[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6743711,"mediaKeyId","2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce","parentId",2255989,"title","City official: major landfill remediation projects moving toward cleanup as EGLE grant deadline looms","audioSeconds",894,"startMs",769000,"endMs",1663000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce&start=769&end=1663","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce/thumbnail_769000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6743711/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/City-official-major-landfill-remediation-projects-moving-toward-cleanup-as-EGLE-grant-deadline-looms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743711-2d75ad947bcc9e69a746fed2fa47950f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438011&Signature=YN8vlwS2~NhL~QpeXSjJW3hKeR32f0~HajBODmcYJKUxwcBme-ux2W5rTluOYIn~fr6I5Ecj0qWnvVBTOsgeN2W--pq5mZMCoJOKp0wznm1uKfbK~v7~4dYXAA~3ZYFcgtKtVksyJqm95v-cZ3Xg6vcI62SL~K-r5q48mF-A94Dk8Ouw2RYRRmC2klVZhF6NK5lnqb1mwy8yXYOv7xUvkfsTRCL0Fi7kpeOubz138a2L3PmaxFytRauSD598pCtfvjmHBWussOBKuk4skYu~EHrVA9L~rYFpnm5Tn6AfGEsIg4jNx7o4mOpLJH8OirYQClvoK66wqfuTQyJdJHuHQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester Hills","date","2025-02-11T03:09:30.373Z","article","Tom Wackerman, the city's longtime consultant with ASTI, told the Rochester Hills City Council on Feb. 3 that the city's Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) restoration/remediation grant (Grant No. 2023-2540) is moving from assessment toward remediation work at its two largest sites.

Wackerman said the Hamlin Road landfill and the Highland Woodfill (Highland Park Woodfill) have advanced to site-plan review and that remediation plans and development agreements are being prepared simultaneously. \"We're now gonna start engaging you a lot more than we have because we're moving to the remediation phase in our two biggest projects,\" he said.

Why it matters: The projects include very large funding requests that the grant committee has not yet approved; Wackerman said the city has received requests totaling about $61 million of the $75 million available under the grant and that the committee has held back two large requests (a $50 million remediation request for Madison Park/Hamlin Road and a prior $9 million request later increased to $17 million for Highland Woodfill) pending fuller site-plan review and clearer remedies.

Wackerman described steps the city has taken to move projects forward: completed work plans for several sites (work plan 1 done, work plan 2 field work underway at some locations), a submitted work plan 3 to investigate the cap at Hamlin (a geotechnical investigation), and access agreements or easement work in progress at other properties. \"Work plans number 1 and 2, the field work is still being done on work plan number 2. Work plan number 1 is completed. And they have submitted a work plan number 3 for investigation of the cap,\" he said.

Council questions focused on scale, local impacts and notice to residents. Councilman Walker noted an apparent combined funding need for Madison Park that could approach $100 million when TIF and other sources are added. Wackerman responded: \"That's theoretically correct. They haven't made a request yet [for TIF]. That comes from some documents that were attached to their application.\" He said site-plan review will be used to flush out what exactly would be built \"and in return for what?\"

Orders of action, approvals and deadlines: Wackerman said the committee set an internal July 1 review date to reassess projects and priorities ahead of the grant's formal Sept. 2027 deadline. He also said the city is pursuing an EGLE grant extension; \"we're hoping to have a decision on the extended grant deadline by March 1,\" he said. Council members pressed Wackerman for copies of off-site migration notifications sent to property owners near Madison Park and Hamlin Road; he said notices were sent to adjacent owners and that the city would provide copies.

Technical risks and regulatory context: Wackerman raised several open technical and regulatory questions the city is monitoring, including EGLE's forthcoming methane policy (which could limit residential development near methane-producing landfills), potential eligibility of foundation costs under the grant for some sites, and the statewide EGLE PFAS investigation that may provide data relevant to local sites.

Budget snapshot: Wackerman summarized grant accounting: of $75 million available, roughly $2.8 million had been approved for completed items, about $2 million approved in work plans, and about $69 million remained unallocated pending further reviews. He said the committee had received approximately $61 million in requests. \"We are very concerned about how we're gonna make this grant work in the short amount of time,\" he said.

What council directed: There was no formal city action to allocate the large remediation sums Wackerman described; council members repeatedly asked for more detail, documentation of notices to property owners (including Lake Village), and clarity on easements and consent judgments. Wackerman and staff said they would provide copies of notices and continue engagement with EGLE and project applicants.

