Royal Oakers in Oaks Stand Strong T Shirts Picture

Second Chance to Get Your Oaks Stand Strong Shirt!

We heard you! Many of you asked us to bring make our Oaks Stand Strong T-shirt Campaign--so we did. We've opened it up again for just one week. Shirts should arrive by July 2.

All funds raised will go to the Royal Oak Veterans Events Committee and will be used for the 100th Memorial Day Parade in 2021.
Act fast to be sure you get one!

Here is the link https://www.customink.com/fundraising/oaks-stand-strong-2

Five Day Notice for Public Comment Continues

Notice is hereby given that on June 8, 2020 the Royal Oak City Commission held public hearings and approved Substantial Amendments to the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) PY 2019 Annual Action Plan, PY 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan & the Citizen Participation Plan.

Draft copies of each document are available for review and public comment during the public comment period which ends June 15, 2020. The documents are available for download on the City of Royal Oak’s website at romi.gov/280/Application-Documents

The city will take all reasonable steps to provide a copy to disabled persons and non-English speaking persons. Written comments will be accepted by mail to the attention of Joseph M Murphy, Director of Planning, 211 Williams St, Royal Oak MI 48067 or electronically at: joem@romi.gov.

City Commission Approves Temporary Use Permit Allowing Creative Use of Space as
Royal Oak Businesses ReOpen

On June 8, 2020 the Royal Oak City Commission passed a resolution to encourage economic activity and assist local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Temporary Use Permit allows existing Royal Oak restaurants, retail and service establishments to make temporary changes outside of their establishment, on private or public property, so long as they are able to accommodate the State of Michigan’s current social distancing guidelines.

Does your Royal Oak business have a great idea? Start your application at https://www.romi.gov/1507/COVID-19-Temporary-Use-Permit

SOCRRA Hosts Special Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Collection Event | Tuesday June 23

SOCRRA is hosting a special HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE and ELECTRONICS COLLECTION event on Tuesday June 23 from noon to 6:00pm.

This event is ONLY for household hazardous waste and electronics, which can include: computers, TVs, VCRs, cell phones, paint, household cleaners, medications, sharps, auto fluids, pesticides.

Recyclables are NOT accepted at this event.

The event is being held at the parking lot just north of 13 Mile Road on the east side of Coolidge Highway (parking lot for the golf center). This is NOT the SOCRRA Recycling Drop-off Center as the center is still closed.

Please visit www.socrra.org for more information.

SOCRRA, the Southeaster Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority, requires youto be resident of a SOCRRA community to participate in this collection event.

Royal Oak Playgrounds ReOpen!

As we begin the process to re-open our city’s playground equipment -- after Oakland County’s Health Division rescinded Emergency Health Order 2020-8 -- we encourage everyone who uses our parks to practice safe measures provided by our state and local authorities.

We encourage all to follow these actions when visiting one of our parks:

• Stay at least six feet from others at all times. This can make some open areas, trails, and paths safer to use. Do not enter a crowded area.
• Minimize gathering with others outside of your household.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Keep hand sanitizer with you (at least 60% alcohol) for times when soap and water are not available.”

Welcome to Royal Oak MoGo!

If you are out walking this weekend be sure to check out the MoGo station like the one at Main and Gardenia . We’re loving the Boost bikes with ‘pedal assist. Go to MoGoDetroit.org for a list of station locations in Royal Oak, Detroit, Ferndale, Berkley, Oak Park and Huntington Wood.

PEDESTRIAN ZONE: Remember you MUST walk your wheels on sidewalks in Downtown Royal Oak. Riding bikes on the sidewalk downtown is explicitly prohibited by City Code 650-3.
(It's OK to ride bikes on sidewalks in neighborhoods. but please be courteous to others. You may feel safer on the sidewalk, but pedestrians feel endangered when you sneak up behind them.) #RideOnRoyalOak

Census Deadline Extends to Oct 14

Royal Oak Needs You! Did you know the census count is how funding from the federal government is calculated? It is and $29 Billion in federal funding was allocated to Michigan during the past decade based on population data from the 2010 Census. Make sure you are counted because we need you now more than ever!

The census does not end with the month of April - in fact counting usually goes through the summer months but with COVID-19 Stay Home orders, the deadline to be counted has been extended to Oct 14,2020. It's easy, just nine questions to answer and your answers are completely confidential - all responses are protected by law and kept confidential for 72 years. The U.S. Census Bureau never shares a respondent’s information with any other governmental agency or outside entity.

Want to see how your neighborhood is doing and take the challenge to be to 100 percent first? Follow the link below!

https://royaloak.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c3482397c936463582c80b01a695cc52

We Need Your Opinion - What's Working and What's Not Working on the City's Website For You?

FEEDBACK WANTED: The city's website (www.romi.gov) is eligible for a site resign (at no cost) from our provider Civic Plus. Here's your chance to share your thoughts on our current website and what we can do to make it better.

Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RO-Website-Feedback

City Clerk's Office Offers Many Online Services

The city clerk's office is pleased to provide several services available online.

Permanent Absentee Voting

With the passage of Proposal 3 last November, you no longer need a reason to vote by absentee. If you would like to sign up now to be on our permanent absentee list, please go to our link located at https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/permanentabsenteelist

Birth Certificates

Stay at home and enjoy your new bundle of joy and request your birth certificate online!

https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/birthcertificaterequest

Dog Licenses and Mark Twain Dog Park Passes

We have your canine companion's needs all covered, new or renew your dog licenses and interested in a play date at Mark Twain Park? Get your dog park passes online too.
https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/doglicense
https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/dogparkapplication

Death Certificates

It is a difficult time but you will need copies of the death certificate. We can make it a little easier by saving the trip to city hall.
https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/deathrecordrequest

Residential Street Zoned Permit Parking

You can obtain a parking permit which allows the vehicle to only park on residential streets which are designated as permit parking zones. The parking permit allows the vehicle to park only during the times posted in the permit parking zone on the street for which they were issued.

https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/residentialparkingapplication

Blessing in a Backpack Delivery Pictures

Blessings in a Backpack
Still Delivering

If you need help or want to volunteer, BIAB can always use volunteers to pack and delivery food especially now as it cannot be delivered to the schools. Please reach out to Shelley Lake, Chairman of Blessings in a Backpack Royal Oak at 248-219-6437

Donations are welcome to help purchase the food in volume: http://www.blessingsinabackpackmi.org/donate/

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Food Assistance for Students

Royal Oak Youth Assistance (ROYA) offices will be closed during the time schools are closed. ROYA will be in touch with client families regarding alternatives to in-person counseling appointments. However, ROYA will check messages and remain available by e-mail.

PLEASE BE AWARE of ROYA’s emergency needs grants. If the loss of free breakfast or lunch or the loss of income from breaks in employment create a crisis for you, ROYA may be able to help with groceries, utilities or medication costs.

Email mincklern@oakgov.com and request an emergency needs application. ROYA remains ready and willing to help as we all move into uncharted territory together. Let’s make sure Royal Oak families know that HELP IS AVAILABLE

If you'd like to help us provide emergency needs money to families of Royal Oak students, here is our paypal link.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr…

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Royal Oak Public Library Services and Resources

As the shelter-in-place order continues, Royal Oak Public Library strives to serve its community by providing intellectual, educational, creative, and recreational resources for all during this troubling time. There’s a whole world to explore with the library, even while you’re staying indoors.

Who can apply for a library card?

Residents of Royal Oak
Students and teachers in Royal Oak schools
Employees of businesses and companies located in Royal Oak

Visit the registration page for more information and to sign up for a temporary card to use online.

What will a library card give you access to?
A full downloadable library with hundreds of thousands of titles

Downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks through Overdrive (Libby app), Hoopla, and RBdigital
Streamable movies and music through Kanopy and Hoopla’s movies and music collection
Immediate access to magazines through RBdigital
Kids’ and Teen e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-comics collections through Overdrive for Kids, Tumblebooks, Overdrive for Teens, and Teen BookCloud

Distance learning assistance

Live tutors to provide one-on-one homework help in all subjects and grade levels, paper review and proofreading, and assistance with math problems at tutor.com
Databases for kids and teens to provide reliable sources for research
Story books brought to life through Kanopy Kids

Digital access to major newspapers

Read the New York Times online
News databases (national and local)

Reliable information sources

Health and wellness resources
Business and Investing databases
A full database library covering a large variety of topics

Self-improvement and creative outlets

Ancestry for genealogy research
Pronounciator to learn a new language
Creativebug for thousands of art and DIY classes
Gale courses featuring hundreds of instructor-led courses covering numerous topics of interest
Tutor.com for resume and cover letter review, as well as live interview preparation

Personal assistance

The Ask a Librarian service provides assistance from a staff member for all of your questions

Follow us on social media for online events, story book readings, staff book reviews, contests, library news, and more!

All services and resources are free of charge for cardholders.
Royal Oak Public Library is here for you! Take care and stay safe.

Community Development Block Grants Offer Ongoing Improvements to Royal Oak Neighborhoods

Royal Oak's Community Development Department which includes planning, engineering and building work hard all year round securing funds from the federal government to improve our neighborhoods. To see the latest news regarding community development block grants follow this link: https://www.romi.gov/268/Community-Development-Block-Grant-CDBG

Resource Page for Children and Families

https://www.romi.gov/1465/Talking-to-Kids-About-COVID-19
Added to the city's COVID-19 information page this week is a new resource page aimed at children and families. How to talk to your children about coronavirus; safe ways to play; links to activities and the public library who have many, many online options available!

