Royal Oak meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Royal Oak boards meet, but no decisions recorded; DDA reviews restroom, Fifth Street plans

Royal Oak's boards and commissions held several meetings over the past two weeks, but none of the agendas have published minutes yet, so no official decisions or votes are on the record. The most substantive discussions were scheduled for the Downtown Development Authority's subcommittees, which reviewed permanent restroom construction and Fifth Street programming.

Downtown Development Authority

The DDA's Infrastructure Committee met Aug. 3 to review updates on permanent restroom construction, the Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza project, cost estimates for MPS equipment removal damages, and retention fund grants. The same day, the DDA's Marketing and Business Relations Subcommittee met to discuss Fifth Street programming and stage updates, wayfinding signage, and retention fund grants. On Aug. 4, the DDA's Permanent Restroom Task Force reviewed a document titled "Permanent Restroom rev.pdf" (item 2026-018) as its only substantive item.

All three meetings were listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. No dollar amounts or vote tallies were provided in the agendas.

Historic District Commission

On Aug. 10, the Historic District Commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness request for a business sign at 117 West Fourth Street for Cleopatra Ink Tattoo and Piercing, submitted by Signs By Tomorrow. The commission also approved minutes from its April 16 and July 21 meetings and discussed the sign ordinance under unfinished business. No decision was recorded because minutes are pending.

Community Engagement Advisory Board

The Aug. 11 meeting included unfinished business on community engagement for the Eleven Mile construction project, a new business item on a Royal Oak Civic Foundation grant and charity event, and planning for upcoming events including Seeds of Freedom, a Police Hot Topics/Fraud Prevention October event, and a Veteran's Event Committee Ruck March. No votes were recorded.

Older Adults Advisory Board

On Aug. 13, the board received updates from the Senior Center coordinator, recreation director, city commission representative, and staff liaison. Discussion items included the annual report draft, a new communications director, Senior Day at the Zoo, and a ROCF grant award/signed agreement. No decisions were listed.

Other meetings

Several other bodies met with only procedural agendas and no substantive items: the Human Rights Commission (Aug. 3), Civil Service Board (Aug. 4), Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Aug. 6), Retiree Health Care Investment (Aug. 7), Retirement Board (Aug. 7), City Commission (Aug. 10), Planning Commission (Aug. 11), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (Aug. 11), City Commission Closed Session (Aug. 12), and Zoning Board of Appeals (Aug. 13). These meetings had no listed decisions or discussions.

Coming up

The only upcoming meeting with substantive agenda items is the Downtown Development Authority's regular meeting on Aug. 19. The agenda includes MPS equipment removal damages cost estimates, Fifth Street programming, a Woodward Sports advertising proposal, a retention and recruitment fund update, and responses to a website RFP. The meeting is open to the public.

Other upcoming meetings—Historic District Commission (Aug. 17), Commission for the Arts (Aug. 17), Historic District Study Committee (Aug. 20), City Commission (Aug. 24), Charter Review Committee (Aug. 25), Rehab Board of Appeals (Aug. 25), and Environmental Advisory Board (Aug. 26)—have agendas with only procedural boilerplate and no listed items.

Royal Oak Traffic Committee Approves Signage Changes, Speed Hump Study

The Royal Oak Citizens Traffic Committee made several decisions at its July 28 meeting, including approving new signage and directing staff to prepare a speed hump exhibit for Albert Avenue. Other city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks, but most agendas contained only procedural items with no substantive actions.

Traffic Committee decisions

The committee voted 6-0 to keep its name but updated its bylaws to include users of all ages, abilities, and modes. It approved installing a westbound speed limit sign on Albert Avenue and adjusting “no parking” signs for Royalwood Co-Op (5-1). Members also directed staff to prepare a speed hump exhibit for Albert Avenue to share with Royalwood Co-Op and Brownstones of Royal Oak boards (5-1).

