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 will enable targeted zone watering, allow overnight operation to take advantage of lower water rates and reduce tripping hazards from temporary hoses; the council said the contract is a not-to-exceed award and staff must return if additional funding is required.

The council authorized Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (Bloomfield Hills) to provide design and construction engineering services for the 2025 pedestrian bridge rehabilitation program in an amount not to exceed $457,000, and separately approved Hubbell, Roth & Clark to design the proposed Childress Avenue, Enid Street and Dunning Road Special Assessment District in an amount not to exceed $109,418. Councilmembers noted heavy usage of Paint Creek Trail and the age of the trail’s former railroad bridges as reasons for approving bridge rehabilitation design work.

Several routine items passed on the consent agenda, including multiple easements and stormwater maintenance agreements for new developments and property owners (see 'Votes at a glance' below). The council also confirmed mayoral reappointments of Brian Lemanski, Carl Moore and Julie Rogalski to the Advisory Traffic and Safety Board for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2028.

In the attorney’s report the city attorney told council that litigation filed by Vanguard Eddington challenging a Zoning Board of Appeals decision was dismissed by the Oakland County Circuit Court; the court found the ZBA had substantial evidence to support its denial and closed the case.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded on the agenda): - GATEWAY AND PARK SIGNAGE AMENDMENT (2025-0022): Resolved to amend the Gateway and Park signage agreement to allow fabrication of the Nowicki Park entrance sign in place of the planned Bloomer Park sign with no change to the previously approved project budget of $1,428,884.60; procurement manager authorized to execute contract amendments. Motion moved by Mrs. Mangioli, seconded by Mrs. Moreland. Outcome: approved.

- REMOVE AGENDA ITEM (administration request for 2025-0265): Motion by Mrs. Neubauer, seconded by Mr. Blair to remove item 2025-0265 from the agenda. Outcome: approved.

- CONSENT AGENDA (single motion covering multiple items including easements, stormwater agreements and records storage assignments): Motion by Mrs. Neubauer, seconded by Mrs. Mangioli. Items listed on the record included: 2025-0255 (partial termination of water main easement — Rochester Hills Marketplace LLC), 2025-0256 (acceptance of water main easement — Rochester Hills Marketplace LLC), 2025-0257 (storm water system maintenance agreement — Rochester Hills Marketplace LLC), 2025-0258 (acceptance of water main easement — 1575 East Hamlin Road LLC), 2025-0259 (storm water detention system maintenance agreement — 1575 East Hamlin Road LLC), 2025-0276 (storm water detention system maintenance agreement — 10 East Auburn Road Acquisitions LLC / Clean Express Car Wash), 2025-0277 (highway easement acceptance — 10 East Auburn Road Acquisitions LLC), 2025-0275 (assignment of citywide records storage from Royal Oak Storage to Iron Mountain), and 2025-0050 (amendment/contingency for Brooklyn’s Plaza construction). Outcome: approved.

- REAPPOINTMENTS (2025-0254): Resolved to confirm the mayor’s reappointment of Brian Lemanski, Carl Moore and Julie Rogalski to the Advisory Traffic and Safety Board, each for a three-year term to expire 06/30/2028. Motion moved by Mrs. Mongeoli, seconded by Mrs. Neubauer. Outcome: approved.

- PIERCE PUMPER AMENDMENT / ASSIGNMENT (2023-0072): Resolved to amend the purchase authorization for one Pierce Enforcer pumper to the revised purchase amount of $816,666 and approve allocation of $28,853 from the existing 5% project contingency ($39,390.65) leaving a remaining contingency of $10,537.65; total not-to-exceed purchase price remains $827,203.65. Council also granted conditional consent to assign the purchase order from Halt Fire Incorporated to Reliant Fire Apparatus of Michigan, Inc., subject to assignment conditions. Motion moved by Mrs. Mangioli, seconded by Mrs. Moreland. Outcome: approved.

- VAN HOOSEN CEMETERY IRRIGATION (2025-0264): Resolved to authorize a contract blanket purchase order to American Sprinkler (Livonia) for installation of an automatic irrigation system at Van Hoosen Cemetery in the amount of $343,890 with a 10% contingency of $34,389 for a total not-to-exceed $378,279; procurement manager authorized to execute the agreement. Motion moved by Mr. Blair, seconded by Mrs. Moreland. Outcome: approved.

- VAN HOOSEN IRRIGATION CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING (2025-0269): Resolved to authorize a contract blanket purchase order to Nowak & Fraus Engineers (Pontiac) for construction engineering services for the Van Hoosen Cemetery irrigation project in an amount not to exceed $51,490. Motion moved by Mrs. Neubauer, seconded by Mrs. Moreland. Outcome: approved.

- PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REHABILITATION DESIGN (2025-0267): Resolved to authorize a contract blanket purchase order to Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (Bloomfield Hills) for design and construction engineering services for the 2025 pedestrian bridge structure rehabilitation project in an amount not to exceed $457,000. Motion moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Moreland. Outcome: approved.

- CHILDRESS/ENID/DUNNING ROAD SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DESIGN (2025-0268): Resolved to authorize a contract blanket purchase order to Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (Bloomfield Hills) for design of the proposed Childress Ave, Enid St and Dunning Rd Special Assessment District in the amount not to exceed $109,418. Motion moved by Mrs. Neubauer, seconded by Mrs. Mangioli. Outcome: approved.

- ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn moved by Mrs. Neubauer, seconded by Mrs. Mongeoli. Outcome: approved. Next regular meeting scheduled for July 7 at City Hall.

Why this matters: The approvals advance multiple capital and maintenance projects (park signage, cemetery irrigation, bridge repairs, roadway design), authorize a major fire apparatus purchase order revision to meet staffing needs, and close a pending legal challenge to a zoning appeal, each of which affects city operations, public safety and infrastructure maintenance in Rochester Hills.

Ending note: Several council comments highlighted use of contingency funds rather than new appropriations and staff said the Nowicki Park sign will be fabricated ahead of installation when park construction begins; council members asked staff to return if any not-to-exceed awards require additional funding.