Ferndale City Council Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Ferndale City Council met on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, a public hearing on sidewalk assessments, approval of a consent agenda, and discussion of the mental health co-responder program and lead service line verification contract. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Presentations

• Ferndale Arts and Beautification Commission August 2026 Beautification Awards: Chair Suzanne Janik announced winners: 540 Olidy (Southwest), 754 West Breckenridge (Northwest), and 281 Jewel (Southeast). She also promoted the biannual artists' get-together and the October 22 skeleton bus tour.
• Residents' Presentation of Excellent Service Award: Resident Mike Williams presented the first-ever "King Sisyphus Award" to city employees JC and Mrs. O'Toole for combining two retirement systems into one fully funded system, saving the city millions annually. He praised their work and noted that citizens are the ultimate employers of city government.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Angela LePard (East Breckenridge, assistant pastor at MCC Detroit) expressed gratitude for the Indigenous Peoples Day resolution and urged the council to consider impacts on vulnerable communities, including Indigenous peoples.
• Dave Cottrell (1610 Bonefield) complimented the DPW for permeable sidewalk replacement that helps tree roots and noted improved parking enforcement on his street.

Public Hearing

• Public Hearing and Confirmation of the Final Assessment Roll for Sidewalk Special Assessment District 2025–2026: DPW Director James presented the final assessment roll. Work included replacement of approximately 39,000 square feet, 1,560 flags, and 360 saw-cut joints. Porous pavement was installed at 24–26 tree locations. The initial average assessment per property was $439.22; the final average was $435.83 (a 0.8% decrease). 660 of 749 matched assessments did not change. Sidewalk hardship assistance is available through October 12, 2026. No public comments were made. The council confirmed the final assessment roll unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0):
  • Approval of September 14, 2026 meeting minutes
  • Resolution to extend temporary moratorium on data centers
  • Resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day (sponsored by Councilmember Sabotini)
  • Resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (sponsored by Councilmember LaFell)
  • One-year interlocal agreements for leaf transfer site at Southwest Storage Yard
  • Park development agreement with Oakland County for $100,000 in grant funding for Lennon Park Improvement Project
  • Purchase and installation of two dual-port ChargePoint EV chargers from Westside Solutions, Inc. for $27,856.60
  • Giffels Webster professional services agreement for water main improvement design for $54,382
  • Internet service upgrade for Fire Station #1 at $6,000 annually
  • Change order for sewer rehabilitation contract with D.V.M. Utilities, Inc. for $23,000 (revised contract not to exceed $379,055)
  • Approval to backfill vacant positions
  • Approval of bills and payrolls as submitted

Discussion Items

• Mental Health Co-Responder Program: OCHN staff (Trisha Zizembo, Hillary, and Sabrina) presented the program, which embeds clinicians in police departments across four communities (Ferndale, Royal Oak, Madison Heights, Hazel Park). For fiscal year 2026, Ferndale had 132 referrals. The council discussed equitable cost sharing after the county reduced its subsidy from $180,000 to $60,000. The original motion was for a not-to-exceed amount of $67,437; Councilmember Sabotini moved to amend the motion to direct the city manager to work with participating agencies and OCHN to develop a cost-sharing methodology based on actual utilization. The amendment passed 5-0, and the main motion as amended also passed 5-0.
• Lead Service Line Verification Services Contract: DPW Director James provided an update on the lead service line replacement program. Since 2020, 2,440 replacements have been completed, with approximately 3,260 remaining (57% of 10,000 connections). The proposed contract with D'Angelo Bros., Inc. for verification services is not to exceed $500,000 ($400,000 federal grant + $100,000 city match from water and sewer fund), contingent on EPA and city attorney approval. The council also learned of a favorable FY2027 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan opportunity ($11.25M at 0% interest with a 10% state grant). The contract was approved 5-0.

City Department Updates

• DPW: Curbside leaf collection begins the week of October 19; bagged yard waste pickup ends December 14.
• Police: Chief reported increased traffic enforcement around schools and bus stops; radar speed monitoring devices available upon request; Citizens Police Academy starts October 1.
• Clerk: Absentee ballots for the November 3 election were mailed; reminder that the October 12 Indigenous Peoples Day meeting is moved to Tuesday, October 13.
• Economic Development Association (EDA): Downtown Ferndale received 18 recognitions in Detroit Metro Times' reader's choice awards, including Best Neighborhood Retail District.
• Parks & Recreation: Ferndale Fall Festival is Saturday, October 3 from 11 AM to 3 PM at Martin Road Park; volunteers needed; wristbands available early at the office.
• Fire: New ambulance expected in December; Fire Department open house October 3 from 4–6 PM; smoke detector program ended due to state funding loss (installation assistance still available).

Council Member Comments

• Councilmember Sabotini: Thanked community for input on Indigenous Peoples Day resolution and read a poem by Native American poet laureate Joy Harjo titled "Remember."
• Councilmember LaFell: Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, dedicated to her mother, and promoted Fall Festival volunteering.
• Councilmember Kelly: Had no comments.
• Councilmember Mikulski: Announced a farmer interested in collecting bagged acorns from Ferndale yards in about two weeks.
• Mayor: Attended the grand opening of Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit in Ferndale; noted Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School's centennial and the opening of Civic Center Park in Royal Oak Township.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (5-0).
• Final assessment roll for Sidewalk Special Assessment District 2025–2026 confirmed unanimously (5-0).
• Mental health co-responder program interlocal agreement approved with an amendment to develop equitable cost-sharing based on utilization (5-0).
• Lead service line verification contract with D'Angelo Bros., Inc. approved (5-0), contingent on EPA and city attorney approval.
• Resolutions recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day (October 12, 2026) and Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2026) adopted.
• Sidewalk hardship assistance applications due by October 12, 2026 at noon.