Madison Heights approves $190,000 share for John R. reconstruction; cost agreement with Road Commission authorized

Madison Heights City Council voted unanimously March 10 to add $190,000 to the city budget and authorize a cost-participation agreement with the Road Commission of Oakland County for reconstruction of a section of John R Avenue.

The two actions — a budget amendment of $190,000 to account 202459880446 and approval of a cost-participation agreement — were presented to the council by the Director of Public Services as part of the Road Commission of Oakland County's John R project. The staff presentation said the overall reconstruction covers the county portion from Dartmouth to 14 Mile, that work is expected to begin in early May, and that funding for the project is split between federal and local resources. Staff said the city's share will be provided through the Tri-Party Funding Program.

The council approved the budget amendment, which required five votes, and the cost-participation agreement by recorded motions. The council recorded a 7-0 vote in favor of the budget amendment and later recorded a 7-0 vote to authorize the mayor to sign the cost-participation agreement on the city's behalf. The motions did not identify an individual mover or seconder in the transcript.

Earlier in the meeting the council added an item to the consent agenda related to adoption of a recommendation made in closed session regarding the litigation captioned Kevin Johnson v. Steven Workman and the City of Madison Heights. The addition (listed as consent item 4a) was moved, seconded and approved, and the consent agenda later passed during the same meeting. The consent agenda also listed the 2025 CDBG yard-service/lawn contract, payment from the director of public services, and the Feb. 24 city council regular meeting minutes.

During the public comment period, resident Martha Covert told the council that recent temporary pavement patching on her street failed to adhere because work was done in cold weather; she said the material came off vehicle tires and scattered into yards. Council members and staff did not take a recorded formal action on her comment during the meeting, but the remark signals local concern about the quality of recent patching on neighborhood streets.

The council indicated construction on the county-led reconstruction is anticipated to begin in early May. The council will consider the city's contractual signature and has appropriated the funds needed to meet its share of the Tri-Party Funding Program cost participation.

The council adjourned with its next regular meeting scheduled for March 24.