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City Commission Meets In-Person For First Time Since March 2020 The city commission is pleased to announce they will resume in-person meetings beginning with their meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:30pm.
City commission chambers room 121 will be the site of the meeting. If you have not been to the new city hall building, the commission chambers is directly off of the east entrances to city hall.
Remember when coming downtown, the parking structures all offer the first two-hours of parking free of charge, no matter what time you arrive! Also, there is convenient free parking in the east lot just outside of city hall.
To view the meeting agenda, please visit the link below:
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Traffic Committee and Rehabilitation Board of Appeals On-Deck for In-Person Meetings Following up the city commission meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 both the traffic committee and rehabilitation board of appeals will also meet in-person and both at 7:00pm. The traffic committee will meet in the city commission chambers at 121 while the rehabilitation board of appeals will gather in conference room 122. For the agendas, please follow the links below: Traffic Committee and Rehabilitation Board of Appeals |
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City Hall Has Resumed
Pre-COVID Hours City Hall is back to pre- COVID hours: - Monday - Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm
- Friday 8:00am to Noon
We look forward to seeing you all and please check the meeting schedule on line as many of the meetings will also be in-person or hybrid!
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Looking for inspirationLooking for inspiration for Challenge 3 Put on a Show? Well look no further than the link below - copy and paste to your browers! Warning: Cuteness Overload
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JuDcujnHQo
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What's Better Than Art? More Art! Look no further than the 50 + parks in Royal Oak, create and submit your masterpiece! Details below... |
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Hey, Royal Oak artists! (We know there are many of you.) Check this out. To celebrate Royal Oak's centennial, the Parks, Recreation & Senior Services Advisory Board, in partnership with the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts, is sponsoring an art contest to celebrate Royal Oak's more than 50 parks.
The theme for art contest is: “Why I love Royal Oak Parks." We would like contest participants to submit artwork depicting the various uses of city parks.
The contest is open to any interested person, of all ages. (Kids, too!) Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, and how well the submission addresses the contest theme. You must be a resident of Royal Oak to enter. In addition to bragging rights, the winners -- thanks to the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts -- will receive prizes!
The deadline is August 1, 2021.
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Yes, The Bridge is Really Out! The bridge over I-75 at 11 Mile Road was closed and will be removed over the weekend. Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes for the next few months as the new bridge is not expected to be completed until November of 2021.
During this replacement work:- Both directions of 11 Mile Road will be closed to through-traffic between Campbell-Hilton and John R. Roads.
- One lane will be open in each direction for residential and business traffic between Campbell-Hilton Road and the southbound service drive on the west side of the freeway, and between John R. Road and the northbound service drive on the east side of I-75.
During the closure:- Through-traffic will be detoured to 12 Mile Road.
- All ramps at the I-75/11 Mile Road interchange will be closed, except for Fourth Street access to southbound I-75. That entrance ramp will remain open during the initial phase of the replacement work and is expected to close later this summer.
- The northbound service drive from Lincoln to Baxter avenues will be closed, as well as the southbound service drive from Gardenia Avenue to just south of 11 Mile Road until mid-November.
Stay Informed:
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Your Voice is Needed | Regional Transit Authority Seeks Public Input for Master PlanThe Regional Transit Authority is working on their latest regional transit master plan. There are a number of ways for you to join the conversation.
