1/2/24 First council meeting – Eric Bartkus Lowell City Council

Four Interviewed for Vacant City Council Spot - Lowell's First Look

Beryl Bartkus lives in Lowell City. She is married to her husband Eric, who already a council member. Bartkus has 2 children. She serves as president of the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Board, and a board member for Flat River Outreach Ministries board and of the Chamber of Commerce. 

Candidate website

Beryl is a licensed pharmacist and the owner of Ability Weavers, a social enterprise that focuses on training and employing adults with special needs. 

Beryl currently serves as a member of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA. She was appointed in 2024 and is serving her first term. 

As of August 14, 2025, Beryl Bartkus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

City Council Candidate Profile: Beryl Bartkus, Lowell's First Look

Supports creating accessible housing and amenities within the community.

Wants to expand accessible housing and amenities in the community.

Believes city leaders should ensure proper zoning is in place to manage growth.

Believes city leaders should ensure proper zoning is in place to manage growth.-

- Wants to expand accessible housing and amenities in the community.
- Believes city leaders should ensure proper zoning is in place to manage growth.-

Housing & Urban Development

Believes the current "paid on call" funding for the fire department is unsustainable and plans to find "reasonable financial solutions" to support it, especially with the annexation of township land.

Believes the current “paid on call” fire department funding is unsustainable and plans to find reasonable financial solutions to support it, particularly with the annexation of township land. 

- Believes the current “paid on call” fire department funding is unsustainable and plans to find reasonable financial solutions to support it, particularly with the annexation of township land. 

Public Safety

Healthcare

Believes communication between city government and residents is crucial, saying, "Not every request can be granted, but every request or concern should be respected and sincerely considered."

Believes communication between city government and residents is crucial, noting that many people feel their concerns are ignored or dismissed.

Believes there is a lot going well in the Lowell community – from good schools to plenty of activities for all ages – but that there could be better communication from Lowell City Council on major issues such as the Covenant Business Park.

Believes communication can be improved for "major issues ", such as the Covenant Business Park.

Believes Covenant Park should benefit residents and supports a transparent, well-defined plan for its development.

- Believes communication between city government and residents is crucial, noting that many people feel their concerns are ignored or dismissed.
- Believes communication can be improved for "major issues ", such as the Covenant Business Park.
- Believes Covenant Park should benefit residents and supports a transparent, well-defined plan for its development.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Believes in funding major water and wastewater system expansions through multiple sources, including grants and developer investment, to avoid steep rate increases for residents.

Believes major water and wastewater expansions should be funded through multiple sources, such as grants and developer investments, to prevent steep rate increases for residents.

- Believes major water and wastewater expansions should be funded through multiple sources, such as grants and developer investments, to prevent steep rate increases for residents.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Beryl Bartkus

Supports economic development and believes in the potential for future growth in downtown Lowell.

Beryl Bartkus's campaign for Lowell City Council Member is her first entry into politics. She was appointed to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in January 2024 and will serve until January 2026.

As of August 14, 2025, Beryl Bartkus did not have a website or any information online.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.