City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the January 26th, 2026 regular city council meeting for the city of Rochester Hills. Uh, Miss Bowen, will you take role? President Carlock, here. Vice President Mioli here. Mr. Blair here. Mr. Lindberg here. Miss Manino here. Miss Newower here. Mr. Skelece with notice. President Carlock, we have a quorum.

Thank you. Uh if everybody will rise, our student council representative will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Approval of agenda. Um, unfortunately, State Representative Tisdale had a conflict this evening. So, uh, he's requested that we move his presentation to a meeting in the future. So, item 2026-0026, uh, under presentations will be removed from tonight's agenda. I have a motion by Vice President Mongioli, seconded by Mrs. Newower. All those in favor? I.

All right, we have a agenda for tonight. Next up, council and youth committee reports. Uh we'll start with our Rochester Hills uh government youth council representative Saii Dhanakar. Good evening, President Carlo, Vice President Mongioli, council members and citizens of Rochester Hills. My name is Sachi Dhaneker. I'm a 10th grader at Rochester Adams High School. I'm in my first year serving on the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council and I serve in the Cemetery Citizens Advisory Committee. I'm looking forward to learning more about how this council can be the voice of our youth in the city of Rochester Hills in my time as youth council representative. This past month, youth council had our regular January meeting on Wednesday, January 7th, where Mayor Barnett came in and spoke to us about what he does and allowed us to ask him questions. This past month, this month, we are participating in hosting a soup or bowl event, which is in January, which is on January 31st, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Rochester Hills Public Library in the multi-purpose room. This event is focused on collecting canned food donations for the Rochester Hills neighborhood house while providing fun activities and food for the community members. So, we are planning on asking people to bring a fan canned food donation, and in return, they'll get a raffle ticket to put towards a chance to win a prize. We have created a video advertising the event and flyers are being distributed around three main high schools. We will have a special meeting this Wednesday, January 28th at 6 PM here at city hall this Wednesday to discuss some final details for the Super Bowl party this Saturday. Thank you so much for your time and have a great evening.

Thank you very much. A lot going on. Yes. Um next up, Vice President Lioli.

Thank you, President Carlock. Um I don't have any slides for this evening. I do want to let sort of steal the preemptively steal the thunder of rahrh uh when they'll be coming to council in a couple of weeks to share their master plan. I do want to thank all of our residents that took the time to answer the master plan questions and um be able to give your important insight into the future direction of that organization. It is going to be guiding us for the next five years. So I hope you'll come back and join us when RAR is on the agenda. Um, also the sister city committee. So we have uh two of those, but the one that I serve on is the Rochester Rochester Hills sister city committee. Uh, we are having our first meeting for this year on the first Tuesday in February, which I should have pulled up the date on this. Um, the 3rd. February 3rd. It is held here in the clerk's office. You are all welcome to attend. We do have three representatives from Rochester as well as three from Rochester Hills that are there. Uh we are planning our discussions for this year as well as the Memorial Day parade. Our theme this year is doing things together. And so our uh topic our speakers at that meeting are the representatives from the DDA and the LDFA. So we will all are welcome to attend that meeting five o'clock in the clerk's conference room. That's all I have. President Carlock.

Thank you. Uh, next up, uh, Miss Manino.

