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Record of Proceedings

Ferndale City Council Meeting - May 7, 2026: Presentations from Council Vacancy Applicants

City Council & Commissions — Thursday, May 7, 2026

BodyFerndale, Michigan

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateThursday, May 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:29:59

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:42

Good evening.

0:44

Calling this meeting to order at 601 PM.

0:48

If you are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:54

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:01

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:13

Kelly.

1:14

Here.

1:15

McColsky.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Sabatini.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Leaks May.

1:17

Here.

1:19

And approval of the agenda.

1:21

Mayor, I move that we approve the agenda as presented.

1:24

Support.

1:25

All in favor?

1:26

Aye.

1:27

Aye.

1:28

Opposed.

1:30

All right.

1:31

So we switch things around a little bit.

1:34

So right now we're going to have call to audience.

1:38

And if anyone's unfamiliar with call to audience, you come up to the podium and you speak on something on or off the agenda for three minutes.

1:47

Now I will state that because we have presentation with the council applicants.

1:52

You don't need to come up twice.

1:54

We'll we'll give you your time.

1:55

But if someone else would like to speak on something, this is the opportunity to do so.

2:00

So I'm opening up call to audience at 602 PM.

2:08

And I should state that this is also an opportunity if you have someone that you're supporting, you could speak for three minutes.

2:40

During that time, I met Bill Price.

3:35

Currently, volunteering with the Red Cross, making sure that people who are experiencing their worst days after fires have housing, shelter, things that they need to continue their lives.

4:26

And he's just all around a really good person, a good friend, and he's a very uh thoughtful person, and I think that he will really uh commit himself to learning how city government works and uh preparing himself for the sometimes complex decisions that council members must make on behalf of us.

4:50

And uh I trust him very much, and I would be happy to see him sitting up there with you.

4:56

Thank you.

5:08

Anyone else?

5:08

We can move right into it if you'd like.

5:18

So I am Joanna Prudent to 440 Brickly.

5:22

Um I met Chris during um Christopher Hall during Frun and Learn, and he knows government.

5:30

He has worked very hard these last few years.

5:33

Um getting to the bottom of some issues, um, making um putting all the time and effort that it takes to get to the bottom line of some problems, and has some good solutions.

5:47

Um I think he's very um very uh trying to very easy to work with.

5:57

Um he knows what's right, what's wrong, um, but he'll also listen to the other side.

6:03

So I think he would be a great candidate.

6:07

Well, I shouldn't say a candidate, he is a great candidate.

6:10

He'd be great for the council.

6:25

Okay.

6:27

All right.

6:28

So as you know, we're going to have presentations from the Sferndale City Council for two applicants who are applying for the vacancy.

6:38

Um I would like to hear from council if you would like to have the opportunity to ask questions with the person who's at the podium.

6:48

They can stand there for a moment if you have something, if you need questions of clarity.

6:51

We may not.

6:52

Um you want that option?

6:55

I do not.

6:59

I mean, if it's questions of clarity on something that they said, I I would I don't I don't think so.

7:11

No.

7:12

All right.

7:14

Well, I would have voted yes, but two two means it.

7:19

But two two means it just it won't happen.

7:21

So we will move on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Community Engagement██████████████████████████████████████38%

Affordable Housing████████████12%

Procedural███████████11%

Economic Development██████6%

Public Safety██████6%

Youth Programs████4%

Engineering And Infrastructure████4%

Urban Design████4%

Public Engagement████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Ferndale City Council Meeting - May 7, 2026

Overview

The Ferndale City Council held a special meeting on May 7, 2026, at 6:01 PM at City Hall to receive presentations from 14 applicants for a vacant council seat. The meeting also included a consent agenda approval for a parks project and a brief public comment period. Council members praised the applicant pool and announced that formal deliberations and a vote would occur on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously: Participation Certification for the Public Spaces Community Places Program for the Harding Park Inline Skate Rink Replacement Project.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bill Price supporter: Spoke in favor of Bill Price, citing his volunteer work with the Red Cross and describing him as a thoughtful person who would commit to learning city government.
Christopher Hall supporter: Spoke in favor of Christopher Hall, highlighting his government knowledge, problem-solving skills, and ability to listen to different sides.

