Environmental Advisory Board

Agenda Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, Room 122 203 S. Troy Street Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at 248-246-3050 at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting. Pages 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of November Minutes 3 4. Approval of January Minutes 8 5. Public Comment 6. Receive and File a. City Commissioner Report b. Sustainability Manager / Staff Report 12 c. Materials Management Report 13 7. New Business a. Review and Revise By-Laws - Frank Komola b. 2026 Objectives and Goals - Devan Dodge-Frye & Frank Komola c. 2026 Budget d. Grant opportunity from Michigan Recycling Coalition - Frank Komola e. Oakland County Earth Day Event - Frank Komola f. St. Patrick's Day Parade - Frank Komola g. Water & Sewer Online Payment Process - Frank Komola h. February SOCRRA Meeting Update - Frank Komola 8. Unfinished Business a. Community Benefits  b. Farmers Market Compost Fee 9. Subcommittee/Program Updates a. Social Media 10. General Announcements 11. Adjournment Page 2 of 16  Minutes Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board November 19, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, Room 122 203 S. Troy Street Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 Present: Amanda Herzog Woody Gontina Tessa Benziger Brock Bosack Zoe Chase Frank Komola Nicholas Marcelletti Ed Slesak Paul Vial Jill Robinson Absent: Josephine Hetherington Julie Lyons Bricker Leah Milligan _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order of the Water System Advisory Council Meeting The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm. 2. Approval of Agenda for Water Systems Advisory Council Meeting Moved by: Zoe Chase Seconded by: Paul Vial Motion to approve the agenda. Motion Adopted 3. Water System Update Presentation  Presentation by department of public service director, Kevin Yee and operations manager, Lee Collick.  Loss of power in September which impacted turbidity monitoring and City received notice in March. City notified residents immediately. Delay was likely caused by misunderstanding in requirements. GLWA has a board 1 Page 3 of 16  that determines the exact language the City needs to use. City working with GLWA to ensure this late notice does not occur again.  261 lines replaced last year,  Currently identifying line materials. 231 lead lines, 856 galvanized. 669 unknowns remain to test. Will be complete in 6-8 months.  DPW is seeking water bond. Commission has approved them to go out for bond. Currently is coming from budgeted fund.  Question asked if group needs to still meet if all lead and galvanized service lines are replaced. Kevin will ask.  CCR information goes out to residents in July via mailer or the insight. 2024 results shown in July. o Earmark April meeting for next CCR presentation. 4. Adjournment of Water Systems Advisory Council Meeting This meeting was adjourned at 7:25. Moved by: Ed Slesak Seconded by: Paul Vial Motion to adjourn. Motion Adopted 5. Call to Order of Environmental Advisory Board 7:26 6. Approval of Agenda Moved by: Frank Komola Seconded by: Jill Robinson Motion to approve the agenda. Motion Adopted 7. Approval of Minutes Moved by: Zoe Chase Seconded by: Paul Vial Motion to approve the minutes. Motion Adopted 2 Page 4 of 16 8. Public Comment 9. New Business 9.a City Engineer - Holly Donoghue - Stormwater Detention Ordinance - 20 mins  Presentation by City engineer Holly Donoghue and Samantha Grant  Proposed changes to the stormwater detention ordinance to comply better with Oakland county rules.  Storing stormwater on private property and slowly releasing to the system. Detention helps prevent over loading of the sewer system and improves water quality.  