Ferndale City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026: Charter Amendment, Public Comments, and Community Updates
Ferndale City Council Meeting – June 8, 2026
The Ferndale City Council met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:03 PM at City Hall. The meeting featured presentations from Affirmations Community Center and the Environmental Sustainability Commission, a lengthy public comment period with both supportive and critical remarks, approval of a consent agenda (with one item tabled), and a vote to place a charter amendment on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda approved with an amendment to table Item 7J (Professional Services Agreement with OHM Advisors for DPW Mechanical Upgrades) until the July meeting.
- All other consent items were approved unanimously. Items included: approval of May 26, 2026 meeting minutes (7A); adoption of an ordinance to ban unlawful release of balloons (7B); resolution recognizing June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth Freedom Day and displaying the flag (7C); updated city councilmember appointments to boards and commissions (7D); appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions (7E); appointment of representative and alternate to SOCRRA Board of Trustees (7F); submission of Fire Safety and Prevention Grant application (7G); submission of Assistance to Firefighters Grant application (7H); participation agreement with CLEMIS Authority (7I); as-needed pavement restoration and striping services by Pavement Specialties, Inc. not to exceed $20,000 (7K); playground mulch installation by Superior Groundcover Inc. for $15,990 (7L); deferral back to Planning Commission regarding 22230 Woodward Avenue (7M); and approval of bills and payrolls (7N).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Frank Castranov (430 West Troy) voiced strong opposition to a concert by Amrit Coley scheduled for late June in Henry A. Schiffer Park. He argued the rental application was deceptive (promoted as a small event but advertised widely) and expressed that the advertised flags of Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran, along with anti-Israel rhetoric, made him feel unsafe as a Jewish Zionist. He urged the city to void the permit.
- June Axelrad (477 West Troy) echoed opposition, calling the concert anti-Semitic and stating that Ferndale is “facilitating” it by bending rules. She compared the situation to a hypothetical KKK event.
- Gay Chischler (430 West Troy) opposed the concert, describing her 30-year residency and volunteer work for Affirmations, and said the city has become “unfriendly to Jews.”
- Goldie (no address given) opposed the concert, noting she is a Zionist and has been called a Nazi or baby killer since October 7, 2023. She said the IRGC flag used in promotion is associated with 40,000 killed in Iran, and urged the city to stop the event.
- Jeremy Gilbert (187 West Camborn) requested a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, citing noise measurements of 92 decibels from a nearby commercial property and referencing the city noise ordinance (Chapter 8.08.020). He said his complaint to property management received no response.
- Kevin Roach (West Marshall) announced open seats on the Ferndale Accessibility Inclusion Advisory Commission and noted the commission could look into the leaf blower issue.
- Evelyn Elster (West Drayton) criticized city spending, calling for a “property taxpayer appreciation month” and urging council to use red pens to cut what she deemed unnecessary expenses.
- Dennis (address not completed) spoke about parks and recreation, recalling past issues with permits, and made comments about Jewish people that were cut off by the mayor for being out of order.
- Laurie O'Brien (686 Livernoy, Ferndale Cat Shelter) invited the public to a charity kickball game on July 18 at Geary Park.
- Simon Cohen (supported by Paul Collum) expressed excitement to serve on the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission and also criticized a proposed 24-hour automatic drive-through car wash as “the least popular thing I’ve seen in Ferndale.”
- Paul Collum (President of Ferndale…) voiced support for Simon Cohen and asked for earlier agenda release and an update on the Rx for Kids program.
- Dennis Whitey (1510 Camden, lifelong resident) spoke at length about the proposed charter amendment on council resignation to run for mayor. He argued the current process is “undemocratic” and advocated for an alternative: the council member’s seat would become vacant at the end of the year, allowing a special election rather than an appointment. He urged the council to table the amendment and consider his language.
Discussion Items
- Affirmations Community Center Update (Presentation 4A): Executive Director Tracy reported that in 2025 the center served more than 30,000 individuals, provided over 3,500 counseling visits, held 40 vaccination and testing clinics, and had 230 volunteers. In 2026 through May, over 11,000 people have already visited. New initiatives include a reopened gallery and a growing partnership with Ferndale Pride. The center remains a hub for LGBTQ+ services.
- 2026 Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission (FESC) Annual Report (Presentation 4B): Chair Andrea Popovich reported on 2025 accomplishments: 137 new residential food scrap sign-ups (total 1,466 households), 205,000 pounds of food scraps composted, 800+ pounds of batteries recycled, 29 natural landscape program sign-ups, and a fourth consecutive Michigan Green Community certification and 24th consecutive Tree City USA designation. Goals for 2026 include implementing a residential energy efficiency action plan, collaborating with a sustainability fellow to revise the climate action plan, and continuing community education. Two commission seats remain open.
