectors attend informalmeetings that are conducted monthlyat various locations throughout the—Continued on next page

Ge tIn v o lv e dSOUTHFIELD STANDARDS, ContinuedCity. Discussions include an emphasis on the importanceof crime prevention through environmental design, securitysystem reviews and sharing information about crimes.Every resident and business owner has a vested interest inmaintaining property values by keeping Southfield safe,clean and attractive. The City of Southfield is committed toworking with residents and businesses to keep Southfieldbeautiful.Residents are reminded of the following communityappearance standards:• Weeds and grass must be cut on a regular basis. Lawngrass should not exceed eight-inches in length.• Trash is not to be placed at the curb before 4 p.m. theevening prior to collection. Refuse is limited to 60pounds of material and must be placed in plastic bagsor waste containers no larger than 32-gallon capacity.All containers must be removed no later than noon theday following trash collection.• Yard waste must be placed in approved paper yardwaste bags or in a rigid container clearly marked ‘yardwaste.’ Yard waste in plastic bags will not be accepted.Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, branches,brush and other organic material only.• Unlicensed or inoperable vehicles may not be parkedoutside of a garage. The repair of vehicles is notpermitted on residential property.• Outside storage is not permitted, except in industrialzones. Outside storage constitutes anything placedoutside that is not in immediate use. Outside storageof recreational vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, traveltrailers and mobile homes exceeding 20-feet in lengthis not permitted and must be stored offsite. Recreationalvehicles, boats and travel trailers less than 20-feet inlength may be stored in the backyard only.• Buildings must be maintained according to City coderegulations, including no peeling or weathered paint,cracked or broken glass, fallen gutters, litter or debris,or other maintenance issues.Southfield residents are encouraged to report any potentialcode or appearance issues by calling the City’s special“Eyes on Southfield” hotline at (248) 796-EYES (3937).Residents should call the Police Department’s OperationGot M hotline at (248) 796-GOTM (4686) to report anytraffic, noise or littering complaints. Together, we can keepSouthfield attractive, safe and secure!- 5 -Spring / Summer 2011So u t h f i e l dLivingAdvertise your business in the2012 Southfield calendarThe award-winning City of Southfield Annual Report/Calendar is mailed to every residential and business address inthe City. Thousands more are included in information packetsdistributed throughout the year to prospective new residentsand businesses. The calendar advertising insert is an excellentway to reach more than 78,000 Southfield residents and 9,000businesses for one extraordinarily low price! The return onthe investment in a calendar ad reaps dividends throughoutthe entire year.Reserve your ad soon—space is limited! Call SouthfieldCommunity Relations today at (248) 796-5130 for moreinformation.Basement Flooding Legal NoticeAny resident experiencing an overflow or sewage back upshould contact the Water Department at (248) 796-4850.After hours, the message will advise you to call (248) 796-4899 or you can call the Police desk at (248) 796-5500 to beput in touch with the supervisor on call.Under Public Act 222, any resident having experiencedan overflow or back up of a sewage disposal system orstorm water system, must file a written claim with the Citywithin 45 days after the overflow or backup was discoveredor in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should havebeen discovered. Notice should be mailed to the Office ofManagement and Budget at the City of Southfield. Failure toprovide the required notice to the City will limit your rightsunder the law. For more information, contact the Office ofManagement and Budget at (248) 796-5260. The source ofthe back up must be the City sewer. Problems caused by theproperty’s plumbing are the homeowner’s responsibility.Income Tax AssistanceVolunteers from the Accounting Aid Society will providefree assistance with income tax preparation for low-incomeSouthfield residents every Wednesday through April 6 from9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Southfield Parks & Recreation building.The service is available by appointment only to residentswhose annual income is $25,000 or less for individuals or$50,000 or less for families. To make an appointment, callSouthfield Human Services Department at (248) 796-4540.