Uh, yes. Thank you, President Carlock. Um, Emma, may please share my screen. I have a few slides. I wanted to, uh, do some promotion for both the OPC and also the museum on some upcoming activities in the February uh, March time frame. So, if you take a look at my screen here, first up for the month of February, uh Rochester Hills Museum, they're hosting film festivals on every Friday night starting at 700 p.m. Um the four this month, they're going to be uh having films on number one, February 6 on the Alabo River. Some history of the race, very popular race, still going on to this day up there. A lot of you may participate in that or know of it. Um and then on February 13th, the vanish, disappearing icons of rural America, which has to do with the disappearance of um different farmhouses and some historic uh architecture throughout the US. And then February 20th, singing back the buffalo talks about the repatriation of buffalo back into the uh North American plains area. And then lastly, February 27th, an interesting one on bees and the beekeepers actually located in Ireland. So, those four going on in the month of February. In the month of March, they've got cabin fever lecture series for three Friday nights again at 700 p.m. The 19th, they're going to be uh discussing vacation and the upcoming um I guess a leisure industry, if you will, of the early 1900s. You can see back in island there, one of the pictures, they'll be talking about that. And then secondly, um I got my thrill on Newberry Hill, which is a lecture series on something very interesting, the old ski jump that was located, uh just west of Bloomer State Park. I got I have another slide on that, the next one. And then the last one, the oldtime religion, early faith communities in the city of Rochester and Avon in the 1800s, early 1900s. And that's on Friday, March 20th.

So three good lecture series if you're interested in those types of things. Again, all uh register for these and the one uh on the uh Friday night for the um the film festival and the lecture series. You can register at rochesterhills.org/muse museum programs or call the museum with the number here. And then lastly, the 100th anniversary of the new Berry Hills ski jump or again for those of you that didn't know, uh Bloomer State Park used to have a ski jump. It's pictured up here in the upper leftand corner. Actually reminds me of the blue streak at Cedar Point a little bit. Um, but again, it's a lecture about the ski jump. Sounds very interesting. I I didn't really know there was a ski jump there, but on March 13th at 7 p.m. So that's the museum. And then for OPC, a few activities coming up in February, Symphony at the table. This one looks very good. Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. There's four musicians coming in. There'll be um a dinner, a gourmet dinner with wine, champagne reception and an art exhibit. And then also in the month of February, more health related um talks about heart health and how hormones as you age impact that. That's on February 6 from 2:30 to 3:30. And then lastly for Black History Month, celebrate a Black History Month within Your Own Voice African Art um exhibit there on Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM. So all those activities again are part of the OPC and can be registered online or just show up in person and they're both for members and non-members. And that's the update. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Uh Mr. Blair,

thank you very much. President Emma, would you please share my screen? As we freeze our butts off, it's good to know that spring is just around the corner. And a reminder to spring your clocks forward an hour in March, a little over a month away. But uh you know what you should probably be doing around this time is changing those smoke detector batteries. This is just a quick update from Rochester Hills Fire. Twice a year, you should always check those batteries. Make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. I have literally sat here at the dis and heard from people whose lives were saved by working smoke detectors. This is extremely important. And I know what you're thinking. Well, geez, I don't even know if my smoke detectors work. Do I have enough? Do I have a carbon monoxide detector? Can I reach it? We got you covered. The Rochester Hills Fire Department website, rochesterills.orgfire, we've got a whole section on what we can do to help you in your home. We can help you install smoke detectors, help you come up with an escape plan for your house, do a fire inspection, all sorts of stuff completely free of charge. And if you want to give them a call, maybe you, you know, want to hit the website, give them a phone number, give them a call, make that so you can see it. 656-4720. I'm sure they'd be happy to take your call, make sure your home is safe for the warm weather ahead. Back to you, President.

Thank you. Uh seeing no further council comments, we will move on to consent agenda. All matters under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion without discussion. If any council member or citizen requests discussion of an item, it will be removed from consent agenda for separate discussion. I have a motion by Miss Newower, seconded by Miss Manino. All those in favor? I I.