Additional approvals included “No Parking Beyond” and “No Parking This Side of Sign” signs at Ardmore Avenue and Parkdale Avenue (6-0), and a “No Parking Beyond” sign at W. Fourth Street and Hendrie Boulevard along with “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” signs on Hendrie Boulevard (6-0). The committee denied a request for four bollards in the public right-of-way at N. Main Street and E. Farnum Avenue (6-0) and approved a request for Forestry to install a tree in an existing grate if feasible (6-0).

Other recent meetings

Most other meetings held between July 27 and August 7 were procedural, with agendas containing only boilerplate and no listed decisions. These included the City Commission (July 27), Charter Review Committee, Rehab Board of Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Civil Service Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Retiree Health Care Investment, and Retirement Board.

The Appointments Committee met July 27 to discuss appointments and approve minutes from July 13. The Library Board met July 28 and is scheduled to consider declaring computer monitors and computers as surplus; it also tabled the Director’s evaluation to August 25. The DDA Infrastructure Committee met August 3 to review permanent restroom construction, Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza updates, and other items, but no decisions were recorded. The DDA Permanent Restroom Task Force and DDA Business and Marketing Subcommittee met August 4 to discuss restroom plans, Fifth Street programming, and grants, also without published decisions.

Coming up

The Historic District Commission will meet August 10 to review a Certificate of Appropriateness request for a business sign at 117 West Fourth Street for Cleopatra Ink Tattoo and Piercing, submitted by Signs By Tomorrow. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from April 16 and July 21 and discussion of the Sign Ordinance.

Other upcoming meetings include the City Commission (August 10 and August 24), Planning Commission (August 11), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (August 11), Zoning Board of Appeals (August 13), Commission for the Arts (August 17), and Historic District Study Committee (August 20). All of these agendas currently list only procedural items.

Traffic Committee approves signage, speed hump study on Albert Avenue; most other Royal Oak boards hold procedural sessions

The Royal Oak Citizens Traffic Committee made several decisions on parking signage, traffic controls, and a speed hump study at its July 28 meeting, while most other city boards and commissions that met over the past two weeks held procedural sessions with no substantive items on their agendas.

Traffic Committee actions (July 28)

The committee voted on seven items, all with recorded tallies:

• **Bylaws update:** Approved keeping the name "Traffic Committee" but updating bylaws to include users of all ages, abilities, and modes of transportation (6-0).
• **Albert Avenue signage:** Approved installing a westbound speed limit sign on Albert Ave and adjusting "no parking" signs for Royalwood Co-Op (5-1).
• **Speed hump study:** Directed staff to prepare a speed hump exhibit for Albert Avenue to share with the Royalwood Co-Op and Brownstones of Royal Oak boards (5-1).
• **Ardmore/Parkdale signage:** Approved "No Parking Beyond" and "No Parking This Side of Sign" signs at Ardmore Avenue and Parkdale Avenue (6-0).
• **W. Fourth/Hendrie signage:** Approved a "No Parking Beyond" sign at W. Fourth Street and Hendrie Boulevard and "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" signs on Hendrie Boulevard (6-0).
• **N. Main bollards denied:** Denied a request for four bollards in the public right-of-way at N. Main Street and E. Farnum Avenue (6-0).
• **Tree installation:** Approved a request for Forestry to install a tree in an existing grate if feasible (6-0).

These were the only decided items from official minutes among the meetings held in the past two weeks.

Board of Review considers tax hardship applications (July 21)

The Board of Review was scheduled to review hardship applications for reductions in taxable value and qualified error corrections under MCL 211.53b, verified by the Assessor. Minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes are available.

Library Board to review surplus IT equipment (July 28)

The Royal Oak Public Library Board of Trustees was scheduled to discuss declaring computer monitors and computers as surplus. The agenda also listed tabling of the Director's evaluation to August 25, 2026. Minutes are not yet published.

Appointments Committee (July 27)

The Appointments Committee was scheduled to approve July 13 meeting minutes and discuss appointments. No specific appointments were listed in the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.

