OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ferndale City Council Meeting - Inauguration of 50th Council and January 12, 2026 Business

City Council & Commissions — Monday, January 12, 2026
BodyFerndale, Michigan
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateMonday, January 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening.

0:08

I'm calling this e-meeting to order at seven o'clock p.m.

0:13

If you're able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance.

0:18

I pledge allegiance to the play of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under ballot, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

0:38

We will start off tonight with the inauguration of the 50th Ferndale City Council of Inauguration.

0:46

The oath of offices will be administered by Honorable Honorable Judge Joseph Longo of the 43rd District Court.

0:55

And I will start first.

0:57

Okay.

0:59

I'm ready.

1:16

You raise your right hand.

1:19

Do you, Ray Lon Leeds may solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of mayor according to the best of your ability.

1:37

I will.

1:38

Congratulations.

1:39

Thank you.

1:52

Laura, you want to come down.

1:56

Hi.

2:16

Do you, Laura McColsky, solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of the City Council member according to the best of your ability.

2:33

Congratulations.

2:58

Solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will flightfully discharge the duties of City Council Member 40 to the best of your ability.

3:14

I will.

3:37

Johnson.

3:38

Here.

3:38

Kelly.

3:39

Here.

3:39

McCulski.

3:40

Here.

3:41

Sabatini.

3:42

Here.

3:42

Leek Smay.

3:43

Here.

3:44

Thank you.

3:46

And now I like to take this opportunity for I'd like to give a few moments for friends and family to get some photos and for us to take just a little bit of a break to allow that to happen before we start to conduct business.

3:57

And those who and those who do not wish to remain for the actual meeting, that would be your opportunity to kind of duck out if you wanted to.

4:05

So we'll we'll recess for about ten minutes.

4:09

Okay.

4:26

I can sign it up here.

4:28

Okay.

4:33

It's a really cool problem.

4:44

So do it individually.

4:45

Of course we do it too forward.

5:11

Yeah.

5:13

There you go.

5:18

Okay.

5:20

Okay.

5:24

Yeah, you can give it one.

5:25

Okay.

5:25

Oh.

5:27

I'm on a fellow in the center.

5:38

Yeah, we're just a little bit down the wise.

5:52

Oh yeah.

5:57

Smile.

5:59

Drop any of the side.

6:02

Now probably uh turn towards it.

6:14

Okay, so you want to close the right place.

6:18

You two wrong.

6:20

Nobody will stay up there.

6:30

Oh gosh, I got to see.

6:41

Look this way.

6:47

Okay, stay there.

6:48

Let me have the rest of the family.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Community Engagement█████████████████17%
Public Safety████████████12%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Racial Equity████4%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Ferndale City Council Meeting - January 12, 2026

The Ferndale City Council held its first meeting of 2026 on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting began with the inauguration of the 50th Ferndale City Council, including the swearing-in of Mayor Raylon Leeks-May (re-elected) and new Councilmember Eddie Sabatini, along with returning Councilmembers Rolanda Kelly, Laura McColsky (renamed McCulski during meeting), and Donnie Johnson. The oath was administered by Judge Joseph Longo. After a brief recess for photos, the council conducted business including approval of the consent agenda, appointment of council liaisons to boards and commissions, election of the Mayor Pro Tem, and a presentation of holiday light awards. Public comment included strong opposition to proposed ALPR cameras. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved as a block: Minutes of December 15, 2025; FYE26 Second Quarter Budget Amendment; FY25 Retirement System Annual Report; Passport contract amendment for ParkFerndale credit card processing; network switch replacement ($7,409.16); strategic planning services with Bridgeport Consulting ($13,250); fence privacy screens for southwest storage yard (up to $13,000); Nearmap aerial imagery subscription ($7,055); 2026 pavement joint and crack sealing program ($70,990); Watson & Yates finance project services (not to exceed $91,120); downtown maintenance service agreement between DPW and DDA; open purchase order with Madison Electric for decorative streetlight poles (up to $35,000); ClearPath weather software for winter maintenance ($10,307.30); annual payment to Envisio Solutions ($5,788.13); glass cleaning services at city facilities ($9,234.50); agreement with Liturgical Publications for senior newsletter sponsorship; and approval of bills and payrolls.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Otto Massey (281 West Maplehurst): Resolutely opposed to any ALPR camera usage, citing Fourth Amendment concerns, reasonable expectation of privacy, and the risk of future mission creep. Asked that ALPR cameras be removed.
  • Linda Brinkett (Good Trouble Chorus): Requested council sign a charitable license for a performance at Zion Lutheran Church in February; referred to city clerk for review.
  • Unnamed speaker (resident): Criticized Mayor Leeks-May for a previous quote in the Oakland Press about being "voice of the black people," urging the mayor to be voice of all residents regardless of color. Expressed support for ALPR cameras for police effectiveness.
  • Christopher Hall (1845 Sime Street): Congratulated all elected officials, particularly the mayor as an African American woman, and stated no man should tell a woman what to say or do.
  • Nicole Massey (281 West Maplehurst): Opposed ALPR cameras, comparing to Orwellian surveillance, expressing concerns about chilling effects on residents and businesses (e.g., dispensary customers), and noting potential for abuse without warrants.
  • Jim McLucky (903 ML Street): Congratulated new council members and registered opposition to ALPR technology and the L Carwash project.