So u t h f i e l dLiving Spring / Summer 2011 Ge t In f o r m e dSu p p o rt Go o d He a lt h& t h e En v i r o n m e n tat theSouthfield Flower Day May 21The City of Southfield will host the 9 th annual Southfield Flower Day onSaturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the front lawn of City Hall,26000 Evergreen Road. The event is sponsored by the Mayor and CityCouncil to promote curb appeal and the beautification of Southfield. Manyvarieties of flowers, plants and vegetables will be offered for sale from severallocal vendors. For more information, call Southfield Community Relationsat (248) 796-5130.Ev e ryThursdayJu n e 2-Oc t o b e r 133 - 7 p.m.Located at the corner ofGreenfield Road &J.L. Hudson DriveThe Farmer’s Market provides locallygrown vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants,jams, salsas, breads, gourmet cheesesand wines sold by the farmers whoproduce them every Thursday (rain orshine) June through October. The marketoffers free parking and admission inaddition to a large variety of fresh,locally grown produce.For more information,call Southfield CornerstoneDevelopment Authority at(248) 796-5196 or visitwww.southfieldfarmersmarket.net.Southfield City Cable 15 NewsCity Cable 15’s Electronic Bulletin Board is your connection to all thingsSouthfield. It is cablecast on Channel 15 between programs to keep residentsinformed about everything from City Council meetings to community events.Tuning in is yet another way you can stay connected to what’s happening inSouthfield.“Dinner with the Doctor”Now improving one’s health is as easy as turning on Channel 15. One of ournewest shows, “Dinner with the Doctor,” is a health program sponsored bySt. John Providence Health System that features a different medical issueevery episode. Doctors have explained how to cope with menopause, dealingwith hair loss and managing diabetes. Upcoming shows will focus on stressmanagement, senior balance and fall issues, and stroke prevention.Southfield seeks nominations for 2011Community Pride AwardsThe City of Southfield and the Southfield Parks and Garden Club isseeking nominations for the 2011 Community Pride Awards, which honorindividuals, multi-residential complexes and neighborhoodsthat have gone the extra mile to beautify their community.2011Residents are encouraged to nominate their neighbors,neighborhoods, family, friends, and even themselves. Publicbuildings such as schools, churches and synagogues mayalso be worthy of recognition, and residents are encouragedto nominate them as well.A team of judges will tour neighborhoods and select a list of winners inAugust. All winners will be honored by the mayor and city council prior toa council meeting in October. Nomination forms are available at SouthfieldCity Hall’s Neighborhood and Information Center, located at 26000Evergreen Road, or they may be downloaded from the City’s Web site atwww.cityofsouthfield.com. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. onMonday, August 1, 2011. For more information, call the Neighborhood andInformation Center at (248) 796-5140.- 6 -

Ge tIn v o lv e dThe Southfield Police Department offersseveral free programs and services toCity of Southfield residents to help keepthe community Safe & Secure.Home Security Survey – TheSouthfield Police Department will havea crime prevention specialist evaluateyour home with you and make securityrecommendations specific to yourneeds. This service is free-of-charge toSouthfield residents.Personal Safety Presentations – TheSouthfield Police Department will havean officer meet with your neighborhoodassociation to present information onpersonal safety and awareness. Thesetechniques can be applied at home,at work or while you are out in thecommunity.Operation Identification – OperationIdentification is a burglary preventionprogram for homes and businesses.The Operation Identification ProgramCity Treasurer’s News...Spring / Summer 2011involves marking and recording propertyas a means of discouraging burglaryand theft. Items are marked with anidentifying number, photographed, andthen recorded on a property inventorysheet. Once completed, the home isprovided ‘Southfield Police OperationIdentification’ decals to post on windowsand doors around the home. Properlymarked and recorded items are not asvaluable to a thief as they increase therisk of arrest and prosecution, and theyassist law enforcement in identifying therightful owner of the property. Electricengravers to engrave durable items areavailable through Southfield CrimePrevention.Neighborhood Watch – NeighborhoodWatch is a crime prevention programthat enlists the active participationof residents in cooperation with lawenforcement to reduce crime, solveproblems, and improve the quality oflife in your area. In this program youSo u t h f i e l dLivingSouthfield Police programs keep community Safe & Securewill get to know and work with yourneighbors and learn how to:• Recognize and report crimes andsuspicious activities;• Protect yourself, your family, andyour property;• Protect your neighbor’s family andproperty, and;• Identify crime and disorder