Other meetings held with no substantive items

The following bodies met with agendas containing only procedural boilerplate and no listed decisions or discussions:

• Commission for the Arts (July 20)
• DDA Permanent Restroom Task Force (July 21)
• Historic District Commission (July 21)
• City School Liaison Committee (July 22)
• Environmental Advisory Board (July 22)
• City Commission (July 27)
• Charter Review Committee (July 28)
• Rehab Board of Appeals (July 28)

Coming up

• **DDA Infrastructure Committee** — Monday, Aug. 3: Updates on permanent restroom construction, the Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza project, and MPS equipment removal damage cost estimates.
• **DDA Business and Marketing Subcommittee** — Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5:00–6:00 PM, City Hall Room 122, 203 S. Troy Street: Fifth Street programming, retention fund grants, and wayfinding signage updates for downtown Royal Oak.
• **City Commission** — Monday, Aug. 10: Agenda not yet populated with substantive items.
• **Planning Commission** — Tuesday, Aug. 11: Agenda not yet populated with substantive items.

Royal Oak boards tackle zoning variances, DDA parking deck demolition in light July schedule

Royal Oak's advisory boards and commissions held a mostly procedural stretch of meetings over the past two weeks, with several agendas containing no substantive items. No minutes have been published for any of the recent meetings, so no final decisions or vote tallies are available to report. The most consequential items appeared on agendas for the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Downtown Development Authority.

Zoning Board of Appeals set for two variance hearings

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled public hearings on two variance requests for its July 9 meeting. One case (Case 26-05-10) involves waiving multiple waste receptacle requirements at 29350 Woodward Ave for an apartment complex. The other (Case 26-07-11) involves side and rear yard setback and lot coverage variances for a 293 sq ft covered porch at 412 Midland Blvd. The board also planned to approve minutes from its June 11, 2026 meeting. Because minutes have not yet been published, the outcomes of these hearings are not yet known.

DDA reviews website RFP and parking deck demolition

The Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority listed several business items for its July 15 meeting, including a request for proposals for a new DDA website. The agenda also included an update on the Center Street Parking Deck Demolition, a waste and recycling enclosure pilot project, a Placer.ai license renewal for 2026-27, and a six-month contract extension for Throne. No minutes have been published, so no votes or decisions are confirmed.

Earlier DDA committee meetings on July 6 — DDA Infrastructure and DDA Business and Marketing — carried only procedural agendas with no substantive items.

Older Adults Advisory Board discusses aging in place

The Older Adults Advisory Board scheduled a July 9 routine meeting that included a discussion on aging in place for older residents under new business. The agenda also listed updates from the Senior Center Coordinator, City Commission Representative, and staff liaison, plus approval of June 11, 2026 meeting minutes.

Community Engagement Advisory Board tracks Eleven Mile construction

On July 14, the Community Engagement Advisory Board planned to discuss unfinished business related to Eleven Mile construction community engagement and participation in the Ruck 22 March. The agenda also included rescheduling of Prosecutor McDonald and Police Hot Topics, plus fall events planning.

Appointments Committee meets July 13

The Appointments Committee scheduled appointment of a chair and approval of minutes from April 23, 2026. No other items were listed.

Procedural-only meetings

Several bodies met with agendas containing only procedural boilerplate and no substantive items: the Human Rights Commission (July 6), City Commission Closed Session (July 13), City Commission (July 13), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (July 14), Planning Commission (July 14), Retirement Board (July 15), and Historic District Study Committee (July 16).

Coming up

The Board of Review meets July 21 to consider hardship applications for reductions in taxable value and review qualified error corrections verified by the Assessor under MCL 211.53b. That meeting may be of interest to residents seeking property tax relief.

Other upcoming meetings with procedural-only agendas include the Commission for the Arts (July 20), Historic District Commission (July 21), Environmental Advisory Board (July 22), City Commission (July 27), Citizens Traffic Committee (July 28), Rehab Board of Appeals (July 28), Charter Review Committee (July 28), and Human Rights Commission (August 3).