Ending: Wackerman, who said he will retire at month's end after decades of work with the city but will remain available for the project, introduced Jamie Timmons Burton of ASTI as his replacement on the grant work going forward.

Provenance: topicintro (00:12:49): \"...presentation. Item number 2025-0058, administrative update on the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and and Energy EGLE grant number 2023-2540. Tom Wackerman, ASTI, presenter.\" topfinish (00:27:31): \"...I'm happy to answer any questions.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The February 10th City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Tom Wackerman, the city's longtime ASTI consultant, told council on Feb. 3 that two of the city's largest EGLE-funded remediation projects have moved toward remediation and site-plan review, raising questions about multi‑million-dollar remedy requests and the timeline for using $75 million in grant funds.","taxTitle","Rochester Hills City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",5007,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6743706,"State-policy roundup: Lansing session turbulence and budget proposals could affect local revenue and programs",1234,2501000,3735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce&start=2501&end=3735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce/thumbnail_2501000.jpg","/articles/6743706/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/State-policy-roundup-Lansing-session-turbulence-and-budget-proposals-could-affect-local-revenue-and-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743706-2142a79d8164b46ce47a94d301d3bde1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438011&Signature=a05cdF4eAv~9E1FDWF6l4IAPdelO3v6QtBatoycHn7RH0hD49TKfl9hUFMFHqC4mvFvZkSp1jBqx09MI0~h57F~ov~LOZ-iQbg8Oo5MJf36phb8VPeVi8DLrKYhg1zYGXkPd6hcc~7JGrOULPPl3L1BOKNg6noVBJQ9EXf2-nFzivwEB~G2uo3uR54qjeCTSTOs8NIYHIwy-EnD~8Z0mtAhzSho59fYFT5yvPB1fIn9wBF3QILlHWDKlClgQujpeZDk~kpb5bqDUe~SIw7aK8pEJR~ugo0EZZS3tYw4NGW6VaD1V7Hvx2r0n3q3khnMUYdyu7ZqkGTQIPjtN5QBK~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Midwest Strategy Group updated Rochester Hills City Council on Feb. 3 about policies in Lansing that could affect local budgets and services, including recent lame-duck session disruptions, bills under consideration and competing budget proposals.

Key items and status
- House and Senate activity: The speaker described chaotic late-session activity in Lansing and noted some items passed in the Senate but not yet enacted or presented to the governor. He said the House and Senate may litigate procedural disputes over presentation of bills.
- Bills of direct local interest included: House Bill 5695 (ground emergency medical transport revenue mechanisms), House Bill 6058 (changes to hard-cap 80/20 allocations for health insurance), and short‑term rental legislation that would preserve local control while creating an excise tax for enforcement funding. He said HB 5695 could help communities draw down federal Medicaid-related reimbursement for Medicaid transports.
- Paid leave and minimum wage: The presenter noted the February 21 effective date of some paid-leave/minimum-wage provisions and that both chambers were negotiating changes; the House passed amendments intended to limit coverage for some part-time employees.
- Budget and roads plan: The presenter summarized a governor's roads and budget plan released that day which proposes a sales-tax elimination on gasoline offset by a gas-tax increase, corporate tax adjustments, and several new transportation-related fees to raise revenue for roads and local formula changes.

Why it matters: Several changes under discussion would affect municipal revenue streams, procurement, workforce costs and local regulatory authority. The presenter advised council to contact state legislators on items of local concern (for example, committee members handling paid-leave bills and regulatory affairs). \"Contact your state senator and other state senators that sit on the regulatory affairs committee,\" he said when council asked about affected legislators.

Council takeaways
Council members asked how proposed paid-leave/minimum-wage changes might affect area employers and municipal operations; the presenter suggested outreach to state representatives who sit on appropriations and regulatory committees. He also noted new House committee structures (an oversight track) and committee assignments that will shape how local-government bills are considered.

