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Romulus council approves contracts, ordinances and budget items; introduces engineering fee amendment
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Romulus City Council approved a contract for election inspector software, awarded a two‑year concrete bid to three vendors, adopted budget and ordinance measures, approved an alley vacation and authorized $1.84 million in warrants. Council also introduced a budget amendment to recognize reimbursable engineering fees.
Romulus City Council on Monday approved a set of contracts, ordinances and budget items and took several routine actions detailed below. Most measures passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous votes; one introduction (a budget amendment for reimbursable engineering fees) was presented for future consideration rather than final adoption.
Why it matters: The approvals affect city operations (election inspector management and concrete procurement), zoning and public‑safety code language, developer‑related processes (alley vacation and commercial redevelopment district), and the city’s near‑term finances (warrants and a dispatcher overtime budget amendment).
Votes at a glance
- Intech Software Solutions, Inc. (Modus election software): Council concurred with administration and authorized the mayor and clerk to enter an agreement with Intech Software Solutions for data migration and licensing of Modus election software. The initial cost listed in the packet was $5,522 with an annual licensing fee of $4,044. The motion was made by Councilwoman Talley and supported by Councilman Crowell; roll call votes were recorded as yes from Talley, Kraut, Jones, Abdo, Wadsworth and the chair. Outcome: approved.
- ITB 24256 — two‑year concrete pricing: Council awarded the two‑year concrete pricing bid (ITB 24256) to Pavement Supply LLC, Osborne Concrete and Messina Concrete at the prices submitted on the tabulation sheet. The award was moved by Councilwoman Talley and supported by Councilman Wadsworth. Councilmembers said awarding multiple vendors was intended to ensure availability during high demand. Outcome: approved.
- Budget amendment 24/25‑13 (dispatcher overtime): Council approved on second reading and final adoption budget amendment 24/25‑13, $97,800 to cover dispatcher overtime costs for the fiscal year 7/1/2024–6/30/2025. The motion was moved by Mr. Weisberg and supported by Ms. Talley. Outcome: approved.
- Code change — Chapter 36, Article 3, Section 36‑35 (detention for purpose of identification): Council approved second reading and final adoption to add Section 36‑35 to the Romulus Code of Ordinances. Motion by Councilwoman Abdo, supported by Councilwoman Talley. Outcome: approved.
- Zoning text amendment TA 2024‑002 (parking and storage in residential districts): Council approved second reading and final adoption of text amendment TA 2024‑002 to Section 3.06 (parking and storage of recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles and automobiles in residential districts). Outcome: approved.
- Budget amendment 24/25‑14 (introduction): Council introduced — but did not adopt — budget amendment 24/25‑14 to recognize additional revenues and expenditures related to reimbursable engineering fees. Jeff, the building director, explained that the city records both a revenue line and an expense line for engineering review fees; developers submit an upfront review fee based on a cost estimate, the city pays a consultant to perform reviews, and the city cannot spend more than it collects. He said the review revenue has already been exceeded by almost $100,000 on ongoing projects, and the amendment is intended to align budgeted revenue and expenses. Outcome: introduced for future adoption.
- Alley vacation — North‑South Alley in Ecourse City Community Subdivision: Council adopted a resolution vacating the north‑south alley in the Ecourse City Community Subdivision (detailed lots and a retained 20‑foot utility easement as described in the packet). Motion by Ms. Talley, supported by Ms. Abdo. Outcome: approved.
- Warrant 205‑3: Council approved payment of warrants across funds totaling $1,844,616.40. The motion (to pay warrant 205‑3) was made by Councilwoman Abdo and reported by Councilwoman Talley. Outcome: approved.
What councilmembers said and staff explanations
Deputy Clerk (unnamed in the packet) described the Modus election inspector module as a tool to centralize inspector contact information, availability, training and assignments. “This product is a game changer, at least from the clerk’s office perspective,” the deputy clerk said, adding it sends email and text notices and allows inspectors to update contact information and sign up for training without a separate login.
On the concrete bid, staff said awarding to three firms was intended to ensure coverage and availability for 4,000‑psi concrete amid industry scaling and demand; one awardee is a Romulus business.
On the introduced engineering fee amendment, the building director explained the mechanics: developers submit cost estimates and upfront review fees; the city pays a consultant for plan review; projects may span more than a year; and the city’s review revenue has exceeded budget by about $100,000. He said the amendment aligns budgeted revenues and expenses so the city can pay consultant invoices as review work continues.
Background and next steps
Most of the actions approved Monday are administrative or procedural: software licensing, procurement, and routine ordinance and zoning amendments. The introduced budget amendment for engineering fees will return to council for a future vote. The commercial redevelopment district (covered in a separate council action) allows developers to apply for abatements but does not itself grant abatements; any abatement decision will be considered in a later council meeting after staff evaluation.