Any opposed? The consent agenda passes. Next up, public comment for items not on the agenda. We do have one public comment from Jesse Williams. Yes, sir. You have three minutes. Perfect. Can you guys hear me? Well,

first of all, I want to say thank you guys for being here with us tonight, and I really appreciate uh everybody and all you guys work in the city of Rochester Hills and what have you. Um, I'll make this very brief. Um, my wife and I, we have a request and that would be to create an amendment for the municipal ordinance that prohibits the intentional feeding of wild turkeys inconsistent with the uh, existing deer and geese regulations that you guys have. Currently we live at 2684 Stoneberry and on each side of us our neighbors uh they feed the wild turkeys and the wildlife on the ground with a plot feeding with bird seed and bread and what happens is that uh the turkeys have habituated in our area and they've become aggressive to the residents. There's been multiple uh occasions where elderly women been attacked. My pregnant wife has been chased from her vehicle and it's disturbing uh mail deliveries as well in front of our mailboxes. Um you know these turkeys have known to have diseases that uh you know affect the elderly, infants and people with immune compromised communities as well. Um to date we have worked with the DNR to relocate uh aggressive toms and hens. Um the DNR always says that speaking with the city is the best long-term solution. We've installed noise makers, reflective tape, put in water devices as well with the DNR's advice. Um the DNR has said that they would be willing to help come out and educate residents on the long-term dangers and effects of feeding these turkeys. Um, in closing, I believe that this is beyond just a personal nuisance, but it's becoming more [snorts] of a

public safety matter, and uh, we just ask for you guys' support and enforcement to make sure that your residents are safe. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Williams. We have it. Um, next up is legislative and administrative comments. And we do have some comments from Mrs. Newower.

Thank you, President Carlock. Um, before we get to that, I do want to let you know that we did receive your email and all of us had an opportunity to review that. Um, we have an upcoming planning and joint planning and city council meeting where we will be discussing changes and ordinances that are coming and I will make sure and we will all make sure that this is put on the agenda or at least brought to planning so that we can work on that. There are several ordinances that we're going to be working on. Um, so thank you for letting us know and your timing couldn't have been couldn't have been better. So that meeting is February 2nd. If you want to email any of us after to follow up, you can feel free to do that. Okay. Today is Michigan's 189th birthday, which is pretty significant. Um, as the country is celebrating 250 years, Michigan today is celebrating 189 um years. And we are proud Michiganders and happy birthday to Michigan. Um, also wanted to say that the cross I would be my son would kill me if I did not mention this, but the crossdown showdown between Stony Creek and Rochester. Um, Mr. Lindberger was there. I don't know. I I'm pretty sure we were rooting for the same team, but Rochester um uh squashed Stony um uh in a game where it [snorts] was tied. Most of the game was mo was tied and it was pretty exciting. and I don't even like sports and I was going cuckoo bananas. So, congratulations to Rochester. And one of the things that makes this win really um important is that Rochester is undefeated. And I don't know how many people know this, but there were scouts there looking at our kids um and trying to recruit from Rochester and Stony and our schools. So, um, sometimes we only hear about the yucky things, um, in our school district because squeaky wheel, but it's really exciting when our kids are doing amazing things and are getting recruited and scouted um, at this young age. So,

congratulations, Rochester. So, sorry, Stony and uh, beat Adams on Tuesday. Thanks. Hey, [snorts] thank you very much. Um, Miss Moli,

thank you. President Carlac, Miss Bowen, could you share my screen? Thank you. So, I while we've got um interim director Balant here in the audience, I do want to make sure I thank the DPS team for the unbelievable work that they've had to do over the last week, 10 days, three months, whatever. It's feels like winter has been lasting 200 days so far. Um, so what I have up on the screen is I I have mentioned this in previous meetings, the plow tracker. So this is Rochester Hills plow.plowtracker.com. Um, I do have this set going back a couple of hours, but when the trucks are out, you see the little um truck images on the screen. you can find out when they are headed your way so that you can either a wait to do plow your driveway or b um plow at least five feet um to the left of your mailbox so this way when they plow the street they don't push all that snow into your driveway um which is what I was doing this morning. So um again I want to make sure I thank our DPS team. They have done a tremendous job making sure that we stay safe in our community. And for someone like me who, you know, I have a real anxiety about driving in snow. Um, once I get out of my subdivision, our roads are clear curb to curb. Um, it's great to know that we live in Rochester Hills where our staff takes such good care of us. So, thank you very much. Thank you, Miss Bowen. Thank you, President Carlock.