problemsin your area and work with policedepartment personnel to solvethem.If you are interested in any of theseprograms, please contact the SouthfieldPolice Downtown Station at (248) 796–5400.The Web site www.citizenobserver.comis also available to all residents to getweekly crime reports, crime preventiontips, alerts, and a monthly newsletter.There is also an Anonymous Crime Tipssection for residents to report crime orother suspicious activities.Ir v Lo w e n b e r g, City TreasurerSouthfield Residential Homeowner Property Tax BreakdownTwo tax bills are issued each yearpayable to the City of Southfield:July 1 - The City/School (summer) tax bill isissued. This bill is payable through August 31without penalty; andDecember 1 - The County/School (winter) tax billis issued. This bill is payable through February 14without penalty.16.17 Mills or $.31 5.51 Mills or $.11Property Tax Dollar DistributionTaxes are based on the Taxable ValueIn Michigan, when a property is sold, the cappedvalue is dropped and the state equalized valuebecomes the taxable value. This may result ina higher tax for the new owner than paid by theprevious owner. For more information, contactSouthfield City Treasurer Irv. M. Lowenberg at(248) 796-5200.- 7 -30.2 Mills or $.58Current Millage 16.99 mils2.26 mils

So u t h f i e l dLivingSpring / Summer 2011 Ci t y Cl e r kCi t y Cl e r k’s Ne w sNancy L. M. Banks, City ClerkElection News 2011Election dates for 2011:• Special Election – May 3• City Primary – August 2• City General Election – Nov. 8As in all elections, the polls will beopen from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. onElection Day.Offices and items to beelected this year:• City Council (4 Seats)• Southfield Public Schools BoardMembers (3 Seats)• Birmingham Schools BoardMembers (2 Seats)• Oak Park Schools BoardMembers (3 Seats)• Charter Amendment MillageProposalThe last day to register to vote:• April 4 – for the Special Election• July 5 – for the City Primary• October 11 – for the City GeneralElectionMichigan election law states that youmust be registered to vote 30 days priorto an election. If you are not registeredto vote in Southfield, please visit theCity Clerk’s Office or any Secretary ofState Branch Office.Absent VoterInformationThe City Clerk’s Office maintains a“permanent” Absent Voter List. If youare eligible to request an Absent VoterBallot and want to avoid waiting inlong lines, you can also request to beplaced on a permanent Absent Voterlist. (Simply download the form fromthe City’s Web site or call the CityClerk’s Office.) Prior to each election,residents whose names are on thePermanent Absent Voter list willautomatically receive an Applicationfor an Absentee Ballot. If you chooseto sign onto the permanent list, youcan still vote in person at any givenelection simply by not returning theabsentee application for processing.To request an Absent Voter Ballot youmust be:• 60 years of age or older;• Physically unable to attend the pollswithout assistance of another;• Appointed a precinct worker ina precinct other than the precinctwhere you reside;• Expect to be absent from thecommunity which you areregistered for the entire time thepolls are open on election day;• Cannot attend the polls because ofthe tenets of your religion;• Cannot attend the polls becauseyou are confined to jail awaitingarraignment or trial.Any eligible registered voter not onour Permanent Absent Voter List, andwho wishes to receive an Absent VoterBallot, may request an Application bycontacting the City Clerk’s Office at(248) 796-5150 or download a copyof the Application form from our Website. (Please be sure to sign and printyour full name and address on theApplication form).- 8 -Passport ApplicationsThe City Clerk’s Office is a PassportApplication Acceptance Facility,authorized by the U.S. Department ofState to accept and process applicationsfor U.S. Passports. U.S. Passports areissued only to U.S. citizens or noncitizennationals.All U.S. citizens traveling by air toor from Canada, Mexico, Central andSouth America, the Caribbean andBermuda, are required to have a U.S.Passport! The option of a PassportCard is now available to expedite entryand document processing at U.S. landand sea ports-of-entry. The PassportCard is not valid for internationaltravel by air. The Card is designed forthe specific needs of border residentcommunities.U.S. citizens interested in applyingfor a U.S. Passport Book or PassportCard must submit proof of citizenship,such as a certified birth certificate, aprevious U.S. Passport, NaturalizationCertificate or Report of Birth Abroad;plus identification such as a validDriver’s License, Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate, or officialMilitary Identification Card; plus tworecent 2" x 2" photos on white or offwhitebackground, and the appropriateapplication fees.Application fees for a Passport Bookare $110 for adults 16 years of ageor older; $80 for minors 15 years ofage and younger, payable by check ormoney order to the U.S. Departmentof State. There is also a $25 execution

