Thank You For Parking in Our Downtown Garages!

The city is partnering with local businesses to launch a ‘Thank You for Parking’ campaign encouraging visitors and residents to park in one of the nearly 2,000 available spaces in the three city-owned downtown parking garages.

Each week of May a different downtown Royal Oak business will offer a special thank you from free fries to 15 percent off a purchase for parking in a garage. This week Freshii, 304 S. Main St., is offering free Energii Bites when spending $10 or more from May 25 to May 31 by showing a garage parking receipt.

For more information about the Thank You for Parking campaign and to download a parking guide, please visit www.rethinkro.com.

June 1 | 9:00am
Run With The Police & Chase the Chief Challenge

Join Royal Oak's finest for the 2nd annual Run with the Police 5k and Chase the Chief challenge.

This fun-filled community event has a new location and course in downtown Royal Oak! Beginning at Parking Lot 1, located at Firth and Williams Streets. Go to runwiththepolice5k.com for more information and to register.

FREE race photos
Mugshots
Chase the Chief Kids Run
Race T-Shirt and aviator sunglasses
Doughnuts
Much more

All proceeds go to the Royal Oak Police Department Donation Fund to be used for the health and well-being of officers.

June 1 | 10:00am to Noon
Downtown Bike Rodeo

The City of Royal Oak is saddling up with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Royal Oak Community Coalition for an event focused on bicycle safety and education.

The fun begins following the Royal Oak Police Department's Run with the Police 5K on Troy Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets.

June 1 | 9:00am to 1:00pm
Animal Shelter Bottle Drive

Bring your returnables to the department of public services on Saturday June 1 and help shelter pets! Your donated bottles and cans will be used to fund food, treats, and veterinarian care for the pets at the Royal Oak Animal Shelter while they wait for their furever homes!

June 1 | 9:00am to 1:00pm
Recycling Drive

A first time ever event, as the Southeaster Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) joins forces with the department of public services to host this recycling drive. Bring virtually everything, including the kitchen sink. Books, scrap metal, electronics and bulky rigid plastic drive will all be accepted. Please make sure you erase all personal or sensitive data from any computers.

June 4 | 6:00pm
Crime Prevention Council City-Wide Block Party

The Royal Oak Crime Prevention Council invites you to the city-wide block party at the Farmers Market on Tuesday June 4 beginning at 6:00pm. An evening full of family fun, including face painting, balloon animals, meet Canine Police Officer Ryker, sit in real police cars and fire trucks and get dinner from the Mean Weenie or Schredderz food trucks and then dessert from Treat Dreams.

Beginning June 6 and continuing through June |
Thursday to Sunday Free Parking in City Owned Parking Garages and Free Pedicab Rides

Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority will be picking up the tab for all visitors to who park in any of the four city owned parking garages Thursdays through Sundays in June beginning Thursday June 6.

You can also enjoy a free ride in a Skoop pedicab to your downtown Royal Oak destination, also compliments of the DDA! Three pedicabs will operate in June on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. then 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Free Valet at the Farmers Market

Take advantage of the free valet, strolling shopping baskets and curbside loading when shopping for farm fresh finds at the Royal Oak Farmers Market this and every Saturday.

30-Minute Parking on Main Street

For quick stops downtown, Royal Oak implemented a pilot program for 30-minute parking spaces, to allow for faster, more convenient short-term parking, including food delivery, in the downtown area in December 2018. The program includes five designated parking spaces with 30-minute meters along Main Street between 11 Mile Road and Fourth Street, located near Diamonds Steak and Seafood, Bruegger’s Bagels, Starbucks, FedEx Office Print & Ship Center and Verizon Wireless.

The 30-minute meters have designated signage and take coins or credit card payment via ParkMobile. The cost is 50 cents for 30 minutes.

Did You Know?

Dogs Must Be Leashed in Public Places -
It's The Law!

Did you know it is unlawful to walk your dog in any public place, including city parks (other than dog parks) without a leash?

City code chapter 195, section 16B states: "It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow any dog to stray beyond his premises unless under reasonable control which is defined as "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, and in all cases other than while confined upon the owner's property".

As the spring weather gets more of us out walking and into the city parks for recreation, let's keep safety in mind for everyone, including our furry friends.

If you see a dog at large please call the non-emergency line at the police department at 248-246-3500. The nearest patrol car will be dispatched and if reported upon seeing, police have an excellent chance of addressing the issue.

Marijuana Survey Online

Marijuana Survey: Residents are invited to take a brief online survey on marijuana at https://www.cobaltcommunityresearch.org/ro.html.

Use the ID: RoyalOak

The survey is identical to the survey randomly sent via U.S. mail to 3,000 residents.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts as city officials consider rules and regulations to implement legalized marijuana in a balanced way.

Roof Updates Begin

Please pardon the noises you may be hearing from time to time. Construction is being done on some roof panels. Thank you for your patience!

Rainy Days Continue to Hamper Mowing Schedules

Spring showers continue to put a real wrench in the department of public services grass cutting schedules.

The saturated ground cannot support the heavy equipment necessary to maintain the parks.

Public service crews monitor the conditions throughout grass cutting cycle.

Construction Projects in Full Swing

The city realizes construction will be an inconvenience and all efforts to expedite the work will be utilized to minimize traffic conflicts and access to various properties abutting the project. Residents on affected streets will be mailed construction notices prior to work beginning, with detailed information on the project.

You can receive construction updates via e-mail or text by signing up for News Flash – Engineering under Notify Me on the city website www.romi.gov

If you have questions you can contact the engineering division at 248.246.3260.

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.

City Clerk's Office Offers Online Services
Including No Reason Absentee Voting

The city clerk's office is pleased to announce several new 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

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.