Anti-Racism Plan Adopted  

 

In its October 14th City Commission meeting, the Huntington Woods City Commission approved an Anti-Racism Plan to guide the City forward in efforts to expand its commitment to build equity, promote anti-racism and to make Huntington Woods a warm and welcoming city.

 

In response to the tragic and senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, the City issued a statement on June 2^nd condemning acts of racial injustice and aggression, and renewed its commitment to build justice, fairness and peace for all. The Anti-Racism Plan is the next step by the City to enact that commitment by identifying action items that are measurable, specific and attainable.

 

"It is not enough to simply claim we are not racist," says Mayor Robert Paul. "We must work toward eradicating fear and turmoil, and ensure that Huntington Woods is a warm and welcoming city for all."

 

The Anti-Racism Plan advocates for reviewing and revising existing policies to make them more equitable, and creating new policies and programs to promote an anti-racist perspective and expand opportunities to end institutional oppression.

 

The Plan has three main goals: Learning & Recognition, Community Relations and Public Policy. It contains programs and initiatives to be carried out at City Hall, the Library, Parks and Recreation and Public Safety, addressing all three goals in detail in every programming area. A copy of the plan is available here.

 

A committee of dedicated residents working with City administration created the plan during the summer, with a desire to build anti-racist programming throughout the city and have its effects felt beyond city limits.  

November 3, 2020 Election Information

If a ballot for the November 3, 2020 Election was requested, ballots will be mailed near the end of September 2020.  If you did not request a ballot and would like to vote absentee, please visit www.mi.gov/vote or www.hwmi.org to obtain and complete an application.  It can be emailed to cityclerk@hwmi.org or dropped off to City Hall.  Ballots will be available to pick up in person starting September 24, 2020.  ID required.  Starting September 24, 2020 due to COVID-19, all election related business will be conducted at the Gillham Recreation Center in the multi-media room to ensure proper social distancing and safety measures are followed. 

Look for the official election blue and white ballot envelope in your mailbox coming soon!

 For an easy and secure return of your ballot, please utilize the drop boxes located on the west side of City Hall along the curb, the east side City Hall vestibule accessible twenty four hours a day, and the newly installed drop box located near the front of the Gillham Recreation Center on Scotia Road.  All boxes are secure and checked daily. 

Due to the continued concerns with the USPS, the City of Huntington Woods has purchased a tracking system for all outgoing and returning ballots.  If a phone number or email was provided on your absentee voter application, you will receive a notice once your ballot enters the postal service also providing a tracking number to ensure proper delivery.  If you are not sure if you provided a number or email on your application, please contact the City Clerk by emailing cityclerk@hwmi.org or call 248-581-2638 to update your record.   You can also visit www.mi.gov./vote to check the status of your absentee ballot application, issuance or the receiving of ballot by the City Clerk. 

Please contact  cityclerk@hwmi.org or 248-581-2638 with questions or concerns regarding the upcoming November 3, 2020 election.   

Anti-Racism Plan Developed by City

Redevelopment Ready Communities Update

Sewer Cleaning and Televising To Begin August 3rd

 

The sewer repair project continues with the cleaning and televising of sewer lines in the areas of the City circled in red on the attached maps.  The contractor, Lanzo Trenchless Technologies, may need access to backyards for homes if the sewer line is located there.  Door hangers with instructions for homeowners will be dropped off prior to the work being done.

Huntington Woods Statement Condemning Acts of Racial Injustice and Commitment for Justice, Fairness and Peace for All

This year has brought many unexpected challenges and emotions prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. At this time of heightened anxiety and distance, news of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is a shocking reminder of the acts of injustice that continue to occur in our country. The City of Huntington Woods shares this statement from our elected and public officials with our response to this senseless tragedy and our ongoing efforts to create a safe and welcoming community.

2020 Huntington Woods Virtual Fourth of July Parade

City Decides to Not Open Pool for 2020 Season

After much consideration, research, and information collected through a survey of past pool pass holders, the City has decided not to open the pool for the 2020 season.

 

A short survey was created and distributed to 610 households who had purchased a pool membership or multi-visit pass in recent years. A total of 371 people responded to the survey, indicating their interest level in buying a pool pass for this summer under new parameters and at a potentially higher cost for a shorter season. The majority of respondents were either unsure about whether they would purchase a pass, or outright confirmed that they would not do so, with these new conditions.

 

City officials considered many factors before making this decision, including but not limited to:

 

• The logistics of adhering to state regulations regarding public pool use during the COVID-19 pandemic
• A shortened season, much smaller capacity limits and the impact that had on generating enough revenue to cover operational costs
• A high level of uncertainty around how many residents would, in fact, patronize the pool
• Complications surrounding creating a satisfactory plan for all interested parties

 

While we know that the pool and summer programming (including camps and July 4^th celebrations) are highlights that draw people to choose to live in Huntington Woods, the unusual and evolving circumstances of this time make it difficult to continue with our normal programming. We regret having to cancel such popular community opportunities to gather and celebrate, and we are hopeful that by adopting a stricter standard in the short-term, we will promote good health in the long-term and be able to gather again before long.

 

Thank you to those who participated in the survey. We appreciate the community’s support and understanding and wish everyone a healthy summer.