The RTA is working in partnership with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Detroit Transportation Corp. (DTC)/The People Mover, M1 Rail/QLine and Suburban Mobility Regional Transportation Authority (SMART) on updating the 20-year Regional Master Transit Plan in 2021. The plan will include transit and mobility advancements in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
The Advance 2021 initiative calls for public engagement to help shape the future of mass transit in Southeast Michigan for the next five, 10 and 20 years. The initiative will result in an updated Regional Master Transit Plan that will incorporate an overall vision for our transit system, including new services and technologies, to create a transit network that adapts with changing times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role our transit system plays in keeping Southeast Michigan moving. Our transit operators have been on the front lines safely transporting essential employees to and from work; these are the medical and service industry workers we have relied on for everyday needs throughout the pandemic. s Southeast Michigan moves toward recovery from COVID-19 and its economic impacts, it is our collective responsibility to plan and build a more comprehensive and connected transit network that lifts and serves all people in our region for generations to come. The RTA envisions a region with sufficient and stable funding to support improved public transit options that will advance equity by increasing accessibility, satisfy the integrated mobility needs of Southeast Michigan communities and promote livable, healthy and sustainable growth. Share your thoughts with us! There are many ways to engage: Phone: 512-580-8850 ext. 2673 Text Transit to 512-580-8850
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Fairy Gardens are Popping Up in Royal OakRoyal Oak’s first community fairy garden is here. Stop by Bassett Park on Campbell Road (north of 11 Mile Road) and check it out. Feel free to add houses, plants and decorative features. (Please do not disturb what others have created!). |
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Reminders -
Love Your Dog, Leash Your DogAs we are all trying to get out of the house and enjoy a walk or run, remember when you take your canine companion with you they MUST be on a leash. Not only is it a city ordinance but in these uncertain times, an infected owner can transfer coronavirus onto their dogs fur and contact with other people could create another avenue for transmission of the virus. Additionally, as dog owners we may all think we know how our dog will react in a situation, but under stress you r dog may not react as you expect. Please don't put your dog or other people and dogs into completely avoidable situations.Love your dog, leash your dog! FROM CITY CODE CHAPTER 195: "It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow any dog to stray beyond his premises unless under reasonable control as defined by this article; or Keeping a dog on a suitable leash, cord, chain or rope of sufficient strength while under control of the owner, member of the owner's family or other responsible person who has the owner's permission, in all cases other than while confined upon the owner's property or while dog is confined in a closed automobile or shipping receptacle."
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Bike Lockers Available NowConvenient bike lockers are available in the Center Street Parking Structure (Center and Second Streets) on year-long terms.
The fee is only $30 per year. Month to month agreements are not available. A $50 key deposit is required.
If you live or work downtown and would like to rent one of the city's 12 bike lockers, call Judy, 248-246-3201, or email judyd@romi.gov. .
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Where is the Walk Signal?!! Many intersections in Royal Oak now require a pedestrian to actually push the button in order to get a “walk” signal.
Our traffic signals are timed to optimize traffic flow, with the goal of reducing congestion and air pollution. The traffic signal timing is adjusted only when the “push button” is touched to make sure there is enough time to safely walk across the road.
Use the push button to “tell” the traffic signal when you are ready to cross the road. The signal will give you a “walk” signal when it is safe to begin crossing.
The city and the county have updated traffic signals on 11 Mile, 12 Mile and 13 Mile, with additional improvements planned for Main Street and Crooks Road in 2021-2022.
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Rent and Utility Bill Assistance Continues to be Available for Royal Oak Residents The Royal Oak City Commission has teamed up with the South Oakland Shelter and Legal Aid & Defender Association to operate a rental assistance program on behalf of the city.
The program is designed to keep no, low- and moderate-income Royal Oak renters from being evicted. Many households have experienced a loss of employment or significant reduction in income due to COVID-19. Renters may be eligible for financial assistance for unpaid rent and/or utilities dating back no more than three months. Payments are made directly to landlords, not the renter household.
People in need of help may contact either of the below organizations.
South Oakland Shelter (248) 920-6000Legal Aid & Defender Association (313) 967-5555 OR email:
royaloakcares@ladadetroit.org |
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Oakland County Announces Grant Funds for VeteransOakland County veterans, service members and eligible dependents impacted by the pandemic and needing financial help can apply for up to $2,500 in assistance through the Veterans COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program.
A total of $182,000 is available through the grant provided by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. There is a cap of $2,500 per person, including food assistance, which has a $150 limit. The grants can be used for eligible food, utility, property taxes and personal care expenses. Applications can be made at www.oakgov.com/covid/grants. “There are more than 60,000 veterans in Oakland County and many of them are struggling to make ends meet,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “Some veterans have lost jobs or income, while others may be faced with higher food bills and other increased expenses. These grants are designed to help those who sacrificed for our country in the past get some much-needed help today.”