Thank you, Vice President Mioli. Uh, seeing no other council comments, I will pass it over to admin. Miss Sudvich.

Miss Bowen, if you could share my screen, please. Good evening, President Carlock, Vice President Mongioli, and members of council. I'm happy to be here this evening on behalf of Mayor Barnett to give a brief report. Uh first uh as Vice President Mongji just mentioned, we definitely do want to pass along our sincere thanks to DPS. Uh the whole team over there has been plowing insulting and plowing and insulting and plowing insulting some more. So it has been a herculean effort and I wanted to offer just a couple of quick stats from you. Um just last week, so not including this past weekend, um we learned that the team spent over 220 hours on major roads, nearly 300 hours on local roads, and over 170 hours just on courts. They used 400 tons of salt and 22 tons of sand. So to say that they've been busy is an understatement, but I'm quite sure that we cannot overstate how appreciative we are of their work. So many thanks go to them, and I echo uh Vice President Mongji's remarks. Our latest podcast featuring Segi Eshow is out. Segi is a member of the Straight Notch Chaser ac cappella band. And if you're an a capella fan from the '9s, you know who they are. Um, but they have been out touring uh non-stop for the last several years after a video of theirs went viral about 10 years after they were all out of college. Um, Segi was really exciting to interview. He had a lot of really cool things to talk about. And of course, we had to make sure we got him to sing. And I would do want to share this quick reel that we put online.

Can you hear the sound? Okay.

Right here. Is it? Oh, Dave's gonna pop. Okay. Try again. So good. We have a Did they pay you extra for this? Oh, yeah. [laughter] That work.

There it is. Hold on. There we go. It's worth the payoff. I got my ticket for the long way around. Two bottle whiskey for the way. And I sure would like some sweet company. And I'm leaving tomorrow. What do you say? When I'm gone, when I'm gone, you're going to miss me when I'm gone. You're going to miss me by my hair. You're going to miss me everywhere. Oh, you're going to miss me when I'm gone.

All right. I can now add binder swishing to my resume, which who knew that would even be a thing. But yes, it was a lot of fun and hopefully you get a chance to check out the video because again, it was it was a great interview. Very fun to see what our residents are doing all across uh the state and the country. Uh our latest ribbon cutting was at Rowan, a piercing location in the village of Rochester Hills. Um they hire only nurses to do their piercings and help you with the care afterwards. We were this close to getting Mayor Barnett to get a piercing, but he somehow managed to dodge that. So perhaps next time. We'll see. Uh our sled at Bloomer is open. In fact, with snow accumulation of 4 in or more, which of course we have um and probably three times that much. It's open daily between 9 and 5. And as long as conditions are safe, it will remain open. Um of course, changes in conditions will be noted at the website, uh rochesterills.org. And I just had to share this photo because this is one of my favorite things that the city does, the little sled park, the Bordon Park little sled library. Uh in addition to sledding, we also have ice skating. Spencer Park is open for ice skating and ice fishing. Actually, um certainly want to remind everybody that of course ice is never 100% safe and always use caution and follow safe practices around ice and changes and conditions will be noted on the website for this as well. And finally, get ready to check out the annual Pond Hockey Classic also at Spencer Park. It's coming up on Saturday, February 7th. And our website, rochesterills.org, has more information on that. You can enjoy all this winter fun by purchasing a 2026 park pass now. So, get your money's worth, get that pass now, and start using the parks and all the winter fun that we're having. Um, you can also now reserve shelters uh for spring and summer events. So, if you are ready to finally think spring, then think about those shelters. Of course,

the last thing I have to mention is again thinking spring, the free street tree program is open and running right now. You can reserve yours through February 6th. All the trees are planted, maintained, and guaranteed for a year by the city's contractors. So, check out our website, rochesterills.org, for more information. And that concludes my report. Thank you, President Carlo. Thank you. And that looks like all of the comments from the dis. Um, next up, attorney's report. Miss Chris, I have nothing this evening.