 

Update on Summer Camps & City-Wide Activities
June 8, 2020

In recent weeks, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been relaxing restrictions to allow for more freedom of movement and gatherings statewide. On June 1st, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 110, which permits children's day camps to operate and allows outdoor social gatherings and events that do not exceed 100 people, as long as strict safety protocols are observed.    With the new Executive Order, the City has reviewed whether we can effectively and safely operate Fruit and Specialty Camps, and hold any Independence Day activities or other city-wide summer events.   After careful consideration, we have determined to not proceed with summer camp activities or city-wide activities because the spread of the virus is greater where crowds are gathered and the practical difficulty of enforcing social distancing.   Fourth of July Parade, Fireworks, Concerts and Special Events   The Executive Order allows outdoor events that are limited to 100 people who are practicing 6 foot social distancing. Our City events are specifically designed to bring neighbors together - and we are proud that our summer activities almost always generate more than 100 participants. Because we can not control crowd size, we will not hold any city-wide events.   Fruit Camps/Specialty Camps The Governor's Order allows for day camps to resume but they need to be conducted entirely outdoors to be in compliance with the Order. For reasons outlined below, we are not operating Fruit Camp or Specialty Camp this summer:   Running the camp entirely outdoors creates a safety issue in case of rain or extreme heat. Using the Recreation Center as an alternative location would not be within the required guidelines of the Order, as indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. Hiring and training staff, camp daily activity and event planning, and ordering supplies is a lengthy process that usually begins in February for a mid-June start The Fruit Camp experience would be dramatically altered including no field trips and it is not clear if the pool could be used for camps. If Fruit Camp/Specialty Camps were to open, we would not offer the virtual Fruit Camp activities for those residents who are not comfortable with attending in-person camps. It would be necessary to exclude campers and not hire any camp staff who are at a higher risk for severe illness or live with a family member who is at risk. It would be extremely difficult for camp staff to enforce the CDC recommendations for cleaning, disinfecting, and ensuring campers stay at least 6 feet apart as much as possible. This decision was not undertaken lightly because the City is proud of our many fun summer programming and events, but the collective safety and health of our entire community are the priorities driving these tough decisions.  The City is still reviewing whether the pool can be operated in a safe and fiscally responsible manner at this time.

League of Women Voters County Commissioner Candidate Forum

LWVOA Candidate Forum - County Commission District 18 - 2020 from LWVOA on Vimeo.
Additional forums easily accessed at LWVOA
1. Michgian State Representative 27th District
2. County Commission 18th District
3. Oakland County Executive
4. Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney and Oakland County Sheriff
5. Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds and Oakalnd County Treasurer
6. Oakland County 6th Circuit Court Judge (After July 1st)

University of Michigan Research Projects Assist City with Master Plan Update

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CITY OF HUNTINGTON WOODS COVID RESPONSE PLAN

Michigan’s Executive Order 110 permits the return to work of non-essential workers and any worker who can work remotely, must continue to do so. The City is planning on a staggered return to work for employees beginning with City Hall, DPW and Public Safety on June 15, 2020. As a condition of reopening, employers must develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan which can be found at this link.

Read More

Understanding Absent Voter Ballot Applications

This week the Huntington Woods City Clerk's office mailed out absentee ballot applications to anyone on the City maintained Permanent Absentee Voter List.  The State of Michigan recently announced they will be sending out absent voter ballot applications to the remaining registered voters to help those who want to vote by mail in the COVID environment.  An FAQ regarding absent voter ballot applications is available.
*There is a drop box on the West side of the building as well as an application box in the East side vestibule for easy return of applications.*

Pool and Summer Camp Update

 

On May 2^nd, the City made the difficult decision to cancel all 2020 summer recreation programs and events and not open the pool. This was based on concern for the safety and well-being of our residents and staff due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and recommendations for social distancing by state and federal authorities.

 

In recent weeks, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been relaxing the restrictions to allow for more freedom of movement and gatherings statewide. On June 1^st, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 110, which rescinds restrictions on swimming pools and children’s day camp. Both are now permitted to open on Monday, June 8^th, albeit only if strict cleaning and safety rules are in place.

 

The order also permits outdoor social gatherings and events that do not exceed 100 people, with the mandate that participants maintain a six foot distance from one another.

 

The City is now studying whether we can effectively, efficiently, and affordably open the pool, operate Fruit and Specialty Camps, and hold any Independence Day activities or other city-wide summer events.   

 

These are not easy decisions to make, and we do not expect they will be made quickly. There are many things to consider – the logistics of any of these endeavors at this late date are tremendous, and we must consider what camp and pool experiences will not only be like under these parameters, but also the costs of beginning now to make them happen and to meet all the requirements that are imperative, if we decide to move forward.

 

We’d like to share with you some of the details we must consider before coming to a decision.

 

• To open Fruit Camp, we have safety concerns in case of rain or extreme heat. We would normally use the Recreation Center to bring campers and counselors indoors, but if indoor spaces are limited to 10 people, socially distanced and wearing masks, that is no longer an option.
• If Fruit Camps happen in-person, we cannot simultaneously offer the virtual Fruit Camp activities we have been planning for residents who are not comfortable with their children attending in-person camps.  
• For a pool opening, verify lifeguard staff are still available.
• And if they are available, will they be available through August if colleges return early in the fall to cope with the pandemic.
• Some of the financial concerns surrounding the pool reopening are huge. The pool normally generates $275,000 in revenue – will there be enough pool passes sold during a pandemic to cover the cost of operating the pool? 
• Plus, we need to limit pool capacity to comply with the Executive Order, which means pass holders will likely be turned away if they come at a time when the pool has reached capacity. Will that cause unrest and discontent?
• And, when lifeguards try to enforce social distancing in the pool area, will they be effective? Will residents keep 6 feet apart at all times both in the pool, on the deck and in the locker rooms? 

 

 

Please understand, we want to offer these popular summer activities as much as you want to engage in them – we just need to examine all of the potential scenarios to determine the wisest course of action at this late date. We hope all residents understand the complexities of these issues, and we ask for your patience as we study the possibilities toward making the best decision for everyone in Huntington Woods.

4th of July VIRTUAL PARADE

Oakland County COVID Testing

The Oakland County Health Division now provides COVID-19 testing to all residents 18 and over – with or without COVID symptoms. There is no prescription necessary. Appointments made through the County's nurse on call system at 1.800.848.5533. More information available here: https://www.oakgov.com/covid/best-practices/sick-caring/Pages/testing.aspx

Public Safety Scam Alert

There will always be people who try to take your money through various scams. Some scams are very old and some, given today’s technology, are brand new. Click HERE to read more about how to protect yourself from a scam, and remember you can call the Public Safety Department for assistance in evaluating if a call is a scam or legitimate.

