Romulus council approves grants, contracts and zoning changes; $2.13 million in warrants paid
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Summary
At its Aug. 25 meeting, Romulus City Council approved a series of consent and action items including grant agreements, contracts for services and equipment purchases, zoning amendments and a street vacation; the council also approved warrant 25-16 totaling $2,133,867.12.
Romulus City Council on Aug. 25 approved multiple consent and action items covering grants, contracts, equipment purchases, zoning amendments and a street vacation. The items below passed by roll call vote; most measures passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance
- Community credit / local transit contract (Smart): Motion to authorize the mayor and clerk to enter into a local transit/community credit agreement between Smart and the City of Romulus for fiscal year 2025-26. Motion passed by roll call vote; mover: Councilwoman Talley; second: Councilman Jones; outcome: approved.
- SEMCOG grant for North Branch Ecorse Creek: Approved a grant agreement with the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) for $32,740 to evaluate and prioritize crossings in the Ecorse Creek watershed (planning/evaluation only). Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Opioid settlement documents: Council authorized the mayor and clerk to sign opioid settlement documents and directed funds to a separate account for opioid-related programs. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Fiscal year 2024-25 encumbrances rollover: Council approved carrying forward encumbrances for capital outlay purchases and city projects totaling $13,563,410.87 into fiscal year 2025-26. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Asphalt repair contract (ITB25-26-01): Council awarded a two-year services agreement for as-needed asphalt repair to Raymart Incorporated (term through 07/31/2027). Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Fleet vehicle purchases (piggyback contract): Council authorized purchase of two 2026 Ford utility interceptors and one 2026 Ford F-150 SuperCrew (with extended warranty) at a total cost stated in the agenda as $153,274; funds were verified as budgeted and available. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Upfitting for police vehicles (ITB25-26-02): Council awarded vehicle upfitting to Arrowhead Upfitters (second-lowest bidder selected). Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Encryption software (sole-source): Council authorized a sole-source purchase of encryption software from Motorola Solutions at a total cost of $157,369.50 to secure radio communications for first responders. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Zoning ordinance amendments (TA-2025-001 and TA-2025-004): Council approved second reading and final adoption of TA 2025-001 (Article 16: condominium review processing and submittal requirements) and TA 2025-004 (Article 20: nonconforming lots). Motions passed by roll call votes; outcomes: approved.
- Cypress Road street vacation: Council adopted a resolution vacating Cypress Road in the Metroplex Industrial Park Subdivision No. 1, retaining recorded utility easements and a 12-foot utility easement for DPW access. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Alley vacation public hearing scheduled: Council scheduled a public hearing for Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to consider vacating an alley north of Cincinnati Ave., south of Avalon St., east of Essex St. and west of Chamberlain St. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
- Warrant 25-16 payment approvals: Council approved warrant 25-16 with individual fund amounts and a total of $2,133,867.12. Motion passed by roll call vote; outcome: approved.
What this means: The actions fund and authorize planning work (SEMCOG grant), infrastructure repairs (asphalt contract and encumbrances), public-safety equipment and software (vehicles, upfitting, Motorola encryption), and zoning changes affecting condominium and nonconforming-lot rules. The council retained utility easements on the vacated Cypress Road to preserve access for the Department of Public Works.
Several items were presented as administration recommendations with department confirmation that funds were budgeted and available. No item adopted at the meeting imposed a new tax or fee.