Discussion Items

  • Holiday Light Awards Presentation: Arts & Beautification Commission presented winners of the 2025 Holiday Light Awards. 56 houses nominated in four quadrants. Winners: 1955 Catalpa (Northwest), 1801 Annabelle and 2145 Manatee (Northeast tie), 407 St. Louis (Southwest), 1510 Jewel (Southeast). Signs delivered.
  • Appointment of Councilmembers to Boards and Commissions: Mayor Leeks-May presented recommendations for council liaisons to various boards. Assignments approved unanimously via roll call: Sabatini to Accessibility & Inclusion Advisory Commission, Arts & Beautification, Parks & Rec, Sidewalk Hardship, Police/Fire Pension Board; Kelly to Arts & Beautification, Board of Zoning Appeals, Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority; Johnson to Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Agenda Review, CIP Policy Team, Incentives, Ordinance; McCulski to Planning Commission, CIP Policy Team, Ordinance; Leeks-May to Employee Pension Board, Liquor License Review, Police/Fire Pension Board, Agenda Review, Incentives. Alternates: Sabatini/Kelly pair, Johnson/McCulski pair, with mayor as overall alternate.
  • Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem: Mayor nominated Councilmember Donnie Johnson, citing tradition of rotating the position. Johnson gave a speech outlining priorities (RX Kids program, trash bins, human services partnerships). Councilmember Kelly nominated Laura McCulski, arguing the council needed stronger communication and collaboration, and that she had difficulty communicating with the mayor. After discussion, Mayor Leeks-May called for a unanimous vote. All five council members voted yes, making McCulski Mayor Pro Tem for her second term.
  • PILOT Resolution for 1200 W. Nine Mile Road: Item postponed to January 26, 2026 meeting. City Planner gave update: proposed 56-unit 100% attainable housing development (17 units at 80% AMI, 18 at 100% AMI, 21 at 120% AMI). Community benefits include $160,000 in Nine Mile Road improvements, three ADA units, public art mural, bike share station, $30,000 to Gary Park, $25,000 to Renaissance Vineyard Church, $25,000/year +3% annual increase municipal service agreement, clawback provision, $10,000 admin fee (total ~$300,000). Council unanimously voted to table to January 26.
  • Department Updates: DPW announced bag leaf dumpsters at Martin Road Park (similar to holiday heave) and a salt bucket program for seniors/low-income residents. Communications Director announced phone tree update targeting Friday, January 16 or following Friday. Parks and Rec announced Little Princess Dance (Feb 7), youth soccer registration (opens Jan 19), Grand Experience trip to Mackinac Island (May 12-15), and summer camp registration opening end of January. Also noted 2026 Parks & Recreation survey is now available.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Council liaison assignments approved by roll call (5-0).
  • Laura McCulski appointed Mayor Pro Tem for a second term (unanimous 5-0).
  • PILOT resolution for 1200 W. Nine Mile postponed to January 26, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
  • Public comments on ALPR cameras were heard; no council action taken on that topic at this meeting.
  • Holiday light awards presented; winners recognized.
  • Phone tree update scheduled for January 16 or next Friday.
  • New DPW programs (leaf dumpsters, salt buckets for seniors) to be rolled out in coming weeks.
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'm calling this e-meeting to order at seven o'clock p.m. If you're able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the play of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under ballot, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We will start off tonight with the inauguration of the 50th Ferndale City Council of Inauguration. The oath of offices will be administered by Honorable Honorable Judge Joseph Longo of the 43rd District Court. And I will start first. Okay. I'm ready. You raise your right hand. Do you, Ray Lon Leeds may solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of mayor according to the best of your ability. I will. Congratulations. Thank you. Laura, you want to come down. Hi. Do you, Laura McColsky, solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of the City Council member according to the best of your ability. Congratulations. Solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of this state, and the Charter of the City of Ferndale, and that you will flightfully discharge the duties of City Council Member 40 to the best of your ability. I will. Johnson. Here. Kelly. Here. McCulski. Here. Sabatini. Here. Leek Smay. Here. Thank you. And now I like to take this opportunity for I'd like to give a few moments for friends and family to get some photos and for us to take just a little bit of a break to allow that to happen before we start to conduct business. And those who and those who do not wish to remain for the actual meeting, that would be your opportunity to kind of duck out if you wanted to. So we'll we'll recess for about ten minutes. Okay. I can sign it up here. Okay. It's a really cool problem. So do it individually. Of course we do it too forward. Yeah. There you go. Okay. Okay. Yeah, you can give it one. Okay. Oh. I'm on a fellow in the center. Yeah, we're just a little bit down the wise. Oh yeah.

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