Men's Club Online Auction 

The 2020 Huntington Woods Men's Club Service Online Auction will be held from May 23rd through May 31st. You can register now to participate in the online event -- visit http://www.hwmc.org to get started! Upon completion of your registration (credit card information required), you will be able to preview the available items.   

City Cancels Summer Programs and Events

After much deliberation and consideration, the City of Huntington Woods has decided to suspend all activities, meetings, and events through Labor Day. This includes deciding to not open the pool, to cancel camps, concerts, and recreational programs, and to forgo our annual July 4^th festivities including the much-revered fireworks display.  Click here for the rest of the announcement.

City Employees Now Working Remotely

 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, all non-essential employees are now working remotely until further notice.  Although no one will be answering phones in the city buildings, you can still reach staff by either calling the phone number or using the email address designated below. 

 

Recreation Center

hwrec@hwmi.org

248.581.2711 

 

Library

htwd@huntingtonwoodslib.org

248.581.2686

 

City Hall

cityhall@hwmi.org

248.581.2632

 

Department of Public Works

hwdpw@hwmi.org

248.547.1888

COVID-19 Drive Through Testing Locations

 

Oakland County Health Division announces two locations for no-cost COVID-1 drive through testing.  Click here for more information.

City's Free Chipping Service Resumes

 The City's chipping service resumes this week with the other outdoor activities being permitted during the Stay at Home order.  Department of Public Works employees will observe social distancing practices while working.  Branches must be between 2"and 6" in diameter and over 4' in length.  Place these stacked neatly, with the butt ends facing towards or  parallel to the street.  Small bushes will be chipped as long as the root system has been removed.

Annual Water Quality Report Available

 The annual water quality report, called the 2019 Consumer Confidence Report, is now available. We're fortunate to be provided with drinking water that exceeds EPA and MDEQ standards by SOCWA and GLWA once again. You can read the report here. If you would like a paper copy, please call the Department of Works at 248.547.1888 to have one mailed. 

https://www.hwmi.org/Quality.pdf

Planning Commission Meeting To Be Held Remotely

The April 27^th Planning Commission meeting will be held remotely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

How To Participate in Public Meetings Remotely

1. Sign up for a free account at www.zoom.us .

2. At the designated meeting time, click on this link or call to join the meeting as it begins.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/745484412

 

Meeting ID: 745 484 412

 

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,745484412# US (Chicago)

3. You can participate online or participate by phone.

4. The Planning Commission Chair will ask for public comments at the appropriate time.

5. If you are participating online, you can write in the Chat box that you wish to address the Planning Commission and the Planning Commission Chair will call on you.

6. If you are listening on the phone, the Planning Commission Chair will ask if anyone would like to make a comment.

7. The video of the teleconference will be available for viewing on our YouTube channel after the meeting.

8. The City will be following its normal procedures for accommodation of persons with disabilities. Those individuals needing accommodations for effective participation in this meeting should contact the City Manager at 248.581.2632 at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations

Michigan Attorney General Issues Urgent Consumer Alert

Building Department Update 

 

City Issues Media Advisory on Taking Commission Meetings Online Beginning March 25th to Declare State of Emergency

Fee for Online Water Bill Payment Waived

How To Participate in Public Meetings Remotely

1. Sign up for a free account at www.zoom.us .

2. At the designated meeting time, click on this link  to join the meeting as it begins.

https://zoom.us/j/774119084

3. You can participate online or participate by phone.

4. The Mayor will ask for public comments at the appropriate time.

5. If you are participating online, you can write in the Chat box that you wish to address the City Commission and the Mayor will call on you.

6. If you are listening on the phone, the Mayor will ask if anyone would like to make a comment.

7. The video of the teleconference will be available for viewing on our YouTube channel after the meeting.

8. Please call the City Manager at 248.581.2632.to request closed captioning capability for the meeting.

With the increased use of disinfectant wipes -- remember NOT to flush them in the toilet.  They are can get trapped in your sewer line and cause a back-up and can also accumulate and cause a system-wide clog.  This applies to all wipes including those that are marketed as "disposable".

The City Commission is meeting on Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. to consider declaring a State of Emergency.  Updated information on City services is provided below and highlighted in green.    Because of the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation, all City buildings are closed to the public through Sunday, March 22nd and the Library is closed through March 30th as directed by Governor Whitmer's Executive Order.  The City will reevaluate whether to extend the closure this Friday. All buildings will be staffed and answering phone calls.  We will continue to send updates as the need arises, and the situation changes.

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The City has compiled a list of resources to assist residents during the Coronavirus outbreak.

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The SOCRRA drop-off center will be closed effective Tuesday, March 15th. The closure is in response to the recommendation to cease all non-essential activities. Please hold materials until the drop-off center reopens.

https://www.socrra.org/

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the district court will only process arraignments and felony matters.  All other matters will be adjourned for at least 60 days.  The court will have limited staff to answer phone calls so there may be a delay in answering calls or responding to inquiries.  The court will continue to process mail and payments received through the mail, online payments and the drop box.

With Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's address last night closing all schools in our state through April 6^th, and the Berkley School District closing through April 13^th, Huntington Woods has prepared a community mitigation strategy to keep people safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

As part of that strategy, the following meetings are canceled:

Library Advisory Board – March 16

Communication Committee – March 17

Arts & Garden Board – March 18

Environmental Advisory Committee  - March 19

Planning Committee Meeting - March 23

Senior Advisory Committee – March 26

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – March 31

In the interest of public health, the Men's Club Auction has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 30th.  While no cases of the Coronavirus have been reported in Huntington Woods, the Men's Club is taking this proactive step due to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommendation to postpone upcoming events of this size.  If you have purchased tickets for the auction, they are valid for the rescheduled date. Check the Men's Club website at www.hwmc.org for more information.  The Men's Club apologizes for any inconvenience and hopes to see you on May 30th!

The results of the Fire and Police pension millage vote are:

Yes - 2,327
No - 1,162

If it is necessary to cancel activities to slow the spread of the disease, information will go out in the e-newsletter and be emailed directly to participants.  While we hope that the spread of the virus is minimized and schedules won’t have to be disrupted, it is important for residents to make backup plans in the event of the need for cancellations.

