Elections, Farmers Market Rates on Commission’s Agenda Today

Royal Oak City Commission members will meet 7:30 p.m. today on the third floor of to discuss  issues ranging from establishing special budget workshop meeting dates to introducing an ordinance to extend the filing deadline to run for city elective office.

The ordinance now states that petitions must be filed no later than nine weeks before an election. The proposal before commission would change the deadline to no later than 12 weeks before the election as required by Michigan Election Law. With this change, nominating petitions for office must be filed by Aug. 16 for the Nov. 8, 2011, election.

City Commission members are also expected to discuss setting the Farmers Market rate schedule. 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.

Other items on the agenda include issuing a proclamation to Gail Briggs in Honor of National Animal Control Appreciation Week, budget amendments and a sidewalk café agreement for the soon-to-open Burgrz restaurant on Main Street.