Ci t yCl e r kfee required for each application,payable by cash, certified check ormoney order.Application fees for a Passport Cardare $30 for adults and $15 for minors,payable to the U.S. Department ofState. An execution fee of $25 is alsorequired. (When applying for both thePassport Book and Card at the sametime, only one Execution Fee of $25is required).Routine applications take 4-6 weeksto process; expedited applications areprocessed within 2-3 weeks from thedate received by the Passport Agency,for an additional $60 (payable by checkor money order). Express mail serviceis available for an additional fee.Southfield residents, business personsand visitors are welcome to apply fora U.S. Passport at the City Clerk’sOffice. The City Clerk’s Office acceptspassport applications Monday throughFriday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.Protect Your PersonalIdentityIdentity theft is ranked No. 1 consumerfraud complaint. Identity theft occurswhen someone has stolen a name,credit card, social security number,birth date, or other piece of personalinformation.The City of Southfield, in partnershipwith Southfield Public Schools andIron Mountain Records Management,Inc., will offer free consumer shreddingof documents, the equivalent of 2 copypaper boxes on Saturday, April 9, from10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the SouthfieldHigh School parking lot located at24675 Lahser Road, at Ten MileRoad.Spring / Summer 2011Consumers may bring personaldocuments such as tax returns, medicalrecords, credit card statements, bankchecks, and more, to be securelydestroyed by Iron Mountain’s mobileshredding truck. A fee will be chargedfor three (3) or more boxes.Garage Sale PermitsSpring marks the beginning of thegarage sale season. Southfield residentsmay sell used personal property suchas clothing, garden tools, toys or othersecond hand items customarily foundin and about the home. The termgarage sale also includes reference toBasement Sale, Attic Sale, and EstateSale.The Southfield City Code allowsresidents to hold a garage sale onceevery six months. Residents mayobtain their garage sale permits fromthe City Clerk’s Office. The cost ofthe permit is $5 which also includesone (1) sign with wire stand. Oneadditional sign may be purchased foran additional $2 fee. These permitsare valid for five (5) consecutive days,issued at least six months apart, andmay not be apportioned to run overtwo weekend periods. Items for salemust be sold between the hours of 8a.m. and 8 p.m.Garage sale signs can be placed onprivate property with the permission ofthe property owner. VALID GARAGESALE SIGNS FOR 2011 ARE BLUE.Garage sale signs cannot be placedin any public right of way, generallydescribed as an area where street signs,traffic signs, fire hydrants and utilitypoles are located, and those areas thatspan from the sidewalk to the roadwaysurface. Any garage sale signs locatedin the public right-of-way will beSo u t h f i e l dLivingremoved by the City and discarded.For more information on obtaining agarage sale permit, please contact theCity Clerk’s Office at (248) 796-5150.Solicitor PermitsThe spring and summer seasonsbring an increase of solicitors in theresidential areas. A solicitor is anyperson who goes door-to-door onprivate property for the purpose ofoffering or selling goods or services,or to request a contribution of fundsfor political, charitable, religious orother non-commercial purposes.No person shall solicit within the Cityof Southfield without first obtaininga permit issued by the City Clerk’sOffice. Legitimate solicitors have beenapproved by the Police Department.Other than veterans or solicitorswithin three miles of their residencewho solicit for educational, charitable,religious or youth organizations, allpersons must first obtain a City permit.The City permit, complete with name,address and photo of the permitee,must be worn and visible while theindividual is soliciting or peddling inthe City.Solicitation activities are permittedbetween the hours of 10 a.m. and 8p.m. It is unlawful for any person toconduct solicitation activities wherethe property owner or legal occupanthas posted a sign bearing the words“No Solicitors,” “No Solicitation,” orwords of a similar nature. Let’s keepour city safe. Call the police departmentif you see someone soliciting in yourarea who is not licensed by the City ofSouthfield.- 9 -

So u t h f i e l dLivingSpring / Summer 2011Wat e r Qu a l i t yTCITY OF SOUTHFIELD2010 CONSUMERS ANNUAL REPORT ON WATER QUALITYATTENTION: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT REPORT ON WATER QUALITY AND SAFETYhe City of Southfield, The Southeastern Oakland CountyWater Authority and the Detroit Water and SewerageDepartment (DWSD) are proud of the fine drinking waterthey supply and are honored to provide this report to you.The 2010 Consumers Annual Report on Water Quality showsthe sources of our water, lists the results of our tests, andcontains important information about water and health. Wewill notify you immediately if there is ever any reason forconcern about our water. We are pleased to show you howwe have surpassed water quality standards as mandated