City code §644. Proposed updates: o Flood volume for 100 year storm instead of 10-year. Variable release rates help reduce the total volume o Added extended detention volume (1.9” storm). Must dewater within 48 hours in the event of more rain o Added green infrastructure rules. Required to install for >1 acre if soil can be infiltrated. Infiltration rates are identified. Can offset flood control storage volume. o Required maintenance plan.  The Board would like to promote RainSmart to residents. 9.b Nominations of 2026 Officers - 10 mins Nominations include:  Chair: Frank Komola  Vice Chair: Ed Slesak  Secretary: Zoey Chase Nominations are open until the next meeting in January. 9.c 2026 Calendar Dates - 10 mins Moved by: Ed Slesak Seconded by: Tessa Benziger Motion to approve 2026 calendar dates. Motion Adopted 3 Page 5 of 16  9.d 2026 Budget Discussion - 15 mins  EAB has a line item in the DPS budget.  Board discussed 2026 line items, which include o Earth day event space o Shirts o Conference attendance and group education o Marketing items (useable bags) o Sponsoring events o Put into the annual report  Further discussion will be held after board elections. 9.e Contaminates in Recycling - Frank Komola - 15 mins  Major contaminates- plastic bags and batteries  Discussion on how we can educate residents and utilize local resources like the insight and local newspapers. Board emphasized a need for improved focus on dates and communications that are already being done and joining efforts. 10. Old Business 10.a Deconstruction Policy 10.b Sustainable Events Policy 10.c Community Benefits Update 10.d PA 389 Resolution  Detroit has passed their resolution.  Wayne, Washtenaw, and Chelsea have all created resolutions.  Link together everything we want to be doing as our major initiative:  Resolution  Education  Clean up event  Regional collaboration o Aim for January meeting to introduce to commission. Moved by: Paul Vial Seconded by: Frank Komola 4 Page 6 of 16  Motion to approve the draft resolution language. Motion Adopted 11. Receive and File 11.a City Commissioner Report - Commissioner Herzog  Thank you for your efforts and congratulations on all the great accomplishments! 11.b Staff Report - Devan Dodge-Frye 11.c Social Media 12. Material Management Reports 13. General Announcements 14. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 Moved by: Zoe Chase Seconded by: Paul Vial Motion to adjourn. Motion Adopted 5 Page 7 of 16  Minutes Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board January 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, Room 122 203 S. Troy Street Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 Present: Tessa Benziger Brock Bosack Zoe Chase Frank Komola Ed Slesak Paul Vial Jill Robinson Siddharth Karunakaran Absent: Amanda Herzog Julie Lyons Bricker Nicholas Marcelletti _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm. 2. Approval of Agenda Moved by: Ed Slesak Seconded by: Tessa Benziger Motion to approve the agenda. Motion Adopted 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by: Zoe Chase Motion to table the minutes until February meeting. Motion Adopted 4. Public Comment 1 Page 8 of 16   Chloe – Observing  Madelyn – Observing CRNA university of Detroit Mercy  Commissioner Woody Gontina – observing  Nancy Proposki – o Start a task force to stop developers from removing mature trees. Leave the trees!! o Discussed distracted driving with deer/car coalitions. Plant deer resistant campaign to plant. 5. New Business 5.a Election of Officers Moved by: Jill Robinson Seconded by: Zoe Chase Motion to approve Frank as Board Chair Motion Adopted Moved by: Brock Bosack Seconded by: Frank Komola Motion to approve Ed as vice chair Motion Adopted Moved by: Ed Slesak Seconded by: Brock Bosack Motion to approve Zoe as Secretary. Motion Adopted 6. Receive and File 6.a City Commissioner Report Commissioner Herzog unable to attend. 