Nothing this evening. All right. That's the way we like it. Uh, new business. Item 2026-000029, request for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission approval of an application for a transfer of a class C license and various permits submitted by Bloomfield 14 LLC. Miss Scott. Thank you, President Carlock, Vice President Mongioli and Council. Um, Patrick How with Hanikman is here to represent the applicant who is uh Bloomfield 14. They are requesting to be considered for transfer of a class C liquor license along with the various permits um to be approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. And of course that had to go before the liquor license technical review committee which three of you are on. And that committee met on January 12th and voted unanimously to approve recommend recommendation to um the MLCC. So with that I can open it up to Mr. Hal or council for any questions.

Thank you Miss Scott. Um I don't see any city council comments or questions. I have a motion by Miss Newower, seconded by Mr. Blair. I'll read the resolution resolved that the Rochester Hills City Council recommends that the application for a transfer of a class C license and various permits submitted by Bloomfield 14 LLC to be located at 200 Barlay Circle be considered for approval by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. All those in favor? I.

Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you for coming out tonight. Next up, item 2026-000023, request for approval of interlocal agreement for Clinton River Oaks County Park between the city of Rochester Hills and Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission through September 30th, 2026. Mr. Elward.

Good evening, President Carlock. Um, Vice President Mongioli, City Council, and Aaron. [laughter] Um, you have before you today a request to, um, sign an interlocal agreement with Oakland County Parks. Um, and this is the next stage in um, Oakland County Parks implementation to um, essentially build a county park in in our area, Clinton River Oaks. and um city council had in the fall um basically passed an agreement that allows them to lease a portion of Bloomer Park um basically the the river plane if you will and and the bluff um to start to build their park on that and because they don't have essentially boots on the ground um yet they have asked us to essentially keep doing what we're doing and communicate with them um until their fiscal year ends on September 30th and um subject to if they want us to continue, we would renegotiate um this agreement at at that point. And so um the full board of the full county commission passed this agreement on January 22nd. And so um pending your your approval, we would implement this. The the official transition for our other agreement of of the property to their lease takes place on February 1st.

[snorts] And so um with that I will ask for any questions. Thank you Mr. Elward. Uh we do have one uh Vice President Mjuli. Thank you President Carl. So Mr. Elward I'm um fully support doing this um because I know that we have a way to trace all of our costs and treat the county fairly when it comes to telling them how much they owe us for all the staff work that's going to be done. So thank you very much for pulling that all together. Um, what I wanted to ask you about is more for the community's knowledge. There is a meeting coming up and I didn't remember to print off but it's soon.

Yes, it is actually this Thursday. Um, there is an open house hosted by Oakland County Parks. It'll actually be in this auditorium um from 5 to 7 p.m. and they are collecting input um just on resident desires, what they'd like to see going forward on this partnership and it will be quite interactive. They're very good at doing this and have their own planning units and uh um we will of course be there as well and anyone here is welcome to attend also. No, that's great to think about again summertime and being out in the parks in the midst of snow. But thank you very much for doing that and I move the resolution in our packet.

Thank you. Motion by Vice President Mongoli, seconded by Mrs. Newower. I don't see any other comments or questions on this. uh resolved that the Rochester Hills City Council hereby approves the interlocal agreement for maintenance of Clinton River Oaks County Park between the city of Rochester Hills and Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission through September 30th, 2026 and further authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the city. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Elbert. Next up, item 2026-000021, request for purchase authorization fleet blanket purchase order for the purchase of unled gasoline and diesel fuel in the amount not to exceed $975,000 through January 31st, 2028. RKA Petroleum Companies, Romulus, Michigan. Mrs. Balant,

good evening. Council President Carlac, Vice President and Jolie, City Council. I'm here for representing DPS for the purchase of um our fuel. This is an extension to an existing blanket to RKA petroleum. Um I did find out today that we save about a dollar a gallon. Um we purchased this through Sterling Heights and supply it to ourselves. So with that, if you have any questions,