bythe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State ofMichigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).About the SystemThe City of Southfield purchases water from the SoutheasternOakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) at fourteenlocations. SOCWA provides Detroit water through its memberdistribution systems to a population of 210,000 within a 56square mile area. Current members are: Berkley, Beverly Hills,Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Clawson, Huntington Woods,Lathrup Village, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield andSouthfield Township.Your source water comes from the Detroit River (treated atthe Springwells Plant), situated within Lake St. Clair, ClintonRiver, Detroit River, Rouge River, Ecorse River, in the U.S.and parts of the Thames River, Little River, Turkey Creek andSydenham watersheds in Canada. The Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality in partnership with the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and theMichigan Public Health Institute performed a source waterassessment in 2004 to determine the susceptibility of potentialcontamination. The susceptibility rating is on a seventieredscale from “very low” to “very high” based primarilyon geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and contaminantsources. The susceptibility of our Detroit River source waterintakes were determined to be highly susceptible to potentialcontamination. However, all four Detroit water treatment plantsthat use source water from the Detroit River have historicallyprovided satisfactory treatment of this source water to meetdrinking water standards. DWSD has initiated source-waterprotection activities that include chemical containment,spill response, and a mercury reduction program. DWSDparticipates in a National Pollutant Discharge EliminationSystem permit discharge program and has an emergencyresponse management plan.- 10 -If you would like to know more information about this reportor to obtain a complete copy, please contact your local waterdepartment.How Do We Know the Water is Safe to Drink?Detroit Water and Sewerage Department facilities operatetwenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The treatmentprocess begins with disinfecting the source water with chlorineto kill harmful microorganisms that can cause illness. Next,a chemical called Alum is mixed with the water to removethe fine particles that make the water cloudy or turbid. Alumcauses the particles to clump together and settle to the bottom.Fluoride is also added to protect our teeth from cavities anddecay.The water then flows through fine sand filters called beds. Thesefilters remove even more particles and certain microorganismsthat are resistant to chlorine. Finally, a small amount ofphosphoric acid and chlorine are added to the treated water justbefore it leaves the treatment plant. The phosphoric acid helpscontrol the lead that may dissolve in water from householdplumbing systems. The chlorine keeps the water disinfectedas it travels through water mains to reach your home.In addition to a carefully controlled and monitored treatmentprocess, the water is tested for a variety of substances beforetreatment, during various stages of treatment, and throughoutthe distribution system. Hundreds of samples are tested eachweek in certified laboratories by highly qualified and trainedstaff. Our water not only meets safety and health standards,but also ranks among the top 10 in the country for quality andvalue.Additional InformationDrinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably beexpected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicatethat water poses a health risk. More information aboutcontaminants and potential health effects can be obtained bycalling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe DrinkingWater Hotline at (800-426-4791).The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water)include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs andwells. As water travels over the surface of the land or throughthe ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, insome cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substancesresulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Wat e rQu a l i t ySpring / Summer 2011So u t h f i e l dLivingContaminants that may be present in source water include:• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, whichmay come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which canbe naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff,industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gasproduction, mining or farming.• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a varietyof sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, andresidential uses.• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic andvolatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processesand petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations,urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring orbe the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.Detected Contaminants TablesThese tables are based on tests conducted by DWSD in the year 2010 or the most recent testing done within the lastfive (5) calendar years. They conduct many tests throughout the year; however, only tests that show the presence of acontaminant are shown here. The table on the next page is a key to the terms used in the tables.Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Thepresence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potentialhealth effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.- 11 -

