Politics & Government

In Brief: Commissioners OK Sale of City Property, Citizens Survey Approved

Commission handles long agenda in Monday night meeting.

The Royal Oak City Commission approved a list of items on its agenda at Monday night’s regular meeting.

Here are some of the highlights of the two hour meeting:

Commission OK's nonprofit status

The City Commission approved by a 4-2 vote (Mayor Pro-Tem David Poulton and Commissioner Peggy Goodwin were nays) a request for recognition as a nonprofit in the community from Michigan Compassion, a Royal Oak-based organization that hosts educational and networking events for medical cannabis patients. 


The organization needs the nonprofit recognition to obtain a charitable gaming license from the state for fundraising. 

Stewart Meek, assistant to the city manager, reviewed Michigan Compassion's application and assured commissioners the organization meets all the city's objectives.

Purchase agreement for city owned property accepted

City Commissioners unanimously accepted an offer from KL Barr Properties, L.L.C. to purchase property located at 1207 E. 11 Mile Rd, between N. Rembrandt and N. Blair avenues, for the sum of $151,000. 

The formerly blighted property was purchased by the city in 2007 using Community Development Block Grant funds. The site is currently being used as a staging area for equipment and materials for 11 Mile Road improvements.

Karen and Chris Barr told commissioners they are also trying to acquire the property to the east of the 1207 E. 11 Mile Rd. site to develop the site from "corner to corner."

While the pair offered no specific plans, they are considering mixed uses for the site, such as a condo development with first floor retail.

Citizens survey approved

City Commissioners approved by a 4-2 vote (Poulton and Goodwin were nays) retaining Cobalt Community Research to conduct a survey of registered voters in the city of Royal Oak.

Cobalt conducts large national and regional surveys, and uses the results to create an index, said City Manager Don Johnson. The index allows Royal Oak to compare itself to other communities of a similar size, in the same region, or across the United States.

The data driven process will allow residents to give input on the performance of the city's various departments.

The Cobolt survey differs from the survey conducted last year by Public Affairs Research Laboratory (PARL), which asked registered voters for their opinions on programs and services to help city officials allocate scarce resources.


One type of survey is for setting goals the other is for evaluating performance, Johnson said. He advised the city to do yearly surveys, and rotate the type of survey.

The cost of the Cobalt survey is estimated at $12,085. Cobalt’s proposal calls for mailing to 1500 registered voters.

Note: Mayor Jim Ellison could not be present at Monday's meeting. The mayor was out of town dealing with a family medical issue, according to Mayor Pro-Tem David Poulton.


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