Ferndale City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Immigration, Patio Zone, Pride, and Sewer Equipment
Ferndale City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026
Note: The agenda and transcript indicate this meeting occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, but the instruction requires using April 7, 2026. This discrepancy is noted here; the summary follows the instruction's date.
The Ferndale City Council met on April 7, 2026 (per instruction), from 7:02 PM to 10:32 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments, and votes on several ordinances and purchases. Key actions included adoption of an immigration enforcement ordinance, expansion of the social district (patio zone), approval of a special event permit for Ferndale Pride with a suspended patio zone, amendment to the animal sales ordinance, and approval of two major sewer equipment purchases.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of March 9, 2026 meeting.
- Adopted resolutions proclaiming April as Autism Acceptance Month and National Arab American Heritage Month.
- Approved appointments/reappointments to boards and commissions.
- Approved resolutions of support and financial commitment ($100,000) for Michigan DNR grants.
- Approved a special event permit for the 4th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fest (May 2-3, 2026).
- Approved backfilling a Program Specialist position and two Firefighter positions.
- Approved MOU with Oakland County Sheriff's Office for HIDTA grant funds.
- Approved police auction/disposal of lost and abandoned property.
- Approved field use agreement with Ferndale Eagles Youth Football.
- Approved bills and payrolls.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sharon Chess (Ferndale Community Concert Band) announced upcoming concerts and urged council to consider the entire community.
- Chris Bust (Rust Belt Market) supported extending the patio zone to Livernois.
- Rachel Sellers (Ferndale Accessibility Commission) thanked council for Autism Acceptance Month proclamation but spoke against patio zone expansion, citing impact on Ferndale Pride's sobriety and youth-friendliness.
- Abdullah Sheikh (AMPAC) thanked council for Arab American Heritage Month recognition.
- Silka Taylor supported keeping Ferndale Pride alcohol-free, noting substance use issues in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Chris Gilmer Hill urged a strong immigration enforcement ordinance, warning against federal overreach.
- Shane Matthew (Ferndale Pride contractor) opposed patio zone expansion, citing safety and cost barriers for Pride.
- Angela LePard thanked council for autism and Arab American recognition, but urged stronger immigration ordinance and preservation of Pride as a dry event.
- Ashton (former resident, FTM Detroit) urged preserving Pride's family-friendly, alcohol-free character.
- Tina Yi emphasized need for alcohol-free spaces in recovery and at Pride.
- Heidi West (teacher) thanked council for immigration ordinance work but urged stronger language; also opposed patio expansion for Pride.
- Dan Martin (FernCare Free Medical Clinic) noted that even with patio expansion, a nonprofit liquor license would still be needed for Pride's beer tent, adding complexity.
- Juliet Musick (Ferndale Pride organizer) stressed that expanding the patio zone would impose significant costs and safety risks; requested consistent suspension for Pride.
- Ahmed Ganem thanked council for Arab American Heritage Month and supported Pride organizers.
- Prasad Vinegopal supported immigration ordinance but urged stronger protections; also supported keeping Pride alcohol-free.
- Dennis Whitey (attorney, Ferndale Community Foundation) supported immigration and animal ordinances, but opposed patio expansion for Pride, citing insurance and nonprofit impacts.
- Cat Litash thanked council for inclusivity but urged stronger immigration ordinance.
- Angela LePard (second speaker) echoed calls for stronger immigration ordinance and noted potential loss of safe spaces.
- Drew McCauley (Ferndale Area District Library) introduced himself and invited council to a presentation on April 27.
- Amanda Trepa (state senate candidate) thanked council for immigration ordinance, noting fear among marginalized groups.
Discussion Items
4.A Giggle Pickles Robotics Presentation
- The back-to-back state championship middle school robotics team (Giggle Pickles) demonstrated their robot and discussed fundraising for worlds in Houston. Council expressed support.
4.B Electric Vehicle Charging Master Plan Update
- DPW Director presented short-term plans to replace failed chargers at Library and Withington lots with dual-port level 2 chargers (summer 2026). Long-term: updating the 2023 master plan with broader stakeholder input, focusing on high-demand locations and cost recovery. No vote required.
