[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6385259,"mediaKeyId","2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c","parentId",2120374,"title","Commission debates timing and language of proposed bond for new community center; approves RFP for construction manager","audioSeconds",1160,"startMs",6000000,"endMs",7160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c&start=6000&end=7160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c/thumbnail_6000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6385259/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Commission-debates-timing-and-language-of-proposed-bond-for-new-community-center-approves-RFP-for-construction-manager","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385259-fe6c063af0420373a3dcedd6f38bdee0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167365&Signature=nhZ5PhYlKDxBYzpeNdG2hv1WK0uPzqm-vzUbxhl34uGlU6X9f2GfAje2SnJvsTY2kK3xpWSTb6K9pPl94UWexdb1MicbKdohrjUC5PgYAck3O60HIv6gEMXw0ntc7Hh-JX38bKFTmZM4qooP5ojfLLfeW~QoBusYwKJgP8VzcythIFN1g8Hr93WkD6zEDhEAgWiQCg29sf-V38tx03fe9Zuj8HkPPy1Qn1RjhCzNZvbBDq7iMQINcYfRN6ZSnK~aVqqX17CxXsBE~CiACVSJ45OqfZqTtv5wD0YiLlxZW5Are2BZ4hHnVPobo2e8Kc7hLQ3vUtEhuYP5jJK4DuyuJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Birmingham, MI","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Birmingham City Commission spent the longest portion of its Jan. 13 meeting on the proposed new facility at 400 E. Lincoln — the project often described as a senior recreation center — and the financing needed to build it. Commissioners authorized staff to issue a request for proposals for construction management services but declined to finalize ballot language or commit to a May 6 bond election, citing the compressed public-education timeline and the need to refine project scope, operating costs and naming.

City and outside advisors outlined the current plan. Attorney Pat McGough, representing the city on bond-financing, said the maximum bond amount under discussion is $32,000,000 and described filing deadlines to place a question on the May 6, 2025 special election (ballot language must be filed with the city clerk by Feb. 11). McGough said the commission can present a maximum amount to voters and, if approved, later issue bonds for a smaller amount once final construction pricing is available. He recommended a 20‑year bond structure as a standard financing term; Benzinski & Co. financial schedules in the packet estimated a levy roughly in the range of $0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value annually (the packet includes multiple term options and illustrative debt-service tables).

Project development staff and the city’s owner’s representative said the architect, Newman Smith, is completing schematic design and will present a refined program in February; staff said interlocal agreements with NEXT (senior services) and the YMCA are near final. Kramer Management Group recommended bringing a construction manager on board now so the manager can produce schematic-design cost estimates and participate in constructability and budgeting while the design proceeds. Brian Deming of Kramer said an early construction-manager estimate will let the city present a more reliable cost picture to the community.

Commissioners voiced consistent concerns:

- Timing and public education: Multiple commissioners opposed scheduling a May 6 bond vote because absentee and early ballots begin roughly 45 days before the election, limiting the time available to present schematic design, renderings and operating‑cost information to voters. Several commissioners favored an August election to allow more public engagement and donor/philanthropy outreach. Commissioner Therese Long said, “If we rush this and the commission is not educated and the community is not educated... if it fails, we’re dead in the water.”

- Naming and framing: Commissioners urged changing the working label from “senior recreation center” to a name that emphasizes community and multigenerational use. Staff said it is practical to add language such as “community center with dedicated senior programming” in ballot wording while avoiding references to specific partner organizations so that the ballot remains neutral and accurate.

- Operating costs and scale: Commissioners repeatedly requested clearer, market‑based estimates of ongoing operating costs and assumptions about which partner organizations (e.g., YMCA, NEXT) would assume portions of operations and programming before asking voters to approve long-term debt.