Provenance: topicintro (00:41:41) \"Midwest Strategy Group Presentation\"; topfinish (01:01:56) end of the presentation and transition to public comment/consent agenda.","A Midwest Strategy Group representative briefed Rochester Hills council on Feb. 3 about recent legislative activity in Lansing, citing bills that could affect municipal revenue, workforce costs and local authority and summarizing a governor's roads-and-budget plan released the same day.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6743702,"Council approves Nowicki Park design contracts; debate centers on proposed community room vs. future pond",2300,5296000,7596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce&start=5296&end=7596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce/thumbnail_5296000.jpg","/articles/6743702/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-approves-Nowicki-Park-design-contracts-debate-centers-on-proposed-community-room-vs-future-pond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743702-b7b770afc0dc3c372ff9609022d9dd5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438011&Signature=TAMPEvbsqoSZGJgsJCjF4hsdLvcB87rDRDJd~8GSRoakomZLVnmCemQY2O1k3PNmRnXgsP22zVqQq9FWEhIa8enDyoQSNBpAxp2QMCFRYX1hiT5Sl7iJoKUyQtO5~ohNjN8ZlphXCjKn~fHnAZSIBJ3n7Xac6fb5Sw~R1fO1SycYdCc4ftkGcTlgpumSrIopkIKOpUg8GRuSCJvX3agNIsotu1Tr1yUnu0uItkb7e0EKd7ALGMw2VbG~ur0FK7xU~ErRNoz3wz9KMmXQAC6nsHvmNHpALOMKXnm1GalxHjaKhc2kP5WU576eXN6uwaNPbias209ii7UTh2hYAd1mOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Hills City Council on Feb. 3 authorized contracts to begin detailed design of Nowicki Park (approximately 34.6 acres), approving an architectural services agreement with A3C Collaborative Architecture for $159,305 and an engineering services agreement with Noake & Prowse Engineers for $548,430.

What council approved
- Architecture contract: A3C Collaborative Architecture, Ann Arbor — not to exceed $159,305 (motion passed unanimously).
- Engineering contract: Noake & Prowse Engineers, Pontiac — not to exceed $548,430 (motion passed unanimously).

Discussion and alternatives
The most contentious portion of the discussion was whether to include a larger \"community room\" (an approximately 800-square-foot extension identified as an alternate in the architect's proposal) as part of the primary scope, or to keep it as an alternate and defer it pending bids and further study. Council members raised multiple considerations: public assembly needs (possible early-voting use), operational impacts, parking and circulation at the Adams Road entrance, and cost trade-offs with other park elements such as a pond.

Staff recommendation and process
Parks staff recommended that council approve the design contracts now and include key items such as the community-room option as a bid alternate rather than automatically constructing it. Director Elward and others explained that alternates allow the city to get precise cost information at bid time and make a reasoned selection when bids are returned. \"We could design the pond as an alternate as well,\" said staff; council asked that staff consult election officials and return with clearer operational needs and cost estimates before any construction authorization.

Next steps and timing
If approved in design, staff expect to move through design and bidding this year with potential construction in 2026; council will receive firm alternates and bid results before committing construction funds.

Provenance: topicintro (01:28:16) \"request for purchase authorization parks contract to provide architectural and engineering services for the Nowicki Park development\"; topfinish (02:06:17) after final vote on park contract approvals.","Council authorized architectural and engineering design contracts for Nowicki Park and discussed whether to include a larger community room (possible early‑voting use) as a bid alternate or defer features (for example, a pond) to a later phase. Staff recommended approving design work now and returning with firm cost alternates at bid time.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6743694,"Council grants Avon Lakes HOA support for Canada goose egg destruction and capture permits",429,4577000,5006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce&start=4577&end=5006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce/thumbnail_4577000.jpg","/articles/6743694/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-grants-Avon-Lakes-HOA-support-for-Canada-goose-egg-destruction-and-capture-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743694-4f36a8c1748a1bf40dd7892deb9d10b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438011&Signature=RJF3WkEDfXaBEMN~~sYbH7xB0SLZNSTIlg8q59qN602eVPk~PNmRasmkuuaKVYOxaSDXS-fvAtpMwSD2uuevMcY1MHqad5XzMWfPLYkXdEggRJewr6hEg4EtTkAADJ78e4m3YHIscbZl3bQhlQSMcztespXvZviWEu6vbcBiJf3KJu8qsu5-SJtyYCndYOpODSXzCOUZRiYeuGC3Ym-cxSOHDmpeoiQbTkrJL7v80nFtkrHxnC0LLDiCn7nbMeTDaR0vILw7PbdL8fEwqU-7yQtxYLxwgZ~bLTtIJ8AmhSRncwQXfvu0m3ycVobeZv-DUT9Sy422jvC3D6L~1SL0UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Hills City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 3 asking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to authorize a five-year program allowing the Avon Lakes homeowners association to perform Canada goose egg destruction and to participate in capture/transport/hold and euthanize activities for geese on HOA property.

What the HOA requested
Bruce Graves, president of the Avon Lakes Village HOA, told council that the subdivision has experienced recurring problems with Canada geese for many years, affecting lawns, parks and public events. He said the HOA has participated in nest-egg destruction for roughly 15–20 years but wants authorization to participate in the DNR's updated capture-and-euthanize program. The HOA explained it has been unable to collect a 70% homeowner petition required as an alternative to council resolution because many homeowners are out of town for the winter.

