City Commission Quick Hits: Candidate Filing Changes, 3 Honorees

Members of the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance Monday night that would require anyone interested in running for public office in November to file their nominating petitions earlier than last year's deadline.

Under the city’s current ordinance, nominating petitions are required to be filed nine weeks before the election. If the city’s newly proposed ordinance is approved on second reading, nominating petitions to run for office would be due 12 weeks before the election.

Royal Oak City Attorney David Gillam said the proposed ordinance is a housekeeping measure to bring city code into compliance with state law requiring the change, giving clerks statewide more time to process election paperwork.

If passed on second reading, which is expected during the April 18 commission meeting, the deadline to file the appropriate paperwork to run for public office in the Nov. 8 election would be 4 p.m. Aug. 16.

The new ordinance shortens the time to file by three weeks.

Farmers Market Rates

During the Monday night meeting at , commission members postponed a vote on the city's travel, training and local expense policy and approved new rental rates.

The proposed rate changes range from a $50 increase for an annual Friday/Saturday rental to a $25 increase for six-month Friday/Saturday lease. According to city documents, the last rate increase was in 2008 for daily rates. There has been no increase in lease rates since 2006.

Community Members Honored

Before commissioners began discussing city business, three community contributors were honored Monday night.

• Citizen Rob Mitchell was honored by Royal Oak Fire Chief Patrick Mulligan for jumping to the aid of a medically distressed coworker. 
• Royal Oak police department K9 officer Rex was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Rex is retiring from the force after seven years with the department. He served as partner to police officer Brian Zelakiewicz and the duo is credited with tackling hundreds of criminals, conducting effective building searches and participating in numerous community events. "This team has served the citizens of Royal Oak well," said Interim Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue. "And Rex will be sorely missed."
• Animal control officer Gail Briggs received a proclamation from Mayor Jim Ellison in honor of National Animal Control Appreciation Week.