So u t h f i e l dLivingSpring / Summer 2011Wat e r Qu a l i t y- 12 -

Wat e rQu a l i t yLeadSince 1992, with the cooperation ofmany Southfield residents, DWSDhas been testing homes with plumbingsystems that may contribute lead tothe household water supply. Our latestround of testing shows 0 out of the 14homes tested has lead levels abovethe action level. If your home has alead service line or piping that haslead soldered joints, you can take thefollowing precautions to minimizeyour exposure to lead that may haveleached into your drinking water fromyour pipes.• Run your water for 30 seconds to2 minutes or until it feels cold. Thispractice should be followed anytimeyour water has not been used for morethan 6 hours.• Always use cold water for drinking,cooking or making baby formula.• Use faucets and plumbing materialthat are either lead free or will not leachunsafe levels of lead into your water.If present, elevated levels of leadcan cause serious health problems,especially for pregnant women andyoung children. Lead in drinkingwater is primarily from materials andcomponents associated with servicelines and home plumbing. The City ofSouthfield is responsible for providinghigh quality drinking water, but cannotcontrol the variety of materials usedin plumbing components. When yourwater has been sitting for several hours,you can minimize the potential forlead exposure by flushing your tap for30 seconds to 2 minutes before usingwater for drinking or cooking. If youare concerned about lead in your water,you may wish to have your water tested.Information on lead in drinking water,testing methods, and steps you can taketo minimize exposure is available fromSpring / Summer 2011Important Health Informationthe Safe Drinking Water Hotline or atwww.epa.gov/safewater/lead.People With Special HealthConcernsSome people may be more vulnerableto contaminants in drinking water thanis the general population. Immunocompromisedpersons such as personswith cancer undergoing chemotherapy,persons who have undergone organtransplants, people with HIV/AIDS orother immune system disorders, someelderly and infants can be particularlyat risk from infections. These peopleshould seek advice about drinkingwater from their health care providers.EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriatemeans to lessen the risk of infection byCryptosporidium and other microbialcontaminants are available from theSafe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426-4791.CryptosporidiumCryptosporidium is a microbialpathogen found in surface waterthroughout the U.S. Although filtrationremoves Cryptosporidium, the mostcommonly used filtration methodscannot guarantee 100 percent removal.Our monitoring indicates the presenceof these organisms in our sourcewater. Cryptosporidium was detectedonce, during a twelve-month periodat our Detroit River intake plants.Current test methods do not allowus to determine if the organisms aredead or if they are capable of causingdisease. Ingestion of Cryptosporidiummay cause Cryptosporidiosis, anabdominal infection. Symptoms ofinfection include nausea, diarrhea,and abdominal cramps. Most healthyindividuals can overcome the diseasewithin a few weeks. However,immuno-compromised people, infants- 13 -So u t h f i e l dLivingand small children, and the elderlyare at greater risk of developing lifethreateningillness. We encourageimmuno-compromised individualsto consult their doctor regardingappropriate precautions to take toavoid infection. Cryptosporidium mustbe ingested to cause disease, and itmay be spread through means otherthan drinking water.Questions?Local Distribution: City of Southfield,Public Works Administration(248) 796-4880Southeastern Oakland County WaterSupply System – Water Authorityoffices: (248) 288-5150. Visit theirWeb site at www.socwa.org.Detroit Water and SewerageDepartment – Water Quality Divisionat (313) 926-8127.Michigan Department of EnvironmentalQuality – Drinking Water andRadiological Protection Division –(586) 753-3755.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency– Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800)426-4791Water quality data for communitywater systems throughout the UnitedStates is available at: www.waterdata.com.Other MonitoringIn addition to testing we are required toperform, our water system voluntarilytests for hundreds of additionalsubstances and microscopic organismsto make certain our water is safe and ofthe highest quality. If you are interestedin a more detailed report, contact theDWSD Water Quality Division at(313) 926-8127.

