Finances, Arts, Beats & Eats, Billboards on City Commission Agenda Tonight

On the agenda for tonight's Royal Oak City Commission meeting is an overview of city finances as presented during a ; changes for the 2011 Arts, Beats & Eats festival, and digital billboards.

In a letter to the commission, City Manager Donald Johnson called the first year of Royal Oak hosting Arts, Beats & Eats over the Labor Day holiday weekend "an unqualified success," with an overall economic impact of $23.69 million. Johnson is backing a proposal from festival organizers to expand the footprint of the event and suggests considering raising parking fees. 

The commission will also hear a first reading of an ordinance amendment governing digital billboards. City Commissioners will review a request by the Planning Commission to provide specific standards for dynamic displays on billboards. The Planning Department recommends that billboards be allowed to contain dynamic displays, but only under certain conditions. Commissioners will review many elements to the ordinance including only static images would be allowed on a dynamic billboard in Royal Oak and streaming video, animation, or other moving images would be prohibited due to their potential distraction to motorists.

Other agenda items include:

• Animal Shelter Committee request to waive delinquent dog license fees
• the removal of diseased Dutch Elm trees, which is required by city ordinance.

The Royal Oak City Commission is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. at , 211 S. Williams St.