Ferndale City Council Meeting – January 26, 2026: PILOT Vote, Surveillance Ordinance, Snow Emergency Discussed
Ferndale City Council Meeting – January 26, 2026
The Ferndale City Council met on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:01 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered multiple agenda items including two public hearings, approval of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) resolution for the Nine West workforce housing project, the first reading of a Community Input Over Government Surveillance ordinance, and a deficit elimination plan for the auto parking fund. The meeting also included public comments, a mayoral statement on immigration enforcement, and updates from city departments on winter operations.
Consent Calendar
- Items 7A–7Q (except 7C) were approved unanimously without discussion. These included:
- Approval of January 12, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Resolution celebrating Black History Month (February 2026) and display of the Pan‑African Flag.
- Charitable gaming license for Good Treble Chorus.
- Interlocal agreements with Oakland County (P25 radio system) and Oakland Community Health Network (mental health co‑responder services).
- Backfill of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director.
- Software amendment with Passport Labs Inc. ($17,150 credit).
- Permitted parking agreement with Ferndale Area District Library.
- Council chamber AV system upgrade ($26,937).
- City facilities Meraki replacement ($63,753.51).
- HVAC maintenance and upgrade agreements with Siemens ($7,324 and $41,795).
- Professional services agreements with Plante Moran ($25,000), OHM Advisors for water service line verification ($23,500), and sidewalk inspection GIS ($19,500).
- Approval of bills and payrolls.
- Item 7C (deficit elimination plan) was pulled for separate discussion and later approved under regular agenda as item 8C.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Simon Cohen (954 West Marshall) opposed the Axon AOPR contract, arguing that surveillance systems enable state violence. He proposed redirecting funds to FernCare and rethinking police budgets.
- Cat Latash (715 West Breckenridge), representing Ferndale Inclusion Network, thanked the council for the opening statement on immigration enforcement but requested more specific, practical details on what residents can expect from the city if approached by ICE.
- Doug Gillespie (1841 Pinecrest), director of Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry, expressed support for the Nine West PILOT, citing the need for affordable housing and praising developer Mike Ferlito’s community engagement.
- Carmen Garcia (1850 Central Street), member of Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit (potential buyer of Renaissance Vineyard Church), also supported the Nine West project.
- Angela LePard (East Breckenridge) supported workforce housing but urged the council to distinguish “attainable” from “affordable,” ensure accountability and significant penalties for non‑compliance, and consider parking and unit size for families.
- Dickie Lang (board member, Renaissance Vineyard Church) endorsed the PILOT, noting the developer’s commitment to help repave the church’s parking lot, which serves the food pantry.
- Reggie Sutherland (Raymond E. Shepherd House resident and longtime food pantry volunteer) supported Nine West, noting the need for housing at multiple price points.
- Mia Peroni (408 East Camborne Street) also supported the project, praising the city‑developer partnership.
- Ryan Rainbow (1961 East Troy Street) criticized the snow emergency enforcement, stating that the text alert system was down and the city issued 300+ tickets despite residents not being properly notified. He asked for a written plan to fix alert systems and a policy of warnings when systems fail.
- Xavier Ivoy (230 La Prairie) spoke briefly to celebrate Michigan’s 189th birthday and promote youth civic engagement.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing: Class C Liquor License for City Smoke Ferndale LLC (345 E. Nine Mile Road) – The license was recommended by the Liquor License Review Committee. A public speaker questioned parking, noting the nearby lot is private. The applicant (Chris Towers) clarified that the parking structure mention was a typo; employees will park in municipal lots 9, 10, and 11, and the business owns 32 spots. The council approved the license unanimously (5–0). The hearing opened at 7:24 PM and closed at 7:29 PM; the vote occurred at 7:30 PM.
- Public Hearing: Conditional Rezoning at 660 E. 10 Mile Road (former Walker Wire site) – The request was to rezone from I‑1 Industrial to MXD‑1 Neighborhood Mixed Use to allow a full‑service restaurant, Paper Suns BBQ (Chinese‑American barbecue). Planning commission approved the conditions in December 2025. The applicant (Dennis Cowan) outlined five conditions (fencing, setbacks, parking in adjacent lot, landscaping, and waiver of certain landscaping provisions). Councilmember Sabatini asked about ADA compliance; the applicant confirmed. The hearing opened at 7:31 PM and closed at 7:42 PM; the rezoning was approved unanimously (5–0).