Helpful Resources and Links

City Facility Closures Continue
Garbage Pick Up Info

Latest Updates Found At:

https://www.romi.gov/1458/Coronavirus-Disease-COVID-19

Online, Mail, Drop Box Options

The Royal Oak City Commission voted to close city facilities effective Tuesday March 17, including City Hall, Department of Public Service, Animal Shelter, M/M Senior Center, Salter Center, Royal Oak Public Library, 44th District Court and Lindell Ice Arena, are closed to the public and in response to Governor Whitmer's Stay Home Stay Safe, non-essential city employees are working remotely.

Garbage Pick Up and Recycling Stays on Schedule

Garbage pickup/recycling are a go in Royal Oak! Remember refuse, recycling and yard waste (when in season) is collected once each week. Collection is between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Have all material placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. the night before your collection day per ordinance. Emptied containers must be removed from the curb as soon as possible after collection.

Curbside Yard Waste Pick Up Resumed March 30

Yard waste pick up resumed on Monday March 30th. Remember to use proper containers which include 20-32 gallon trash cans with a "yard waste" bumper sticker decal facing the street OR 30 gallon paper landscape bags - no decal needed for these. NO PLASTIC BAGS they are not permitted for yard waste at any time.

To learn everything you ever wanted to know about yard waste and more; go to: https://www.romi.gov/340/Yard-Waste

Pay Bills Online, by Mail or Drop Box

Let’s minimize person-to-person interactions! If you have a bill to pay, consider paying by mail, online or use the drop box conveniently located on Third Street near the entrance to the Royal Oak Police Station.
Go to https://www.romi.gov/868/Online-Payments to learn more.

Online Forms and Applications

Many forms and application, including birth certificates, death certificates, dog licenses, and voter information, may be filled on online. Other forms may be downloaded.
Learn more at https://www.romi.gov/535/Forms-Applications

Reminders -
Love Your Dog, Leash Your Dog

As 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 your 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."

And All Oakland County Parks Are Free Too!

Itching to get out of the house and wondering where you can go safely – without opening your wallet – now is the time to visit an Oakland County Parks and Recreation park.

Until April 30, all park entrance fees have been waived, allowing anyone to enjoy the splendor of the Oakland County day-use parks and dog parks at no charge. The waiver was announced jointly by County Executive Dave Coulter, the County Board of Commissioners and the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do I Have a Lead Water Service Line?
Please Continue to Test and Register Results

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If you haven't performed the test to find out what material your water service line is made of the Department of Public Services (DPS) still wants to hear from you!

DPS estimates that approximately 6 percent of water customers in Royal Oak have lead water service lines. Taking the simple test helps the city develop its inventory and lead water service line replacement plan.

Find out if you have a lead water service line and report it!
Get started now at https://royaloakmi.seamlessdocs.com/f/LeadTesting

Since 1992, the city has been testing the water of homes with known lead service lines. Tests were recently conducted on 30 of these homes and eight exceeded the new Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act action standard.

And, again, thanks!

Outdoor Warning Siren System Tests Begin in March

Please be advised that Oakland County Homeland Security Division will once again be testing the outdoor warning siren system on the first Saturdays of the month at 1:00 pm beginning in March.

PLEASE NOTE:
A special test in recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week (SWAW) will be conducted on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 at 1:00 PM. To avoid confusion, please mark this special test on your calendar.

Due to the special SWAW test at the end of March, there will not be a siren test on the first Saturday in April.
FYI: Siren tests are NOT conducted during December, January, or February due to winter weather

Become a Storm Spotter in Your Own Home!

Skywarn Weather Spotters provide a valuable service to the National Weather Service by reporting storm damage, precipitation and other observed weather phenomena.
Only one instrument can detect a tornado or funnel with complete certainty--the human eye.

To learn more and to see the training schedule go to: https://www.oakgov.com/…/skywarn-spotter-training-program.a…

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:

https://www.romi.gov/…/Submit-Your-Homeowners-Association-49

Thank you in advance!

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.

Residential Lock Boxes Available at the Fire Department

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 you suffer a fall, stroke or heart attack, 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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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

'Like Us' on Facebook

Want to know what's happening in Royal Oak?
Join thousands of your neighbors on the city's official Facebook page and get daily posts about the things that matter in our hometown.
Like us today at: https://www.facebook.com/Royal-Oak-MI-City-Hall-157871554266952

Life Now Playing

For a list of meetings and community events please visit our calendar here.

Senior Times Newsletter

The 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.

City Launches Mobile App

The City of Royal Oak has a new mobile app! Find out what's happening, get meeting agendas, discover employment opportunities within the city and more.

Download the app at these locations:

Apple Store
Google Play Store

Support Local Service Clubs & Organizations

Royal 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.

Make Convenient Online Payments

Did you know you can make online payments for property taxes and utility bills?

Go to http://romi.gov/868/Online-Payments to learn more.