Ferndale City Council Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Ferndale City Council met on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall (300 E 9 Mile). Mayor Kelly presided, with Councilmembers LaSalle, McColsky, Sabatini, and Leaks May present; Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Tamikowski was absent (approved unanimously). The meeting included three presentations (Ferndale Public Schools facilities transition, the Attainable Housing Facilities Act, and the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act), a call to audience, approval of the consent agenda, and department head updates. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.

Consent Calendar

• 7.A: Approval of the September 28, 2026 meeting minutes
• 7.B: Approval of listed appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions (including Shane Burley to the Planning Commission)
• 7.C: Authorization for DMC Consultants, Inc. to conduct construction operations on Sundays through November 15th at Martin Road Park
• 7.D: Approval of Southwest Storage Yard garage heater installation (not to exceed $12,869.68)
• 7.E: Approval of CCTV workstation and network improvements (not to exceed $8,070.72)
• 7.F: Approval of payment to GameTime in the amount of $158,727.99 for playground equipment at Martin Road Park
• 7.G: Approval of bills and payrolls as submitted by the Finance Director All items were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shane Burley (520 Leroy St): Announced his application for appointment to the Planning Commission, noting he is a 20-year Ferndale resident and sole owner of a medium-sized architecture firm in Detroit. He stated it was time to serve the community.
• Sharon Chess (Ferndale Community Concert Band president): Announced an upcoming concert on October 25 (jazz band at 2:30 PM, concert band at 3:00 PM) and a musician bake sale fundraiser. She expressed strong concerns about proposed construction of additional living spaces on existing lots, citing potential impacts on parking (already scarce after 4 PM), difficulty for police patrol, watershed issues, and loss of neighborhood character. She urged careful consideration before any decisions.
• Chris Gilmer Hill (Detroit resident, Democratic nominee for State House District 8): Reminded the public about the upcoming November 3 election, directing voters to Michigan.gov/vote for registration, absentee ballots, and polling location information. He encouraged attention to nonpartisan proposals on the ballot, including corporate money in elections and judicial elections.

Discussion Items

Ferndale Public Schools Presentation

Deputy Superintendent Felicia Wright presented the district’s facilities transition plan and a November ballot proposal. Key points:

• Facility moves: Three strategic moves to renovate the middle school/high school campus, funded by a $114.8 million bond passed in 2025 (plus a prior $124 million bond in 2020):
  • Spring 2027: Move central administration from 2610 Pinecrest (former Roosevelt building) to the Tri-County Educational Center (former Grant Elementary, 21131 Garden Lane) as temporary swing space.
  • Summer 2027: Move Ferndale Middle School to the Roosevelt building for 2.5–3 years while renovations occur; high school students remain on campus with classroom refreshes. This approach cuts construction time by 5 months.
• A traffic study will be conducted for the middle school/high school campus and for the Roosevelt site during the swing period. Community feedback on bell schedules, busing, and shared staff is still being collected; additional town halls are planned (next: Soup with the Supe on October 29).
• Ballot proposal (November 3): The district seeks to replace, restore, and extend the authority to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property (expires with 2035 levy), allowing the district to continue receiving the full per-pupil foundational allowance (currently $10,300 per student, up $250 from last year). The general operating budget is approximately $6.7 million. Residences would not see a tax increase.
• An agreement regarding the Kulick Center is being finalized with the city manager.
• Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and expressed thanks for the collaboration.