Applicants must be an Oakland County resident and honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, reserves or women’s auxiliaries. Eligibility documentation is required.
Those without access to the internet should contact the Oakland County Veterans’ Services Division in Pontiac at 248-858-0785 for assistance.
“We expect strong interest in this new program,” said Garth Wootten, division manager. “The need is there, for the day-to-day living expenses for our veterans have not gone away during the pandemic. We hope these grants make life easier for them as they live through these challenging times.”
Oakland County has used $219 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in support of its pandemic response, including more than $145 million in grants to help stabilize and support small businesses, residents, and communities in every part of the county. The grants were awarded to more than 15,000 local businesses, which employ 65,000 people; 22 local chambers of commerce; 57 cities, villages, and townships, 278 non-profit and 31 veterans services organizations; 28 local school districts as well as retailers, restaurants and community centers.
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It's Honeybee Swarm Season!
If you see a honeybee swarm PLEASE DO NOT spray, instead call Bees in the D right away at 313-462-9624 or email bees@beesinthed.com.
Bees in the D is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, and businesses in the city of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies and native pollinators, and the education of their importance to our environment.
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Your Royal Oak Stories - The Evolution of the Post Office
YOUR ROYAL OAK STORIES: James Lockwood, the first postmaster serving the territory now known as Royal Oak, was appointed by John Quincy Adams on April 6, 1825. The rest as they say is history.
Lockwood lived in a log cabin on the site of the present Washington Square Plaza building.
From 1831 to 1841, the post office was moved to Chase's Corners at 13 Mile and Woodward, which was the center of community in the pioneer days of Royal Oak Township.
With the coming of the railroad in 1838, the center of activity shifted again and the Postmaster Moses Johnson conducted the post office from his store at the northeast corner of Main Street and University. During the Civil War the post office was in a general store at Fifth and the railroad. This building was later moved to Main and First (now Main Street) and used as a milk house by William Hilzinger.
A little later, stagecoaches carried mail and passengers three times a week over a plank road from Royal Oak to Rochester. After a time, George Hickey began carrying mail three times a week on the Niles Road from Royal Oak to Troy Corners (Big Beaver and Rochester). Some people made hinged boxes for mail and nailed them to a fence and hired Hickey to bring their mail. This antedated Rural Free Delivery by forty years or more.
The post office was usually the center of attraction and men gathered at dusk after a game of horseshoes to tell tales and talk over the questions of local and national importance.
- Compiled by John A. Kuzemba, Royal Oak postal clerk, August 8, 2013
SHARE YOUR STORY: We're looking for longtime residents to help tell the story of Royal Oak.
Do you have a favorite Royal Oak tradition, place or person you would like to share with us?
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Blessings in a Backpack New Amazon Wish List! Doing your weekly Amazon online shopping? Why not check out the Blessings in a Backpack Wish List and put a couple of extra items in their cart while you're filling your cart! It is just that easy!!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OJ2PH7G2PFP0…
Blessings in a Backpack has continued to feed Royal Oak School students through the pandemic and the need is always there because hunger never takes a break. |
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Free Food Distribution Also AvailableThe South Oakland Shelter has also been contracted to operate a FREE FOOD distribution program.
Low and moderate-income Royal Oak residents affected by COVID-19 are eligible for the program.
Contact South Oakland Shelter at 248-600-9541 or www.mycovidresponse.org
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Community Coalition Joins Forces With Lighthouse to Feed Royal Oak ResidentsThe Community Coalition has made a substantial donation to help LIghthouse in their efforts to feed Royal Oak's hungry. If you are in need or know someone, please email or call Lighthouse. |
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Residential Lock Boxes Available at the Fire DepartmentWith the coronavirus increasing calls for transport to the local hospitals it is a good time to remind community members, that when a person living alone calls 911 and is unable to open the door, firefighters must break through a door or a window causing costly damage to the person's home and wasting valuable time.
