[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6511551,"mediaKeyId","5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf","parentId",5322736,"title","Votes at a glance: Rochester Hills City Council, July 7, 2025","audioSeconds",1170,"startMs",3124000,"endMs",4294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf&start=3124&end=4294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf/thumbnail_3124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511551/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Rochester-Hills-City-Council-July-7-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511551-24cb605d36b011d6efd9bb2dc8d58d55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124726&Signature=jRRViTaR6cNUo-bzpPqHA1FA2wWwk5QEgBLZZFuC-FSHsodLAzRVb6D8vZ8TeJfol2A2qS0qJPvTpaiYUvxmVElucBfV1Hq9w9gL3xB7ON6v82N78AvaNU47oSAGAqRcrFMFzaaosgQCNAqTFg7cjqBdbdYB6JuoAlp1i7mSKzrFPddWPCNlU~s0Ikhs77vb28Vrj~k4GcQYOhOiO2BOFzfTWRoLBVcMfYyz2GlpOoo~gvM6HBczlUwzEZqNT0ZjJIE2zy7zzseW5uM9kzxR6tX0sbQJO2UE3WYIA39QVx7nxPgnu0D~neW0HvumvC9YKI81UvtXnNVCdWmFNDH97Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester Hills","date","2025-07-07T20:31:39Z","article","The Rochester Hills City Council took the following formal actions during its July 7, 2025 meeting. Vote outcomes are taken from the meeting record; most items were approved by unanimous voice vote.

- 2025-0283: Approve Metro Act bilateral right-of-way permit between the City of Rochester Hills and EZ Fiber Texas LLC; authorize the mayor to sign the permit and take necessary actions. Outcome: approved.

- 2025-0250: Conditional use approval for United Volleyball / Unified Ventures LLC to operate a health, recreation and physical education facility at 1655 West Hamlin Road (EC Employment Center zoning); approval based on planning department documents and conditions. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025-0288: Appoint 15 students to the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council for the 2025'2026 term (list of appointees included in meeting packet). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025-0282: Authorize purchase order contract for demolition of two residential homes (3514 S. Livernois; 694 S. Rochester Road) and the Bloomer Park velodrome to International Construction Inc.; total not to exceed $127,050 (including 10% contingency). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025-0183: Increase to blanket purchase order contract for 2025 concrete road replacement program to add approximately 400 feet of paving on Pheasant Ring Drive; revised total not to exceed $3,284,711.48 (Quality Construction/Koala T noted in packet). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025-0265: Authorize city to apply for TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant for M-150 non-motorized connectivity project including bridge over M-59; authorize mayor to act as applicant and commit local matching and maintenance. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025-0290 through 2025-0296: Human resources and compensation items. The council approved HRTRC recommendations, including (summary): increase directors' variable performance pool to $20,000 (2025-0290); maintain current per-diem rates for boards and commissions (2025-0291); a 2.75% general adjustment to city council base pay, director base pay and mayor base pay for 2026 (2025-0292, 2025-0293, 2025-0295); no individual market equity adjustments for department directors for 2026 (2025-0294); and an increase in the mayor's monthly vehicle allowance from $550 to $850 effective 2026 (2025-0296). Outcome: all approved unanimously.

All motions were approved without recorded roll-call tallies in the public transcript; the meeting record contains the audio/visual vote confirmations (voice votes of \"aye\" with no recorded opposition). For several items (consent agenda and procurement items) the packet contained standard procurement conditions requiring execution of written contracts acceptable to the city. Members of the public provided brief comments on Pheasant Ring Drive paving and a museum volunteer during the public comment period.