4.C Proposal to Add Sculpture to Public Art Collection
- DDA Director proposed a donated steel sculpture by local artist James Kay to be placed in the Woodward median. Estimated costs ($1,500-$3,000) to be borne by DDA. MDOT permit required. Council supportive; no vote needed.
8.A Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (Second Reading and Adoption)
- Councilmember Kelly provided background: ordinance committee made changes including specificity on exigent circumstances and enforcement. Council members expressed desire for stronger future amendments but supported current version. Passed 7-0.
8.B Adoption of Amendment to Social District Ordinance (Patio Zone Expansion)
- Ordinance committee proposed expanding boundaries to Livernois (south), Pearson (south), Oak Ridge (north), Leland (east). Discussion on data collection, safety (Chief Emmi reported no incidents), and distinction from Pride event. Passed 5-0.
8.C Special Event Permit for 16th Annual Ferndale Pride (May 30, 2026)
- Motion included suspension of patio zone during the event. Extensive debate about objective process for future years. Council committed to working with organizer Juliet Musick on a predictable policy. Passed 5-0.
8.D Amendment to Animal Sales Ordinance
- Sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Mikulski, closes loophole allowing animal sales at non-pet store establishments by prohibiting advertising animals for sale. Puppy yoga still allowed if animals not for sale. Passed 5-0.
8.E Purchase of Sewer Inspection (CCTV) Truck
- Approval of $398,407 purchase from M-Tech via CoPro+ contract. Funded through water/sewer fund. Will reduce reliance on contractors and support proactive maintenance. Passed 5-0.
8.F Purchase of Vactor 2100i Combination Sewer Cleaner
- Approval of $684,265 purchase from Macqueen Equipment via MI-Deal contract. Second unit will allow concurrent emergency response and lead service line verification. Passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Immigration Enforcement Ordinance: Adopted (7-0). Council committed to further strengthening.
- Social District Expansion: Approved (5-0). Boundaries extended to Livernois, Pearson, Oak Ridge, Leland. DDA to report on metrics in one year.
- Ferndale Pride 2026: Special event permit approved (5-0) with patio zone suspended. Council to develop objective criteria for future suspensions.
- Animal Sales Ordinance: Amended (5-0) to close loophole on animal sales at non-pet stores.
- Sewer CCTV Truck: Approved (5-0) for $398,407.
- Vactor Sewer Cleaner: Approved (5-0) for $684,265.
Other Updates
- City Manager announced Ferndale Learn program (April 9-June 18).
- Parks and Recreation announced Easter Extravaganza (March 28) and sports registrations.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I call this meeting to order at 702. If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the plague of the United States of America. And choose a republic of which it's hins, one nation, under God, indivisible. With liberty and justice for all. Can we have a roll call, please? Johnson. Here. Kelly. Here. McColsky. Here. Sabatini. Here. Leaks May. Here. Approval of the agenda. Madam Mayor approved the agenda as presented. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Right. We're moving on right on to our presentations tonight. Our first presentation will be the Giggle Pickles robot presentation. Yes. However, you get your if you're here. So you can present right up here if someone wanted to speak at the podium. The podium's there. So you just the floor is yours. Right here. Oh, thank you. Before we get a demonstration, does someone want to explain at the podium what we're going to be seeing? Oh, that's important. Yes. Hello. All right. Um my name is Desmond Kahler. I'm representing the back to back state championship robotics team, Giggle Pickles. Um, we're here to show you our amazing robot that we spent a lot of time on. So there it is. Oh we have our turret, which helps us shoot on the move facing any direction with our robot, which we're about to demonstrate in a second here. Uh it's been since like August. We our state championship competition. Oh, there goes the turret. Uh our state championship competition was in December. So August to December, we spent multiple multiple hours on it. And then uh since then we've been preparing for nationals in Houston by adding our turret and multiple other different little tweaks to our robot. Worlds. My bad.
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