Romulus council approves Waste Management contract, Swan Lake reconstruction bid, IT purchases; introduces drone ordinance

Romulus City Council on June 9 approved a package of contracts, procurement items and an ordinance introduction that the city said will support infrastructure, public works and public safety.

The council unanimously awarded a 10-year contract for automated curbside refuse, recyclables and yard-waste collection to Waste Management after a lengthy procurement process. Chantella Forrest, public-sector senior account executive for Waste Management, thanked city staff and reaffirmed the company’s 20-year presence in the community. The contract term the council recorded runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2035.

Council also voted to award the construction bid for the Swan Lake Reconstruction Project to Great Lakes Contracting Solutions LLC as the lowest, responsive bidder. The council record contains multiple slightly different amounts cited during the meeting; the motion to award carried unanimously. (Transcript figures for the bid varied within the meeting; see clarifying details.)

The council approved several smaller procurement and maintenance items: a renewal for Dell VxRail hardware and software maintenance using a piggyback on Omnia Partners contract 01-152 for a total cost stated as $39,000, and a sole-source equipment upgrade and subscription for the DPW SCADA system from UIS SCADA (Motorola ACE 3600 FIU) with the cost presented as $17,200 and an annual subscription fee of $2,350.

The council also approved increasing the city’s Comerica commercial credit card limit from $20,000 to $40,000; the mayor emphasized the limit increase does not change existing budget and procurement controls. Members voted in favor on a roll call with the same members recorded as present throughout the meeting; one member, Councilman Barton, was excused.

Administrative appointments and routine items cleared the council’s agenda. Members approved the reappointment of Daniel McAnally to the City of Romulus Officer Compensation Commission with a term expiring June 24, 2032. The council also approved warrant number 25-11 for checks presented totaling $869,444.78 across multiple city funds.

Under the clerk’s report the council voted to introduce amendments to the City of Romulus Code of Ordinances, Chapter 36, Article 7, adding Section 36-325 to address offenses involving unmanned aircraft; the item was introduced for reading and further action will follow the city’s ordinance process.

During public comment resident Lisa Denning raised a complaint about DTE utility work in her Hyde Park neighborhood, saying yards were left uneven after gas-line work and that the restorations create safety issues for people using wheelchairs.

Council discussion touched on a TIF-funded solar field installed near the recreation center and Opportunity Park; staff said panels sit on a green-space parcel rather than the rack roof after structural limitations and that the site will be fenced and maintained. The project is described as a TIF-funded pilot whose payback was reevaluated following federal tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The motions were carried by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript records unanimous votes among present members for the listed items. No formal dissents or failed motions were recorded for the actions described.

Votes at a glance - Increase Comerica credit card line: approved (vote yes: all present; Barton excused). Motion moved by Councilwoman Roscoe, supported by Councilman Jones. - Lease authorization for 35255 Goddard Road: approved (see separate article). - Dell VxRail maintenance renewal (Omnia Partners piggyback, contract 01-152): approved; total cost stated as $39,000. Motion moved by Councilwoman Roscoe, supported by Councilwoman Abdo. - Swan Lake Reconstruction Project (ITB24-25-16): awarded to Great Lakes Contracting Solutions LLC as lowest responsive bidder; motion carried. Amount cited in meeting varied (see clarifying details). - Waste Management RFP 24-25-10: awarded for automated curbside service (10-year term, 07/01/2025–06/30/2035); motion moved by Councilman Wadsworth, supported by Councilwoman Abdo. - SCADA equipment upgrade (sole source to UIS SCADA for Motorola ACE 3600 FIU): approved; cost presented as $17,200 with $2,350 annual subscription. Motion moved by Councilwoman Abdo, supported by Councilman Kraut. - Reappointment: Daniel McAnally to Officer Compensation Commission, term to 06/24/2032: approved. - Ordinance introduction: Chapter 36, Article 7, add Section 36-325 (offenses involving unmanned aircraft): introduced for reading; motion moved by Councilwoman Roscoe, supported by Councilman Jones. - Warrant 25-11 approval: approved, total $869,444.78 across funds.

The meeting included routine reports, community announcements and a single public-comment speaker on neighborhood restoration after utility work. Several items were described as TIFA- or Omnia Partners–funded or -contracted projects; city staff confirmed budget availability for the purchases cited.