So u t h f i e l dLivingSpring / Summer 2011P&R Awa r d sSouthfield Parks & Recreation wins 2010 MRPA ParkDesign Award for Carpenter Lake Nature PreserveThe City of Southfield Parks & Recreation Department haswon the 2010 Michigan Recreation and Park Association(MRPA) Park Design Award for the City’s Carpenter LakeNature Preserve.MRPA Design Awards are given annually to MRPA memberorganizations for outstanding work in the areas of facilityand landscape/site design. The City won for the newCarpenter Lake Nature Preserve located on 10 Mile Roadjust east of Inkster Road along the Ravines Branch of theRouge River in Southfield. The preserve features 42-acresof mature Oak-Hickory woodlands, forested wetlandsand native meadows overlooking the beautiful five-acreCarpenter Lake. The preserve offers residents nearly onemile of nature trails, interpretive signs and trailheads,numerous benches and easily-accessible fishing andviewing platforms. Future plans for Carpenter Lake NaturePreserve include the addition of a new nature interpretivecenter that will provide environmental education programsand displays.“It is an honor to be recognized by MRPA for the City’s newCarpenter Lake Nature Preserve,” commented Parks andRecreation Director Bill Waterhouse. “Many elected cityofficials, staff and departments worked closely together tomake the Carpenter Lake restoration and nature preserve agreat success. It truly is a quiet retreat in the woods locatedright here in the heart of the city.”Founded in 1935, the Michigan Recreation and ParkAssociation (MRPA) is a statewide non-profit associationrepresenting the parks and recreation industry.Southfield Parks & Recreation Director Bill Waterhousewins 2010 MRPA Fellowship AwardCity of Southfield Parks & Recreation(P&R) Director Bill Waterhouse wasrecently named as the recipient ofthe 2010 Michigan Recreation andPark Association (MRPA) FellowshipAward, the Association’s highesthonor.Individual awards are presented toMRPA members who reflect the higheststandards of the parks and recreationprofession. The individual awards arethe highest honors that the associationawards. The Fellowship Award ispresented to a member who hasconsistently demonstrated significantinvestment, support and guidance tofellow professionals. Nominees mustalso be a member of MRPA, in goodstanding, for a minimum of 20 yearsto be eligible.As Parks & Recreation Director, Mr.Waterhouse has overseen a staff of upto 44 full-time employees and almost300 part-time/seasonal staff. He isresponsible for over 150,000 squarefeet of facilities and 774 acres ofpark land and open space at 33 sitesthroughout the City. P&R facilitiesinclude the Southfield Sports Arena,Evergreen Hills and Beechwoods- 14 -golf courses, Beechwoods RecreationCenter, Adult Recreation Center 50+,the Parks & Recreation buildingincluding the Southfield Pavilion, andthe Burgh Historical Park.Mr. Waterhouse has been an activeMRPA member for 35 years in additionto serving on a number of committeesin various roles. He has always showedsignificant support to the profession,the association, and most importantly,the residents of the City of Southfield.

