Gran Fondo, Ethics Investigation on City Commission Agenda Tonight

Might want to bring a sleeping bag to tonight's Royal Oak City Commission meeting, as city officials are expected to tackle a variety of matters. It looks like it's going to be a long night.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Commissioners consider releasing ethics opinion

Commissioners will discuss releasing a legal opinion on whether the actions of one its members constituted a conflict interest or an ethics violation.

On Dec. 3, in a closed session, attorney William Hampton discussed an attorney-client privileged legal opinion he prepared for the commission, according to a memo written by City Manager Don Johnson.  

"The commission discussed releasing that legal opinion. In order for that to take place, the commission would need an affirmative vote to waive the privilege and then release the legal opinion," Johnson wrote. 

It was Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Capello who requested a special meeting in August, along with Commissioner Peggy Goodwin, after receiving an anonymous letter on Aug. 14 that alleged inappropriate actions on the part of Commissioner Jim Rasor with regards to an Arts, Beats & Eats (ABE) parking station operation. Capello, who found the letter unsettling, followed up with City Manager Don Johnson who established Rasor had applied for an ABE parking station license for the former Fresard property.

The decision to appoint an investigator received unanimous support from commissioners, including Rasor. Keeping his remarks brief after the August special meeting, the commissioner said he was confident that he had complied with all ethics ordinances and welcomed the “investigation to render the same.”

On Monday, commissioners will vote to authorize the release of Hampton's legal opinion in regard to the alleged conflict of interest.

Gran Fondo update

The Gran Fondo or 'Big Ride' proposed by the Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) is back on the agenda tonight with city administrators still opposed to a recommendation in regard to the event.

While most expressed enthusiasm for a June 30 professional bike race down Woodward Avenue from Detroit to Pontiac and back at the Dec. 3 commission meeting, city officials were less excited about the community bike ride piece of the Gran Fondo.

Commissioners and Mayor Jim Ellison wanted more time to mull over safety and financial concerns. Ellison suggested to holdover the decision until Chief Corrigan O'Donohue had a chance to meet with other police chiefs on Dec. 10.

O'Donohue did meet with police chiefs and other municipal officials for more than two hours last week.

In his report of the Dec. 10 meeting, the chief wrote:

"Although there was no formal vote, this is my impression of where the other police departments are regarding Grand Fondo.  Ferndale and Birmingham remain in support of the event.  Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge are rethinking their initial support. Berkley and Bloomfield Township appear to be opposed to the project. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office remains committed to providing whatever support the local jurisdictions request, but insist their expenses need to be reimbursed."

O'Donohue believes WA3 organizers would prefer the commission hold off on making a decision on the event until they can address concerns discussed at the meeting. (See atttached PDF.)

RELATED:

• On Ferndale Patch: Ferndale to Consider 'Big Ride' on Woodward Avenue
• On Birmingham Patch: Controversial Gran Fondo Bike Race Could Come Before Birmingham Monday

Also on the agenda

• Public Hearing to vacate Moonlight Avenue right-of-way
• City’s Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Financial Audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report presentation
• Compressed Air Foam System upgrade/upfit request; 
• Naming Committee resolution
• Mayoral appointments
• November 2012 Traffic Committee resolutions; 
• Streets and Sidewalks Ordinance amendment, second Reading
• Liquor Control Committee recommendations
• Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget amendments 
• Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Corrective Action and Deficit Elimination Plans
• 225 South Troy Street building recommendation
• Royal Oak Youth Assistance report and status update 
• Discussion of ROOTS Foundation recommendation to amend the ordinance regarding membership