After extensive debate the commission approved issuing the construction-manager RFP and to hire a construction manager who can provide schematic-design cost estimates and support later GMP (guaranteed maximum price) work. The RFP passed in a roll-call vote with one dissenting vote; commissioners asked staff to modify the RFP schedule to reflect the commission’s desire to align a possible ballot to a later date (staff agreed to revise language to allow May or later elections). The commission did not adopt final ballot language or vote tonight on placing the $32 million question on the May ballot; members directed staff and the ad hoc senior center committee to refine program details, renderings and operating-cost estimates and to return with an updated schedule and draft ballot language for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01.13.2025 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After a multi-hour debate about schedule, scope and public outreach, Birmingham’s City Commission on Jan. 13 authorized an RFP for construction management services for the proposed community center at 400 E. Lincoln but declined to finalize a May bond question for $32 million, citing a tight timeline for public education.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",48746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385267,"City accepts road safety audit for Maple Road and Eaton Street, asks multimodal board to review recommendations",3605,2353000,5958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c&start=2353&end=5958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c/thumbnail_2353000.jpg","/articles/6385267/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/City-accepts-road-safety-audit-for-Maple-Road-and-Eaton-Street-asks-multimodal-board-to-review-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385267-36ebc58a7b9f6290e665f5a6cfe327d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167365&Signature=danVqr5bu6QEuMhHNHx5Sj~7OF9EHCCxEgNIm6HKnTmANHyGg~C-uH~gzhzQE1ul~MhJdp3tgKeSQkDrd9n4YgMiHNZ06tVyL79bRL8v82KWxM14driAclxoVuc1PrR4Bgqh6RfiMb0nrV~FTb93oUemID1ZtbL2urSIj2x5UhL8ce5SRj9SwNDSg5gJiAsQoUeN7t0Kjlgw8QIcUIN8PtHf0mNveLa3O6uf45fToAZoePJ1RHKn7RY~z7UcOjiCj7afWkHPgB3n7H9N2XRPkG6wz8LCParIvDxx9NWE1EOHc7~qHveZ1OVD6y-ws3yE9CrLnhvOsuJQk30wcuikNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Commission on Jan. 13 unanimously approved a road safety audit of the Maple Road and Eaton Street intersection and directed staff to transmit the audit to the multimodal transportation board for further study and near-term action on several recommendations.

Melissa Coda, engineering project manager, said the audit was funded by a SIMCOG grant and conducted by an independent, multidisciplinary audit team. The team performed daytime and nighttime field reviews in August 2024, examined crash frequency and severity, and produced an eight-step audit report with recommended short- and long-term countermeasures. Coda said the site is “an interesting” and challenging location because the city does not own the railroad bridge or tracks, which limits the city’s options for structural changes under the bridge.

Key findings included: frequent eastbound rear-end crashes in winter/wet conditions tied to the downhill approach from Adams; faded pavement markings and pushbuttons needing relocation or repair; motorists disobeying signage (including prohibited movements); insufficient advance truck-height warning for westbound drivers approaching a 13-foot‑2-inch clearance; poor lighting beneath the railroad bridge; and a lack of continuous, dedicated bicycle facilities through the intersection.

The audit offered a menu of countermeasures, several of which staff recommended for near-term work or inclusion in ongoing projects: refreshed pavement markings and crosswalks (to be included in the planned Maple Road project), replacement of damaged ADA truncated domes, new or relocated signage (including advance low‑clearance warnings), consideration of high‑friction surfacing on downhill approaches to reduce winter rear‑end crashes, and possible changes to signal timing such as leading pedestrian intervals. The audit also suggested conceptual bicycle treatments; commissioners voiced concern about placing a bicycle lane through the narrow bridge span and instead favored protected bicycle/pedestrian routing.

Commissioners asked the multimodal board to prioritize two near-term items: a “no turn on red” sign on a southbound approach where a red arrow is currently in place and improved advanced signage for the bridge vertical clearance. Commissioner Katie Schaefer and others also emphasized the likely need for a coordinated approach during planned Maple Road rehabilitation and the South Eaton project (planned for 2026). Commissioner Hague urged more aggressive measures where feasible, including lane reconfiguration to calm traffic.