What’s Happening in Southfield?Spring | Summer 2011April 4 - Yard Waste Collection begins (on your regularly scheduled trash day through November 25)Spring Break Camp (April 4-8), 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., P&R BuildingSouthfield Basketball Break Camp (April 4-8), 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Beech Woods Recreation CenterApril 9 -April 16 -10 th Annual Southfield Shred Day, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Southfield High School parking lotSouthfield 2011 Volunteer Day, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Southfield High School Media CenterHousehold Hazardous Waste Day, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., RRRASOC CenterEGGS’travaganza, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Southfield PavilionApril 28 - High School Battle of the Books, 7 p.m., Southfield Public LibraryApril 29 - SRO Productions “Doubt, a Parable” opens (runs April 29, May 1, May 6-8 & 13-15), The BurghMay 7 - 27 th Annual Fishing Derby, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rouge River (at Valley Woods Trail)Tennis Free for All, 10 a.m., Civic Center Tennis CourtsMay 14 - Princess & Super Hero Party, 1 - 3 p.m., Southfield PavilionMay 21 - 9 th Annual Southfield Flower Day, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City Hall front lawn7 th Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 10 a.m., Southfield High School TrackMay 24 - Mayor’s “Economic Development” Roundtable, 7 p.m., Southfield Public LibraryMay 27 - Memorial Day Ceremony, 9 a.m., City HallMay 30 - Memorial Day (observed), City Offices & Library closed; Rubbish collection delayed one day all weekJune 2 - Southfield Farmer’s Market begins, 3-7 p.m., Corner of Greenfield & J.L. Hudson Drive (Thurs. thru Oct. 13)June 4 - 41 st Annual Rouge River Clean Up, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Beech Woods Recreation CenterJune 6 - Mayor’s Walks begin (every Mon., Wed., & Fri. through July 29), 7 a.m., Inglenook ParkJune 7 - Burgh Gazebo Concerts begin, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Burgh Historical Park (Tuesdays through August 23)June 9 - Eat to the Beat Concert, 12 noon - 2 p.m., City Centre PlazaJune 17 - 9-Hole Steak & Ale Golf Scramble, 5 p.m., Evergreen Hills Golf CourseJune 18 - Southfield Sports Arena Pool opens (plus free swimming lesson day), 1 - 8 p.m., Civic CenterJune 20 - Summer Day Camps begin - Call (248) 796-4620 for more information.June 29 - Family Fun & Safety Night, 5:30 - 9 p.m. (Outdoor movie begins at 9 p.m.), City Hall front lawnJune 30 - Family Pool Party, 5:30 - 9 p.m., Sports Arena PoolJuly 4 - Independence Day, City Offices & Library closed; Rubbish collection delayed one day all weekJuly 8 - Junior/Senior Golf Appreciation Day, 9 a.m., Beech Woods Golf CourseJuly 14 - Eat to the Beat Concert, 12 noon - 2 p.m., City Centre PlazaJuly 30 - 18-Hole Junior City Golf Championship, 9 a.m., Beech Woods Golf CourseThe Great Southfield Camp Out, 3 - 8 p.m., Beech Woods Recreation CenterAugust 6 - Southfield Open Golf Tournament, 9 a.m., Evergreen Hills Golf CourseAugust 7 - Southfield Open Golf Tournament, 9 a.m., Beech Woods Golf Courseollow us onAugust 27 - SumMore Fest, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., City Hallacebook!So u t h f i e l dVolume 9, Issue 1 • Spring / Summer 2011Living26000 Evergreen Road • P.O. Box 2055 • Southfield, MI 48037-2055Southfield Living is produced by the Cityof Southfield Community Relations andParks & Recreation Departments.Questions? Call (248) 796-5000 or visitwww.cityofsouthfield.comPrinted on recycled paper | Please recycle this newsletter with your newspaper!Postal CustomerSouthfield, MI480334803448037480754807648086Cut & PostPresorted StandardU.S. PostagePAIDSouthfield, MIPermit No. 30