We are also taking action to enhance the safety of public gathering spaces, including facilitating a deep cleaning of the Library over the weekend to sanitize bathrooms and common surfaces and increasing the cleaning schedule for the Recreation Center as well as using a stronger germicidal disinfectant soon.

We are taking COVID-19 very seriously because it presents new challenges and recommendations may change rapidly.  To stay up to date with Huntington Woods news, sign up for our e-newsletter here. 

 

The City has 2 FAQs on the proposed millage and the rebroadcast of the informational meeting can be viewed on our YouTube channel.  Any questions on the proposal can be directed to Amy Sullivan at 248.581.2632 or asullivan@hwmi.org
FAQ 1
FAQ 2

The City has revised the plans for the outdoor exercise equipment location in Reynolds Park based on feedback from residents.  The new plan places the equipment at the eastern end of the park.  The exercise equipment is designed for everyone 14+ and is not senior-specific equipment.  Construction is expected to start this summer. 

Have questions about the road strategy supported by the millage on the March 10th ballot? Check out the video for more information on the proposed road strategy from the Long Range Budget & Planning Committee. Be sure to share the video with your neighbors!

 

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are warning Michigan residents to watch for scams related to the coronavirus disease 2019. These scams include websites selling fake products, and fabricated emails, texts and social media posts used to steal money and personal information.  Click here for more information.

The 2020 census kicks off on Thursday, March 12th when residents will receive an invitation letter to complete the census. This year the census can be completed online or residents can fill out a paper form or phone in their responses. The census has nine questions and you can see a sample census form on our website. The census data is safe:

Read More

We need your good ideas!

The time of the workshop has been changed so residents can participate in the workshop and attend the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. The new hours for this drop-in event are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Everyone is invited to a Community Engagement Workshop tomorrow between 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. A community engagement workshop is a key step in our community development strategy for mixed use development and housing. This drop-in event will be conducted by University of Michigan Urban Planning graduate students. The information gathered will also be used for the upcoming Master Plan update.

 

This session will ask residents about their ideas and aspirations for:

1) Diversifying our community's housing options

2) Adding community amenities and services to enrich senior living

3) Rethinking portions of Eleven Mile as a mixed-use area

 

The U of M students will be manning tables focused on different topics and residents will have the opportunity to wander about, discuss potential alternatives, and share their thoughts.

 

We hope you can spend some time with us and help shape Huntington Woods' vision moving forward.

 

Questions on the event can be directed to Larissa Larsen at larissal@umich.edu.  

 

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER for more information

Absentee ballots are now available.  If you  submitted a signed absent voter applicaton, ballots were mailed out the first week of February.  You can obtain an an absent voter applicaton by clicking the election tab, calling the City Clerk, or visiting City Hall.  When obtaining a ballot in person, ID is required.  Ballots can not be issued to anyone but the ID holder.
Ballots Samples are available.

If you would like to be added to the City's Permanent Absent Voter list, please contact the City Clerk at 248-581-2638

City Hall will be open  Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to issue and receive ballots and register voters wil proof of residency.  Please contact the City Clerk with questions.

Each session will feature a professor of pharmaceutical sciences, psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences from the WSU pharmacy school and a panel of pharmacy students. 
Session 1: "THC, CBD, and YOU"
Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 pm
Session 2: "THC, CBD and YOUR Meds"
Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 pm

MORE INFO

The City held an informational meeting on the upcoming Fire and Police Pension Millage that is on the March 10^th ballot.  You can view the rebroadcast on our YouTube channel.  The PowerPoint presentations are available here:

PA 345 1st millage presentation

PA 345 2nd millage presentation

PA 345 3rd millage presentation

A FAQ  is available and any other questions or comments can be directed to Amy Sullivan at asullivan@hwmi.org or 248.581.2632.

 

The Michigan Municipal League has updated their SaveMICity presentation.  SaveMICity is a campaign to educate Michigan residents, decision makers, and businesses about how municipalities are funded in our state and why the current system does not work for our communities. Money that is owed our cities, villages, and townships by state statute has been redirected to plug holes in the state budget. That money should have gone to your community – where local people have a say on how it is spent on local issues.  This is an important component to the City’s financial well-being since revenue sharing from the State is the City’s second largest source of revenue.

 

 The City of Huntington Woods is devoted to maintaining city infrastructure for the long-term, which includes repairing, maintaining, and improving our sewer system. The City has instituted a plan which has three phases. The first two phases are underway.  The third and final phase of the repair, maintenance and improvement program will be funded by a separate sewer project fee which will be added to the water bill beginning in April. The average water user will see an increase of $48 per quarter for this work.  The City will be issuing a 20-year bond to fund the third phase of the sewer repair, maintenance and improvement program, and expects to collect an additional sewer project fee for that period of time.  Click here for more information or call 248.581.2632.

 

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The City has placed a proposal for a new fire and police retirement millage on the March 10^th ballot.  Funding the public safety retirement obligations through a dedicated millage, frees up funds in the General Fund budget for things like road improvements. 

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The Huntington Woods  Men's Club has three $1,500 college scholarships for teens who have made a difference in our community through volunteering and community service.  The HW Men's Club established the fund to award the scholarships to City residents who are graduating high school this year or currently enrolled in college or a recognized trade school. Applications are available at www.hwmc.org and Berkley High School.   Applications are due March 29th and require a brief essay.  For more information or questions, please contact Jim Speir at jspeir@ameritech.net.   

The last day for yard waste pick up by the City's rubbish hauler was Tuesday, December 17th.  Do not place leaves in the street because the City leaf pick up program with the vacuum has ended. Any leaves that are in the road will need to be removed and taken directly to SOCRRA beginning Monday, December 23rd.  Please note that SOCRRA does not accept yard waste in plastic bags.   

Download the flyer or see the job posting for more info.

