City Commission Tackles Busy Agenda Tonight

At their 7:30 p.m. regular meeting at , city officials are expected to discuss a variety of matters.

Sidewalk improvement plan

The City Commission will review a six-year citywide sidewalk program slated to begin this spring. The estimated construction cost for the pavement replacement plan is $1.8 million.

The 2012 target area covers Farnum Avenue to 13 Mile Road west of Main Street (see attached map). Deficient sidewalks were recorded on 73 percent of the 4,300 properties surveyed in the target area.

Property owners will have to pay a special assessment for replacement and installation of sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

Police ask to recall laid-off officer, hire another

The will ask commissioners to approve recalling a laid-off officer and hiring a second officer after two officers resigned from the department. One officer’s resignation was effective Jan. 26. The second officer’s resignation will be effective Tuesday.

Police say they are drastically understaffed and are concerned that several officers, particularly those with less seniority, are actively looking for employment elsewhere. The request is to immediately fill the current vacancies.

Managing special event permits and cruisers

The Police Department will ask city commissioners to allow the police chief to issue special event permits (SEP) throughout the year in an effort to streamline the application process, which police say is time-consuming.

The Police Department processes approximately 110 SEP applications throughout the year. In 2011, 75 SEPs were issued for the Woodward Dream Cruise alone. Presently, city commissioners approve most SEPs on the consent agenda.

Much of the Police Department’s interest in SEPs revolves around the Dream Cruise, where police find themselves trying to balance the concerns of neighbors and businesses with cruisers who begin showing up in the late spring. The cruisers becomes a drain on police resources, according to Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue.

Also on the agenda

• Discussion of revenue strategies.
• Shared services letter to Gov. Rick Snyder.
• Review of boards, commissions and committees.
• Discussion of amendments to the solicitation/peddling ordinance.
• Discussion of Royal Oak safe neighborhoods community dialogue.

Visit the City Commission's website for a complete agenda.