Rochester Hills council approves budget carryovers, sidewalk and road contracts, special assessment and PFAS legal action
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Summary
At its March 23 meeting the Rochester Hills City Council approved a first-quarter FY2026 budget amendment totaling a $14.5 million net fund‑balance impact, adopted two ordinances (turkey feeding and Bloomer Park fees), authorized multiple public‑works contracts and accepted a certified special‑assessment roll for Childress Avenue/Enid Street. The council also approved legal services to evaluate PFAS settlement eligibility.
The Rochester Hills City Council on March 23 approved a series of budget, capital and legal items intended to complete projects carried over from 2025 and to prepare for construction in 2026.
Council adopted the fiscal‑year 2026 first‑quarter budget amendment after a presentation from finance staff. The amendment proposes to increase revenues by $5.8 million and expenditures by $20.3 million, producing a net $14.5 million impact on fund balances; new revenues cited include $4 million from Oakland County Parks and $2 million in state allocation for Noicky Park. Finance staff said many of the increases reflect projects budgeted in 2025 but unfinished and rolling into 2026.
Council voted to accept and file the certified special assessment roll for paving Childress Avenue and Enid Street, setting assessments to be payable in installments over 15 years at an interest rate of 4.875% per year, with interest to start August 1, 2026 and bills due beginning April 1, 2027.
On ordinances, council approved second reading and adoption of an ordinance adding a turkey‑management article to the city code to prohibit feeding turkeys (exceptions listed in the ordinance) and set penalties. The council also approved an ordinance amending park fees for Bloomer Park, changing the daily vehicle fee to $1.50 via ParkMobile and clarifying annual‑pass discounts for military, handicapped and senior passholders; both ordinances take effect March 30, 2026 following publication.
Public‑works and service contracts cleared the dais. Notable awards and authorizations included: - Ajax Paving Industries — 2026 Local Street Asphalt Rehabilitation Program and related SAD work (total $2,916,200.19; $3,207,820.21 with contingency). - Hubbell, Roth & Clark — construction engineering services for the 2026 asphalt program (not to exceed $344,077.40). - Asphalt Specialists LLC — South Adams Pathway Connections project (city share and 10% contingency bring the total to $574,129.99); OHM Advisors was approved for construction engineering services for that project (not to exceed $52,750). - PK Contracting — pavement legends and striping program (two‑year contract, not to exceed $564,450). - Vehicle purchases — authorization to buy four tandem‑axle dump trucks with snow/ice equipment, total not to exceed $1,237,294.60. - Smaller increases to existing purchase orders, including $50,000 for snow removal services (not to exceed $225,000) and $25,000 for fire suppression plan‑review services (not to exceed $400,000).
Council also approved Amendment 5 to the North Oakland County Water Authority (NAWQA) water‑service contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority. DPS staff described minor exhibit edits and a negotiated reduction in Rochester Hills’ maximum day/peak hour figures; the amendment takes effect July 1, 2026. Council members asked how demand changes will be monitored and how any exceedances would be reviewed by the authority committee.
On environmental litigation, the council authorized a legal services agreement with Stag Louisa LLC and Mavisie PLLC to evaluate participation in a national MDL (Aqueous Film‑Forming Foams MDL No. 2873) and to undertake testing to assess potential settlement money for the city. City counsel said there is an April 1 deadline to participate in filing for settlement consideration.
Youth groups presented two community awareness projects during the meeting. Rochester High School HOSA students delivered a “Hope for Heart” presentation on heart‑health awareness and prevention; a second student project, “Break the Loop,” proposed micro‑interventions, anonymous QR habit tracking and peer‑leader training to address addiction and dependency behaviors among teens.
All listed resolutions and contracts passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were read into the record in the transcript.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the FY2026 first‑quarter budget amendment; adopted the turkey‑management and Bloomer Park fee ordinances; confirmed planning‑commission and LDFA reappointments; accepted and set the Childress/Enid special assessment (15‑year term, 4.875% interest); awarded multiple public‑works and engineering contracts; accepted NAWQA Amendment 5; and authorized PFAS legal services. The council adjourned with the next meeting set for April 13, 2026.
