Riverview council adopts new right-of-way ordinance, approves contracts and a slate of bids

Riverview Mayor Pro Tem Webb and the council on Feb. 18 adopted a new ordinance regulating access to and work in public rights of way and approved several contracts and bids tied to the city’s street and land-preserve programs.

The council voted to add sections 54-15 and 54-16 to the city code to require city review, permits and standards for work in the public right-of-way and to regulate excavation and digging. City staff said the measure responds to contractors performing work in county and Michigan Department of Transportation right-of-way and claiming the city lacked jurisdiction; staff told the council that “this is unacceptable” and that horizontal and vertical separation standards are needed to protect utilities and public health.

Council members also approved an extension of the Savone Cement contract for the 2025 street sectioning program for $680,000 plus a 10% contingency of $68,000 (total $748,000) and authorized engineering fees not to exceed $104,720 for evaluation, inspection and administration. The council said funds for the 2025–26 fiscal year had been appropriated for the street program.

On the consent agenda the council accepted multiple bids for routine materials and services: heavy-equipment rentals, aggregate and screened topsoil, aerial photography and mapping, and heavy-equipment tires. The city awarded aerial photography and digital mapping work to Drone View Technologies from bid 2555. The council also rejected all bids for the North Slope Soil Recovery Project (bid 2547); staff said the project would have provided about 300,000 cubic yards of soil but recommended rejecting four proposals after the council earlier announced it would not pursue future land preserve expansion. The council authorized a Tetra Tech work authorization for a CapEx treatment system (wastewater treatment expansion) as part of consent business.

Separately, the council adopted a resolution setting new golf-course rates and fees effective March 17 through Dec. 31, 2025, after a recommendation from the golf-course director and an ad-hoc committee that the rates be adjusted to cover operating, maintenance and capital costs.

The council also recommended approval of a Class C liquor-license application for a new restaurant, Elserape, at 15570 King Road; the city noted local approval is required by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and that the applicant must complete a state police background check as part of the MLCC process. The council accepted the Planning Commission’s 2024 annual report as required by Public Act 33 of 2008.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of the Feb. 3, 2025 regular meeting — Motion by Council member Robins; support by Council member O'Neil; outcome: approved (roll call recorded all present voting “yes”; Mayor Swift excused).

- Consent agenda (bulk) — Included acceptance/award of bids 25.52 (heavy equipment rental), 25.54 (aggregate/topsoil), 2555 (aerial photography/digital mapping — awarded to Drone View Technologies), 2556 (heavy equipment tires), rejection of bids for 2547 (North Slope Soil Recovery Project), and authorization of Tetra Tech work authorization for a wastewater CapEx treatment system; motion moved by Council member O'Neil and supported by Council member Robins; outcome: approved on consent (unanimous among members present).

- Adopt resolution establishing new golf-course rates and fees (item 10-1) — Motion by Council member Pray; supported by Council member O'Neil; outcome: approved (roll call recorded “yes” votes from members present).

- Recommend approval of Class C liquor license for Elserape at 15570 King Road (item 10-2) — Motion by Council member O'Neil; supported by Council member Pray; outcome: approved (roll call recorded “yes” votes from members present). Note: MLCC requires applicant background checks through Michigan State Police.

- Approve extension of Savone Cement contract for 2025 street sectioning program (item 11-1) — Motion by Council member Gagnaga; supported by Council member Robins; contract amount $680,000 plus 10% contingency ($68,000), plus engineering fees not to exceed $104,720; outcome: approved (roll call recorded “yes” votes from members present).

- Accept Planning Commission 2024 annual report (item 11-2) — Motion by Council member Robins; supported by Council member Gagnaga; outcome: approved (roll call recorded “yes” votes from members present). The acceptance was made per Public Act 33 of 2008.

- Ordinance adoption (second reading and adoption by title) to add sections 54-15 and 54-16 regulating public right-of-way access and excavations (item 12-1, proposed ordinance no. 751) — Motion by Council member Workman; supported by Council member Kanaga; outcome: ordinance adopted (roll call recorded “yes” votes from members present).

Council and staff remarks focused on protecting buried utilities and preventing post-construction damage where other jurisdictions’ permits have been cited. No separate public hearing was held, and no public commenters testified at the meeting.

Background and next steps

City staff presented the proposed right-of-way ordinance as a corrective measure intended to require city permits and to impose horizontal and vertical separation standards intended to minimize damage to water, sewer and storm infrastructure. For the Street Sectioning Program, staff cited a letter from Savone Cement dated Feb. 7, 2025 requesting price extensions at no increase; the council approved the extension and related engineering expenditures. The city will forward its local recommendation on the Elserape liquor-license application to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission as part of the state review process.

Formal actions recorded in the minutes show all items were approved by roll-call votes of the council members present; Mayor Swift was excused from the meeting.