Green Space board reports 142 acres preserved; council approves $832,040 streambank stabilization and $99,600 engineering contract

The Green Space Advisory Board told Rochester Hills City Council on Oct. 6 that the city now holds eight preserved green-space parcels totaling 142 acres and is actively pursuing stewardship, remediation and river-stabilization projects. Council approved two contracts tied to those efforts: a construction contract for Clinton River streambank stabilization and a separate engineering services contract.

Jason Graves, chair of the Green Space Advisory Board, opened the presentation by listing the preserved parcels: “The city has acquired 8 green spaces, totaling 142 acres of permanently preserved natural areas,” he said, and described stewardship work, invasive-species control and volunteer events used to maintain the sites.

Grant-funded cleanup and stewardship

Graves and staff described several recent remediation and grant efforts. Matt (city staff) said earlier environmental due diligence identified small areas at Auburn Road and Ruby Green Space requiring soil remediation; an EGLE cleanup and soil remediation grant supported those efforts. The board also credited a DNR Trust Fund grant for enabling acquisition of the 10-acre “B property,” contiguous with Cloverport and Childress green spaces, and described a Sustain Our Great Lakes grant that provides up to $100,000 per year for three years to supplement stewardship work.

Council authorized contracts tied to river stabilization

Council voted to authorize a construction blanket purchase order to L. D'Agostini and Sons of Macomb, Michigan, for the Clinton River Streambank Stabilization Projects at Innovation Hills and Eagles Landing. The motion passed unanimously. The construction contract award was $756,400 with a 10% project contingency of $75,640, for a total not to exceed $832,040.

Council also authorized a professional engineering services contract with Hubbell, Roth and Clark of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for up to $99,600 to finalize designs, obtain permits and provide construction-phase engineering support. That motion also passed unanimously.

Why it matters: stabilizing these banks protects public amenities — including trails, utilities and nearby city properties — and improves long-term resilience of the Clinton River corridor. The projects use natural channel design methods and aim to limit future erosion while protecting river health.

Council and public comments

Vice President Carlock and Councilmember Neubauer both praised the city’s green-space preservation and outreach; Mayor Barnett highlighted the long-term approach and said the city’s prior millage and grant leveraging allowed purchases that otherwise would have been costly. Councilmember Mongeoli emphasized fiscal discipline and asked for careful scope control so the project’s “not to exceed” figure is respected.

Contract and procurement details

The construction contract was awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, L. D'Agostini and Sons. The engineering contract continues pre-existing design work; staff said permits are in hand for the designs and that the scope and materials were specified in bid documents. Both contracts are budgeted in the city’s Capital Improvement Program and include the city’s standard contingency and contracting conditions.

Ending

Council approved both contracts unanimously and directed staff to proceed with engineering and construction as scoped. Staff will return with project updates and monitoring data as the restoration work and construction move forward.