Farmington Hills council approves draft CDBG budget, accepts capital plan and clears multiple contracts

The Farmington Hills City Council on April 14 approved a proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for program year 2025–26, accepted the city's transmitted five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) and approved a package of routine contracts and personnel items on the consent agenda.

Tracy Emanuel, community development and special projects coordinator, told the council the city anticipates a HUD allocation comparable to last year's and presented a draft budget totaling $415,398, including $365,398 in anticipated CDBG funds and roughly $50,000 in program income. Emanuel said the proposed breakdown is $312,898 for housing rehabilitation, $42,500 for public services (the HUD 15% cap), and $60,000 for program administration (within HUD's 20% cap). "The annual action plan designates the proposed activities and funding amounts to be undertaken during the upcoming program year," Emanuel said as she opened the required public hearing.

The council voted to approve the proposed CDBG budget and to authorize the city manager to prepare and submit an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development once allocations are announced. The vote followed a public hearing; no public comments were offered on the item.

Council also accepted transmittal of the CIP for 2025'26 through 2030'31 as prepared and reviewed by the Planning Commission. Charmaine Kettler Schmelt, director of planning and community development, said the plan was forwarded to council to inform the upcoming budget process. Several council members flagged parks and playground funding for further review during budget discussions.

On the consent agenda the council approved items 7 through 23 as read by the Mayor Pro Tem. The consent package included recommended contract awards for multiple road and landscaping projects, equipment purchases and several hiring approvals. Notable items called out in the packet included:

- Award of the Gateway Landscaping Project at Orchard Lake Road and the I-696 interchange to Reliable Landscaping, Inc., in the amount of $1,065,920.75 plus a $110,000 contingency. - Award for Elmhurst Road reconstruction to Florence Cement in the amount of $707,504.55. - Award for Grama / Mercy Court Road reconstruction to Great Lakes Contracting Solution LLC in the amount of $690,731.87. - Award for Halstead Road construction and reconstruction to Mark Anthony Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $4,255,957.62. - Award of a one-year concrete replacement and sump pump connection program to Olson Cement Work Inc., approximately $782,962.50, with optional renewal. - Purchase of a Bobcat E35 compact excavator for Briar Hills Park and golf maintenance for $58,530.64.

The council also enacted two ordinances (C2-2025 and C3-2025) authorizing conveyance of two city-owned parcels to Claudio Rodrigo Aguilera Quizada and Luisa Nayeli Cruz for $5,000 each; the motion was amended to authorize the city manager to sign closing documents and then approved. Council approved minutes for the March 24 study session and regular meeting and completed routine employment confirmations noted on the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance: the council adopted the CDBG projected use of funds for program year 2025'26; accepted the CIP transmittal; approved the consent agenda items 7'23 as read; and enacted ordinances C2-2025 and C3-2025 conveying two vacant lots to private purchasers. All motions carried at the April 14 meeting after the recorded roll calls or voice votes documented on the record.

Why this matters: the CDBG allocations target low- and moderate-income residents under HUD rules and the CIP and contract awards set the schedule and funding expectations for multi-year capital work across roads, parks and city facilities. Council members signaled they will revisit parks/playground funding during the budget process.

Looking ahead: HUD has not yet announced the final CDBG allocation; the approved plan authorizes the city manager to submit the application when HUD issues the allocation notice.