- Charter Ballot Amendment – Council Resignation to Run for Mayor (Regular Agenda Item 8A): Council debated a proposed charter amendment that would allow city council members to run for mayor without first resigning their council seat. City Manager Joseph Gacioch explained that a 60-day review period from the Attorney General’s office (August 11 deadline) is needed for the November ballot. Councilmembers discussed concerns: Mayor Pro Tem McColski wanted more information on how other communities handle this (e.g., Madison Heights). Councilmember Leaks May noted that if a member runs for mayor and loses, they keep their seat, which she felt might deprive others of a chance to run for that council seat. Councilmember Sabatini supported the amendment but suggested adding a future charter amendment to address the vacancy appointment process. After a motion to table was withdrawn, the council voted 4-1 to adopt the resolution, with Mayor Leaks May voting no. The council also directed the city attorney to prepare a separate charter amendment to address the vacancy-filling process for future consideration.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (Item 7J tabled to July).
- Charter amendment resolution adopted (4-1) to place on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot: proposed change allowing council members to run for mayor without resigning their council seat. The city attorney will also draft a separate amendment on how to fill council vacancies when a member resigns to run for another office.
- Juneteenth resolution adopted (part of consent agenda) recognizing June 19, 2026 and authorizing display of the Juneteenth flag at City Hall.
- City staff updates: Parks and Rec announced upcoming events (skate jam, pajama movie party, summer camp); Police Department noted officer swearing-in and community events (pet microchipping on June 9, "Chillin’ with the Chief" on June 16); DDA reported sidewalk reconstruction on 9 Mile (westbound only during work hours through July, with two-way traffic evenings); Communications Director announced a phone system upgrade on Friday, June 12.
- Council recognized Chief Robinson for being elected as the first female delegate to the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs executive board.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I call this meeting to order at 7.03 p.m. If you're able, please rise to 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 God and justice role. Kelly LaSalle. McColski. Sabatini. Here. Leaks May. Here. And now approval of the agenda, please. Mayor, I move that we approve the agenda with one change. Um I'd like to table 7J until the next meeting in July. 7J. Support the approval of the agenda with the amendment proposed by Mayor Pro Temikolski. All in favor of the agenda with amendment. Any opposed? All right. All right. So now we looks like we have a couple of presentations today. First one being uh Affirmations Community Center update. Hello, welcome, Tracy. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Good evening, Mayor, City Council, City Manager. Thank you for the opportunity to share an update on Affirmations. Your LGBT LGBTQ plus community center right here in Ferndale. As Michigan's largest and one of the longest standing LGBTQ community centers in the state, Affirmations continues to serve as a hub for mental health care, youth, and adult support, arts and cultural, all arts and culture, basic needs and basic needs assistance and community connection. In 2025, we saw an in saw the impact of that work in powerful ways. Last year, more than 30,000 individuals and families came through our programs and services, everything from counseling and support groups to wellness programs, food assistance, and resource navigation. Our mental health program provided over 3,500 counseling visits delivered by a team of licensed and student therapists supporting individuals, couples, and groups. We also held 40 vaccination and testing clinics helping strengthen community health access right here in Ferndale. And none of this would be possible without our volunteers. Over 230 people who help run programs, the food pantry, health outreach, and peer-led support, our peer-led groups. Those numbers tell a story of scale, but what we are seeing in 2026 tells a story of momentum. So far this year, just through May, over 11,000 folks have walked through I've already walked through our doors. That's a pace that will surpass last year's engagement, and it reflects the growing need for safe affirming and a safe affirming community spaces. In March, probably my favorite event, don't tell Ferndale Pride. Okay, Ferndale Pride's one of my favorite events too. But March, we reopened our gallery gallery in partnership with the downtown development authority as part of their art march, strengthening our role as cult as a cultural anchor in Ferndale. Our annual youth prom and prom review together welcomed over 30 attendees. These events give LGB LGBTQ plus young people and adults the chance to experience joy, uh safety, and belonging, often for the first time. Our partnership with Ferndale Pride has also grown significantly. This year, several thousand people came through our doors during Pride Weekend alone, using the center as a gathering space, a cooling space, and a community hub. Just last Thursday, we hosted our give out day celebration with Ferndale Project, and what what is just as amazing? We had more than a dozen local business businesses right here in Ferndale participate in our campaign. That kind of local partnership is what keeps our work sustainable and deeply rooted in this community. Across all of this, our mission remains the same to improve the quality of life for LGBT uh LGBTQ plus Michiganders through education, advocacy, community connection, and inclusive services. And our vision, an equitable an equitable world where LGBTQ plus people can love, live, and thrive, continues to grind continues to guide every program we offer. Affirmations is proud to call Ferndale home. We are grateful for the city's ongoing support, and we look forward to continuing to serve as a resource, a partner, and a place belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.
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