 The 2019 winter tax bills were mailed on November 27th.  If you do not have an escrow account and have not received a tax bill, call the Treasurer's Office at 248.581.2639 to have a copy of the tax bill resent.  Winter taxes are due February 14, 2020.  Taxes for those who are eligible for the summer deferment are also due February 14th.  

Peasley Park (on Coolidge between Balfour and Winchester) has been completely renovated and is now open for play!  Please be mindful that the straw covering the open area is to protect the grass seed and should be avoided.  The new play area, walkway and benches and tables are ready for all to enjoy!

The City's Long Term Budget & Planning Committee provided several recommendations to the City Commission to address the City's long-term financial health.  The recommended road improvement strategy combines road reconstruction and a more aggressive maintenance schedule to extend the useful life of our roads.  One approach to pay for the new road strategy is to ask voters for a millage to fund the annual legacy public safety pension obligation.  This would allow funds normally used for the pension obligation to be redirected to the new road strategy.  During the November 19th City Commission meeting, the Commission approved the language for the pension millage for placement on the March 2020 ballot. More information on the proposed public safety pension millage and road strategy will be available shortly.

The City is preparing to sell bonds for the last phase of the sewer repair project and for a road reconstruction project if the Public Act 345 ballot initiative is approved in March 2020. If the Public Act 345 millage is not approved, the City is not obligated to sell the road project bonds and can proceed with just the sewer project bonds.

 

Because the bonds for both projects will be Capital Improvement bonds, the City must give the voters a referendum right on the issuance of the bonds. The bonds can be issued without a vote unless a petition is filed within 45 days of the Notice publication.

 

The City Commission approved the Notice of Intent Resolution for General Obligation Capital Improvement Bonds at the December 3, 2019 meeting.  A copy  of the resolution and the Notice of Intent publication are posted on the City's website.

The public is welcome to view a copy of the draft plan and provide comments.  The review period will run from December 1, 2019 through January 1, 2020.

Copies of the Draft Plan can also be viewed during regular business hours at:

• City Hall   26815 Scotia Rd   Huntington Woods, MI   48070,
• Gillham Recreation Center   26325 Scotia Rd   Huntington Woods, MI   48070 or
• Library   26415 Scotia Rd.  Huntington Woods, MI   48070

Your written comments will be accepted until January 1, 2020 and can be sent to:

   Chris Nordstrom, Carlisle Wortman & Associates
   cnordstrom@cwaplan.com

Information on the new Lead and Copper Rules and the City’s recent test results was presented at an informational Open House on November 14^th.  A PowerPoint on the new rules is available for viewing on our YouTube channel.

The first phase of a sewer lining project has been awarded to Lanzo Corporation.  The work is expected to begin in November 2019 for the area of the City circled in red on the map and be completed in December 2019.  Since the lining project begins with above-ground measurements of manhole locations, the contractor will need access to backyards for homes if the sewer line is located there.  Door hangers will be dropped off prior to the work being done and they contain instructions for homeowners.  After the measurements are taken, the contractor will prep and videotape the condition of the sewer lines, then the new lining will be installed.   Learn more about the lining process at this YouTube link.  

If you would like to volunteer for one of Huntington Wood's commissions, boards or committees, please submit a Citizen Interest Form by November 30th.  The form may be filled out and submitted online or printed and sent to the City Clerk.  The City Commission will interview interested residents in December.  Information about the different boards and committees is available on our website at www.hwmi.org.  Volunteers are needed to fill vacancies on the following boards and committees:

• Planning Commission
• Arts & Garden Board
• Ethics Board
• Senior Advisory Committee
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

At the October 15th City Commission meeting, staff presented a Lead and Copper Rule Power Point Presentation on the status of the new Lead and Copper Rules and recent testing done in Huntington Woods. For more information on the amended rules please click the Lead and Copper Rule-Information Brochure

Any homeowner who would like to verify the material of their water service lead can call the DPW at 248-547-1888 or email hwdpw@hwmi.org  to make an appointment for an inspection of the line.

Lead can also be present inside the home in fixtures, faucets and solder.  Click here for information on how to minimize lead exposure.

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Want to learn more about the new Lead and Copper rules and the City's recent test results? Because the City Commission takes the issue of water quality very seriously, an open house has been arranged to provide information and answer questions.

While there is no lead in the City's water supply, lead can be present in the water service line that brings water into a home.  Water service lines can be made of lead, galvanized metal, copper or plastic.  Lead can also be present inside the home in fixtures, faucets and solder.

The City is hosting an open house on Thursday, November 14th from 6 - 8 p.m. at City Hall to provide residents with information on the following topics:  

• Presentation on the lead and copper rules at 7 p.m.
• Where lead might be in your home
• Learn methods to mitigate lead exposure
• Make an appointment to have your water service line checked
• Arrange to have your water tested for lead ($23 fee)

City staff from the Department of Public Works will be at the meeting to answer questions and address any concerns. Representatives from the Oakland County Health Department and the offices of Representative Wittenberg and Senator Jeremy Moss will be present to provide additional resources.

Norup International School has partnered with the Senior Advisory Committee to provide free leaf removal assistance for residents 60 years + (or disabled). Student volunteers from the middle school will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to rake leaves to the road on November 1st, 5th or 14th (weather dependent). Call Kathy Seidl at the Recreation Department, 248.541.3030, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or email kseidl@hwmi.org to request this free service. Please register by October 25th - volunteers are available on a limited basis.

A major renovation of Peasley Park is scheduled to begin Monday, September 30th.  A natural play area will be installed including a sand play area, climbing boulders, slide, log tunnel, play mound and a log pile along with new picnic tables and benches.  A new walking path leading from the entrance on Balfour to the drinking fountain will be added.  The large greenspace on the south side of the park will remain open during construction and after the project is completed.  The City is using Community Development Block Grant funds for the project.  Peasley Park is on Coolidge between Balfour and Winchester. VIEW RENOVATION PLANS HERE

Every five years the City is required to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to be eligible for certain grants.  The current Master Plan was adopted in 2015 so it is due for an update.  A Master Plan is a statement of community goals and objectives, and establishes a vision of the future. Because it is visionary in nature, the goals are not always achievable because of the City's limited budget so the Master Plan provides insight into what the community values so the City can focus on those goals.   