Council action
Council moved and approved a resolution \"that the City of Rochester Hills request the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to allow Avon Lakes homeowners association to conduct a program of Canada goose egg destruction and Canada goose capture transport hold and euthanize for a period of 5 years.\" The motion passed unanimously.

Operational notes
Speakers and staff noted the DNR will handle capture logistics and that bird-flu concerns have reduced options for relocation, leaving euthanasia as the DNR's practical alternative in many cases. Council members urged the HOA to complete homeowner outreach in future seasons and discussed petition requirements as the procedural alternative to a council resolution.

Provenance: topicintro (01:16:17) \"request for request for approval of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Canada Goose nest egg destruction and Canada Goose capture transport hold and euthanize applications and permits for the Avon Lakes homeowners association\"; topfinish (01:23:18) vote and passage.","Rochester Hills City Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the Michigan DNR to allow Avon Lakes HOA to conduct a five‑year program of Canada goose egg destruction and capture/hold/euthanize activities for nuisance control after the HOA said previous voluntary relocation programs were discontinued.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6743697,"Brooklyn's Plaza: council approves playground and construction package after value-engineering cuts",1568,7577000,9145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce&start=7577&end=9145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255989-25e63fbf4edb2706108f8517f4e7d1ce/thumbnail_7577000.jpg","/articles/6743697/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Brooklyns-Plaza-council-approves-playground-and-construction-package-after-value-engineering-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743697-725610a50db10a21d4d3a942a96e7c7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438011&Signature=GZX0lOxIJnAAjd5I43-YlFk126m1wg0Xf5lNAaDrBT-zDUygYOGOGWXj9acHwgUtlQuKQj-N0enISgriKVfdWcgyJEVHcWP1DHSlGfEj3RMz2HqAWLyPKgreZBXrlVNzPzKVSsVNB6GqsHXJmssKH5nV5mTjMjD-c6JCBGCoell3CMnPUX5UKMScNFtg4kaMkJs2GBiVdeOAP4N0ghT0gudhdyPwaOLkEUkWbGPUEKVro30uQRRdZIsy8KspGAQ7CN8YvGJQ5wbinHE62L4gc0xY1~7e7ZMpur3r48WZKx7P6qfZW4rWkrTxmQcQuUOetIKP1NfVUjehOqJH62QySg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rochester Hills City Council on Feb. 3 approved a series of contracts and a project budget for Brooklyn's Plaza that will add a fenced playground, improved splash-pad surfacing and site landscaping.

What was approved
- Playground equipment and installation (Landscape Structures via Ventura, Brighton / contract for playground equipment): project budget $305,054.06 plus 5% contingency ($15,252.70) for a total not to exceed $320,306.76.
- Construction contract (Lang Constructors, Flint): $1,319,648.09 plus 5% contingency ($65,982.40) for a total not to exceed $1,385,630.49.
- Construction-phase design support (Niagara Murano, Rochester): $17,200.
- Professional services and licensing fees (Gordian): $65,982.40.
- Construction engineering (Spalding DeDecker): $175,856.

Staff said the package is a value-engineered version of earlier plans. \"The original items that came in for this project ... were almost $400,000 more overall than what you see here,\" Parks staff said. The scope includes a fenced playground, shade area between playground and splash pad, surfacing improvements and a vegetative buffer along Auburn Road; staff emphasized the project will retain the plaza's intended design while lowering cost.

Funding and timing
The contracts were approved as individual procurement items with contingency amounts; staff said the project will start this spring pending typical scheduling and supply considerations and is expected to be completed this year.

Provenance: topicintro (02:06:17) \"...Brooklyn's Plaza in the amount of $305,054.06...\" topfinish (02:32:05) end of Brooklyn's Plaza items and votes.","Council approved a multi-vendor construction package for Brooklyn's Plaza that includes playground equipment, construction, construction engineering and design support after staff reduced costs through value engineering. Contracts total roughly $1.9 million with contingencies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City official: major landfill remediation projects moving toward cleanup as EGLE grant deadline looms

State-policy roundup: Lansing session turbulence and budget proposals could affect local revenue and programs

Council approves Nowicki Park design contracts; debate centers on proposed community room vs. future pond

Council grants Avon Lakes HOA support for Canada goose egg destruction and capture permits

Brooklyn's Plaza: council approves playground and construction package after value-engineering cuts