Royal Oak zoning board set to hear variance requests; DDA to weigh parking deck demolition, website overhaul

The Royal Oak Zoning Board of Appeals was scheduled July 9 to hold public hearings on two property variance requests — the most consequential items on a light two-week calendar of city meetings. Outcomes are not yet available because minutes have not been published.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 9

The board was scheduled to hear two cases:

• **Case 26-05-10**, 29350 Woodward Ave: A request to waive multiple waste receptacle requirements for an apartment complex.
• **Case 26-07-11**, 412 Midland Blvd: A request for side and rear yard setback and lot coverage variances to allow a 293-square-foot covered porch.

The agenda also included approval of minutes from the June 11, 2026 meeting. Because only the agenda is available and minutes have not been published, the results of the hearings and votes are not yet known.

Human Rights Commission — June 30

Commissioners were scheduled to review updates on ongoing community focus groups and receive recaps of recent Pride and Juneteenth events. The agenda also included standard public comment periods, commissioner reports, and a next-meeting announcement. Minutes are not yet published.

Older Adults Advisory Board — July 9

The board was set to discuss aging in place for older residents under new business. The agenda also included approval of June 11, 2026 meeting minutes and updates from the Senior Center Coordinator, City Commission Representative, and Staff Liaison. Minutes are not yet published.

Procedural-only meetings

Several recent agendas contained no substantive items:

• **DDA Infrastructure**, July 6 — procedural only.
• **Human Rights Commission**, July 6 — procedural only.
• **DDA Business and Marketing**, July 7 — procedural only.

Coming up

• **July 13 — Appointments Committee**: Scheduled to appoint a chair and approve minutes from April 23, 2026.
• **July 13 — City Commission and Closed Session**: No substantive items listed.
• **July 14 — Community Engagement Advisory Board**: Scheduled to discuss Eleven Mile construction community engagement, participation in Ruck 22 March, rescheduling of Prosecutor McDonald and Police Hot Topics, and fall events planning.
• **July 14 — Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission**: No substantive items listed.
• **July 15 — DDA**: Scheduled to review a website request for proposals, a waste and recycling enclosure pilot project, a Center Street Parking Deck demolition update, Placer.ai license renewal for 2026-27, and a Throne six-month contract extension.
• **July 15 — Retirement Board**: No substantive items listed.
• **July 16 — Historic District Study Committee**: Procedural only.
• **July 21 — Board of Review**: Scheduled to review hardship applications for reduction in taxable value and qualified error corrections under MCL 211.53b.
• **July 20 — Commission for the Arts**, **July 22 — Environmental Advisory Board**, and **July 27 — City Commission**: No substantive items listed.

Residents seeking details on any item should consult the official agendas and minutes posted by the City of Royal Oak.

Royal Oak roundup: Veterans committee shifts flag funds to banner; City Commission budget vote pending minutes

Veterans Events Committee rescinds $2,000 for flags, approves Main Street banner

The only meeting with official minutes published in the past two weeks was the Veterans Events Committee on June 23. The committee voted to rescind $2,000 previously appropriated for new American flags and maintenance materials for the Field of Honor. It then approved up to $2,000 for a Veterans Day banner to hang across Main Street. Both motions were adopted; no recorded vote tallies appear in the minutes.

City Commission set major items for June 22; minutes not yet published

The Royal Oak City Commission scheduled a public hearing and vote on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, along with several other significant items, for its June 22 meeting. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Agenda items included:

• Adoption of the FY 2026-2027 budget (public hearing)
• Rezoning of 2800 West 14 Mile Road to a Planned Unit Development (second reading)
• Brownfield plan at 414 East Hudson Avenue (public hearing)
• Demolition contract for the Clock Tower
• Seventh amendment to the General Motors Dream Cruise License Agreement
• First reading of public right-of-way ordinance amendments
• Consent agenda items including fee schedule adoption, budget amendments, and contracts for services

A City Commission closed session was also noticed for June 22, but no substantive agenda items were provided.