If residents require further detail (full motion language, staff reports, budget impacts or the list of youth council appointees), please consult the official meeting packet and minutes posted by the City Clerk.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The July 7th City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken at the July 7 council meeting, including approvals for permits, development requests, contracts and pay adjustments. All recorded motions passed unanimously as shown in the meeting record.","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},6511555,"Rochester Hills rescinds resolution of intent on police funding after Oakland County rate hikes",4030,2956000,6986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf&start=2956&end=6986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf/thumbnail_2956000.jpg","/articles/6511555/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Rochester-Hills-rescinds-resolution-of-intent-on-police-funding-after-Oakland-County-rate-hikes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511555-b700e1de4e0ddbf2e5808510f7947466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124726&Signature=CA3dhm7EHN--7oOWAGr8y12PoV53WhIMJiiJJKvZQJ71qbdFLBOr4QtAmWN~zUwSq19zXDkZADKheiN0MJlCpxo1U8aoyJk6r51kRoAHS8sOzpTpHxb4SNXKqJh8GnK7egYzMZTUzWXEU5vnJl0nKo11B0Y7ABE5rhr-hUSCidu-3lGCdw7NZNnssyJiFSxrT4ix~WUEeyeGYTCpyCt1Tm4AdTMbBjei~iCE0k-SoveZht5jQfD90BTBH3srkoN2rJPwZLveqMB15OLv-oAcu6IK0TnCr-xdglSgElYLZiau7D2gHeSyZxRB3qcoQyVgbSF8lQieeGrBybtMHTwqEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Hills City Council voted unanimously on July 7 to rescind a prior council \"resolution of intent\" that had committed the city to offset any increase in the police millage with a corresponding decrease in the city's general operating millage.

Finance Director Joe Snyder told council the action responds to an unanticipated set of contract rate increases the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved for Oakland County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) services after the city adopted its budget. Snyder said the county-approved contract increases total roughly 36% over 2025'2027 (a 17.9% increase in year one followed by two 9% increases), and that \"by year 3... an annual budget shortfall of approximately $2,400,000 per year is forecasted.\" He described five options the city examined to address the shortfall: reduce OCSO staffing (estimated cut of about 10 deputies), reduce general fund staff, use fund balances, ask voters for a new police millage, or rescind the resolution of intent so the council could levy within voter-authorized limits.

Snyder recommended the council rescind the prior resolution of intent so the city could levy additional police millage within the limits already approved by voters in November 2023. Rescinding the intent would allow the city to increase the police millage up to the previously authorized cap (3.4864 mills) without an automatic offset to the general operating millage. Snyder said the net increase projected to balance revenues and expenditures by 2027 would be about 0.4344 mill and estimated the bottom-line city millage would rise by approximately 0.4344 mill — an increase of roughly $86 per year for a homeowner of a $400,000 home.

Several councilmembers emphasized their reluctance to reduce police staffing or cut general city services. Councilmember Neubauer said, \"I will never vote to cut police staff. I will never vote not to support our first responders.\" Councilmember Mangioli said she dislikes raising taxes but said public safety must be protected and encouraged residents to contact county commissioners about the county's decision. Councilmembers also expressed frustration with the timing and transparency of Oakland County's decision-making; multiple councilmembers asked for more detailed county accounting and said they would pursue clarity with county officials.

