Rochester Hills Council approves park-sign swap, equipment and cemetery contracts; court suit dismissed

Rochester Hills City Council on June 23 approved a set of contract awards and administrative actions, including an amendment to the Gateway and Park signage project swapping a Bloomer Park entrance sign for a Nowicki Park sign without increasing the previously approved $1,428,884.60 project budget, an amended purchase order for a Pierce pumper using contingency funds, cemetery irrigation contracts, multiple engineering contracts and confirmation of three mayoral reappointments. The council also heard a report that the Oakland County Circuit Court dismissed litigation challenging a Zoning Board of Appeals decision.

The signage amendment would allow fabrication of the Nowicki Park entrance sign in place of the previously planned Bloomer Park sign; city staff said fabrication will occur this year but installation will wait until the Nowicki Park construction schedule (staff estimated installation in 2026). The council approved the amendment and authorized the procurement manager to execute contract amendments with no change to the previously approved $1,428,884.60 project budget.

The council amended its purchase authorization for one Pierce Enforcer pumper after the fire department requested a cab redesign to seat more than four personnel and to add exterior storage cabinets. The redesign used the previously approved contingency so the total authorized purchase price remains unchanged. The council also granted conditional consent to assign the purchase order from Halt Fire Incorporated to Reliant Fire Apparatus of Michigan, Inc., reflecting Halt Fire’s acquisition by Reliant; the assignment is subject to the conditions in the vendor notice of assignment and assumption of contract.

Council members approved a contract with American Sprinkler (Livonia) to install a complete automatic irrigation system at Van Hoosen Cemetery for $343,890, plus a 10% project contingency of $34,389, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $378,279. Council also authorized Nowak & Fraus Engineers (Pontiac) for construction engineering services for the cemetery irrigation project in an amount not to exceed $51,490. City staff told the council the irrigation…