I don't see any questions. I have a motion by Vice President Monioli, seconded by Mr. Blair. Uh read the resolution. Uh resolved that the Rochester Hills City Council hereby authorizes a blanket purchase order for the purchase of unled gasoline and diesel fuel to RKA Petroleum Companies Romulus Michigan in the amount not to exceed $975,000 through January 31st, 2028. further resolved that the city's acceptance of the proposal and approval of the award of a contract shall be contingent and conditioned upon the party's entry into and execution of a written agreement acceptable to the city. All those in favor. Any opposed? That motion passes.

Thank you. Thank you. Next up item 2026-000024 Childris Avenue and Enid Street Special Assessment District SAD paving project. Miss Balant, Miss Taylor, and Miss Somerville.

Thank you. Um we are here once again for the Childress Avenue and Eden Street special assessment paving project. Um, as you remember on December 15th, we held the public hearing and at that date per the SAD policy, the residents have 28 days or the property owners um have 28 days to file petition to um end the SAD and the 28th day would have been on January 12th, 2026, and we did not receive a petition. Um so we are here this evening um if to see if council wants to pass a final determination of necessity uh to move forward with the SAD project. Just to give you a little like what would happen after um the plans are nearly complete. They're about 95% complete with our consultant. We would actually bid this project with the asphalt program um to hope and to get a better cost. It would be a separate project so it would be like a part B. Um so it would be itemized that would come forward to you in um once we have the bid and then we'll know more of exact cost at that time and then at that time also would be prepared would be the special assessment role by assessing and that would be February March is when we're hoping that we would bring that bid back um to you for your approval. So, with that, if you have any questions,

uh, the only question I have is, are we trying to get this paved this year, 26, or would it be bid this year for 27 paving? It will be paved this year. So, it'll be, that's a good question. It will be bid with the 2026 HMA program. Okay. And that's why it will come up pretty quickly. Got it. We're just waiting for this meeting and then if it's approved, we'll add it to the plans.

Understood. Okay. Thank you. I don't see any council comments or questions. I have a motion by Mrs. Nubau or seconded by Vice President Mongioli. Uh I'll read the resolution. Whereas the Department of Public Services requests that the city council pass a final determination of necessity to approve moving forward with an SAD paving project for Childress Avenue and Enid Street in accordance with the prepared design plans and specifications and to direct the city assessor to prepare a certified special assessment role for the district properties. resolved that the Rochester Hills City Council on behalf of the city of Rochester Hills hereby passes a final determination of necessity to approve moving forward with an SAD paving project for Childress Avenue and Enid Street in accordance with the prepared design plans and specifications and to direct the city assessor to prepare a certified special assessment role for the district properties. All those in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, that brings us to any other business. Um, I don't I don't see any other business before the Rochester Hill City Council. So, I have a motion by uh Councilwoman Oh, I do have some other business. Sorry. Um, Mrs. Manino, ju just a a quick because we're on the SAD topic, the Dunning one. Is that one now dead or it? Yes, we've sent it back to the residents. So, with with the understanding that um

you know, per the last meeting that we were looking for them to get full agreement to for to pave the entire street or the other street that leads into it. Got it. Okay. I just wanted to clarify the second one. Thank you. That's all. Miss Newower, with respect to what um Councilwoman Mino brought up, I just wanted to say that for reasons stated on the record, the Dunning um project um was returned back to residents and for reasons stated on the record, this project continues. Okay. All right. Well, now we have no other business. Now, Mrs. Newower is ready to go. I have a motion by Mrs. Newower to adjurnn, seconded by Mrs. Manino. All those in favor?

I. All those opposed? No. The Rochester Hills City Council is now adjourned. Next meeting of the Rochester Hill City Council will be February 9th, 2026, 7 p.m. right here in the auditorium. Thank you.