The motion rescinding the resolution of intent passed unanimously. City administration said the change will allow the police fund to be sustained at current OCSO staffing levels through 2030 under the projected levy path and that any future increases to the police millage would be dedicated to police fund activities, not general fund spending.","Council unanimously rescinded a prior resolution of intent tying police millage increases to offsetting reductions in the general operating millage, responding to a multi-year contract increase approved by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners that created a projected multi-million-dollar shortfall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511560,"Rochester Hills approves EZ Fiber Metro Act permit amid resident questions about multiple underground conduits",946,3348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf&start=3348&end=4294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf/thumbnail_3348000.jpg","/articles/6511560/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Rochester-Hills-approves-EZ-Fiber-Metro-Act-permit-amid-resident-questions-about-multiple-underground-conduits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511560-93fd0b72923748557d70d3e3eca25bcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124726&Signature=LIncBBZh7iBAvl1IKf3yxUpOYS~yIazCu8PkCuGVyIld5P4E6wzG6~FWJOf7JlBCDnLGpXfa3c19h2Bkh~n2sPIh3Zf2zgrmPH7GaT95PDYuLC8C~0hYjzsZ1Xgvzo2QVGIQanMKlKgDBuX2Nw10k2BOgdmrpRSAkaDA~sJV3L0g-86Jr0ZW~4vFql2L7Mk35N8nXspTxZzGbArAfui3uzr6LtmSpFUxV~7dSZGfy3X1Qro-zp005jKwzRqA~MtuAAqj~SOJfK2K11UtnboSfLmpqyl7otv2AAjZjDUC9U9U~iehtmRfGfCkHyGKeYIm-GMDhUUZwTFOd2-VipqryA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 7 meeting the Rochester Hills City Council approved a Metro Act bilateral right-of-way permit authorizing EZ Fiber Texas LLC to install underground fiber infrastructure in the city. The permit, handled under the state Metro Act and reviewed by city right-of-way staff, passed on a unanimous voice vote.

DPS staff and the city's right-of-way coordinator described the process for Metro Act applications and said the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) oversees and typically approves new broadband providers because state and federal policy favor broader broadband competition. \"The Public Service Commission has the authority in Michigan,\" said a staff member involved in the review, adding that the state generally seeks to keep pathways open for competition. DPS staff also noted EZ Fiber planned underground conduit in this application, which the city and several councilmembers said they preferred to aerial attachments to utility poles.

Councilmembers expressed practical concerns about resident confusion and future conduit capacity. Councilmember Erin Mangioli asked how residents will know which carrier to contact and whether a consumer could use one provider's underground fiber if another company later offered retail service. DPS staff said the situation varies by business model; some providers install infrastructure and also offer retail service, while others build network assets that can be leased or sold. \"It's advantageous to residents of the state because it generates competition,\" staff said in explaining the PSC's approach, and the city receives limited administrative permit fees but may benefit from small per-mile payments reported to the state.

Councilmembers asked staff to study a strategic approach to multiple new providers, conduit capacity, and the visual impact of aerial installations, and to research whether the city could secure additional local revenue. \"If they're willing to go to the financial expense to do that, I think that's best for the community to have it underground,\" said Mister Fritz of DPS, supporting underground installation for reduced visual clutter. Councilmember John Blair noted the Federal Communications Commission'maintained national goals for broadband deployment and pointed attendees to the FCC'hosted National Broadband Map to compare available options at specific addresses.

The council resolution authorizes Mayor Brian Barnett to sign the bilateral Metro Act right-of-way permit with EZ Fiber; the permit was approved by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Councilmembers asked staff to return with recommendations on how the city can make availability and pricing clearer to residents, how to track multiple underground conduits, and whether additional contractual protections or higher local fees are possible under state rules.","Council unanimously approved a Metro Act right-of-way permit for EZ Fiber to install underground fiber across the city; councilmembers raised resident confusion about multiple providers, revenue sharing and long-term conduit capacity.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511567,"Rochester Hills considers larger pathway millage to accelerate repairs",398,633000,1031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf&start=633&end=1031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322736-fd02e82d6c7d643d4dcd42a3d27ba0cf/thumbnail_633000.jpg","/articles/6511567/Rochester-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Rochester-Hills-considers-larger-pathway-millage-to-accelerate-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511567-e1ba8d46d920e99f72b388d5a19a70d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124726&Signature=Q5uD0qqkH1n0B0VVJfYAbcu4ECcgJTseSuqVEjk4tefNp394VSdo~-stxSkyOe8RVeo1kRSKzsE7~NTrXSfdb-m19Su7eIt2T4PVlvc7ns3wrYbuQ1DPey9~ssEh9ckyPXS9vBBft7S0HVhVgsfbkALMb0LwSPw9uI3npBpoqA-Yxhph8~2QbNSHBvDMtxru5ImVkAjfc1rHsTO9ocITwpMGUPQf2W2N7GQ7C45lw6J0ARiOiXJiB9TRr4N6OPi0peK3POTLKPYkBSK-8Xp-iGLk9aVDuaIUrApqA-s5AwfKpA~lVxzG61cWub-6UYVTrLJrA9uAf-Xz4fhw-fgF~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 7 Rochester Hills City Council meeting, Finance Director Joe Snyder presented options for renewing and possibly increasing the voter-approved pathway millage that funds pathway maintenance and construction across the city.

