Ferndale City Council Meeting - June 22, 2026

The Ferndale City Council met on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations from the Ferndale Area District Library, an update to the city phone tree, and the annual report from the Arts & Beautification Commission. Public comments covered a range of issues including off-leash dogs, gas-powered leaf blowers, library millage support, open burning, cycling safety, and a proposed charter amendment. The council approved consent agenda items (with one tabled), lead service line replacement contracts, a design agreement for Eight Mile Road water main improvements, and a resolution to place a charter amendment on vacancies on the November 2026 ballot.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved with the removal of item 7.I (FOG Inspection and Compliance Program by Eganix for $58,280) which was tabled for future consideration with no date set.
• Items 7.A through 7.L were approved unanimously. Notable items include:
  • Approval of June 8, 2026 meeting minutes
  • Appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions
  • Special event permit for Vester Alley Stroll on July 25, 2026
  • Wage increases for non-union administrative employees
  • Amendments to the City Manager employment agreement
  • FY27 Downtown Maintenance Service Agreement with the DDA
  • Professional services agreement with OHM Advisors for DPW mechanical upgrades ($69,800)
  • Leaf vacuum repairs by Rhodes Welding Company Inc. ($20,800)
  • SCADA replacement at Albany Booster Station ($6,075)
  • City Hall lift replacement design and construction administration ($17,500)
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund agreement for Martin Road Park playground expansion
  • Bills and payrolls as submitted

Public Comments & Testimony

• Matt Helms (3301 Grayson): Expressed concern over dogs off-leash at Harding Park, citing an incident on June 10 where a dog chased a child. Urged increased enforcement and signage at parks. Noted that police spoke to the owner but the issue persists.
• Kevin Roach (West Marshall Street): Provided an update on the Ferndale Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission meeting (next on June 29, 6:30 PM). Announced the Disability Pride Ice Cream Social on July 16 at Jim's Community Corner. Expressed support for extending noise ordinances on gas-powered leaf blowers and addressing drone noise issues.
• Savannah (2147 Chevlin Street): Asked the council and public to vote yes on the two library millages on the August 4 ballot. Spoke passionately about the library's role as a community center and the need for funding to expand services.
• Barbara Blaze (564 East Maplehurst): Requested that the city replace the open burning ordinance with requirements for smokeless or propane fire pits, citing smoke nuisance and safety concerns with close housing.
• Rochelle Bono (Hazel Park resident, former Ferndale resident): Raised concerns about Ferndale police not addressing cycling safety, including being dismissed when reporting reckless drivers, officers pulling over vehicles in bike lanes, and lack of de-escalation training for Tourette syndrome. Asked for better enforcement and officer training.
• Dennis Whitey (1510 Camden): Spoke on the charter amendment regarding vacancies. Proposed that council members running for mayor should not have to resign 15 days before filing but instead have their seat become vacant at year-end, with the vacancy filled at the same election. Appreciated the city manager reaching out but felt the current proposal does not address the core issue. Urged council to get it right and not rush for November.

Discussion Items

• 4.A – Presentation from Ferndale Area District Library: Jeff Milo (marketing head) and Drew McCaulay (director) presented on the upcoming library millage on August 4, 2026. They highlighted summer reading sign-ups (655 participants, up from last year), 15,300 items checked out in May alone, 475 new library cards, and 10,000 visitors. The two ballot questions: a renewal of the operational millage (2.81 mills plus an additional 0.5 mill) and a new capital asset millage (0.5 mill) for building maintenance (geothermal HVAC, roof, siding, flooring, network upgrades). The library is open seven days a week, eliminated late fees, and offers free programs.
• 4.B – Update to City Phone Tree: Riley, Communications Manager, presented on the phone tree update (completed June 12, 2026). The new structure prioritizes most-dialed departments (police now earlier), adds topic-based phrasing instead of department names, and creates a dedicated operator extension (11) for customer service. Calls to the comms line increased from 4 (June 4-11) to 86 (June 12-19). Council requested a follow-up recap after one to two months to benchmark customer service improvements.
• 4.C – Arts & Beautification Commission Annual Report and June 2026 Resident Yard Awards: Chair Suzanne Janick presented the commission's work including beautification awards (summer, coneflower, spooky, holiday lights), the Think Tank, Ferndale Collective, Pollinator Parade, and Art March. Announced the June 2026 Yard Award winners: 21315 West Maplehurst (Northwest), 280 College (Southeast), and 152 Albany (Southwest). Noted a vacancy on the commission.
• 8.A – FY2027 Lead Service Line Replacement Program Contracts: DPW staff presented a complex update. The program has completed 2,302 replacements; 3,600 remain. The request is for 150 planned replacements (plus emergency) and verification work, totaling $1,737,000 ($1.2M for replacements, $500K for verification, offset by a $400K federal grant, net city cost $1.3M). Two contractors: D'Angelo Brothers (120 planned + emergencies) and Sunday Building Inc. (30 planned). The water main replacement is driven by state and federal mandates (5% annual minimum, likely increasing to 10%). Long-term cost projection: $26.5M to $40M. Council discussed water rate study, competitiveness for state revolving loan funds, and the need for rate increases. Approved unanimously.
• 8.B – Giffels Webster Professional Services Agreement for Eight Mile Road Water Main Improvement Design: The city approved a $242,727 design agreement for a water main replacement along Eight Mile Road from Pinecrest Drive to Woodward Avenue. The 85-year-old cast iron pipe (12-inch) has a history of breaks. The design will include survey, geotechnical investigation, environmental permitting, and bidding services. Construction cost estimated at $4.8M, with the city seeking $3.63M in federal funding (75-25 match). If federal funding fails, the project may be deferred and smaller projects moved forward. Council discussed traffic impacts, partnership with Detroit, and design shelf life. Approved unanimously.
• 8.C – Charter Amendment on Vacancies in Elected Office: The council adopted a resolution to place a charter amendment on the November 3, 2026 general election. The amendment changes how vacancies are filled: the sooner of the next municipal election (odd-year November) or the next regular election (even-year November), avoiding costly special elections. The 120-day deadline for filing was noted. The city will submit to the Attorney General and Governor despite being past the guidance deadline. The amendment is separate from a previously adopted ballot measure. Council expressed support for the approach as cleaner than appointments.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved with item 7.I tabled.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Contracts: Approved (unanimous roll call: Mikulski, Sabatini, Kelly, LaSalle, Leaks May all yes). Total authorization $1,737,000 from water and sewer fund.
• Eight Mile Water Main Design: Approved (unanimous roll call). Professional services agreement with Giffels Webster for $242,727 for design only.
• Charter Amendment on Vacancies: Approved resolution to place on November 3, 2026 ballot (unanimous roll call). The amendment would allow vacancies to be filled at the next municipal or regular election, whichever is sooner.
• Library Millage: Voters will decide on August 4, 2026 on two ballot questions: operational millage renewal (2.81 mills + 0.5 mill) and capital asset millage (0.5 mill). Absentee ballots being sent out that week.
• Public Safety: Fire chief reminded of fireworks regulations (June 29-July 4, 11 AM-11:45 PM) and burn permit requirements for wood-burning fire pits. Police chief expressed condolences for a tragic event and urged roadway safety.