Presentations by Council Vacancy Applicants

Fourteen applicants presented their qualifications, top goals, and vision for the city. Key themes included affordability, community engagement, sustainability, public safety, and neighborhood investment. Below are the applicants and their stated priorities:

Gregory Brown Jr. (resident 5 years): Strengthen neighborhood investment, support reasonable economic growth, increase community engagement and transparency. Serves on the Community Police and Review Board (CPARP).
Bill Price (resident 10 years): Planning and placemaking (e.g., restoring the Kulick Community Center), safeguarding accessibility, sustainability (supporting climate goals). Engineer and veteran with Red Cross volunteer experience.
Samantha Pickering (resident 3 years): Housing development and land use prioritizing long-term residents, infrastructure and public health (lead service line replacement, lead-safe homes), climate resilience and sustainability. Public health policy manager.
Mark Culpepper: Enhancing business districts (e.g., tax on vacant storefronts, developing Livernois and Hilton corridors), reducing environmental impact (tree planting, rain gardens, EV fleet), addressing affordability (detailed tax bills, resident parking passes). Cycling advocate.
Mary [last name not given] (long-term resident): Monitor improvements to usability and safety, prioritize dialogue between residents/businesses and city government. Expressed concerns about past developments (e.g., Vester Street apartment complex) and parking issues.
Attorney [name not given] (resident at 1911 Catalpa Court): Ensure business district expansion fits resident comfort, support Kulick Center, continue progressive and inclusive policies. Litigation attorney with contract interpretation skills.
Dennis Whitey (lifelong resident, 48 years): Improve city responsiveness and customer service, enhance communication between residents and city employees, improve city services. Retired police officer, criminal defense attorney, community volunteer.
Christopher Hall (resident since 2020): Find long-term solution for Kulick Center, expand affordable housing (using community land trust model), address blighted properties. Serves on Planning Commission; shared personal experience with housing instability.
Krista Johnston (29-year resident): Serve as steward of progress, equity, and resilience; engage community and anticipate needs; serve with excellence. Former business owner and festival producer; emphasized supporting elected officials' goals.
Jim McLucky (resident 20 years): Preserve Kulick Center as historic asset, focus on infrastructure (tree canopy, DPW support), improve city technology (text notification system). Supported Headlee override.
Nina [last name not given] (resident 5 years): Fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth, affordability (housing trust fund, affordable housing), establish a human rights commission. Financial analyst for Oakland County.
Michelle Donaldson (resident, chef and herbalist): Ensure decisions benefit residents first, think boldly about future issues (energy independence, food security, healthcare access), protect environment and make fiscally sustainable decisions. Community organizer and harm reduction advocate.
Andrea Popovich (resident since 2014): Create a safe space for youth, make Pinecrest south of 9 Mile a 25 mph zone, increase visibility of commission work (e.g., Climate Action Master Plan). Chairs the Ferndale Environment and Sustainability Commission.

Council members also acknowledged that two additional applicants submitted statements but were not present; those statements are posted on the agenda.

Key Outcomes

Consent agenda approved for the Harding Park Inline Skate Rink Replacement Project certification.
No vote taken on the council vacancy; council will hold deliberations and vote on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Council members expressed appreciation for the large applicant pool (over 20, a record) and encouraged those not selected to serve on other boards and commissions.
Meeting adjourned after council remarks.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Calling this meeting to order at 601 PM. If you are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Kelly. Here. McColsky. Here. Sabatini. Here. Leaks May. Here. And approval of the agenda. Mayor, I move that we approve the agenda as presented. Support. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. All right. So we switch things around a little bit. So right now we're going to have call to audience. And if anyone's unfamiliar with call to audience, you come up to the podium and you speak on something on or off the agenda for three minutes. Now I will state that because we have presentation with the council applicants. You don't need to come up twice. We'll we'll give you your time. But if someone else would like to speak on something, this is the opportunity to do so. So I'm opening up call to audience at 602 PM. And I should state that this is also an opportunity if you have someone that you're supporting, you could speak for three minutes. During that time, I met Bill Price. Currently, volunteering with the Red Cross, making sure that people who are experiencing their worst days after fires have housing, shelter, things that they need to continue their lives. And he's just all around a really good person, a good friend, and he's a very uh thoughtful person, and I think that he will really uh commit himself to learning how city government works and uh preparing himself for the sometimes complex decisions that council members must make on behalf of us. And uh I trust him very much, and I would be happy to see him sitting up there with you. Thank you. Anyone else? We can move right into it if you'd like. So I am Joanna Prudent to 440 Brickly. Um I met Chris during um Christopher Hall during Frun and Learn, and he knows government. He has worked very hard these last few years. Um getting to the bottom of some issues, um, making um putting all the time and effort that it takes to get to the bottom line of some problems, and has some good solutions. Um I think he's very um very uh trying to very easy to work with. Um he knows what's right, what's wrong, um, but he'll also listen to the other side. So I think he would be a great candidate. Well, I shouldn't say a candidate, he is a great candidate. He'd be great for the council. Okay. All right. So as you know, we're going to have presentations from the Sferndale City Council for two applicants who are applying for the vacancy. Um I would like to hear from council if you would like to have the opportunity to ask questions with the person who's at the podium.

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