Resident input drives the Master Plan process so the City has two methods for residents to become involved.  There is an online survey on our website and a drop-in Community Open House on Thursday, October 3rd from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Gillham Recreation Center.  The survey should take 10 - 15 minutes to complete and your answers will tell the city what you like, don't like or would like to change about the City's parks and recreation system.  Or residents can attend the Open House and answer the same questions or ask questions about the process. 

Please join us on October 3, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 pm for a chance to have a direct influence on recreation development in the city. We will be having a drop-in open house at the Rec Center. You will be able to provide input on the state of parks, recreation facilities, and programming. The city has also created an online survey.

Please take a few moments and go to:
https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/tUrqMN  to fill it out. 

In 2018, the City Commission convened a resident led ad hoc committee to study the City's long-term financial outlook.  A Final Report was released in July to the City Commission with recommendations on how to address the remaining road and sewer work and possible revenue and expenditure modifications to achieve long-term positive financial health for the City.  The City Commission will meet in a joint session with the Budget Committee on Wednesday, August 28th at 7 p.m. in City Hall to discuss the report and the recommendations.  Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the recommendations from the Committee.  A copy of the Final Report is available on the City's website. 

 The City Commission approved a Welcoming Cities resolution in 2017 and HW resident Steve Gold (plutsk@gmail.com) encouraged the City to consider taking additional measures to support the values stated in the resolution.  To that end, he collaborated with representatives from the Welcoming Cities initiative and proposed a new resident-led Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.  Read More

The Detroit Zoo will temporarily close the Polk Penguin Conservation Center to make repairs to faulty waterproofing.  Construction is scheduled to begin September 9th and completion is anticipated in mid-June 2020.  The nature of the repair may require the use of trucks and other construction vehicles along Huntington Road.  The Zoo will make every effort to minimize any inconvenience to residents in Huntington Woods and Royal Oak.

The City received an update from DTE that said after reviewing the outage history, the data from the Dundee/York outages suggests that they are primarily caused by tree interference. The tree trim planning for this area has been completed and the actual trimming will start next week. The trimming for the whole circuit (not just the portion in Huntington Woods) will take 6 - 8 weeks to complete.

 

In addition to the tree survey, the DTE engineering team conducted a review of the equipment serving this area and looked at the age of the equipment such as pole top transformers. Although the equipment appears not to be related to the recent outages, as part of the work on this circuit, DTE will replace some of the transformers at the top of the pole as well as add an additional one which will more evenly distribute load. They will also replace some poles and fuses and add new fuse locations to further break up the circuit so if there is a problem on the circuit it affects less customers. The equipment changes will be completed in parallel with the tree trimming over the next few weeks. DTE expects that reliability will improve as the work is completed.

The City Commission approved the purchase and installation of a new sign at Scotia Park with four inch removable letters. Revenue from past Community Fund Board programs were used for the project.

The Huntington Woods Public Safety Department is introducing a new service for residents to assist first responders. Residents that fill out an Alert Form for Dispatchers can have important information on file so dispatchers can relay it quickly to first responders. 

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Huntington Woods along with Berkley and Oak Park were the recipients of a multi-community planning grant from SEMCOG.  The objective was to look at opportunities for improvement along our shared 11 Mile and Coolidge corridors.  The engineering firm of Spaulding DeDecker was awarded the contract for the study and their report is complete.  The report focused on:  green infrastructure opportunities, identifying most used crosswalk locations and potential uses for an expanded right of way if the roads were redesigned and the number of drivable lanes were reduced.  The City Commission received the report at the July 16th meeting and directed staff to obtain feedback from City Departments and the Planning Commission.  The report is available for viewing HERE.

Consumers Energy is replacing the gas line in the right of way and the adjoining service leads in the area marked on the map. The work will be done with directional boring to minimize disruption to the right of way and homeowners getting new service leads will be contacted by Consumers Energy directly.

With the recent passage of Proposal 3 in the November 2018 General Election, registered voters can now request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Under Michigan election law, all registered voters are eligible to be placed on the Permanent Absent Voter List. 

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The annual report on the source and quality of your drinking water is available here.  To have a copy mailed to you, contact Amy Hood at 248.547.1888 or ahood@hwmi.org.

The Huntington Woods - Pleasant Ridge Friends of the Library needs new members to  help with their fundraising activities.  All proceeds support Library programming and events.  The Friends of the Library President Melissa Kessler issued a letter encouraging residents to support the organization and their efforts.  The Friends most successful fundraiser is the bi-monthly used book sale and volunteers are needed to sort the books and staff the sale.  If you have time and value the Library, please consider joining the Friends of the Library and contributing to their success.  You can get more information by emailing HWFOTL@gmail.com.

DTE Energy has advised the City it will be performing tree trimming as part of its ongoing maintenance program in Huntington Woods this year. The area where the trimmers will be working is shaded in green on the map. At this time they have not provided us with a date that the work will begin. DTE does communicate with residents along the proposed trim route using letters, phone calls, knocking on doors and leaving door hangers if no one is home.

Residents will be informed about trimming or removals on their property before the work begins. Trimmers do not remove trees without permission. More information on their communication plan can be found on the DTE website.

DTE has notified the City that they are undertaking a streetlight reliability project to address the ongoing issue with street light outages between Wyoming and Woodward.  Starting in February, DTE contractor Harlan Electric will begin troubleshooting and cable testing existing underground streetlight wires along the streets marked on the attached map. 


Upon identification of any cable irregularities, those cable sections will be marked for cable replacement.  The replacement will be completed by using a directional bore method so disruption within the City right of way will be minimized.  Residents in the area will see miss Dig flags installed prior to the underground work beginning.  Any restoration to the ground within the right of way will be addressed in the early summer.  Please contact Amy Sullivan at asullivan@hwmi.org or 248.581.2632 if you have questions on the project.