Library Board to review part-time pay scale

The Library Board met June 23 to discuss proposed adjustments to FY 2026-27 part-time staff pay scales and wages, following a closed session under the Open Meetings Act Section 8(a) for a personnel evaluation. The board also reviewed May 2026 financial reports and the director's monthly report. Minutes are not yet published.

Environmental Advisory Board, Historical Commission held regular meetings

The Environmental Advisory Board met June 24 to elect a Vice Chair and discuss a Royal Oak Civic Foundation grant opportunity, with updates on library education events and Oakland County Earth Day comments.

The Historical Commission met the same day to discuss Orson Starr House events including Civil War Day 2026 and Ghost Tours 2026, capital improvement projects, a side porch project, a new sign, and potential amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Neither meeting has published minutes.

Other meetings with no substantive agendas

The Charter Review Committee (June 23), Rehab Board of Appeals (June 23), and Civil Service Board (June 26) held meetings with only procedural boilerplate and no specific items listed. The Human Rights Commission met June 30 to review focus group updates and receive recaps of recent Pride and Juneteenth events; minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **July 9 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings on two variance requests — waste receptacle relocation at 29350 Woodward Ave (Case 26-05-10) and a 293 sq ft covered porch at 412 Midland Blvd (Case 26-07-11).
• **July 13 — City Commission:** No substantive items listed on the agenda.
• **July 14 — Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission:** Both agendas list no substantive items.
• **July 15 — Retirement Board:** Procedural agenda only.
• **July 16 — Historic District Study Committee:** Procedural agenda only.
• **July 20 — Commission for the Arts:** No substantive items listed.

Several upcoming DDA and Human Rights Commission meetings on July 6 and 7 also carry procedural-only agendas.

Veterans Committee Rescinds Flag Funds for Banner as City Budget Decision Awaits

The Royal Oak Veterans Events Committee has reallocated $2,000 originally set aside for the Field of Honor, voting to rescind that appropriation and instead approve up to $2,000 for a Veterans Day banner across Main Street. The moves were among the few decided actions during a two-week period dominated by agenda-only meetings, including a City Commission session where adoption of the next fiscal year’s budget was up for a public hearing and vote.

City Commission

The June 22 City Commission agenda included a public hearing and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Commissioners were also scheduled to take a final vote on rezoning 2800 West 14 Mile Road to a Planned Unit Development, hold a public hearing on a brownfield plan at 414 East Hudson Avenue, and consider a demolition contract for the Clock Tower and a seventh amendment to the General Motors Dream Cruise License Agreement. As minutes were not published, outcomes of those votes are not yet known.

Veterans Events Committee

Meeting on June 23, the Veterans Events Committee adopted two motions without recorded vote tallies. Members rescinded a previous $2,000 appropriation for new American flags and maintenance materials for the Field of Honor, and separately approved spending up to $2,000 for a Veterans Day banner to hang across Main Street.

Library Board

The Library Board convened June 23 with a portion of the meeting in closed session under the Open Meetings Act for a personnel evaluation. In open session, the board was set to discuss proposed adjustments to part-time staff pay scales and wages for the coming fiscal year, and to review financial reports for May 2026 and the director’s monthly report.

Other Boards and Commissions

The Environmental Advisory Board on June 24 was scheduled to elect a vice chair and discuss a Royal Oak Civic Foundation Grant opportunity, along with updates on library education events and Oakland County Earth Day.

The Historical Commission the same day planned to review potential amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, as well as updates on the Orson Starr House, including a side porch project, a new sign, and upcoming events like Civil War Day and Ghost Tours.

The Human Rights Commission on June 30 was slated to hear updates on community focus groups and recaps of recent Pride and Juneteenth events.

Coming up

No upcoming public meetings were listed for the next 14 days as of the data provided.