The commission voted to accept the audit and asked staff to forward the report to the multimodal transportation board for further study and early implementation where feasible.","A Michigan DOT grant-funded road safety audit identified pedestrian, bicycle and truck clearance risks at the Maple Road/Eaton Street railroad-bridge intersection; the commission approved the audit and asked the multimodal board to study near-term remedial signage and signal changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385275,"Commission approves hearing of necessity for 2025 Cape Seal special assessment district",2033,1835000,3868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c&start=1835&end=3868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c/thumbnail_1835000.jpg","/articles/6385275/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-hearing-of-necessity-for-2025-Cape-Seal-special-assessment-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385275-51192bcc2b726f1990d534b38476a9cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167365&Signature=Fq7k-yctiZWKcI2sm0GqQQpSC7PWpyon3fyHV9hhtNYXpCGIR4-F5nFjMP5Q8bDAEgplhXyPn8rWvTPa7O7nSW7syH2BCa1ohwSWfwuiGOOC7jZRGsw~WWXpp-wXD52YhlY1xa4bKaJVbAGOQGNnVOJqe5LmQb4DrrQSDx7ZRpGVPIh9vzOWFMJOVW8R0vjkYiwFNlb3yPxUwStNvlPTjGIdL0pLlQs0gBkqLpmR9cGRm8gAwrLaO2zmxd~6GQ1a6GDh3f6xLE4OayO5P2OKZ9RhkzJn2oP-WjQ5UcXcFBmMfQ8ALjdErdKelAYckYAnAgdX5KKadR1Kifx5twjF-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Commission on Jan. 13 declared a hearing of necessity for a special assessment district to fund the 2025 Cape Seal program, approving the item in a roll-call vote and scheduling a confirmation hearing for the commission meeting on Jan. 27, 2025.

City engineering staff told the commission the Cape Seal program will treat mostly gravel/unimproved east–west streets in the northeast corner of Birmingham — including Yorkshire, Dorchester, Buckingham, Endeavour, Yosemite and Yankee — plus Ann Street (Frank to the dead end) and North Long (South Long to Shipman). Melissa Coda, engineering project manager, said the overall project cost is $504,564.95 and the project footprint is roughly 14,740 linear feet, with 10,463.6 feet of assessable frontage. Under the city’s residential assessment policy, the short side is assessed at 85% and the long side (typically the corner side yard) at 25% of the calculated cost.

Residents at the public hearing urged caution and sought assurances about long-term quality. Tony Vitale, who lives on Yorkshire, said work done after a prior treatment in 2010 showed “bumps and dips” and recurring groundwater problems near Coolidge that led to repeated patching; he asked the commission to reconsider whether the cost allocation to property owners was justified. Tony Vitale said, “It just seems like another band aid with this chip seal and slurry.”

Glenn Couch, regional vice president at UniProp and representative for property owners on Dane Street, asked how the assessment was tied to county parcel (SIDWELL) numbers; city staff confirmed the special-assessment roll follows Oakland County SIDWELL identifiers rather than street addresses.

Coda described two treatment methods: Method 1 (spot patch and double chip seal plus slurry) estimated at $23.47 per assessed foot on streets such as Endeavour, Buckingham and Yosemite; and Method 2 (pulverize, double chip seal and slurry) for streets showing deeper degradation (Ann, Dorchester, Northlawn, Yankee, Yorkshire and Yosemite) at $42.35 per assessed foot. She said method 2 is used where the chip-seal layers are failing, gravel is exposed, or cross-section differences require pulverization to produce a suitable base for the new treatment.

Commissioners acknowledged the tradeoffs between full engineered reconstruction and Cape Seal. Commissioner Katie Schaefer described the city’s two-track approach — continuing to offer petition-driven full road engineering for property owners who want a reconstructed concrete road while advancing scheduled cape-seal treatments for unimproved streets — and encouraged neighbors who prefer full reconstruction to pursue the petition option. Engineering staff said the Cape Seal treatment typically lasts seven to 10 years and cannot guarantee stormwater drainage improvements because the underlying roadbed on unimproved streets is unengineered gravel that can shift over time.