Snyder said the current voter-approved pathway millage (approved in 2006 for 20 years) is in its 19th year and \"there is no official vote at the end of this presentation\" but the council needed direction for whether to place a renewal or increase on an upcoming ballot. He told the council the existing levy (0.1715 mill, as presented) generates roughly $875,000 a year for pathway funds, of which about $400,000 is available annually for pathway construction and rehabilitation. \"The city has 100 miles of pathways throughout the whole city,\" Snyder said, noting at the current pace of about one mile of major rehabilitation per year \"it would take a hundred years\" to cycle the system.

The presentation outlined options: renew the existing millage at the same rate (estimated to fund about one mile per year), renew for a shorter term (5 or 10 years), or increase the millage to finance a faster replacement cycle. Snyder presented a scenario that would fund roughly five miles of pathway rehabilitation per year — a 20-year replacement cycle — requiring an increase of about 0.3285 mill (to roughly 0.5 mill total) and generating an estimated $2.0 million a year for construction. Using the examples shown by Snyder, that 0.5-mill level would raise the annual tax for an owner of a $400,000 home from about $34 to about $100.

Council members focused on priorities and tradeoffs. Councilmember John Blair asked whether there are economy-of-scale savings for building multiple miles at once and whether a higher millage would allow snow removal or increased plowing capacity; Snyder cautioned the latter would require additional staff. \"I guess what I'd like to know is, you know, what's the current condition... are we going to immediately be doing all that $2,000,000 or gonna ramp it up,\" Blair said. Vice President Carlock confirmed pathways can be bid along with road asphalt projects to get efficiencies.

Councilmember Erin Mangioli said she favors prioritizing safety while avoiding untargeted tax increases and noted several grant programs that can be applied to safety enhancements. \"Safety, however, is the city's first strategic objective,\" she said, urging the council to prioritize rehabilitation of existing pathways before adding new miles. Several council members asked staff to identify grant opportunities, clarify how gaps in rights-of-way are addressed (property owners must donate or sell frontage to fill gaps), and provide a multi-year funding and rehabilitation plan.

Snyder advised the council of key deadlines: the existing millage authorizations run through fiscal 2026; to get new language on the November 2025 ballot would require direction at the July 21 council meeting; a last chance to place renewal language on the November 2026 ballot would require decisions by about July 2026. He recommended a 10-year renewal as a likely middle ground, or an increase if the council wants a faster replacement cycle. No formal vote was taken; Snyder said the next steps could include referring the matter to the Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee for further review and then returning to the council with a final proposal and proposed ballot language.

The discussion combined operating, maintenance, capital transfer and potential sources of matching funds: Snyder said the operating program, including crack sealing, mowing, tree work and snow plowing, accounted for a significant share of millage-funded expenditures, and that gaps in the system often require acquisition of private frontage to construct missing segments. Councilmembers asked staff to model alternatives that combine increased millage with expected grant revenue and to provide condition-assessment data showing which segments are nearest term for rehabilitation.","City officials reviewed the pathway millage funding, current shortfalls and ballot timing after a presentation showed existing revenue covers roughly one mile of pathway rehabilitation per year; options include renewing, shortening or increasing the millage to fund 4–5 miles per year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Rochester Hills City Council, July 7, 2025

Rochester Hills rescinds resolution of intent on police funding after Oakland County rate hikes

Rochester Hills approves EZ Fiber Metro Act permit amid resident questions about multiple underground conduits

Rochester Hills considers larger pathway millage to accelerate repairs