The Royal Oak Fire Department’s residential lockbox program is designed to get quick access to adults living in their own homes during medical emergencies -- especially senior citizens. When every second counts, the lockbox -- which contains a key to your home -- reduces the likelihood of property damage caused by first responders forcing entry into your home in response to an emergency call. The lockbox program is open to all Royal Oak residents who either live alone or are left alone on a regular basis and have a condition which may result in the need for immediate assistance due to being incapacitated or unconscious. This includes the elderly, physically handicapped or residents recovering from a major injury or surgery. For more information, go to https://www.romi.gov/1271/FAQ-Residential-Lockbox
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The Holidays are Over (well officially) but Downtown Dollars Gift Cards Continue www.visitroyaloak.com How It Works Select the value of your egift card. Choose your recipient (family, friends, team members) and send via email or text message. The recipient can use that value to make purchases at participating merchants. - International orders not accepted.
- While we usually process gift orders right away, there can sometimes be a delay of an hour or more and we may request additional information for your security via email. Please be sure to check spam and promotions folders for status email.
A Royal Oak Downtown Dollars eGift, powered by Yiftee, is better than a regular gift card or gift certificate because: - You can track when the egift is received and redeemed.
- Recipients receive reminders to redeem their egift.
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Oh, The Things You Can Do OnlineOur phones are back on and the boxes are unpacked,but we still remain closed to the public. But, we leave the comfort of your own home anyway. Many city services are available online, or by email, mail and drop off.
We have put together a list of our most requested services at https://www.romi.gov/1…/Oh-the-Things-You-Can-Do-Online-More. Discover all the things you can do from the comfort of your home, office or favorite hideaway.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
Email citymanager@romi.gov and someone will get back to you. Even while we’re moving boxes, we want you to know we are still here for you!
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Library Adds Chromebooks to Checkout Services!
Cardholders may now reserve a Chromebook to check out for 14 days. Just visit the catalog, search Chromebooks, and narrow the library down to ROPL (see photos below for help). Then click on "Place Hold" (ignore the not available note...that just means they need to be checked in for the first time). When you recieve notice that your hold is ready, go ahead and schedule your pickup time through the MyLibro app or by calling 248-246-3700 and press 2. |
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2021 Oakland County Parks and Rec Annual Vehicle Permits Now AvailableThe Oakland County Parks and Recreation Annual Vehicle Permits are now available for 2021. Permits may be purchased online, by mail and in person at many locations throughout Oakland County.
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You Dirty Rat! What You Need to Know When Unwanted Visitors Come to Stay! Rats behave predictably. They like to live where people live and they can thrive on just one ounce of food and water per day.
Rodent control in Royal Oak is everyone’s responsibility. Good house keeping practices, which eliminate food supply and destroy shelter needed by rats to survive, are the best defense when it comes to rat-proofing our neighborhoods.
There is no magic to rodent prevention and control. Residents can win the war against rodents by using a variety of common sense techniques. Click here to learn more.
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Have a Neighborhood Homeowners Association or Want to Start One - We Want to Hear From You! The City of Royal Oak is updating its Homeowners Association page at:
https://www.romi.gov/632/Homeowners-Associations
If you are actively representing a Block Club, Condominium Association, Homeowners Association, Improvement Association or Neighborhood Association and are not listed but would like to be, please fill out the following form: |
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Police Department Update
Residents can find the most recent police reports on the city's website at http://romi.gov/963/Press-Releases
Citizens are also encouraged to sign up for crime alerts at crimemapping.com. Crime Mapping's goal is to assist police departments in reducing crime through a better-informed citizenry.
Sign up for public safety alerts from the police using Civic Ready. Click here to subscribe.
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Library Events
There is always something interesting and exciting happening at the Royal Oak Public Library. Go to ropl,org to learn more.
Library hours are: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (September through June only)
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Work for the City of Royal Oak
Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Royal Oak.
To browse through available opportunities go to: romi.gov/jobs |
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Senior Times NewsletterThe City of Royal Oak offers mature adults opportunities for lifelong education, fitness, nutrition and leisure activities.
Click here for the latest news and information from the Mahany/ Meininger Community Center.
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Support Local Service Clubs & OrganizationsRoyal Oak service clubs support our public schools, local history, nature, senior citizens, young people, veterans and more. To learn more about Royal Oak service clubs go to www.romi.gov/interclub. |
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