MoGo, Detroit's bike share system, is expanding its service into the northwest Detroit area and the cities of Oak Park, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Berkley and Huntington Woods.

MoGo is hosting two community engagement meetings to get a sense of where people would like to see stations located.

There are two meetings coming up, one in Detroit (Thursday, January 31, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Detroit Sip) and one in Ferndale (Thursday, February 7, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Kulick Community Center). They will be presenting general information about how MoGo works and will provide paper maps for people to indicate where they'd like to see stations.  For those who are not able to attend these events, you can leave feedback on their station siting page. 

Rackham Golf Course is hiring Grounds Crew Associates for the 2019 golf season.  See the attached for more information.
Maintenance Job Posting
Grounds Crew Job Description

The Men's Club has three $1,000 college scholarships for teens who have made a difference in our community through volunteering and community service.  The HW Men's Club established the fund to award the scholarships to City residents who are graduating high school this year or currently enrolled in college or a recognized trade school. Applications are available at www.hwmc.org and Berkley High School.   Applications are due March 29th and require a brief essay.  For more information or questions, please contact Jim Speir at jspeir@ameritech.net.

PURPOSE - QUALIFICATIONS - SELECTION
APPLICATION

Fruit Camp Applications for summer 2019 are now available at the front desk of the Gillham Recreation Center or through Tracy Shanley at tshanley@hwmi.org.  Deadline to return apps is January 25^th.  Applicants must be at least 18 yrs and/or graduating seniors. If anyone has any questions, please call Tracy at 248-541-3030.

The Library’s Drag Queen Story Time program has been in the news lately and we are aware of two out-of-state organizations that disagree with the concept.  I want to assure you that the City Commission is unanimously supportive of the program, as are a majority of residents and we will not be influenced by outside organizations that do not share our values.

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Be advised of a possible scam involving person(s) attempting to enter homes and/or businesses with a water shut-off and/or repair tactic. You should not allow any person(s) to enter your residence or place of business unless they are known to you. Read More

It is with sadness that the City informs residents of the passing of former employee, Lois Silk. Lois worked at City Hall and was the City's official "post office mistress" while she worked here from 1985 to 2010. We remember her for her diligent work ethic and always with a sense of humor.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sawyer-Fuller in Berkley.

They have elected to rake the leaves of Berkley School District residents in Huntington Woods and Oak Park who are 60 yrs+.
Their intention is to have intergenerational opportunities and get to know their neighbors.

Please support their efforts by signing up for a date or two. Students will be given the addresses and your lawn will be looking good and the students will feel accomplished!

 

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An update on the tiger habitat development along Huntington Road can be found HERE.

If you are looking for employment opportunities, the Huntington Woods Public Safety Department is accepting applications for one full time and one contingent School Crossing Guard. Read More

Click here to view and "like" the page!

The City has prepared a Frequently Asked Question fact sheet to answer questions on the upcoming Sewer Repair Phase 1 Project. Click to view the fact sheet.

SOCRRA has an exciting new widget on their website called the Waste Wizard which will help residents figure out how to recycle and/or otherwise dispose of a variety of items.  Type in the name of an item into a search box and the widget will tell you how/where to deal with recycling it. Click here to try it out

We have developed a tax calculator to provide you with a fast and easy tool to determine the estimated property tax change associated with the proposed bond referendum.  Click here to use the calculator.

The city-wide sewer cleaning and televising program is complete and the engineers reviewed the videotapes from the project. They have recommended the City undertake three different types of repair to mitigate impacts from future significant rain events. The engineers recommended a three pronged approach for repairs which has been separated into 2 phases.

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The city-wide sidewalk replacement program is expected to start the day after Memorial Day on May 29th on the east side of the City moving westward towards Coolidge Highway.  The contractor for the project is Italia Construction and they expect the work to take about a month, weather permitting. 

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Did you know that fruit and vegetable scraps can be placed in your yard waste container to be composted?  Or purchase a separate container for $15 to hold your fruit and vegetable scraps and put it out on Tuesday for pick up by the yard waste truck.  The container can be purchased at the Department of Public Works.  Fruit and vegetable scraps that can be composted include:  apples and apple cores, bananas and banana peels, carrots, corn, peppers, beans, kiwi, lemons, lime, lettuce, peas, oranges and orange peels, radishes, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, pineapples and more!  Click here for more information on compost program.

The City Commission approved a contract extension to DiPonio Contracting for the 2018  Road Reconstruction and Water Main Replacement project. 

The areas scheduled for repair are:

• Hendrie Boulevard (Lincoln to Wareham) 
• Wareham Drive (Hendrie to Huntington) 
• Salem Road (Pembroke to Huntington)

Details on the time frame for construction will be announced in a future e-newsletter and residents along the route will receive more information prior to the work commencing. 

The 2017 Consumers Annual Report on Water Quality is a report on our drinking water prepared by the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).  It details the tests that were conducted and concludes that our water exceeds quality standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The report can be found on our website and will be mailed to all homes shortly.

View Flyer Here

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Trees are a big part of what makes our neighborhoods beautiful, but they are also the leading cause of power outages and can pose serious safety hazards if growing too near or into power lines. In fact, some area residents recently experienced an outage that was caused by a tree damaging electrical equipment.  DTE has advised the City that tree trimming will take place this year in the area shaded in green on this map. 

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For residents who don't have cable and can't watch the live City Commissions meetings, meetings are now being live streamed on the City's YouTube channel.

Skywarn is a training program from Oakland County. Individuals are trained to accurately observe certain weather phenomena such as cloud features that can lead to tornadoes and to identify storms that can cause damage. The class covers what information to report and how to report it. There are multiple training dates available and the free training lasts 1 1/2 hours. Read More

The Tri-Community Coalition has prepared a survey to assess the needs of the communities that the Coalition serves. With the data they hope to address current gaps and to create programming, educational events and provide support to better serve the area. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and is confidential. Take the survey here

 Click here for more information on the survey. 

The Huntington Woods Department of Public Safety is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to maintain it’s national accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.