6.b Sustainability Manager / Staff Report 6.c Materials Management Report 7. Old Business  Reconstruction- Jill shared Pontiac school demo project where salvage warehouse. Wrote into their plan that the oak tree on site must be saved. 2 Page 9 of 16   Community benefits- who is able to take up this role. Discussion PUD. o Would like Meg at future meeting to discuss community benefits and how the RENO program is going. Devan to follow up with Meg for March meeting. 8. Subcommittee/Program Updates 8.a Social Media  Zoe to share login.  Brock to run social media. 9. General Announcements  Frank reminded bord that bylaws need to be reviewed by next month for ex officio and election cadence. Voting on bylaws next month. Discussion about adding December meeting.  Promote safe battery disposal. o Promote at earth day table with educational information and have small drop off at the event. o Discussed a sticker on the recycling bins, mailer, magnets about the dos and don’ts. Want to find our feasibility of distribution and cost and collaboration with SOCRRA. o Collaborate with SOCRRA about Calander of pick up dates with info. o Discussion about including with the water bill.  Water Bills paperless option o Simplify process  Improve Communication Channels o Insight o Research different costs for additional opportunities o Send letter from the board that appreciate them including that in their publication. o Senior Center agreed to share information in their newsletter  Ask of the members to attend earth day event on April 18th o Discussion about other board involvement in planning. o MLCV need other volunteers?  Patrick’s day parade volunteers – March 14, 2026. 9am 3 Page 10 of 16   4299 in the house. Natalie Price co-sponsoring  Discussed mature tree policy/ordinance. Current policy 2:1 ratio replacement. Commercial property only.  Discussed JST site. Discussed touring. 10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:59pm. Moved by: Paul Vial Seconded by: Zoe Chase Motion to adjourn. Motion Adopted 4 Page 11 of 16  ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE February 2026 Staff Report SUBMITTING DEPARTMENT City Manager PRESENTER Devan Dodge-Frye MEETING DATE February 25, 2026 Resolution to Repeal PA389:  Sent out to Oakland County Clerk’s Association and our local state representatives and senators. Community Clean Up:  April 25th, 9am kick-off at senior center.  Would like EAB to attend kickoff.  Collaboration with Parks and Rec, Clinton River Watershed, and CN.  Registration coming soon. Fleet Updates:  The city just received 11 hybrid vehicles, including one police car! This is in line with our fleet policy to increase MPG and seek alternative fuels. Solar Updates:  Library on track.  Congressional ask award documents being developed for potential Farmer’s Market solar. Food Waste Collection Expansion: o Still awaiting EGLE agreement and ordering will begin. o Information in the Spring Insight. Downtown Waste Management Plan: Creating RFP that will look at full waste system of downtown businesses, assessing what is happening now, how introduction of shared systems like compactors look, and how to set up all services for waste, recycling, compost, etc. Revolving Energy Fund: Investigating ways to grow the fund so it can be used for substantial match or projects. Currently, only energy rebates flow into the program. Page 12 of 16  SOCRRA TONNAGE ANALYSIS January, 2026 MSW Compost Recyclables Total Municipality 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 City Of Berkley 467.2 463.1 499.4 - - 60.4 132.6 122.3 111.2 599.9 585.4 670.9 City Of Birmingham 731.3 743.8 836.4 274.7 4.2 - 183.5 193.8 182.6 1,189.5 941.8 1,019.0 City Of Clawson 375.8 488.9 350.8 - - - 85.9 83.0 63.7 461.7 571.9 414.5 City Of Ferndale 812.4 748.4 737.1 89.3 177.8 - 153.6 131.3 127.1 1,055.3 1,057.5 864.1 City Of Hazel Park 555.9 545.8 649.8 2.1 - - 65.9 86.1 51.0 623.9 631.9 700.8 City Of Huntington Woods 202.6 150.1 161.5 - 6.6 - 68.0 50.9 47.3 270.6 207.6 208.8 City Of Lathrup Village 142.8 112.9 106.1 - 4.3 - 29.2 21.2 14.1 172.0 138.4 120.2 City Of Oak Park 824.0 1,029.8 548.2 109.1 55.4 - 113.1 102.6 89.2 1,046.2 1,187.8 637.3 City Of Pleasant Ridge 88.4 62.2 69.1 - 4.0 - 30.3 21.9 25.9 118.6 88.1 95.0 City Of Royal Oak 1,802.3 1,861.8 1,867.5 33.3 - 191.6 453.9 413.3 382.2 2,289.5 2,275.1 2,441.3 City Of Troy 2,285.4 2,119.0 2,043.6 - - 35.4 486.3 450.0 418.4 2,771.8 2,569.1 2,497.3 Village of Beverly Hills 326.8 268.2 259.2 22.8 - - 106.6 79.6 80.1 456.2 347.8 339.3 SOCRRA 439.1 524.3 295.4 - - - 28.3 43.3 42.8 467.4 567.6 338.2 SOCRRA TOTAL 9,054.0 9,118.3 8,424.0 531.3 252.3 287.4 1,937.2 1,799.5 1,635.6 11,522.6 11,170.0 10,346.9 Other Customers 3,283.6 2,413.0 2,879.4 - - 30.4 283.4 350.8 206.1 3,567.0 2,763.8 3,115.9 TOTAL RECEIVED 12,337.6 11,531.3 11,303.4 531.3 252.3 317.8 2,220.6 2,150.2 1,841.7 15,089.5 13,933.8 13,462.8 ** SOCRRA MSW is Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Reject material Page 13 of 16  SOCRRA TONNAGE PERCENTAGES January, 2026 Percentage of City's Total Waste Stream MSW Compost Recyclables Municipality 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 City Of Berkley 78% 79% 74% 0% 0% 9% 22% 21% 17% City Of Birmingham 61% 79% 82% 23% 0% 0% 15% 21% 18% City Of Clawson 81% 85% 85% 0% 0% 0% 19% 15% 15% City Of Ferndale 77% 71% 85% 8% 17% 0% 15% 12% 15% City Of Hazel Park 89% 86% 93% 0% 0% 0% 11% 14% 7% City Of Huntington Woods 75% 72% 77% 0% 3% 0% 25% 25% 23% City Of Lathrup Village 83% 82% 88% 0% 3% 0% 17% 15% 12% City Of Oak Park 79% 87% 86% 10% 5% 0% 11% 9% 14% City Of Pleasant Ridge 74% 71% 73% 0% 5% 0% 26% 25% 27% City Of Royal Oak 79% 82% 76% 1% 0% 8% 20% 18% 16% City Of Troy 82% 82% 82% 0% 0% 1% 18% 18% 17% Village of Beverly Hills 72% 77% 76% 5% 0% 0% 23% 23% 24% SOCRRA TOTAL 79% 82% 81% 5% 2% 3% 17% 16% 16% SOCRRA TONNAGE PERCENTAGES RECYCLING / MSW Percentage Breakdown of MSW and Recycling MSW Recyclables Municipality 2024 2025 2026 2024 2025 2026 City Of Berkley 78% 79% 82% 22% 21% 18% City Of Birmingham 80% 79% 82% 20% 21% 18% City Of Clawson 81% 85% 85% 19% 15% 15% City Of Ferndale 84% 85% 85% 16% 15% 15% City Of Hazel Park 89% 86% 93% 11% 14% 7% City Of Huntington Woods 75% 75% 77% 25% 25% 23% City Of Lathrup Village 83% 84% 88% 17% 16% 12% City Of Oak Park 88% 91% 86% 12% 9% 14% City Of Pleasant Ridge 74% 74% 73% 26% 26% 27% City Of Royal Oak 80% 82% 83% 20% 18% 17% City Of Troy 82% 82% 83% 18% 18% 17% Village of Beverly Hills 75% 77% 76% 25% 23% 24% SOCRRA TOTAL 82% 84% 84% 18% 16% 16% Page 14 of 16  City of Royal Oak Trash Tonnage Recycling Tonnage Month FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 Month FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 July 1,885.5 2,202.0 2,211.1 July 397.8 417.1 370.3 August 2,017.5 1,938.3 1,839.1 August 461.2 439.2 336.8 September 1,798.1 1,752.2 1,992.2 September 403.3 374.4 323.4 October 1,834.4 1,938.6 2,025.9 October 421.0 442.2 387.7 November 1,905.4 1,757.2 1,830.6 November 423.4 401.2 352.7 December 1,803.2 1,801.4 2,086.1 December 419.8 462.2 421.4 January 1,802.3 1,861.8 1,867.5 January 453.9 413.3 382.2 February 1,691.4 1,555.5 - February 359.8 353.4 - March 1,655.4 2,085.2 - March 358.0 340.8 - April 2,096.9 2,043.5 - April 404.1 380.6 - May 1,993.4 2,102.3 - May 459.4 379.9 - June 1,875.2 2,069.4 - June 428.2 370.4 - Trash Tonnage by Fiscal Year and Month 2,500.0 2,000.0 1,500.0 1,000.0 500.0 - FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 Recycling Tonnage by Fiscal Year and Month 500.0 450.0 400.0 350.0 300.0 250.0 200.0 150.0 100.0 50.0 - FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 Page 15 of 16 Compost Data: Steady rate for January. Very pleased with this given the extreme weather. Page 16 of 16