Attainable Housing Facilities Act (PA 236 of 2022) Presentation

Director Ross Carroll introduced the act, which provides a tax incentive (50% reduction of state average mills on commercial/industrial/utility property, up to 12 years) to owners of rental properties with four or fewer units who invest over $5,000 and lease units at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI) with rent no more than 30% of tenant income. The incentive aims to encourage “missing middle” housing (e.g., accessory dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes) that is often financially infeasible due to lending constraints. Ferndale currently permits missing-middle housing by right in two zoning districts. Establishing attainable housing districts citywide would cost $10,777 for certified mailings; alternatively, property owners can petition for a district on a single parcel (no cost to the city). A draft housing exemption policy (included in the agenda packet) prioritizes adaptive reuse, ADUs, and ADA compliance; the policy could be tailored by council (e.g., setting AMI at 100% or lower). The act sunsets December 2027, but extension legislation is expected. No action was taken; the item will return to the Incentives Committee for further discussion. Councilmembers inquired about targeting 80% AMI and asked about affordability verification mechanisms.

Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (PA 146 of 2000) Presentation

Director Carroll provided an overview of this state law, which freezes taxable value for 1–12 years for redevelopment of blighted, contaminated, or functionally obsolete commercial or mixed-use buildings. Ferndale has used it previously:

• 1458 Jarvis (European Auto Supply): Approved October 2016; private investment of $980,320; 12-year abatement worth $81,000 in foregone taxes.
• St. James School (senior living): Approved June 2016; private investment of $9,637,485; 12-year abatement worth approximately $3 million. A new application will be considered at the next city council meeting (October 26). Councilmembers discussed the process for establishing an OPRA district (single parcel possible) and the criteria for determining abatement length (private investment, job creation, blight elimination). No action was taken.

Department Head Updates (Call to Council)

• City Manager: Noted the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on October 28 regarding the Cyprus Partners PUD (across the street). Has quorum now.
• Parks and Recreation: Reported a successful Fall Festival on October 3 (sponsored by Artichoke Garlic Foundation, BIB Credit Union, IEP Urgent Care). Martin Road Park service building on schedule for end-of-month; thanked council for approving Sunday construction. Harding Park hockey rink also on schedule (sports flooring still to be installed).
• DPW: Announced curbside leaf collection begins next week (day before trash day by 7 AM). Leaves only; other yard waste must be bagged.
• Communications: Reminded about Ferndale Emergency Alerts via Oakland County’s Oak Alert system (free); about 800 people currently signed up. Sign-up at FerndaleMI.gov/emergency-alerts.
• EDA (Economic Development Authority): Downtown Trick-or-Treating will be October 24 from 3–5 PM; map will be published on social media.
• Fire Department: Open house was a great success; theme was battery/charging safety. Reminded about battery drop-off locations (City Hall, fire stations, etc.). Halloween safety tips: no official trick-or-treat hours (unofficial 6–8 PM); use reflective gear; drive slowly. Fire trucks will patrol neighborhoods (barring emergencies) handing out candy.
• Clerk’s Office: Election update for November 3: Over 6,000 absentee ballots sent; about 18% returned. Secure drop boxes at City Hall and DOT parking garage. In-person early voting at Hazel Park Community Center runs October 24–November 1 (hours vary); Election Day polls open 7 AM–8 PM.

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember Kelly: Announced Ferndale Arts and Beautification Commission’s “Bootification” nominations are open until October 20 (nominate nicely decorated houses via Facebook).
• Councilmember [LaSalle?]: Reported the Sidewalk Hardship Committee met before the meeting; record applicants, all eligible received 100% coverage within budget. Thanked DPW and Communications for outreach. Expressed appreciation to Ferndale Schools for collaboration on the Kulick Center and their community-first approach. Announced participation in the Fire Ops 101 program.
• Councilmember Lisa: Thanked Parks and Recreation for the wonderful Fall Festival; also reminded that the Mayor’s Business Council meets October 20 (8–9:30 AM at Incubisu) for networking and resources.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda was approved unanimously.
• No formal actions were taken on the three presentations; the Attainable Housing Facilities Act will be further discussed at the Incentives Committee, and the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act application will be considered at the October 26 meeting.
• Next meetings: Planning Commission public hearing on October 28; City Council next regular meeting (likely October 26).
• Community reminders: Leaf collection starts next week; downtown Trick-or-Treating on October 24; early voting begins October 24; Election Day November 3.