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The holiday season is upon us! At SOCRRA, it is a season where recyclers have a few more questions than usual about what can and cannot be recycled. Check out SOCRRA’s December eNewsletter to guide you this year. Their e-newsletter has a list of typical holiday recyclables are accepted by SOCRRA for recycling in your recycling cart — not just during the holidays, but year round! Check it out HERE.

We are happy to announce the City has hired a new DPW Director -- Rocco Fortura, who will begin working in Huntington Woods on December 11th.  He fills the vacancy created when Jay Mader retired earlier this summer.  Rocco has been the Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Oak Park and brings 15 years of municipal experience to the job.  Prior to Oak Park he worked for a company that specialized in underground utility construction.  We also want to extend our sincere thanks to DPW Supervisor Marty Wozniak for assuming the duties of Interim DPW Director while the search was conducted. 

The Planning Commission has been reviewing the City’s Zoning Ordinance since August 2015 and they have prepared an updated ordinance for the City Commission to consider at their December meeting.

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The annual report on the source and quality of your drinking water is available here.  To have a copy mailed to you, contact Amy Hood at 248.547.1888.

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Watch SaveMiCity, a presentation by the Michigan Municipal League that highlights what needs to be done to "fix" governance and economic issues in Michigan as they pertain to the funding of our municipalities...

Click HERE

Residents may notice activity in Scotia Park soon.  While the actual construction will begin in mid-September, the Department of Public Works will be on-site shortly to remove shrubs and cement in anticipation of the renovation.  The project  is anticipated to last 6 weeks following the start date so the park will be ready for concerts in 2018!

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The Senior Advisory Committee has completed a report entitled "Housing Options for an Aging Population". It will be presented to the City Commission for their consideration at the April 25th City Commission meeting.  The report is the culmination of years of efforts of the Committee to study the need for and feasibility of senior housing options in the City.  A copy of the report is available HERE

The City of Huntington Woods, The Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) are proud of the fine drinking water they supply and are honored to provide this report to you. The 2016 Consumers Annual Report on Water Quality shows the sources of our water, lists the results of our tests, and contains important information about water and health. We will notify you immediately if there is ever any reason for concern about our water. We are pleased to show you how we have surpassed water quality standards as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

DTE has advised the City they will performing tree trimming as part of their ongoing maintenance program in Huntington Woods this year. The area to be worked on is on this map shaded in green. At this time they have not provided us with a date that the work will begin. DTE does communicate with residents along the proposed trim route using letters, phone calls, knocking on doors and leaving door hangers if no one is home. Residents will be informed about trimming or removals on their property before the work begins. They do not remove trees without permission. More information on their communication plan can be found at this link.

Prior to the ongoing discussion about senior-oriented housing, the City commissioned two studies. One was to survey needs of older adults and the other studied the 11 Mile municipal property and looked at age-specific housing. Both studies can be viewed on our website at these links:

2015 Needs Assessment

2012 Survey Findings

Joe Rozell's Commissioner's Corner is available for viewing on our YouTube channel. Joe talks to the City's Recreation Director and Library Director in this episode. Watch the episode

Start Pedaling... Get On that Bike !

Recently you may have noticed new stencil markings featuring a bicyclist on the pavement of Borgman, Lincoln and Scotia. These stencils are called "sharrows" and they are used to mark a designated bike route that connects Huntington Woods with our neighboring communities.  A copy of the bike route can be found on the attached map.  The markings also are to remind motorists to share the road with bicyclists.  View map...... Here

Zoo administration officials discuss the fencing issue along the Zoo property in Huntington Woods, and new developments regarding the application of screening and planting along Huntington Road..... Zoo Fencing Presentation
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Peter Brasseur from Ecotec pest Control discusses the issue with the City Commission.  Data is offered on the problem, the current status of these rodents in Huntington Woods, and ways to keep you yard free from these vermin...View Video Presentation here

Commissioner Joe Rozell's new video Series which highlights topis of interest for the residents of Huntington Woods Read More

The report on Housing Options For An Aging Population is now available to the general public. Read More

Sue McCormick, CEO of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) released a statement  dealing with the Flint water crisis and the quality of the water in GLWA communities. Read More

DTE has informed the City that they are planning to have crews in HW to trim the trees growing near and into power lines. Read More

For a brief statement about the City's water quality click here. For further, in-depth, information check out the Consumers Annual Report on Water Quality.

The idea of re-establishing a block captain program has been discussed by both the Emergency Advisory Committee and Communication Advisory Committee while they review alternative methods of communication in the event of a disaster. Read More

The three programs sponsored this fall by the Environmental Advisory Committee and the BART Board are available for viewing. Read More

The City Commission recently adopted two new policies concerning construction of new residential homes and new additions in the City.  

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November 5, 2019 Election
Absentee ballots are now available.  If you have submitted a signed absent voter applicaton, ballots will be mailed out starting Tuesday, Ocotber 8, 2019.  You can obtain an an absent voter applicaton by clicking the link, calling the City Clerk, or visiting City Hall.  When obtaining a ballot in person, ID is required.  Ballots can not be issued to anyone but the ID holder.
Ballots Samples are available.

If you would like to be added to the City's Permanent Absent Voter list, please contact the City Clerk at 248-581-2638.

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Men's Club Online Auction

 The 2020 Huntington Woods Men's Club Service Online Auction will be held from May 23rd through May 31st. You can register now to participate in the online event -- visit http://www.hwmc.org to get started! Upon completion of your registration (credit card information required), you will be able to preview the available items.   

 

The website will allow you to view items by category, search by keyword, search by catalog number, and even keeps track of the items you have viewed.  

 

On Sunday June 7th, the club will offer contactless, curbside gift pick-up at the Gillham Recreation Center for item winners. Free delivery is also available to any resident who makes a direct donation to the auction of $20 or more.  

 

Just click on the Donations tab after you registered and select an amount you'd like to contribute directly to this fundraising event to use the delivery service.  Help support our community by participating in this year's HWMC online auction!  

A design for renovations to Scotia Park are now available. Read More