Residents raise ARPA, park redesign, contractors and Sheetz concerns at public comment
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Summary
Multiple residents urged the commission to review ARPA allocations, questioned a proposed Sheetz project, recommended sidewalk grinding as a cheaper repair option, and criticized the city’s Responsible Contractor scoring for public bids.
Several Royal Oak residents used the Feb. 24 public-comment period to press the commission on a range of local issues, including ARPA spending, park design, contractor procurement and a proposed Sheetz station.
Janice Wegman thanked staff for a new Senior Center fitness room but said ongoing maintenance will cost roughly "$1,250 per month," a figure not included in the current budget. She said the city received an Oakland County grant to renovate the senior center (with matching ARPA funds) but that the project has stalled because of incomplete architectural drawings and warned the city could lose grant funds if work is not completed by the deadline.
Resident Michael Willard asked the commission to delay a vote on the Clawson Park redesign (agenda item 6(l)) until community input at a neighborhood resource fair can be gathered. He said relocating the baseball diamond and adding concrete paths would reduce green space and could impede utilities, and urged Parks & Rec leadership to address maintenance issues.
David Cowper of Ajax Paving Industries criticized the city’s Responsible Contractor ordinance as ‘‘subjective’’ and said he believed the scoring system had resulted in awarding work above the low bid. He asserted that since 2022 the city awarded contracts over the low price by more than "$1,500,000" and asked the commission to review the evaluation process after two near-identical bids received different scores.
Other commenters urged the commission to oppose a proposed Sheetz development, raising environmental and speech-protection concerns. Trish Oliver said free speech is being suppressed at city meetings and urged commissioners to stop intimidating speakers; Nancy Poprovsky connected Sheetz to environmental risks and urged a no vote.
Quotes from speakers reflected the range of community concerns: Janice Wegman warned that "if the money is not expended by the deadline, the federal government can ask for its return;" David Cowper said the Responsible Contractor scoring "is flawed because it's so subjective;" and Michael Willard urged the commission to "refrain, table, or withdraw their vote" on Clawson Park plans until further community review.
Next steps: items raised in public comment were recorded for staff follow-up; several speakers requested additional outreach and delay on specific agenda votes to allow broader community input.