- Regular Agenda 8A: PILOT Resolution and Community Benefits Agreement for 1200 W. Nine Mile Road (Nine West) – Ross (community development) presented the 15‑year PILOT to build workforce housing (56 units at 80%–120% AMI). The city receives $36,401 from 3% of shelter rents plus $25,000 municipal service fee, totaling $61,401 annually. Community benefits include $300,000+ (Geary Park improvements, public art, bike share, ADA units, repaving church parking lot, etc.). Council extensively debated the term length (15 years), definitions of attainability, alternative housing models (land trusts, co‑ops), compliance verification, parking (1 space per unit), and union labor. Councilmember Johnson proposed two amendments: (1) adding $60,000 for landscaping in the public right‑of‑way, and (2) making approval contingent on the city manager adopting a written administrative policy for flex‑unit conversions (80%→100% AMI when units remain vacant 90–120 days). The motion passed 3–2 (Johnson, Mikolski, Leaks May in favor; Kelly, Sabatini opposed).
- Regular Agenda 8B: First Reading of Community Input Over Government Surveillance Ordinance – City Manager introduced the draft ordinance. The council approved the first reading and scheduled a dedicated public hearing for Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6 PM, with a second reading at the regular meeting on February 9, 2026. The vote was unanimous (5–0). Council also discussed holding the public hearing in an open‑dialogue format.
- Item 8C (formerly 7C): Deficit Elimination Plan for Auto Parking Fund – The resolution was pulled for discussion. The plan outlines three strategies: reducing expenditures (already passing transaction fees to users), increasing revenues (continuing fee increases every other year), and forgiving a portion of the $1.5 million interfund loan from the general fund. Council expressed interest in revisiting the public‑private parking agreement (Versa) and requested a memo from the city attorney on remedies. The plan was approved unanimously (5–0).
Key Outcomes
- Class C Liquor License for City Smoke Ferndale LLC (345 E. Nine Mile Rd) – Approved (5–0).
- Conditional Rezoning at 660 E. 10 Mile Rd – Approved (5–0).
- PILOT / Community Benefits for Nine West (1200 W. Nine Mile Rd) – Approved with two amendments: (1) add $60,000 for public right‑of‑way landscaping; (2) flexibility for AMI unit conversions contingent on city manager’s adoption of a written policy. Vote: 3–2 (Johnson, Mikolski, Leaks May yes; Kelly, Sabatini no).
- First Reading of Surveillance Ordinance – Approved (5–0); public hearing set for February 2, 2026 at 6 PM; second reading February 9, 2026.
- Deficit Elimination Plan for Auto Parking Fund – Approved (5–0). Council will receive a summary of legal remedies regarding the Versa public‑private agreement.
- Snow Emergency Response: Over 300 tickets were issued; the city manager will discuss relief for those not properly notified (text system was down). DPW missed six blocks (Symes, Romeo, Leech, Rensson, Martin, Almont) and will address them the following day.
- Mayoral Statement: The mayor reaffirmed that Ferndale Police do not have a 287(g) agreement with ICE, do not enforce immigration law, and the council has no intent to enter such agreements. Councilmember Kelly announced she is drafting a sanctuary city resolution for the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Is that what she said? She sent me a note and she was asking about the uh the pilot and she lives in an apartment up in Pontiac that is also subject to a pilot. And there are a couple of yeah. Okay. You ready? Thank you. You ready? Good evening. I call this meeting to order at 7 01 p.m. If you're able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic by which it stands. May we have a roll call, please. Johnson. Here. Kelly. Here. McCoolski. Here. Sabatini. Here. Leaks May. Here. All right. And before we proceed, I'd like to utilize point of privilege to issue a statement regarding in light of uh recent events regarding uh uh emigration and customs enforcement. Over the last few weeks and the last couple of days, especially, my office has seen an increase in the number of residents seeking insight and assurance about the role of the Ferndale police in response to potential immigration enforcement activity. First, thank you to our passionate community members for expressing your concern. Please know that keeping the community safe and upholding the highest levels of professionalism and accountability are the top priorities of our public safety officials. The Ferndale Police Department does not have a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. immigration and customs enforcement and does not participate in Federal Government 287G task force model program. Further, the Ferndale City Council has no intention of entering into any agreement of that nature. Ferndale police officers do not enforce immigration law. The Ferndale Police Department is committed to its mission partnering with our diverse community to provide public safety and integrity, professionalism, and honor. Our department ascribes to the guardian mindset in accordance with the 21st century policing blueprint. The city of Ferndale will always respect the rights of individual citizens to protest. Where it becomes necessary, the presence of police up police officers at protest is intended to protect your well-being and safety, and most importantly, to prevent the escalation of needless violence. No public safety is exempt from the responsibility to exercise due care and accountability. We expect the same to be held true by Ferndale leadership. And with that being said, we will move on to the approval of the agenda. Madam Mayor, I move we approve the agenda as presented. Motion to uh pull item seven C from the consent agenda for discussion, Madam Mayor. Support support with the polling. Okay, all right. My motion to approve supersedes that motion. We need to dispose of my motion first. I withdraw my motion. Thank you, Councilmember. Then we need a motion to approve the agenda with moving item 7C off the consent agenda item to the regular agenda item is what we need. Okay, I make a motion to approve the agenda with 7C removed to the regular agenda. Support. Okay.
openpublica.com