The commission voted to declare the necessity and approve creation of the special assessment district for the 2025 Cape Seal program; a public hearing to confirm the assessment roll is set for the Jan. 27, 2025 commission meeting.","After a public hearing with residents expressing concern about past pavement quality and costs, the Birmingham City Commission declared the Cape Seal Special Assessment District for streets in the city’s northeast and set a confirmation hearing for Jan. 27.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385255,"Commission appoints members to environmental sustainability and advisory parking committees; staff promotions announced",600,262000,862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c&start=262&end=862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2120374-e72ab9a60994c24d46b519ef678fae8c/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6385255/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Commission-appoints-members-to-environmental-sustainability-and-advisory-parking-committees-staff-promotions-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385255-32615f693f7b1883d69ad32011c7b4e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167365&Signature=U6UwIHfiT6FbY8lxgkbYs0oHJpU~20HiSJUPZP-57IDJdVHStkM09gJFCAbdbQ0eg4yC20MVNcp-KFZrgW9JBFS1-w5~p~oN8fQfooTmYE31xzQLxBbxAfB3pg384lq3cE1i16siqH0p~VhLzHqzT8tcpTgJ-x71j-ZHm~X4teBYQHz9vDefK1bhl-ftsPjDUXtmOXTIuQ71VlYX6gWSo8H-gglh6UX07ncxcpmNd4hpjzuTz3SmFWTPMw4QKO~zPKcBY2~9IFI~B3D9QJCjlMTQVqufIH450aJrvKmurRjiLqR9py2Kr9cvmI~3mTMfL9heDhRyNATazC3PagAcMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Commission on Jan. 13 appointed Laura Edwards and Sarah Rubino as regular members of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and swore them in along with William Cole, who was appointed as an alternate to the Advisory Parking Committee.

Laura Edwards introduced herself to the commission as a resident of 1636 Bowers Street and a former member of the ad hoc committee that produced the city’s sustainability and climate action work. “I had the pleasure of being part of the ad hoc committee to create the sustainability and climate action plan,” Edwards said. She described professional experience with Friends of the Rouge (development director) and stormwater experience and said she’s a voting resident interested in implementation.

Sarah Rubino, who lives at 2008 Pembroke and works for the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner as a government policy attorney, told commissioners she focuses on water resources — drinking water, sanitary sewer and stormwater — and was motivated to apply because of the city’s composting program and her background in regional collaboration.

Commissioners appointed Edwards to a two‑year term expiring Feb. 1, 2027 and Rubino to a one‑year term expiring Feb. 1, 2026. William Cole, a recent retiree and former data-company executive who lives at 411 South of Woodward, was appointed an alternate member of the advisory parking committee to serve a three‑year term expiring Sept. 4, 2026; Commissioner Host noted Mr. Cole’s prior experience renting parking spaces in the Chester Street structure.

In staff announcements, Bruce Johnson, building official, introduced two promotions: Jeff Silke as building official designee (to succeed Johnson upon his retirement in May) and Andrew Erickson promoted to assistant building official. Johnson said both have years of service and relevant credentials, including LEED and construction-code commission experience. Engineering announced new hires/promotions: Mark Acram as a civil engineer (hired November), and Brian Hardy promoted to senior engineering technician after several years of field inspection and permit work.

All appointments were approved by voice vote during the meeting’s appointment portion and the new committee members were sworn in at the dais.","The commission appointed two regular members to the Environmental Sustainability Committee and an alternate to the Advisory Parking Committee, and the building and engineering departments announced internal promotions ahead of a planned retirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission debates timing and language of proposed bond for new community center; approves RFP for construction manager

City accepts road safety audit for Maple Road and Eaton Street, asks multimodal board to review recommendations

Commission approves hearing of necessity for 2025 Cape Seal special assessment district

Commission appoints members to environmental sustainability and advisory parking committees; staff promotions announced