Road Resurfacing, Recreational Fires, Fences on City Commission Agenda Tonight

The Royal Oak City Commission faces a short agenda for Monday's regular meeting.

Fence update

Recreational fire update

Commissioners left amending the Fire Prevention Ordinance in limbo in May, opting to direct City Manager Don Johnson to survey sister communities that allow open burn.

Royal Oak currently has a ban on all open burning, including fire pits. 

Since the May meeting, Royal Oak Fire Chief Chuck Thomas has reviewed surrounding communities and found they differ on the issue of open burning. 

Of the 11 cities that share a border with Royal Oak, seven communities — Ferndale, Hazel Park, Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Clawson, Southfield and Troy — allow it. Madison Heights, Berkley, Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge ban it.

"In Ferndale, having the burning ordinance has cleared up enforcement," Thomas wrote in a memo to commissioners. "In the past, the fire department would respond to illegal fire calls and order the fires extinguished. This caused many hours of wasted time. Today with the permitting process, they have seen a decrease in illegal open burning."

Neither the Royal Oak Fire Department nor the city administration is in favor of repealing or amending the open burn ordinance.

In 2012, Royal Oak fire and police personnel responded to 30 complaints regarding open burning, including: 20 recreational fires, six burning leaves and two burning refuse, according to City Manager Don Johnson. 

To read the fire chief's full report click here.

Also on the agenda

• Special assessment standard resolution for the paving of Forestdale Road
  
• Traffic Committee resolutions
• Budget amendments
• Major Fund and Arts, Beats & Eats Fund updates